As the name implies, Sessa Kai dojo grew out of a dedication to constant hard work and improvement on the part of Sensei Michael Pepe. Although the small space that held it for many years is closing for now, the Sessa Kai spirit did not begin, nor does it end on Waverley Avenue in Watertown. Sensei Mike's unusual spirit of tireless labor in combination with freely shared intellectual curiosity and passion for the martial arts was crafted over many years. He built these character traits in many different rooms with or without mats and mirrors. No matter the place, this spirit will continue to grow in the many who have trained with him. They take it with them to other dojos, driveways, libraries, gyms, and basements. And Sensei Mike will, no doubt, continue to unselfishly share the wealth of his knowledge where ever he is teaching.
Arigato gozai masu, Sensei. - Mary Ann Vacherweill
[Editor's note: Say it ain't so! For those of us who began the martial arts in the 1960s, Anton Geesink was a hero and a role model, living proof that a Westerner could beat the best Japanese at their own game. Now he's gone! And he was 76! For me (and many others) he will always be the robust youngster who took on the best Japanese, and world, champions and beat them all, the first "foreigner" to win a Gold Medal at the Olympics, and at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics at that. Hail and farewell, honored warrior!]
Anton Geesink, 76, dies; Dutchman won first Olympic gold medal in judo Toby Sterling
Tuesday, August 31, 2010; B06
Anton Geesink, 76, a member of the International Olympic Committee who won the first Olympic gold medal in judo, died Aug. 28 after several weeks in a hospital in his home town of Utrecht, Netherlands. No cause of death was reported.
The International Olympic Committee praised Geesink as a "great athlete" who "dedicated his entire career to the promotion of sport and its values." Mr. Geesink had been a member of the IOC since 1987.
The 6-foot-6 Dutchman stunned Japan by becoming the first Westerner to win the world judo championship in 1961 in Paris, and then won his Olympic gold in 1964 in Tokyo. He won another world title in Rio de Janeiro in 1965, along with a record 21 European championships.
Anton Geesink winning the 1964 Heavyweight Gold Medal in Judo at the Tokyo Olympics.
"Everybody will remember the gigantic stature of this Dutch figure whose size was equivalent to his kindness," the International Judo Federation said in a statement. "Anton Geesink never stopped fighting for the development of sport throughout the world."
Mr. Geesink was the first European to become a ninth-dan judoka in 1987 and was awarded the 10th degree in 1997 by the International Judo Federation.
The blue uniform worn by one competitor in international matches so that judges, referees and spectators can tell the athletes apart more easily arose from a suggestion made by Mr. Geesink at an International Judo Federation meeting in 1986.
"Today, Judo is a universal activity, thanks to the 'way of education' that Jigoro Kano created at the end of the 19th century," the judo federation's statement said. "But for sure, it would not have been possible if, first of all, Anton Geesink had not been the great champion he was and secondly, he had not become such a fantastic ambassador during and after his sports career."
Survivors include Mr. Geesink's wife, Jans, and their three children.
-- Associated Press
Samurai Spirit on Youtube
"We'd like to thank Sue Theise of the Wyoming Karate Club for drawing our attention to a fascinating series of short programs on the "Samurai Spirit," originally run on NHK World Television.
We'd like to call your attention to a free on-line magazine aimed at those who are interested in what its authors term "pragmatic traditionalism." The journal, Jissen, focuses on applications of traditional karate techniques to modern self-defense situations, including bunkai of traditional kata. While most articles are by Shotokan or Wado-ryu practitioners, their ideas are highly stimulating and have great applicability for Shorin-ryu practitioners. The magazine is run and edited by Iain Abernethy, one of the foremost experts on the realistic interpretation and practice of traditional karate. While we do not endorse products and cannot vouch for everything in Jissen, we encourage you to take a look at this free-bee. It's a real bargain! You can find it at http://www.jissenmag.com.
Oregon Karate Camp by Ashley Hull, 5th kyu, Wyoming Karate Club
The drive from Jackson, WY to Oregon camp, in Neskown, is long; but it was completely worth it. We arrived in the area a day early and slept in Master Jim Null's dojo in Beaverton, OR. Master Null has a 6th degree in Taekwondo and is a good friend of Sensei Sue Theise. The next day we got the chance to train with him a bit. He taught us new stretches and a new warm up, called Tabata, that we are now starting to use in our dojo.
Before camp started we were also able to go see Sensei Lance and Delinda Morgan's dojo; the dojo is basically in their back yard. While visiting we learned that you shouldn't touch other people's weapons before asking. At camp, Sensei Lance taught the kid's part of camp. Sensei Lance, from Oregon Family Karate, was the host and without him and his wife Delinda (who did all the cooking) we wouldn't have gotten the chance to go.
