October 2011
With Baba Kinji Sensei's Kokushikan University Group, Mr. Mutsuo Oouchi and Mr. Hiromichi Hayashi, both 7 dan, came for September 1st Myohoji practice, 3rd at Kenshikan and 4th at Kaimuki Honbu dojo. I was sad and rather depressed when I practiced with them and could not strike them at all. You have to have people like them to come and practice so that we recognize that many people are better than you. You may practice harder to get better after such practices. I see many kenshis who rather practice with lower ranking ones so that they can get self-satisfaction by hitting them.
Mrs. Atsuko Kimura, 6 Dan from Hokkaido, will arrive on Thursday, October 6th and leave on Monday, October 10th. She plans to come to Myohoji on Thursday, Kenshikan on Saturday and Kaimuki Honbu on Sunday. This is her 2nd Hawaii visit. Her 1st one was about 10 years ago. Since then, we have been corresponding about our kendo progress. We made 7 Dan and 6 Dan respectively. She has been an inspiration to me. You should come and practice with her or at least observe her practice.
The followings are participants from Hawaii in Pacific Northwest Kendo Tournament in Kent, Washington on Saturday, November 5th. Nicole Lee, Todd Sato, Rina Ono, Braxton Fukutomi, Yusuke Suzuki, James Okada, Kevin Chun, Corinna Sato, Andy Fujimoto, Seth Harris, Ken Sato and Russell Kihara chaperoned by Cindy Fukutomi, Iwao and Sharon Sato. It is not too late if you want to participate. Let me know as soon as possible because the entry is by October 16th.
Hawaii Kendo Federation will have 1 Kyu and Dan examination in November. Some kenshis are studying kata with us for the examination. Let your club instructors know if you are taking the examination.
Steveston Kendo Club 50th Annual Tournament is on Saturday, February 11th 2012. Save money and vacation time if you plan to experience this cerebration.
Wahiawa Kendo Club T-shirts are still available with $15 each. Contact me if you want.
Zippy's Ticket Sale for our club is in full swing. Thank you for buying/selling tickets. If you have unsold tickets, try to sell. If you think those will remain unsold, return them to me. I will look for others who can sell more. Tickets are $8 each and have choices.
At September 17th practice, Rev. Eijo Ikenaga said to everyone there, "It is waste of your time and sensei's time if you do not learn kendo basics in correct way." It is very important to learn fundamentals correctly. In order to get better, you do all possible to correct your bad habits. I still struggle to correct my bad habits. Kendo is good even for older people like me if you want to have some exercise. But it is hard to have practices where you want improve your kendo.
Iwao Sato, Chief Instructor, Wahiawa Kendo Club