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

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!

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！

My dear mother passed away this morning at 0130 hours. She lived her fullest for 85 years and 2 months.
I last spoke with her on Memorial Day. Now she is with my dad watching over me as they have always done. My heartfelt gratitude to my parents for bringing me into this world and giving me their love.

OSU!

June 3, 2012 Sunday 

Picked up my mother's ashes this morning. Now she is next to Father enjoying being at home together and resting until their final journey out to sea. 

My parents wanted their ashes to be claimed by the sea. Dad had to wait awhile for Mom, but now they are together once again. (^^) Ashes scattering arrangements were made for this coming Sunday at Sunset.

The three of us. 1950

June 6, 2012 Wednesday . Beautiful flowers arrived from Yokohama Dojo (^^)

ありがとうございました。押忍！

 June 8, 2012 Flowers from Sensei Tony and members of Kesshinkai Dojo, New York

My parents must be enjoying the lovely flowers surrounding them.

Mahalo to all my Budo friends!

      All things must come to an end. That is a reality that cannot be avoided, delayed perhaps,  but eventually the time will come to say good bye.  This week, my mother was taken to Emergency for complications of pneumonia as well as effects of not being able to eat. Parkinson's Disease has made it difficult for her to swallow anything. She chose not to undergo force feeding via tubes inserted through her nose and into her throat. I am told some patients have to be tied down due to the pain involved. I must abide by her wishes. So for  how long will she will last on IV and Antibiotics? Will she be able to regain enough to swallow and take nourishment. 

     After a discussion with the attending physician, it was decided not to go the force feeding route. So now,  I must concentrate on how to have my mother comfortably pass her time away until the end. I will be in consultation with doctors in the Palliative care. I ma grateful for all the care the care taker has provided for my mother and my deceased father. But now, she may not be able to handle aspects of palliative care. Of course that is just one of several options that needs to be considered. I will have to rely on the doctors for the medical aspects. I will need to concentrate on the mental support not only in relationship with my mother but my own self. That is where all the years of Budo come in. 

       I am grateful for the lessons learned from my Budo instructors and from the teachings of many religious and philosophical  leaders. It is giving me strength when I most need it. I find myself returning to my Budo roots to understand and accept the reality of my mother eventually departing this earth. Things I cannot no longer do for her. Things I should have done for her. It is a time for self reflection and self criticism. 

      For the readers of this blog, I wanted to share this very private matter because it shows that Budo is not merely a "fighting" or "physical" art. We can all "talk' about the mental, moral benefits of pursuing Budo.  But at the end of the day, when faced with certain realities, then do you fully realize whether your Shugyo has been successful.  Budo is not about gaining gold medals and trophies. It is not about defeating an opponent with a Jodan Mawashigeri or Shitazuki. Those are just a small side trips on the your travel along the main road seeking the true purpose of Budo. 

                     

  OSU!

Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama was in Hawaii the other week. I wanted to go, but alas the tickets were sold out several days before the event. I tried to see if I could get in at the site, but, no luck. (- -;) I really wanted to hear him speak. Oh well, I guess I'll have to be satisfied with You Tube! (^^)

"An affectionate disposition not only makes the mind more peaceful
and calm, but it affects our body in a positive way too.  On the
other hand, hatred, jealousy and fear upset our peace of mind, make
us agitated and affect our body adversely.  Even our body needs peace
of mind and is not suited to agitation.  This shows that an
appreciation for peace of mind is in our blood."

"Just as we should cultivate more gentle and peaceful relations with
our fellow human beings, we should also extend that same kind of
attitude towards the natural environment.  Morally speaking, we
should be concerned for our whole environment.

"This, however, is not just a question of morality or ethics, but
also a question of our own survival.  For this generation and for
future generations, the environment is very important.  If we exploit
the environment in extreme ways, we may receive some benefit today,
but in the long run, we will suffer, as will our future generations.
When the environment changes, the climatic condition also changes.
When the climate changes dramatically, the economy and many other
things change.  Our physical health will be greatly affected.  Again,
conservation is not merely a question of morality, but a question of
our own survival."-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from 'The Dalai
Lama, A Policy of Kindness', published by Snow Lion Publications.