We got the chance to meet Sensei Gonzo Flores, a Godan in Okinawan Kenpo, who was the head sensei at camp. Sensei Gonzo taught everyone Kenjo Seiko Bo-Bo Kumite as well as the kata Seisan. Kenjo Seiko Bo-Bo Kumite is a partner kumite, using bo, with an attacking and defending side. We all got the chance to learn both sides. Sensei Gonzo told us about the history of the kumite. It is originally from China, from around 600 A.D., and was used for military training.
Sensei Gonzo has a wealth of knowledge and was kind enough to share it with us. At the end of the first day we all gathered around and he shared some of what he knows with us. He went through a whole lineage of karate and was explaining how directly his style could be traced back. When he taught us Seisan he also told us how he could trace it back to Southern China; he is able to tell this because of the style of the moves.
Sensei Lance's son, Cole, taught us Saifa. We learned the kata in a short amount of time so we don't have it quite as well as Kenjo Seiko Bo-Bo Kumite, which we had two days to learn, though the WKC boys, Tige, Edgar, and Sean, really enjoy the kata. The timing of the kata is interesting and we are still trying to figure it out.
There were a little over twenty people at camp total. There were three groups that attended; Sensei Gonzo's, Sensei Sue's, and Sensei Lance's. Sensei Gonzo had one student, who earned the spirit award. We met a lot of other people who love doing karate and made some good friends.
At camp we learned Kenjo Seiko Bo-Bo Kumite; and two kata, Saifa and Seisan. But those weren't the only things that we worked on. We also had "focus drills", such as when a dog ran through our group or we stepped on a twig. Class on the beach was a memorable experience. Oregon summer camp was definitely one to experience, and a great personal first karate camp experience.
Beisho is sad to announce the unexpected death of Goju-ryu Hanshi Frank Van Lenten (12/4/35-7/1/2010) in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Hanshi Van Lenten trained with most of the major masters in Okinawa during multiple tours there with the U.S. Marine Corps and was dubbed the "strongest fighter" he had ever seen by Isshin-ryu founder Shimbakuku Tatsuo. Van Lenten was the only American ever to win both the kata and kumite divisions in an Okinawa championship tournament and holds the record in Okinawa for breaking the most tiles with a single strike. He held master level rank in Shorin-ryu, Isshin-ryu, and Goju-ryu, and had extensive experience in Okinawan Kobudo. Master Van Lenten had over 50 years experience in martial arts and was a pioneer in introducing the martial arts to the US.
Frank Van Lenten, 1935-2010
Van Lenten founded and for many years led the Goshindo Karatedo Association, which still has a number of schools in the east and northeast United States, before returning to his Goju-ryu roots and becoming a senior student of the late Shinjo Masunobu. He headed, and was later advisor to, the Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do GoshinKai and the Ryukyuan Kobudo International.
He retired from the Marine Corps with over 20 years of service in the 1980s, which included serving as a Hand-to-hand Combat and Bayonet Fighting Instructor and Drill Instructor. In 1984, he was the guest of honor of the Governor of Okinawa in recognition of his propagation of Okinawan karate. Over the years, he received many honors in the martial arts. He was featured on the cover of Official Karate magazine and in 1986, was inducted into their Legion of Honor, Karate's Hall of Fame. He retired from active teaching at his dojo in Florida and spent some 20 years with the Tower Labs company in Connecticut prior to his retirement this past April.
Hanshi Van Lenten practing Goju-ryu techniques with a partner
Surviving him is his wife of 52 years, Felicidad (Faye) Van Lenten of Niceville, Florida, his half-sister, Caresse Morse of NJ, and two half-brothers, Tab Morse, of NJ and Roger Morse of CA. A Memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, July 25th at 3:00pm at the Centerbrook Meeting House, 51 Main St., Centerbrook, CT. Burial and ceremony will be at Arlington National Cemetery on August 18th.
Frank Van Lenten practicing Chinto kata in Isshin-ryu founder Shimabuku Tatsuo's courtyard in the 1960s
On a personal note, Papa Chris had the opportunity several times in the 1970s to train with Master Van Lenten. He was an imposing and powerful figure who combined enormous strength with considerable grace and a willingness to teach and encourage others to become better martial artists. While never seeking the fame or fortune of some of American karate's other pioneers, Van Lenten remained true to his principles and to the Okinawan way of hard training and striving for perfection and made major contributions to the introduction and improvement of the Okinawan martial arts in the United States.
One of my favorite sayings I got off a soda bottle: NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN. To me that means you'll get out of life about what you're willing to put in. All champions have made great sacrifices to win their victories. So when someone talks to me about their goals and dreams, I ask them one question: " What are you willing to do about it?."
- John Naber
Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, swimming
March 4th Shihan Jim had the opportunity to speak at an event for Adolescent Wellness, Inc
Adolescent Wellness, a non-profit 501c3 organization, was founded to help deal with the growing problem of preventing depression and suicide among young people. A primary activity is creating awareness of prevention resources available to youth. Another activity is piloting programs for duplication by other communities. Participants are parents, peer leaders, clergy and educators.
