AUSKFNEWSLETTER
AUSKFVol. 3 No. 1
September 1, 2000
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1999-2000 OFFICERS: PRESIDENT: EXECUTIVE VP: VP-PROM & EXAMS: VP-COMPETITION: VP-EDUCATION: TREASURER: SEC-HISTORIAN: DIRECTORS: |
FROM THE
PRESIDENT:
Report submitted by Jeffrey. Marsten To the Kenshi of AUSKF: To the Kenshi of AUSKF:
As I prepare to leave office this coming December, I want to share a few thoughts with you. I have been your President for 6 years; 6 years which have flown by quickly. There were a couple of times when it has seemed like a long 6 years.
As a group we have made tremendous strides and our future can be very bright. We have the tools in place to be a premier kendo organization in the world. However, it is really easy to settle for mediocrity. I urge each and every Kenshi in the AUSKF to push themselves forward and strive for excellence. Never be satisfied but always think you can do more and continually improve. Don’t be satisfied to just go to keiko in your dojo. Take every opportunity to practice with as many Kenshi as you can. It is through this exchange with many Kenshi that you can reach the next level.
Always practice with a goal, each and every keiko stretch yourself. It is the same for the AUSKF Board of Directors, they must stretch themselves and constantly strive to improve our organization. But the Board of Directors and Officers cannot do it alone, each one of us must get involved to push U.S. Kendo to the next level.
We just completed two enormous events in the span of one year, the U.S. Championship and the World Championship. This was a Herculean effort and a major strain on our resources. We pulled it off, not without pain, not without
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mistakes, but we learned and we improved. Our organization received a worldwide ovation on what a fine job AUSKF did on the 11th WKC. We owe a large debt of gratitude to all the volunteers who gave their time, energy and money to come and work on the tournament.
We also owe a special thanks to Charlie Tanaka sensei and his management team. Those team members included Tim Yuge, Bob Matsueda, Arnold Matsuda, Richard Hill, Richard Tanaka, Masaru Ogihara, Ken Ogawa and Richard Snavely. In addition, we want to thank Duane Langenwalter and Shozo Kato for producing the poster and George Nishiura for the program. Certainly there are many others who deserve recognition and I thank them also for their efforts. We also need to congratulate our Team USA members for all their effort and super performance. For those at the 11th WKC, they provided the home crowd with wonderful memories and thrills. Hats off to Makino Sensei and Kato Sensei for the fine job they did with the team. I expect and hope our attention will now turn to education and put our energy in that direction. Lastly, I want to thank all of you for the chance and opportunity to have made a difference. Sincerely,
Announcements: |
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11th WKC:: Final Report
1. Thank You From Team USA 2000
First of all, to Makino sensei and Kato sensei, we are grateful for the many relentless hours we spent together preparing for the 11th WKC. Thank you both for training us physically and mentally, and for the difficult decisions you had to make. It was an awesome responsibility to represent the USA, and we all did our utmost.
Special thanks to Eguchi USA for your generosity both in terms of equipment (shinai, shinai bukuro, hakama, and keikogi), and time (being there at our many practices, repairing our bogu, etc.). We are extremely grateful for your support.
We would also like to acknowledge the guidance and support given to us by the many senseis, dojos, and federations, notably Yuge sensei, Hori sensei, Takenaka sensei, Takada sensei, and many other senseis, Osaka Sangyo University LA, San Jose Dojo, Nichiren Buddhist Church, and Palo Alto Dojo, SCKF and SCKO, and of course AUSKF. And as always, we could not have done it without the many parents and spouses who selflessly have supported us, not just for these championships but throughout our lifetime committment to kendo.
Finally, we would like to thank all our fellow kenshi in the USA. Knowing that we were the lucky few chosen to represent all of you at this tournament inspired us to keep going through all the grueling hours of training and pain. Perhaps next time you will be there.
The event this year has set a new standard for future championships. Thank you for being an integral part of Team USA and making this tournament a memorable experience for all of us.
Yuji Onitsuka, Men’s Captain |
2. Letters of congratulations were received from the Hawaii and Mexico Kendo Federations. Excerpts of these letters are printed below: Dear Jeffrey Marsten, President: Dear Jeffrey Marsten, President:
Report From VP-Promotion & Exams: Results of the ZNKR Foreign Kendo Leader’s Summer Seminar Promotional Examination held July-August 2000 in Kitamoto, Japan are as follows: Announcement:
Report From VP-Competition: Report submitted by Takeshi Yamaguchi. 2000 AUSKF Iaido Summer Camp & |
Jointly hosted by the Shidogakuin and Ken Zen Iaido Dojos, this event consisted of three days of instructional training in the art of Seitei Iai Kata, Mudansha Division, Inoue, and Nakanishi Cup Iaido Tournament, and proficiency testing for promotional ranking. Under the leadership of AUSKF VP-Competition Mr. Takeshi Yamaguchi-6th Dan, and with the assistance of a team of instructors consisting of: Mr. Shozo Kato- 7th Dan, Mr. Tatsuhiko Konno-6th Dan, Mr. Tom Hooper-6th Dan , Mr. Ichiro Murakami-5th Dan, and several other 3 Dan and above assistant instructors, a well balanced three-day program of Seitei Iai Kata training, competition, and proficiency testing was presented with a high level of expertise and in an open learning atmosphere to help iaidoka of all ranks to gain new knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of the study of iaido. Note: This year, for the first time, a Mudansha Division was added to the AUSKF National Iaido Championships. The results of the 2000 Iaido National Championships are as follows: Mudansha:
1st Akiyo Takamisawa Shidogakuin NYC
2nd Terry Fukui Ken Zen NYC
3rd Frank Nieves Shidogakuin Miami
3rd Karl Peterson Mutokai St. Paul
1 Dan-2 Dan: (Inoue Cup)
1st Mike Ugarte Ken Zen NYC
2nd Peter Kilpe Shidogakuin DC
3rd David Cooper Dallas/Ft.Worth KIK
3rd Koji Sato Choyokan Chicago
Outstanding Player:
Diane Mirro River City Iaido Kyokai
San Antonio
3 Dan & Above: (Nakanishi Cup)
1st Pam Parker Ken Zen NYC
2nd Nancy James Ken Zen NYC
3rd Judith Mack Obukan Portland
3rd Jim Sylvia NCKF Oakand
Outstanding Player:
Debi Farmer Shidogakuin NYC
Promotional Examination:
6 kyu - 1kyu 23 iaidoka promoted
1 Dan 8 iaidoka promoted
2 Dan 6 iaidoka promoted
3 Dan 5 iaidoka promoted
4 Dan 2 iaidoka promoted
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On the evening following the third day, the iaidoka participants and sensei enjoyed a banquet dinner and had a relaxing time at the Nice Restaurant in the heart of New York’s Chinatown. Yamaguchi sensei expresses his sincere thanks to Kato sensei, Konno sensei, Hooper sensei, Murakami sensei, and the other assistant instructors for helping him at this year’s AUSKF Iaido Summer Camp and National Iaido Championships. Also, Yamaguchi sensei extends special thanks to Pam Parker and the members of the Shidogakuin and Ken Zen Iaido Dojos for hosting the 2000 AUSKF Iaido Summer Camp, and for the many efforts and warm hospitality extended to everyone to make for a successful iaido summer camp experience for all who attended.