My purpose in pursuing martial arts goes in line with what Dalai Lama espouses. Through my Shugyo I hope to gain the state of mind which will contribute to the well being of others.  Of course, easier said than done. We all have emotions and it would be a lie to say I have it under control 24/7. (^^)  Is there peace with my wife all the time? Fufufu. 

Well as they say in Japanese., Shugyo ga tarinai. (^^)

We really need to take a close look at how we use our natural resources and reevaluate our life styles. Do we use water, gas , electricity as though there is no end to the supply? What does air conditioning due to the outside temperature. Do we need to have cars, buses and buildings feel like freezers? I remember the Dojo in Okinawa, there was no AC. (^^) The Dojos in Makiki and Yokohama don't either.  
I still recall the cold floors of the Takigashira Elementary School during the winter months.  Here in Hawaii I just worry about dirty feet from the concrete floor. Lucky we live in Hawaii.

Makiki Dojo

Welcome to Kouhei and his Dad! It is always great to have children and parents practice together. (^^) 


Additional class starts from May 8th, Monday from 5PM to & 7PM.  I am looking forward to spending time with the students. The last hour will be dedicated to adult practice, but with anything,  it will be flexible enough to address any other training needs. 


Mahalo to Sophia-chan and her mom for helping mop the floor before practice every Saturday.
it is in the true spirit of Samu (作務). We clean the Dojo before practice so that we all can enjoy practice. We also clean at the end of practice in  appreciation of the use of the Dojo. I hope that more members can find the time to join us in Samu. 

Yokohama Dojo

Welcome back to Mr. Rescue aka Nagaie Shidoin. Hope his new posting will allow him to spend time at the Dojo. (^^) I know the kids are super happy to see him again!


Shihandai William is now at Harvard Medical School as part of his medical internship. Best of luck on his studies. I know he will make a fine Doctor! 


Hopefully I will be able to go to Japan in June for a short visit to Yokohama Dojo. Just as before I will schedule additional seminars while in Yokohama to share new and old training methods.
I wanted to see the Sakura and enjoy some Shochu with everyone but it didn't work out.

Reminder

There is a Kimura Dojo thread on my Face Book account as well. Please take a peek. The Karate Baka thread is primarily for other instructor friends where we exchange ideas. Let me know if you want to join the group!  You need to make a FB account though. (^^)

Recent Kimura Dojo Videos

Basic Training in maintaining a Safety Zone, Front leg shift to avoid a Mae Geri, Redirection of the kick and securing a position  to counterattack,

Mawashigeri Drills and Bon Odori Block

Taisabaki Drill using Flag football gear. (^^) Kids need to understand the rules better.

The "Circle" core of our Dojo Formalities

More Dalai Lama quotes.

"Before we can generate compassion and love, it is important to have a clear understanding of what we understand compassion and love to be.  In simple terms, compassion and love can be defined as positive thoughts and feelings that give rise to such essential things in life as hope, courage, determination, and inner strength.  In the Buddhist tradition, compassion and love are seen as two aspects of the same thing:  Compassion is the wish for another being to be free from suffering; love is wanting them to have happiness."-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from "The Compassionate Life", available from Snow Lion Publications.

Motivation for Sounenbu Tokutoku Seis (Senior Citizens Group)

This past week found me watching several videos of senior citizens still actively pursuing their sports. Thought I'd add the links to this post as a motivational tool for my "Senior Citizens" Group aka Sounebu Tokutokusei. (^^) Enjoy and reignite the spirit in your souls! Osu!


http://youtu.be/b1BCzZBMMd0

http://youtu.be/lMLK688FDmg

http://youtu.be/CTWo9EfQ4Hc

http://youtu.be/dIsLsDXXJUE

Have a good day Y'all! ( ^ ^ )

Keizoku wa Chikara Nari!