The kick off event was dubbed the "Winter Blues," held at the Wellesley College Club in Wellesley Ma. The evening featured a blues and jazz band, an introduction of the leaders involved and an explanation of the IGROW program, (Interfaith Teens Gathering Round Our Wellness), facilitated by Dr. Nadja Reilly a psychologist from Childrens Hospital Boston. The IGROW program promotes wellness for teens through a series of four meetings, each called a TEAGOT (teens enjoying a good ol' time). Topics such as creative problem solving, developing coping skills, and stress relief are discussed, and interactive work is done with the teens by health care professionals and experts to achieve the desired outcome.
Talks were given by a yoga instructor and Shihan Jim on how mindfulness and relaxation can reduce stress. As an example to highlight the upcoming TEAGOT event on March 7th, Shihan Jim had three volunteers break a board on which each of them had written a worry or stress-related fear in order to break through. All three broke their boards and the evening was a great success.
Over 70 teens met for the TEAGOT program on Sunday with a choice of martial arts training, walking the labyrinth, and yoga, for the first half hour, followed by mural painting, massage and a smoothie bar. Twenty-six teens participated in karate, with the focus point being able to break a board by the end of the session. Each teen was given a board and asked to write a worry or stress-related thought on their board in order to break through the issue that concerned them. Shihan Jim had three sets of 8-9 teens come up and break simultaneously, all with a resounding kiai! Each set was successful and made for a very powerful demonstration.
All the teens had a fantastic time as the evening ended with a brief mediation and poem by the pastor of the church.
The success of the IGROW program in Wellesley will be next modeled in Waltham.
Joy of jiu-jitsu helps Adam Dunn happily stay at first baseDan Steinberg
The Washington Post
Friday, February 5, 2010; D02
No one has ever accused Adam Dunn of being Willie Mays with his glove, but the Nats' slugger has repeatedly said how much he enjoys playing defense. And with first base his anointed position heading into 2010, a few Nats fans had their interest piqued when Manager Jim Riggleman said Dunn was learning jiujitsu this offseason to help improve his agility.
"Adam can play good defense at first base," Riggleman told MASN on Dec. 19, when breaking the jiujitsu news. "Dunn is the least of our concerns."
Dunn was in town last week for the Nats' winter caravan, offering me my first opportunity to ask him about the Brazilian martial art and how it would help his job performance at first base this spring.
(Before I explain, let me note that Dec. 19 was also the date of the last Washington Snowvechkin. That means every time this city is under snowy siege, Nats fans are treated to Dunn jiujitsu news. I'd just as soon forsake the Dunn martial arts updates in exchange for not having to watch 17 "Max & Ruby" episodes from a snowbound house once a month, but I guess that's not up to me.)
Anyhow, the Dunn jiujitsu tale is possibly overblown, inasmuch as he's studied the sport off and on since he was 14, at the prompting of a childhood friend. He tapered off over the past four years, but got back into it this winter since his longtime gym is now more convenient to his offseason home.
He said the flexibility offered by the sport could theoretically help him at first, but that's not his primary motivation. But he said he was surprised how much he enjoyed playing first base, with the ability to chat an added benefit. For example?
"Depends who it is," he said. "I've got my buddies, and we've got a lot of things to talk about. Other people, I have no idea what to talk about. For instance, say Brian McCann was over there, I would probably make some sort of fat joke, something like that. I would talk to David Wright about how he can't hit homers any more. It depends."
Dunn reiterated his desire to spend his entire career in the National League, saying he's fine with designated hitting during interleague play but he never wants to do it full time.
"No chance," he said. "It's pinch-hitting four times. Pinch-hitting's hard."
And he also reiterated his desire to sign an extension with the Nats, despite the team's poor showing during his first year in D.C.
"Everything's looking up," he said. "They're doing everything they can. Before where I was, I didn't feel like they did everything they could to get better every year. Just one offseason on this team, they've done a lot of things to straighten out a lot of our problems. . . . . It wasn't that we kept running out bad players. If guys weren't getting the job done, WHOOO, they were out of here. They're trying to get all the right pieces."
Dunn loves MMA -- "people just see all the blood and that's what they think, but it's so tactical," he said -- and he enjoys the jiujitsu sessions, which could happen anywhere from one time to four times a week during the offseason. But he said he has no desire to get into a ring himself, finding first base a superior destination.
"I don't like getting hit in the face," he noted. "I don't care how big you are, you get hit in the face, it hurts."
Let us say for the sake of argument that martial arts were put on the map when Soken Matusmura systemized his
techniques in 1830.
This makes all "modern" martial arts approximately 175
years old. Still young by historic standards.
Still, the martial arts have developed as quickly as
technology did after the invention of the microchip.
Only problem is, the microchip made technology better
unlike the martial arts, which now I fear, is in a sad state.
