November 2009
Kenkyu Kai practice is on Friday, November 6th from 7:30PM at JCCH dojo. We practice kata for those who are taking dan examination before going into ji-geiko.
Kendogi, Hakama and kote sale is on for part of Hawaii Kendo Federation fund raise efforts. Contact your instructors or Mr. Tusha Buntin for more information.
Dan and I kyu examination is on Sunday, November 15th at 8:30AM in Kaimuki Gym. You may go over and observe even if you are not taking this time. 35th Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation Kendo Tournament will be held on Saturday, November 21st. Participants from Hawaii are Jay Park, Dane and Chase Takenaka for Yonenbu and Divina Takenaka, Russell Kihara and Iwao Sato for Seinenbu.
James Okada and Kevin Chun who are attending University of Washington will join us there. Jay’s mother and sister and Mr. Brian Takenaka will be cheer leading for us.
One of my relatives, Mr. Yuki Ikeda with Fukushima Police Department, may join our practice on Wednesday, November 25th. He is still in twentieth and has been practicing kendo from his childhood. Kenshis from other dojo are invited to practice with him.
Mr. Kazuyoshi Inoue, Kyoshi 7 dan, from Fukuoka is teaching us again in Hawaii. He will be in town from November 30th till December 16th. Go practice with him in every opportunity you get. He is a good teacher. Even observing him practice will give you inspiration and education.
Our annual fund raise of Zippy’s Chili Sale is in final stage. Tickets are $7 each and good till November 18th. We still have tickets left if you can help us more. Thank you for those who are helping us selling tickets. Please return unsold tickets with money for sold ones to me by Sunday November 15th so that I can finish transaction with Zippy’s in time. I would like to thank those who gave us generous donation in lieu of selling tickets. As you may know, this fund helps our club not only for our club activities, but also some of Hawaii Kendo Federation ones as donation from our club.
When I went to see my father every summer, he wanted me to go with him to visit relatives and friends to distribute his summer gift, “chugen.” He never called before going to their houses. If people were not home, he left his gift in front of their house doors. They could tell where gifts were from because my father gave them same gifts every year. I asked him, “In the U.S.A., it’s No-No to visit people without letting them know. Why don’t you call before visiting?” His answer was, “If I call, they try to clean their messy houses and worry about what to feed me. That’s why I don’t call.” People do things different ways. Sometimes they have own valid reasons. Be understanding for other people’s different way of doing things.
Iwao Sato, Chief Instructor, Wahiawa Kendo Club