人一能之、己百之。人十能之、己千之。

人一能之、己百之。人十能之、己千之。

Good Morning! Thought I'd share this quote from the Chinese Classics. It comes from the Chuyou
「中庸」it's contents  can be interpreted (**not a direct translation of the kanjis itself**) as "the never changing correct reason"  正しい道理.  Confused? Not to worry, sometimes or rather I should always for me, translating philosophical themes are a challenge. What seems clear in one language is often muddled when changed into a different language.
So please bear with me! ( ^^ )
   Most of you know that the bulk of my karate students are children.  I am fortunate that there is a solid group of adults that continue to train and support the Yokohama Dojo as well as Makiki Dojo. without their help, it would definitely a challenge. One of the biggest concerns I have had in the past (note past tense) is the development of the children. Some are "naturals", others require more time in training. At the rate of one practice a week I do not expect rapid development in their skills. After all how many really practice at home in-between  classes? To be honest, I sometimes get too concerned and fret over the lack of development. That is when I remind myself of this teaching from the Chuyou.
    So, what does it mean? In very simple terms; While the gifted may master some things in one or ten tries,  an ordinary person can attain the same level practicing it hundred times or a thousand times over.
The key is not to give up! Always maintain the spirit of challenge. I think this applies to both the students and Senseis. Osu!

Foot note: 中庸伊is the compilation of teachings with regard to proper reasoning, if you will.  中 signifies no biases while 庸signifies 永久不変（eikyu fuhen) permanency of no changes.  It is a form of Confucianism and considered one of the four pillars of Confucianism. The other three are 論語 Rongo, 孟子 Moushi and 大学Daigaku.
Makiki Dojo

      Had a very good session last night. Yachiyo was not able to make it due work, but 5 parents participated so the kids were better behaved??? Gahahahaha
Did the usual Kihon in a circle with Sophia, Raistlin, Takuma,  and Riki taking turns at leading the class. I find it a very useful method for improving the kid's waza as well as self-confidence. Or perhaps I am just getting lazy at being Sensei. ( ^ ^ ) After kihon we worked on taisabaki using cones as markers. Fufufufu, some still have a tad difficulty with their right and left. Started off withe just shifting off the center line, then added counter punches and topped it off with hikkake and knee strike.
Ended the session with kumite. I first had the adults attack me. All need to develop the "killer instinct"and get comfortable with hitting full power. ( ^ ^ ). Then the kids turn. It is amazing how some "lambs" turn into "tigers"! If they would only due their kihons withe same intensity! Gahahahaha
     Shuma  couldn't figure out why his punches and kicks had no effect on elicting displays of pain from me. The harder he tried the more I smiled. It was a good opportunity to correct his punching skills. This was the first time for Kouhei's Dad to taste full contact. He was surprised that the mommies punches and kicks actually hurt! Welcome to the world of full contact karate. OSU!
    It was good to see Torri and Travis back from their long summer vacation! Welcome back!
    Next Saturday is Bon Dance for the temple so no practice!

Hmmm need to get Shihandai to start posting for Yokohama Dojo! ( ^ ^ )

Just some scenes from Hawaii (^^) Enjoy!

 Blue skies of Hawaii

 Hawaiian style BBQ chicken known as "Huli Huli Chicken" Huli means to turn over.

 One of out many feathered friends at the beach.

 Hawaii has many beautiful plants and flowers.

 Typical sunset in Hawaii

 This flower blooms only at night!

 Recent Full Moon over Hawaii 

 Friday night fireworks in Waikiki seen from my balcony.

Another pretty flower.

Summer vacation is over! ( ^ ^ ) ( @ @;)

     ( ^^ ) Summer vacation is over and the Pokemons are back in force minus a few! Most of July was spent away from the Dojo as well due to my mother's passing.  And, the Pokemons were also spread to the winds as they visited grandparents out of Hawaii or just taking a family trip to Disneyland. It was really great to see all those faces in the Dojo!
     Unlike Yokohama Dojo, Makiki Dojo has no senior adult black belts to assist me. My wife is usually busy at her work and rarely makes it to practice. When she does it helps a lot as she can take over the latter half of practice and help the mommies and dad group. That leave only the Pokemons! Now I would be lying if I said it's "duck soup" (Hawaiian English slang for super easy) On a full plate I have 20 kids ranging form 5 years old to 12 years old to look after. Each has his/her own unique personalities with strong and weak points. On top of it all are "kids" and time to time they will be just that "themselves".
      Now, teaching Karate is not your typical classroom environment where the kids are seated and tasks given. You have to teach them movement while keeping on eye on their safety. If you concentrate on one you miss out on 19. ( - -; ) All are motivated in different ways and requires different approaches.
If you concentrate in those who need more help then the ones that are already capable get bored and their concentration disappears.
      Indeed it is a  challenge for me! But I live for it! I probably get more form them than they get from me! It's been rather hectic that I haven't been able to video the classes or special sessions. Hopefully I can get a parent to help out with that!
     Kobudo has been now added to our curriculum, thanks to Ishado Shihan of Ryukyu Kobujutsu ShureiKai. Since the only other Yudansha in Makiki is my wife, we are the only ones qualified to practice it. Once one of the adults make it to brown belt then perhaps I can have them practice the Bo, Tonfa and Sai. Meanwhile, I need to pick up on my own training. Perhaps I can interest Take, Steve and Miwa to join me on Mondays for Kobujutsu. I'll need to have Shihandai Nagaie send me a training curriculum. Meanwhile I'll have to rely on my rapidly fading memory long ago Kobudo training! (^^)

A new adventure. Hopefully I will be proficient in Bo, Tonfa and Sai by the time I go to Japan next year. Ganbarimasu.