In any martial arts, system there would have been a
founder or Soke living in the 1900's. I give you Itosu
Yatsasune, Kano Jigoro, Choki Motobu, Choshin Chibana,
Funakoshi, Ueshiba and Nagamine to name a few. The list
of Soke would be a dozen.
A quick look in BlackBelt magazine reveals many videos
and DVDs depicting masters in sweatpants, muscle shirts,
camouflage clothing, wrestling pants and more. Long gone
are "traditional" masters in a neat white gi displaying a nice
lunge punch.
Sport karate has taken traditional karate techniques and
turned them into a gymnastics routine that only students of
Olympic caliber can attempt. Traditional weapons have been
shaved and colored to make them pretty and faster all to the
oos and aaahhs of the audience. Screaming and yelling
are now accepted as the "old fashioned" kiai.
Americans with little patience have turned their original style
(the style they started in) into "American combat techniques"
and "reality systems" of "karate". These systems, forged
with little discipline, have broken away from the idea of
posture and stance. If it works then it must be good. Photos
of large men with scowling faces overpowering an opponent
grace the pages of every magazine cover. Sadly, they miss
the point that it is hard for smaller people to "overpower"
anyone. Reality systems manhandle muscle and overpower
opponents claiming these are "techniques" of said system.
Mixed martial arts (MMA) which started with Helio Gracie
as the founder have accelerated the decline of the
traditional martial artist. Whereas the Gracie system uses
proven techniques using a gi, the "modern" MMA are
anything but. Long gone, from 10 years ago, are the clean
white gi and now only tight wrestling pants are worn. Martial
artists assume their system has nothing to offer and jump on
the jitsu bandwagon. Traditional Jiu-jitsu students now
practice a few years of boxing, Muay Tai, and other systems
to add to what was once a traditional style. People are
happy to "add" to their style, the next best thing since the
last thing they added to their style. The striking artist now
rushes to learn ground techniques to even the score.
There is no pure Jiujitsu-pure boxing-pure Shotokan
anymore.
Martial artists now embarrassed to show their "traditional"
self defense technique, call upon jujitsu,
Chin-na, wrestling, boxing, Muay Tai or any other "reality"
system rather than their time proven techniques.
There are not many schools around using a bear paw or
chicken beak. Long gone are the traditional stances of
Shotokan to make way for the (lazy) American fighting
stance. The low Sheiko dachi of Goju has now become a
stand up side fighting stance. These "traditional" techniques
I fear will soon become extinct in the martial arts community
only to be replaced with mauling techniques like head
grabbing elbows and knees.
The move toward reality and away from traditional martial
arts I fear will be the death knell for karate, as we know it.
Tradition.
Zero Mostel sang about it on "Fiddler on the roof" how to
cope with change that you can't stop.
Sadly, people break from their original style because it is
lacking in certain areas. Sometimes students break because
their style is to stiff feeling the style is so structured it leaves
no room for growth.
Modern martial arts can only be called "karate" in the
loosest sense of the word. The new form of the old karate is
now called Mixed Martial Arts.
"Students" who lacked patience or were rough to the
likens of Chotku Motobu disliked bowing, standing at
attention and washing the floor. They quickly dismiss these
things as unneeded. Students lacking the discipline to
practice scoff at time-honored kata.
Granted, people join karate for modern reasons none of
which is to learn a "traditional" Japanese art.
To think that by taking a Kempo style and adding some gun
defenses and calling it mike-ryu makes it legitimate seems
ok to these many entrepreneurs. There are literally
hundreds of these new systems on the market. Their only
claim to fame is they are reality based and the guy on the
cover is a Soke.
My feelings are that the more the X generation wants this
reality the less need there will be for Traditional schools
practicing an old art form. Enrolments will dwindle and
traditional dojo will dry up all becoming little club dojos with
only a few followers.
Consumers don't want the old stuff. They want the new. The
young and restless won't flock to a traditional dojo whereas
a more seasoned, mature adult might. The older consumer
understands what the younger seems to miss. I suppose
seeing someone being raked in the eyes in a photo will also
turn off a mature consumer!
A student, who bends his style, may somehow include
techniques that are not really his system, but where does
he/she start to break from the style hence having to rename
it.
I understand the round kick was shockingly new when it
came from China and I know Sensei Tom Wirtenan took the
spin kick to Ohio when he went off to college with
devastating results. However, did these things break from
the system?
These so-called masters all seem to have reinvented the
wheel. Get in, rake the eyes, knee, and do a wristlock or
something.
Man, it will be hard to decide where or when "traditional"
started. If we knew who "stole" from whom first it might make
things a lot easier.
A handful of styles consider themselves Koryu styles or
"ancient" styles. Author Dave Lowery to name one. There
are ancient styles of weapons, Iaido, karate and more.
These systems do not add to their system. They only teach
what the old master taught....Maybe in modern eyes they
don't have much to offer but maybe that is not their goal.
