March 2011
Twenty-five Tokai University students lead by Professors Yoshimra, 8 dan and Sasaki, 7 dan, are visiting Hawaii now. We had good keiko with them on Friday, Feb. 25th at Kenkyu Kai and Sunday, Feb. 27th at Kaimuki followed by a picnic in Waikiki. Students and Hawaii kenshis developed friendship well.
Braxton Fukutomi was the champion in 3 dan division in 49th Steveston Tournament in Canada. Former Mililani Kendo Club member, Seth DeNardi, who moved to Spokane,
Washington last year was 1st in 1 – 3 Kyu division. Former Hawaii Kendo Federation member, Desi Nakamoto, who now lives in Los Angeles area, pleasantly surprised us to become the champion of 4 Dan and above division. Hawaii Senior Team came in one of best 8 teams. This was Corinna Sato's 1st tournament experience. Unfortunately she had to face the person who took the championship in 1st round. Everyone had a great time while in Canada.
The former Chief Instructor of Kanagawa Police Academy, Mr. Masuho Shinozuka, Hanshi 8 dan, will visit Hawaii with few other kenshis. He will appear at Kenshikan practice on Wednesday, Mar. 9th and Myohoji on Thursday, Mar. 10th. Go there and watch them eveb if you cannot participate. He will be awesome.
Seth Harris and I will attend American Zone Shinpan Seminar on Mar. 19th and 20th in Chicago, Illinois. We were asked to have a shinpan seminar in Hawaii afterward using what we learn there.
Former Hawaii Kendo Federation member and the taisho of USA team in World Kendo Championship in Taipei, Marvin Kawabata, will be in town in April. As you may remember, he was the one won over Japanese taisho to make USA team win over Japan. His sensei, Mr. Shozo Kato, one of two 8 dans USA has, and Mr. Kakehashi, Hanshi 8 dan, may join Marvin during that time.
On Saturday, February 5th, I went to practice at Kenshikan Dojo. Mr. Kevin Kamita was in charge of teaching four 5 years old kids. He reminded me of my father who had taught nursery school kids for many years in Japan. Those kids have very short attention span. My father had difficult time teaching them. However, he got tickled when one of little girls liked him well enough to want him to make her his bride. It was a cute story. By teaching, Mr. Kamita's kendo has been much improved. Teaching is learning. You have to learn and master well enough to teach. I think that is why Mr. Kamita improved his kendo.
Iwao Sato, Chief Instructor, Wahiawa Kendo Club