Volume 7 Issue 2

Monthly Newsletter

Volume 7 Issue 2

Editor: Dave Christman

June 2005



	Dojo invaded on a Sunday afternoon in June (See team practice article below)

Albion College Demo 4/03/05:

Kirk Iwasaki the Co-president of the Asian awareness group at Albion College had heard about our previous demo for Midori Yoshii sensei so he invited us to do a demo for their group. So we picked out a date, and went over as a group to Albion College. All of us were there, Steve, Aaron, Travis, Terry, Bob, Matsuura. Bronson and I were there also to do Iaido. Along with us was Tonya Chase, and some of Travis's friends.

Like before it was a small crowd but it was the first sunny day in a long time, and I think the students at Albion were more in the mood to sit outside then to sit inside on a Sunday afternoon. So we just held a good hard practice anyway. Everybody worked up a good hard sweat on a nice cushiony wood floor up on about the 3rd floor. It would make a real nice kendo dojo, but it was more like a frat house party hall. We had a good time, then we went out to Cascarelli's again. The same Italian restaurant we went to in December. We had a good time, and enjoyed the homemade pizza there. Also we love the fact they serve Newcastle ale. We hope Albion College will call on us whenever they want or need a demo of Japanese sword arts.

MWKF Team Tryouts 4/24/05

Matsuura and I traveled down to Chicago so he could try out for the MWKF team, and I could kibbutz with the other MWKF Board members and our team coach & manager. There was a reasonable turnout for the tryouts. Not everybody left happy with all the decisions made, some controversy's erupted but all will fall into place well enough. Our goal as a dojo was just to hope Matsuura sensei would do well enough to make the team, and he did, no problem.

Matsuura and I went out to dinner with Umeki and Sakamoto sensei to a great Italian eatery that is right at the Old Orchard Mall on Skokie Boulevard, called Maggiano's. They have great food in huge proportions. Needless to say we had a good time, drank a few beers, discussed MWKF business, and we drove back home on Monday morning.

Michigan Family Taikai 5/21/05

I was very proud of our dojo performance at this years event. This is only the second year we have had this, but what a great way for the dojo in Michigan to come to a no-cost get together. EMU lets us use the facility for free, I donate the "Winners Certificates" and the only cost is gas to get there. It is a great way to give our students some experience.

This year our Matsuura sensei was out on business in Japan, so he couldn't defend his Championship title, so I know that ticked him off......he so wanted to be there. Big Bob was kept out also by a similar business trip to Japan. But the good news is as a dojo we brought home 2 trophies anyway. Travis Hill brought home a 2nd Place in senior youth, and Aaron Robadey fought long and hard to place 2nd in Mudansha division. Terry Tokuhiro won a match then was out early in Mudansha, along with Steve. This is all part of gaining experience.

We topped off the day by dropping in to have dinner at Yotsuba's Japanese restaurant (we did skip the official banquet) but that was because last year the restaurant took forever to get the food ready, and we were so hungry this year we couldn't contemplate waiting for food. They actually asked us if we could eat and get out, as they had several big reservations coming in....we heartily agreed to that situation. We met Steve's lovely girlfriend and her sister, who is a Russian major (how interesting). They really are a pair of good looking girls. Some of us who are not used to Japanese food had their palates tweaked a little. Terry had to continuely answer this question "What's this?" as someone held a up a piece of mystery meat. While I laughed...

Travis accepting the trophy.

Photos by Tonya Chase

Aaron accepting his trophy.


	MWKF Team Practice 6/05 We hosted a MWKF team practice on that Sunday, and I was surprised at how many of our team members from very long distances showed up to get together. Along with some support members from Battle Creek and MSU just to be there to help to do anything needed. The dojo was packed.
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	Sakamoto sensei led the practice as he is the MWKF coach, he kept a good pace going, yet everybody got frequent breaks to re-hydrate, as the mid west is going through a hot spell lately. That was my job, as I ran back and forth to K-mart for juicy drinks and mineral waters. There was at least 25 people in the dojo, so Sakamoto sensei had them coming in and off the floor very smartly, so no one felt crowded, and there was just enough recovery time in the heat to be fresh to attack your opponent vigorously when it was your turn to be up. Kan sensei from Detroit, and Tibor Barany was there to give advice. They gave people tips on the different things that need to be known when it comes to tournament techniques. Sugawara sensei helped Eric Abbey with more tips on fighting from Jodan kamae also.

The mandatory group photograph.

UPCOMING EVENTS

US Championships: Will be held in Ann Arbor, on the U of M Campus, July 2-3, 2005. Make sure you go to help volunteer as a helper, or to as least be a spectator. You will see the best competitors in the United States.

	AUSKF Summer camp: This years camp will be in Covington Kentucky, on July 22-24th the info is here
	MWKF Summer camp: August 5th-7th at Kalamazoo College. Yamanaka sensei will be with us again this year. This man is now a legend, as he won the famed Hatchidan Tournament this year in Nagoya, Japan. He will be bringing his friend Saito sense again also. Please click here for the forms.

I've collected a lot of stories, quotes, koans, poems and haiku. Here is one I really like:

"It is prior to the match that the winner and the loser are decided: the proper mental attitude must be studied and mastered. During the match, never regard the shinai as less than a real sword. The match should be made with the thought of a real sword in hand."

-Yamada Jirokichi

E-mail the editor, let me know your comments at: dtc12(nospam)@comcast.net to reach me just remove the (nospam) from previous address.

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