Beikoku Shorin Karate Do? Far from a Koryu style...I
remember a student wearing satin pants and a red, white,
and blue gi! He even introduced gymnastics kata in Kumite
kata nidan! LOL!
Where did traditional start? Could it be pre 1980? Before
1960? Was it 1500? I can do my karate using a traditional
jiujitsu move or a traditional small circle technique or a
traditional karate technique or a throw from the traditional
Kodokan series. Am I traditional?
The wheel takes a big turn. I was once a modern karateka
now the modern systems have passed me by (surpassed?)
Now I am considered traditional compared to the "now"
karate. Another time if I'm still around my style may become
fashionable again and I'll be the "now" karate.
Until then I'll keep my gi on thank you.
[Editor's note: Sensei Lance Morgan received the following email account from his black belt student, Aaron Sewall, who has been teaching English in France for the past two years;]
[Additional information provided by Sensei Morgan: Aaron is a 25 year old Nidan, about 5'7" and 145 lbs.]
Hi Sensei-
So, I have my first self defense story, and with a happy ending.
I was coming home from teaching Wednesday night, on the train. Before getting off in Chartres, two guys tried to rob me, or something. One started to say something to me, and then told me to give him some money. I told him I didn't have anything, so he slapped me. I jumped on him and popped him five or six times, then I backed off, which turned out to be a mistake. His friend got up and they both came after me.
I ended up slipping on the stairs of the double decker train, and they both jumped on top of me and tried to choke me while I was on the ground. I managed to push them off and get to the top of the stairs. I told them to stay where they were, but they followed me up. I got out the other side of the car, onto the platform. The one I had laid into didn't come off, but the other one followed me off and pulled a knife on me. Thankfully a cop with a dog was on the platform, and the guy ran off, the other one not far behind him. They were chased down and arrested.
When Steph picked me up at the train station, she was a little shocked because my clothes were covered in blood, though none of it was mine. Later at the police station, the police also congratulated me for being able to fight back, and doing something to them that they aren't allowed to do. I heard one of the cops say, "Those jerks didn't realize they had picked a fight with Chuck Norris."
It turns out, that the two had been robbing people for drug money. They stole an ipod from a 13 year old kid just after he got out of school. Then on monday, they robbed a girl at knifepoint and cut her hand. Apparently they thought I would be an easy target...
The trial was really quick. They were arrested on Wednesday night, and I spent all afternoon at the courthouse today. Quite an experience, considering that I've never been to a trial in the US, and to experience it in another country and another language is something else. During the trial they changed their story (they had confessed to the police when they were arrested) and tried to say that I had started a fight with them, insulting them, and then beating the larger of the two.
Needless to say, no one believed them, not even their own lawyers. The prosecutor said "I have a hard time believing that an expatriated English teacher coming home from work would decide to start a fight on the train with two unsavory characters such as these." They were both sentenced to 4 years in prison for attempted armed robbery.
So, thank you for the years of teaching, it helped me, the other people who were victims, and, if they hadn't been stopped, surely other people they would have hurt as well.
Karate is very grounding and centering for me. I used to go into 'karate withdrawal' any time I missed a class due to insurmountable college deadlines, and now I go into that withdrawal when a holiday interrupts the regular karate schedule. I need it. It is a joyful part of my life. I am attached!
There have been just a few times when I felt I didn't want to go--thinking I wouldn't be up to it for feeling overwhelmed with or just plain exhausted from the many things in my 'life outside of martial arts,' but the first time that happened, I told myself to have an open mind. I went anyway and I felt really great afterward! I told myself never to forget that feeling and I always remember that those rare times when I didn't feel like going were the times I especially needed to go! It quickly became apparent to me that I do not have a life outside of martial arts, for I have integrated it into so much I do in all aspects of my life.
On a physical level, I sensed that rolling around under my car to replace the exhaust system was not unlike a spell of Jujitsu, only my opponent was not a person, it was the car! I also felt I could not have lasted as long as I did unless my abs were toned from conditioning for class, although my neck muscles were quite sore from defying gravity for those few hours. Is there karate for the neck as well?!
Psychologically, karate has taught me how to want to fit in and fit well into other realms of my life. Once I finished college, I worried about not having some new slot to fill, be it grad school or a firm, etc. I was very thankful that karate class was a well-established normalcy to which I could keep belonging even though all of my other routines were fast dissipating with no new ones cropping up in the foreseeable future. When thinking about karate, I find a calm realization that all I have to do is figure out what the next step in my life has to be and why, just as I stand on the floor listening to Sensei Richard, thinking about the next step he tells me to take in a kata and why I am taking it.
So, when everything becomes overwhelming, I leave my uncertainties out in the parking lot and once I come out of the dojo, calm with smiles blanket me. 'Everything is going to be just fine' I catch myself saying as I drive the car back into the unknown.
