Traditions

Sorry! No can let u see.

Aloha kakahiaka (Good morning in Hawaiian) all! Rainy morning in Hawaii, but that's OK, it keeps everything nice and green.  I woke up and lo and behold, what awaits me on the Internet?!? Yes, a photo of  our beloved Yokohama Dojo Instructor in a "seira fuku" (^^). Hmmm not exactly the best of ways to start off a morning! Gahahaha. I was tempted to place the photo on this blog.....but my "wiser" self prevailed. Just imagine if you will Tony in a mini-skirt (Sorry Tony, couldn't think of a better way to put it).

But on the other hand you New Yorkers are probably used to such sights. (><;) I recall seeing similar sights when I visited Broadway many moons ago.

Now this "seira fuku" thing is like a tradition among the adults at Yokohama Dojo. I cannot exactly recall how and when this "tradition" started. I believe it started at a birthday party the students threw for me one year. (^^). Two of the mommies decided to wear their daughters school outfits as part of the      festivities. It was rather impressive that they could fit into the uniforms without busting the zipper! All in good fun. Other Dojos have its own unique traditions as well. I'll leave that for another time.

There are naturally formal traditions as well. For Kimura Dojo it is the New Years Day practice. We gather at the local park (Negishi Shinrin Koen for Yokohama and Ala Moana Beach Park for Hawaii) and greet the first sunrise of the year with meditation and a good practice. At Yokohama we made a pot of hot oshiruko (sweet bean soup) and mochi (rice cakes) to eat after the practice. It is cold on New Years Day at Yokohama. The picture on Kimura Dojo Blog is one of the New Year Sessions.

In Hawaii, I greet the sunrise on the beach. Why "I" ? Fufufu. I'm the only one so far that has shown up.

Da Boss remains curled up underneath her blanket with Yuta. (^^) As a matter of fact, I don't recall her being at any of Yokohama's New Year Day practice????? Hmmmm. Oh well.

I think traditions are good to have for building esprit de corps. Formal and Non formal traditions are excellent methods of reinforcing our commitment to the activity we are involved.

Unfortunately, there are some traditions that go beyond good common sense and is just a tool for Senpais to "bully" Kohais. One of these is the abuse of the word "Osu". we all know that "Osu" is an expression used to show our commitment to hard training. That is all it means. I sometimes think that "Osu" is used too often and like anything else the "quality" of Osu diminishes. "Osu" is not to be used to accept irresponsible tasking and or acts of bullying. Sadly we see some of this in Japanese High School and college activities, not just limited to martial arts. Even more sad is to see the senior advisers to these activities allow it to continue as part of "tradition". Now that is really wrong.

There is another Yokohama Dojo tradition called "Hansei Kai" [Critique Session] 反省会which follows every Saturday night practice. For obvious reasons it is held at a location closest to the homes of the Senior members known as the "Sounenbu Toku Toku Sei Gundan" 壮年部特特生軍団. To be fair to the group, discussions are held with regard to Dojo activities and future plans and scheduling are duly made while consuming liberal amounts of sochu and beer. (^^)

WHOPEEE!! 1.000 Visits!! MAHALO

1,000 Visits!

Wow! 1,000 visits! Mahalo to all our readers.
(^^) 

CLOSE GAME SO FAR! GO HAWAII!!!

LITTLE LEAGUES WORLD SERIES!
HAWAII VS JAPAN

2010 World Little League Finals

Japan 4 Hawaii 1.

JAPAN TOOK THE TITLE!
OMEDETOU!

GREAT EFFORT HAWAII (NATIONAL CHAMPS)

(^^) Been awhile since I last had my ear glued to the transitor radio!

漢字の時間ですよー。It's Kanji time!

Hito/Person

     What does this kanji look like to you? You already know that it stands for person, a human being because I wrote it underneath the character. Such a nice Sensei, yes? (^^) Well the hard part follows. I want all of you to think about how this Kanji came about to mean person. What do you see? Perhaps some one walking? But then the core Kanji for walking is 歩, run is 走。Hmmm. Getting confusing? Join the crowd.  To me Kanji is a fascinating world. Calligraphy is an art in itself which like karate takes many years to get to the starting gate. How one "symbol", if you will, can evoke myriads of emotion and messages.

     This Kanji became "famous" through a TV drama series called "Kinpachi Sensei". It was a drama revolving around a typical Japanese Middle School or Junior High. It was aired during a period when Japanese education and society in general was facing dramatic changes.  In one of the episodes Kinpachi Sensei talks about the Kanji 人。

「人は人によって支えられ、人の間で人間として磨かれていく」A person is supported by another person and is polished by others as a human being. Now, there is some debate as to the origins of this thought and there are academics that have problems with this interpretation of the Kanji. But let's put those thoughts aside and concentrate on the saying itself. With Kinpachi Sensei words in mind, how do you see the Kanji now? Can you see someone being supported by another person?

     In Budo it is the same. No one can master the path on his own. The student has his Sensei. The Sensei has his student. They both support each other in their pursuit of the way.  The family is the same. The children are supported by their parents and in return the parents are supported by their children in the form of responsibility and having a purpose in life.

     Let's put two live bodies in the form of the Kanji 人. If you take away the support of shorter limb, what happens to the longer one? Naturally it falls without the support. Whether it is our pursuit of Budo, studying, or working we must always remember that our own success is supported by others.

Bootcamp Season in New York

Ohayou Roushiichi,

Its bootcamp season again here in New York! What you to know that we are working on much of your teachings and philosophies. Been keeping me rather busy. The Following was our email introduction to the dojo. Just wanted to share.