Back in Hawaii! Whew, it's a lot cooler here ( ^ ^ )

       Sorry for the gap and delay in posting. My netbook had its limitations. I think I overwhelmed it with all the photos and videos I took. I did save most in the external hard drive, but the task itself kept the warning of overuse of whatever keep popping up. For a PC novice like myself there isn't much I can do. Gahahahaha ( ^ ^ ;) Even now I am going through a battle trying to edit and upload the vids. A lengthly battle lies ahead. So I ask all the readers of the Blog to be patient. Instead of creating a new post each time, I will just add on to this one. There probably will not be any order or reason as to what gets posted. It all hinges on what I can get uploaded. Yoroshiku Onegai Itashimasu.

Bo vs Sai demonstration by Ishado Shihan and Yokohama's Nagaie Shihandai.

Ishado Shihan's Sunkei Breaking of 10 roof tiles. The kids were amazed!

More to follow. Waiting for the external drive to finish uploading from the netbook.

Yokohama Dojo Kids trying Tameshiwari for the first time! Most were pleasantly surprised that they succeeded! ( ^ ^)

 Hayashi Shihan leading stretching exercises with a smile.

 Picture prefect front kick 

 Taekwondo style Mawashigeri

Everyone trying to copy Hayashi Shihan's Mawashigeri.

 Gokokuji Temple, Tokyo where my Grandparents are interned. Oyama Sosai's Grave is in the same temple. 

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Oyama Sosai's Grave.

Yokohama Dojo

With Ishado Shihan

With Hayashi Shihan

Sai vs Bo Demo by Ishado Shihan and Nagaie Shihan Dai

It was nice to see "Pekochan" still around! She is Fujiya Confectionary's "star" and has been around as long as I can remember. Since 1950's?? When I was little kid it was always a special treat for me to get to eat some yummies from Fujiya. Of course, I ate here this time around also! Y( ^ ^ )Y

Yokohama is also known for its Chinatown. Discovered a new temple. 

Chinatown means FOOD! Had to figure out how to get into this restaurant! 

Reviewing Shihandai William's Shisochin as done in Kimura Dojo.

Bunkais, Oyos abound and what is seen here is only a very small portion of it.

There also exists numeorus versions of the kata some considerably different while some have ony minor differences. I always tell my students to keep an open mind and that there is really no right or wrong versions of katas.

Group study on effective Oizuki.

Kimura Dojo's core element of Taisabaki.

Day 5 continued ( ^ ^ )

After the morning made it up to Tokyo to watch Kyokushinkan's World Tournament. It was a extreme interest to me as head punches were allowed.

The entrance to the area.

 Attendance aside from family members of the competitors was sparce.

 Team compeition semi finals. There were no retrictions based on gender or physical size. The gals fought boys bigger than them. ( ^ ^ )

 Kids had sharp techniques!

 Compulsory breaking before the fights. Suprisingly quite a few failed and had to try a seocnd time with minimum 2 boards.

 World Tournament competitors. The Bulgarians and Russians were BIG!

 After the tournament went to Shibuya to meet friends for dinner. I needed a Bufferin !

 It was amazing no on bumped into each other!

 Chef making shaved noodles!

 Spicy dumpling soup!

The dumplings were plump and juicy.



Japan Day Five Y ( ^ ^ ) Y

Yokohama Dojo ( ^ ^ )

Last night was the first practice with Yokohama Dojo. It was great! The enthusiasm of all the students was exhilarating. It also felt like a giant pre-school! Gahahahaha.
Will upload some vids later on.....it may take a while.

Negishi Shinrin Park, Sunday's practice location.

Member who braved the rain to particpate in the Sunday morning sesssion.

Also had the Sunday morning Session today. Unfortunatley it was raininh but then again it kept it nice and cool for practice. Three Pokemons and three mommies showed up for the session. The Seniors??????? Fufufufufu. Shihandai had an Iai demonstration to attend so he had a good excuse. Gahahahaha

Off to Tokyo to watch the Kyokushinkan World Tournament. Should be interesting as it uses to face punches with specialized gloves.

More to follow!





Japan Fourth Day??????

It was cloudy and rainy all day, so Michele and her mom suggested we take in a movie at Sakuragicho. (^^)

The Minato Mirai area where the movie theatre was located.

Another view of the plaza in front of Landmark Tower.

Kids can commute to and from school safely by themselves.

A smoking room by the movie theatre waiting area.

Michele and her mom selecting seats for movie.

Close up of the ticket machine.Neat!

After the movie we had the hard task of deciding where to eat!

We all agreed on Tonkatsu!

After dinner Michele and her mom went home while I wandered around the area visiting old haunting grounds. ( ^ ^ )

Needless to say it took a long time getting back to the hotel!
OSU!