This is a short story that helped me realize my daughters are paying attention in class. I've been training with Sensei Richard and Jo McCulty for just over one and a half years. This past summer I had two of my daughters, Julia (15) and Samantha (13), join our club. It is great to be with them in class, but for the most part we train separately during class. (For the sake of not embarrassing them to death, I almost never pair-up with them during partner training). So, I'm not always sure that everything we cover in class is sinking in. This little story demonstrates that I need not worry.
Samantha was recently at a large public gathering at one of the parks in our neighborhood. She had gone over to the park with our other daughter, Lily (8), looking for some of her friends (my wife and I were across the street at my parents' home). Two boys, probably about Samantha's age (but she did not know them), came up to her and told her it was "National Hug Day," and could they have a hug? Samantha told them something like "I don't think so," and turned and walked away with Lily. No big deal, and I think Sam handled the situation perfectly.
Later, when Samantha was telling my wife this little story, my wife warned Samantha never to fall for such a lame come-on from a stranger. My wife explained that once someone is in close enough for a hug, they could easily take advantage and turn the hug into a "grope." She told Samantha to always be ready to "knee a boy in the crotch." (I didn't know my wife thinks along those lines, but I'm glad to learn that she does).
Julia was quietly listening in on this conversation between Samantha and my wife. Then Julia weighed-in and added that before "kneeing" someone in the crotch, it's actually better to first distract them with some type of hand-fake to the face or throat, and then "knee" them in crotch. (I know this may sound a little weird, but I felt very proud of my "little girl" at that moment). As a result of the excellent training we've been receiving in class, Julia has improved upon a tried-and-true self-defense technique handed down from mother to daughter probably for many generations.
Incidentally, I just attended a weekend-long seminar in Cleveland with Sensei Jim True. We practiced many various wrist locks and arm-bar techniques, and most of the techniques begin with some type of distraction to the face of your opponent. Julia and Samantha were not with me at the seminar, but it's nice to know that both of them are thinking along the same lines as what Sensei True was teaching. It is a great comfort for a father to know that his daughters know how to take care of themselves if the situation calls for it.
Royce Gracie held a clinic in Newton, Massachusetts this past weekend. Jim McDonald and I went to his class, He showed great takedowns and ground work to about two dozen of us.
Imagine, this is the guy on TV in 1993 fighting these huge guys - and this 6'2" guy beat them all without throwing a punch!
During the clinic, Royce beckons me into his guard and applies a choke variation till I tap (but can't stop smiling!) Imagine, I watched this guy on my TV 15 years ago and today I'm in his guard!! How'd I get here!
At the end of the clinic he points to me and others, one at a time, and says "Put on a blue belt." Man! how could that happen! I watched him on TV with 5 or 6 friends and somehow life went on till our training crossed in Newton, Massachusetts, the class was small enough, and maybe I or someone made the right mistake for him to show it better, and the class was small enough for him to be near me and motion me into his guard.
Two students from the WKC traveled to Green River, WY on May 17 to compete at the annual Western Wyoming Karate Championship. Zoe Curran took first place in kata in the eight-year-old beginner division and Nancy Morales Perez took fourth in the eight-year-old intermediate contest. Overall, 250 competitors from six states and numerous karate styles vied for honors.
The last night in the old dojo facility, I became aware of how the smell of sweat on a wet karate gi encompassed the essence of a dojo.
I bow to my partner,
acknowledging their spirit and power
I can smell the sweat on their karate gi,
wet from a previous match
A new challenge has arrived.
I breathe deep to tame the rush emotion.
Adrenaline is necessary,
but control and direction
are essential for peace.
To discover the secret for survival,
I must relax with every breath.
The challenger has a new secret.
A noetic lesson from a skillful fighter
Not driven by cold pure logic but,
instinctual responses evolving from years
of accepting new challenges.
Can I learn the control and precision
by breathing in the smell of sweat.
A karate gi wet from a previous match.
Bunraku, Japan's internationally renowned puppet theater from Osaka, returned this fall to Boston for the first time in more than twenty years and some Sessa Kai students were lucky enough to find tickets. One of Japan's most celebrated traditional art forms, each puppet is 3/4-life size and is manipulated by three puppeteers, moving together in such seamless coordination that the puppets seem human in all their actions and emotions. The dialog of all puppets, in Japanese mind you, is narrated by one person and the emotion is heightened by music played on a Shamisen (a kind on Japanese guitar). Students were treated to two plays approximately one hour each. A wonderful time was had by all!
Beisho continues to grow, recruiting its members younger and younger. On June 9, Sensei Jen and Andrew Mohler recruited Denali Grace Mohler. (That makes "Papa Chris" "Grandpapa Chris"!) Jen is also finishing a Masters degree from George Washington University as a Physician Assistant.
Sensei Brian Farrell and wife Teleia had another baby boy Monday, October 14. Brody MacMaster Farrell arrived three weeks early, at 20 inches long and 7lbs.
The North American Grappling Association (NAGA) held a tournament in Rhode Island the weekend of June 23. Two students from Sessa-kai's Wednesday night grappling class worked up the courage to compete.
