All Photos by D.Christman, unless otherwise noted

I pasted 3 photos together for an unusual view of Mokuso

Bob vs. Someone from Detroit

Dan vs. Joe P. (nito)

Tagawa & Kan ran a nice basic practice, then there was a very long mawari-geiko, 2 minutes for each person, this went almost all the way around the whole circle. The last 20 minutes, Ron fought the top 5 guys in rank who were 5th dan or below. Kan sensei acted as shinpan, and Tagawa shouted encouragement and tips to Ron. I never actually have seen Ron look any better! He fought well.

Yoshida vs. Ron

Then the party retired to a big local establishment called "Harper's" It is a micro brewery too. I was surprised to discover Tagawa is a pro football fan, he intently watched the Lions on the big screen TV. Ron received a few small gifts and he had a laugh as he filled out a application to join AARP. 

Group Photo at MSU 9-30-07

Congratulations: To Stephen Chaffen, he took off right before the tournament and got married in Las Vegas. Good Luck to you, and your bride.

MWKF Annual Board Meeting: My two time, two year run as President has come to an end, due to term limits. Elected was Les Wilson (Choyokan) as the new President, and Bob Kumaki (Chicago Kendo) as the new treasurer.

MWKF Annual Tournament results (Report by Matsuura sensei)  Spencer Chan (GR) entered his first tournament and lost, but we now know what to work on.  Dan Pines (GR) and Kam Robles (GR) also did not fare well in Mudansha, but any experience is good experience. Stephen Chaffin (BC), a former champion, was stunned a little early in Mudansha as well as Jordan Holmgren (GR) who wasn't far behind. Vlad Trusevich (GR) also made it to the third round, but lost. The biggest surprise was that our beloved Dave Noonan (GR) displayed his best Kendo ever by making it to the court finals. Dave scored many beautiful Men attacks.  Chris Brooks (GR) who is the reigning Michigan state Mudansha Champion did not win a medal, but put on a great show by making the quarter finals of Juniors. It took two Nidan players to eliminate him from pool play and the knock out round.  Travis Hill (BC) was on his game once again and has now added a Shodan-Nidan title to his impressive resume. This is now his 7th Championship title. Kotaro Yoshida and Yutaro Matsuura both flamed out in the second round of Sandan and up.

The GR team inadvertently asked a junior to play on their team (against this years rules) They won their first round, but were disqualified from play, when the junior was discovered.

The team of BC team of Travis, Jordan, Yutaro, Stephen and Yoshida captured third place in the team event. Not what we wanted, but it proved that Cleveland was no fluke.

Demo: Yoshida sensei asked to get some help on a Wednesday, Oct. 10th,  so Craig and I (being in control of our schedules) made time to do a demo of kendo for Yoshii sensei, a professor at Albion College. We had about 15 kids there, and I ran my mouth while Yoshida and Craig did the demo itself. 

These four photos by Midori Yoshii.

Then we asked the kids (4 at a time) to come up, try out a little footwork, and then hit the "men" of our two brave kendoka, who took the blows from the students.  The good news is about 4 or 5 kids came up after, and got together with Yoshida, and it may turn out to be the beginning of an Albion College kendo club. The official "dance" room would make an awesome dojo, and the dance teacher has some evenings free, and best of all she is willing to share the room. So look forward in the future, to maybe helping Yoshida sensei by supporting him in that effort.

Personal Note: I have decided to take some time off, I've been practicing kendo weekly for 25 years and 10 months. I never skipped, or dropped out for a few months during that whole time. I feel now that my service as President has ended, I need some time to breathe. I've felt a mounting pressure with the family businesses (Michigan's economy), my elderly father will need more attention, and I'm just not enjoying kendo like I used to at the moment. I bought a bicycle, and you just may see me pedaling around town trying to put some miles on, and just enjoying the outdoors. I'll still be the BC Dojo manager, and website blogger, I just am backing out of actual teaching and practicing till I feel the urge to get back.