Friday, June 29, 2012

Off to Japan

I will be going to Japan on July 3rd to take care of my mother's affairs and to make a report to her parent's grave in Tokyo.
While in Japan I will see many old friends from work and Dojo. I will be very busy. ( ^ ^ ) My nights are rapidly being booked up, Of course I will be conducting classes as well.
The schedule for classes are 7, 8 (Sunday morning) 10, 12 14 and 15 (Sunday morning).
The Kyokushinkan tournament will be held during my stay so  hopefully I can go see it.
Two weeks will go by fast. But then, with the current yen rate, any longer I will be penniless. Gahahaha. I truly miss the days $1.00 was 360 yen.
I hope to post some pics from Japan.
Osu!
Richard

Thursday, June 21, 2012

お誕生日おめでとうー!!Y( ^ ^ )Y


Today is Yachiyo Sensei's aka Mrs. Kimura, Da Boss birthday. Her newly acquired age is Top Secret and Not Releasable to the Public. (NRP) She is celebrating her 21st birthday for the ?? time.  The picture was taken at Los Cabos, Mexico during the top sales awards ceremony called the President's Club. Only the top 10 percent are selected to this prestigious group. I got a free trip as baggage holder! Y( ^^ )Y
I hope that Yachiyo will continue to diligently train in Karate and take me on another trip! 
Anyways please wish her a Happy Birthday! OSU! 

今日はやちよ先生異木村夫人、親分の誕生日でした。年齢は極秘扱い、公不出とされています。21際の誕生日はこれで何回目でしょうか?写真は彼女の会社主催のトップセールス(上の10%)の表彰パーテイ。メキシコのロスカボスにて。我が輩は鞄持ちで付き添い。
これからも空手稽古の切磋琢磨しまた旅行に連れってくれるのを楽しみにしてまーす。
とにかく誕生日おめでとう!
押忍


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Form

 Form 形

My wife recently received a package full of birthday gifts (all edible)  from her older sister in Japan. Aside from the fact that now I cannot conveniently forget her birthday ( - -; ), all the presents looked delectable. Perhaps I will be able to take a nibble or two while she is gone ( ^ ^ ).
Back to my main theme!  One of the packages caught my eye. The original is as you can see, an ordinary package with some printing on it.

Original package

The package actually looked like this ( ^ ^ )

Package in its presentation form.

The package was transformed by merely two cuts on the side. It was then folded into the shape of a collared shirt. I thought it was brilliant! A very unique presentation. 
As my brain is always in and out of the Budo mode, I began thinking of the package as Kata or Form.
Our Senseis and their Senseis have left us the legacy of various Katas. The Katas have, I would dare to say, have changed with the Senseis and their interpretation of it. A little tweak here and there. Interpretation of the Kata's applications also changed depending on the performer's vision of the Kata.
I think that is great! Just like the package, a little thought and vision makes it into a different form.
The original is still there as well.  ( ^ ^ ) and we can always go back to it. 
Bunkai and Oyo is now having a big impact on the Karate world (perhaps more in the Western world)
Discussions and arguments abound in numerous blogs and websites with regard to authenticity, lineage and so forth.  Just as the earth evolves and changes, it is only natural that Kata evolves and changes.
Why waste time arguing? I expect the what I passed on to my Shihandais will eventually change and it will continue to change with their successors. I think that is wonderful. 

OSU!


Monday, June 11, 2012

Farewell at the Sea, June 10, 2102

 The morning started with the completion of the Hawaiian woven basket for transporting the ashes. The  basket was decorated with flowers from members of Yokohama Dojo under Shihandais William and Nagaie  and members of Kesshinkai Dojo of New York under DeMarco Sensei.

 The trip started in shaky grounds with engine trouble. (^^) Not much for us to do but wait!!

 After a quick repair, we were able to head to our destination of off shore Waikiki.

 The weather was perfect and the sea calm as we headed towards Waikiki and Diamond Head.

 Our destination  (^^) You can see the famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel with its pink facade. We are quite far from the shore as the photo was taken with a zoom lens.

 The flower petals following the ashes in the sea.

 The sun was beginning to set as we headed back to the port.

A beautiful ending to a wonderful farewell to my parents. 
A BIG MAHALO to all of you have sent me words of encouragement and support !

押忍!