Jim McDonald competed in two divisions, fighting once in each and receiving a second place. Linda Selima also fought in two divisions, fighting four matches. In the gi division, she lost to an armbar while ahead on points 6 to 0. The loss dropped her to fourth place.
Congratulations to both for having the courage to venture out and compete! Sensei Mike Pepe
Sensei Michael Pepe recently won third place in a judo tournament in February. Not bad, since he had never competed in judo before and entered after only a few lessons.
Sensei Kristen Pepe placed third in Engi (prearranged two-person forms) at the 2007 New York Naginata Championships. She was partnered with someone she had never worked with before and beat out competitors whose main pursuit is naginata. Very impressive! At an October 2007 seminar, Jeanne McDonald, Marisa Cimino, and Kristen Pepe, all received promotions two-step promotions in naginatado! Jeanne and Marissa went to nikyu and Kristen to ikkyu.
Japan Training Squadron Visits Boston Sensei Mike Pepe
In June, two Japanese "Self-defense Forces" vessels visited Boston. The ships Yamagiri and the Amagiri docked from June 23rd -26th. On board were recently graduated cadets practicing their seafaring skills and touring the world. The ships were opened to the public, and cadets with kendo experience joined with local kendo enthusiasts in Medford to present an exhibition and to train alongside their American kendo counterparts.
Some members of the Sessa Kai dojo in Watertown were lucky enough to watch the presentation.
Entrance to the demo was free and we were presented with a display of kendo which began with warm ups, basics, freestyle shiai and point shiai. It was truly wonderful to hear the resounding whack! of the shinai and the spirited shouts of men! kote! and do! (head, wrist, chest), as each target was struck. We wish the Japanese sailors good luck and calm waters in their future travels on the open seas.
Shihan Jim True was recently nominated and accepted to the Middlesex Human Services Agency, Inc. Board of Directors. The MHSA is a non-profit agency that provides services for the following: Bristol Lodge Men's and Women's shelters, Sandra's House, Mary's House, Olivia's Place Family Shelters, Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen, Answer House, Sullivan House, Project Outreach and Prospect Terrace Children's Center.
Shihan Jim's responsibility will include being a direct link to the community providing balance and structure necessary to meet public demands, while carrying on the commitment to the services MHSA provides.
The second major area of responsibility is formulating, guiding and overseeing the development of regulatory policies that will affect the operation of the agency. This is a task that carries the burden and responsibility of safeguarding the rights, welfare and quality of life for people who need its services. Finally, as an ambassador to the community, Shihan Jim will be involved with fund raising and assisting the agency in special events and projects.
The MHSA programs are funded in part by federal, state and municipal monies, while the remainder of donations are from civic, church and synagogue, corporate and individual donors. Shihan Jim looks forward to his involvement in developing the MHSA to be the best possible for the people and community that require it's services.
National Martial Arts Day in Waltham Sensei Jim True
The Shorin-Ryu Karate Academy invited all community members, students, and parents to celebrate National Martial Arts Day on Saturday, October 15th, with an Open House full of events for students and community members. The day began with morning karate classes (including Preschool, Children, Teen & Family classes) open to the community after a week of Bring-A-Friend to karate.
At noon, separate Safety Awareness and Anti-Abduction Seminars for children ages 5-14 and for Teen and Adult Women were held. The inte ractive safety seminars raised awareness about dangerous situations, and focused on developing appropriate responses to danger, including setting verbal boundaries and learning some basic escape strategies, in a fun and safe setting. Officer Anne from The Waltham Police Department came to the Academy to provide Child Safety Kits with Photo ID's. After the safety seminars, students were invited to participate in karate games, such as Danger Ball, and the Shorin-Ryu Karate Academy Demo Team gave an enthusiastic and fantastic performance. The day culminated with the "Kicks Against Katrina" Kick-A-Thon fundraiser to raise money for the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina survivors (see article below). In all, the day was a great success, and we thank everyone who participated and had fun that day!
On National Martial Arts Day the Spirit of the Warrior Prevailed Fran Boyle
On October 15, 2005, the Waltham Shorin-Ryu Karate Academy celebrated National Martial Arts Day with a Kick-a-Thon to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The idea was to have participants kick as many times as possible for 15 minutes, while family and friends sponsored them with a pledge either per-kick or a flat rate. All money raised was donated to The Massachusetts Bay Red Cross Katrina Relief Fund. With over 16,000 kicks recorded and $1,941.50 raised, I'm sure most of us were glad we opted for the flat rate!
Although the event was a physical challenge especially for the younger members of the Shorin-Ryu family it also challenged the spirit. When Sensei Jim first announced the Kick-a-Thon we all thought it was a great idea, but later when I found out that the event was to coincide with National Martial Arts Day the significance of the fund raiser took on a greater meaning.