Bootcamp IV

For most people who enter a traditional budo dojo, they are soon struck by the apparent conflicting philosophies. How can a place that teaches empty had combat teach students of peace. After training for some time in a budo art, I think many budo-ka (myself included) are struck when the newest addition to the dojo, first asks,” when do I get to learn to break boards and bricks with my karate chop”. I smile, and teach dojo rei, or bow. In this bow, we as budo-ka cross our left arm over our right arm. We lower our selves into formal sitting first left then right, only to rise ourselves on the right leg. Now the bow and the sitting look just as nice on either the right or left side. Why? Ask any of our karate students, and I would hope that they would responed. Tony taught me always left over right. Why? For people of the budo arts the left side is the side of “Peace” the right side is the side of the “warrior.” Peace always over the warrior. I would like to think that in true budo one learns the ways of peace though the art of combat.

Now if you are still reading what does all that have to do with bootcamp Tony? Well the veterans understand, Tony goes off on this stuff from time to time, but he come back around and gives a pretty good workout most days. Truly, I find the best in self-improvement in eastern philosophies. In fact, I have even seen a few of the ladies posting and following some rather wonderful, Eastern Budo Philosophies on their Facebook!! I think at times I am more proud that, then the weight loss, or their 5K times.

The point, workouts look and feel to be body breakdown, but we should be building a stronger more confident self. We need to have the confidence, to learn the difference between delayed on set muscle soreness, and injury. (ahh we teach what we need to learn most!). Many of you have shared injuries or major surgeries with me. I applauded you budo spirit, please don't feel funny to ask for modification or help. It's a challenge I enjoy. For example, our ¼ mile speed run/ walk will be tonight. If you can make it in 90sec in our dojo you will be fine. If you would like a good time, my high school track girls tell me under 60 sec is a good time for them. If you have a physical limitation then we can find a new “ evaluation”. These numbers are just that, a point to begin from. I have attached the Performance chart to this email in pdf format. I will talk more about this after we finish our fitness evaluations, might like to bring a copy tonight to class with hand weights if you have them....

This brings me to goals. I really think that a written goal, verbalized to some other person is the way to be successful. It does not have to be to me, or the group of ladies. Many have shared them. We have had goals like>> to run a 5K; make me skinny Tony; arms like Kirsten’s, putting on socks without having to sit, to do a push up….Please think about a 4 week and a 8 week goal. Please write it down and share it with at least one other person.

On to Nutrition: Tanya Lipinski has a wonderful background in Nutrition. One again, she has offered her time and help for anyone who would like to learn more about “eating” for your best workouts. I will ask if you are going to be doing a food log for Tanya to see her tonight after class. I will bring a copy of Tanya food dairies tonight. I truly believe that 70-80% of weight management is done in the kitchen, and not the gym.

Last word, I would please ask that you bring a clean pair of sneakers to the dojo. The karate people workout in bare feet. The small glass and stone pieces really do cause problems for us. Thank you.

Sorry to be so long....I will be short next time...

Tony

一生事なきを以って第一とするなり戦を好むは道に非ず。中条流平法

"Issho kotonaki wo ette daiichi to surunari ikusa wo konomu ha michi ni arazu."

This precept is attributed to teachings of the Nakjo Style of Swordsmanship which is considered the oldest of Japanese swordsmanship. Nakajo Ryu eventually become known as Toda Ryu.  The founder of the Nakajo Ryu, was also a politician and poet who also studied Zen during the Kamakura Period and developed Nakajo Heiho (Nakajo Method of Reasoning) The style has a very interesting history which I leave the readers to Google on their own. (^^)

The precept roughly translated in my limited capability might go as " The foremost goal is to complete life without conflict, to seek conflict is not the path".  Transferred to Karate, I interpret this as "Should you go through life without using Karate then you have journeyed successfully".

Budo or martial arts should give us the capability of not fighting. Some of you may find this strange. But as you train you gain the confidence to protect yourself (physical and technical skills) but at the same time this confidence gives the mental awareness of being able to "see" and avoid conflict. Without confidence you cannot negotiate the hazards that we may come upon in life. Without confidence you only emotionally react to the hazards with physical skills. With confidence you are able to control your emotions and seek a better and safer resolution.

Those that only concentrate on physical skills become trapped in seeking only strength and lose sight of the true purpose of Budo.

The Return of the King's

Some times the budo kami do shine upon us! This summer, all the way in from Western Massachusetts came Sempai Kyle King (back row far right) his eldest son Jarrod (second in from right), daughter Julia (next to dad), and his youngest son Justin (front row far right white belt) for Saturday morning practice. They training several years ago, but do to time/ distance, and Sempai Kyle’s injured knee, they were not able to train with us for sum time now. This summer they returned for Saturday Practice. It would make my morning see them come in with a family Osu!! Jarrod will be leaving for college this Saturday so again we will be missing the King’s for Keiko once more. I know now that life gives challenges and opportunities, this will be both I am sure for Jarrod and his family.

I post this understanding that some of our students here in Mechanicville will be leaving the dojo for college, and the students from Makiki and Yokohama are just finishing there summer breaks and will be returning to there dojos. So many karate-ka, come and go from the dojo, over they years. Some happy, some sad to see the passage of time; I have come to learn now precious time is and how we should not waste the time we have with family, and friends. Here in Mechanicville we wish Jarrod and all the other returning student’s success. I hope that the lessons learn in the dojo, transfer well to life. Please remember Karate-do is always here. I hope it is always with you!