To me the idea of a warrior is one who holds certain beliefs and ethics, a code of honor like those of the medieval knights. We have tried to teach our daughter that her training consists of more than just a physical ability but also a spiritual responsibility. Without this duality of purpose the possibility to train highly skilled bullies would be very real. Which is why I am sure there is so much emphasis placed on the teaching of conflict avoidance and resolution techniques. The Kick-a-Thon provided a spiritual link to the warriors of old; it was an opportunity for these modern day knights to practice their own code of honor and to reach out to those in need and serve the greater good, a lesson that was not lost on any of those who participated in the "Kicks Against Katrina".
WKC Starting the New Year with Spirit
Sensei Sue Theise
Members of the Wyoming Karate Club embraced the challenge set forth for them at their first class of the New Year - to do 2006 techniques. Other than the youngest students, everyone worked their hardest to accomplish the goal and go beyond. The 52 students who were at these classes threw a combined 130,000+ techniques. A variety of kicks, hand techniques, elbow and knees were done. Adult students were given the added challenge of using weights, cinderblocks, and hitting pads or makiwara. Thousands of push-ups, crunches, and jumps were added in for fun, but didn't count towards the goal.
Many youth students chose to stay longer to reach their personal goals. Special kudos go out to the following purple belts: 8-year-old Sean Batenhorst for throwing 400 beautiful jump kicks. 10-year-old Luke Meagher and 9-year-old Joseph Kravetsky, who led the kids with 5306 techniques, followed by 7-year-old Peter Frank at 4224. Brooke Jarvie and Malayna Jacobson set the pace for the adults with an amazing 6406 techniques. Also special recognition to the Adult Advanced class who, after they accomplished their 2006 techniques, elected to top it off with Shihan Jayne's torture high-middle-low multiple front kick set, which added 3300 techniques in just over 30 minutes.
This fall, Cole and Wyatt Morgan took their dedication, hard work, and martial spirit from the training mat to the football field, helping their team reach the second round of the State playoffs for the first time since 1972! Running back/outside linebacker Cole (17, photo at right) was named to the first team the All-League as running back and second team for defense. Wyatt (18, catching a pass below) made second team as a receiver and honorable mention on defense. During the hard-fought and narrowly-won first playoff round, Wyatt made three catches, gaining 40 years. Cole, a graduating senior, carried the ball 15 times and racked up 105 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown, helping his team, Yamhill-Carlton High School, win 33-28.
In the second round game, YCHS started off strong, leading at the half by 15-6. Hard hitting by the opponents, however, took out one YCHS wide receiver with a concussion. The kicker was also taken out of the game after being hit in the leg. The combination of injuries to his teammates apparently rattled the YCHS quarterback, affecting his passing accuracy and causing him to fumble the snap twice. Both fumbles resulted in touchdowns by the opposition, leaving YCHS behind 26-15 as time ran out. Congratulations to Cole and Wyatt for a great season. Now, it's on to basketball...
Before there were Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, before there were Power Rangers, there were Mr. Miyagi and Daniel-san. The Karate Kid (1984) was one of the first movies to attempt to convey authentic Okinawan culture and show the true spirit of the martial arts. Miyagi-san passed away on Thanksgiving Day, 2005 at the age of 73. His real life was almost as fascinating as that of his mysterious karate character.
Pat Morita was born in California in 1928 to a family of migrant fruit pickers, a period when discrimination against Asians was at a high point. Morita spent much of his childhood in the hospital with spinal tuberculosis, and was shipped off to an internment camp during World War II. After the war, Morita took a job working on computers for an aerospace company, but by age 30, he had decided to pursue his passion-working as a stand-up comedian, the self-styled "Hip Nip." Morita also spanned two generations of film roles for Asians-from the stereotyped Fu Manchu and pidgin English-speaking servant to the honored sensei. "Miyagi's" example influenced countless students to take up karate and look deeper at Asian culture. Morita's last role may be his best. In a yet-to-be-released movie-"Only the Brave"-Morita played a Buddhist priest imprisoned in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor. The film is about the famous and highly-decorated Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team, told from the viewpoint of a Japanese-American.
Xinnian Kuaile! Gonghei Fachoi. Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Seh heh bok mani bat uh seyo! Chzc M?ng Nam M?I! No matter how you say it, throughout the Chinese cultural world people will soon be wishing each other a "Happy New Year" as the Year of the Dog formally begins on February 4, 2006. According to Chinese reckoning, this is the year 4703. Those born in the Year of the Dog-1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006-are loyal and honest and make excellent listeners. They are responsible and inspire confidence in others, have a compassionate personality, and offer kind words, advice, and assistance to friends and family. Dog-year people can also sometimes be narrow-minded and stubborn. Many worry a lot, underestimate their own abilities, and become introverted. They can be pessimistic-and sometimes nosy. Dog-year people can have a tough time finding the right match, but are most compatible with people born in the years of the Horse (1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002) and Tiger (1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998).