Report From VP-Education: Report submitted by Atsushi Hori. AUSKF Kodansha Kendo Seminar Report: On July 8-9, 2000, approximately 80 kodansha and yudansha kendoists attended the AUSKF Kodansha (Leader’s) Seminar held in Las Vegas, Nevada. AUSKF VP-Education Atsushi Hori announced in his letter to the AUSKF kendoists explaining the details of the AUSKF Kodansha Seminar, that his overview of the recent 11th WKC was that it was a successful event hosted by AUSKF; however, at the same time, Hori sensei noted his observation of the dramatic improvement of the European kendoists, and expressed his concern that in order to maintain comparable kendo skills in the U.S., there must be a united effort to continue building up a strong national kendo program in the U.S. With this in mind, Hori sensei proposed a seminar primarily for the Kodansha kendoists. |
The two-day seminar was taught by 8th Dan, Hanshi Kenichi Ishida sensei; Ishida sensei is an Osaka Police Department kendo instructor. In addition, many kendoists are familiar with Ishida sensei, as he was featured in a documentary videotape titled Kendo’s Grueling Challenge, which documented the hardships, sacrifices and life experiences of kendoists taking the promotional examination for 8th Dan. The seminars ran each day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with an hour for lunch. On the first day, Ishida sensei gave instructions on kihon training (starting with footwork, progressing to suburi, and concluding with waza); after seven hours of instruction and practice, the day ended with ji-geiko. The second day consisted of Ishida sensei giving instruction on nihon kendo kata and how to be a good shimpan; again, after seven hours of instruction and practice, the day ended with ji-geiko. Following the end of the second day of the seminar, a nice banquest dinner was enjoyed by the Kodansha and yudansha participants with Ishida sensei. There was an opportunity for a question and answer period which provoked some interesting questions from the kendoists in attendance, as well as very thoughtful and inspiring responses from Ishida sensei about his kendo life experiences and how these experiences affected the decisions he made throughout his life that eventually resulted in his achievement of the 8th Dan. Hori sensei expresses his sincere thanks to the Southern California Kendo Federation and the AUSKF Education Committee members Charlie Tanaka and Ichiro Murakami, for there assistance and efforts that culminated in a successful AUSKF Kodansha Seminar. Special thanks are extended to Team USA member Chris Yang, for his excellent english translation throughout the two days of the seminar given by Ishida Sensei. |
REGIONAL MEMBER'S NEWS:
1. Report from the Northen California Kendo Federation , submitted by Ken Ogawa and Richard Tanaka. For further details contact: Ken Ogawa e-mail: 3 brock@msn.com or Richard Tanaka e-mail: ktanaka1115@aol.com Palo Alto Kendo Dojo Taikai May 21, 2000 10yrs & under: 1st F. Michioka Salinas 2nd K. Umeda San Jose 3rd Haga San Jose 3rd Nishi San Mateo 11yrs-13yrs: 1st J. Roston Salinas 2nd Murao Palo Alto 3rd Ueno Palo Alto 3rd K. Mori Salinas 14yrs-17 yrs: 1st Dyer Salinas 2nd Hannya San Mateo 3rd Wiseman Salinas 3rd V. Hao Sacramento Adult Kyu: 1st Jin San Jose 2nd Tolentino San Francisco 3rd Park Oakland 3rd Navarro Palo Alto Women’s Division: 1st Maeyama Palo Alto 2nd Tejima San Mateo 3rd S. Mars Palo Alto 3rd L. Tanaka San Jose 1 Dan-3 Dan: 1st G. Mikuni San Jose 2nd Maekawa San Mateo 3rd Y. Koga Palo Alto 3rd T. Tejima San Mateo 4 Dan & above: 1st A. Matsuda San Jose 2nd S. Hamamatsu Palo Alto 3rd M. Koga San Mateo 3rd Kasahara Palo Alto |
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REGIONAL MEMBER'S NEWS (Continued)
Palo Alto Kendo Dojo Taiki May 21, 2000 (cont’d) Fighting Spirit: Youth Y. Kurashima San Mateo Women J. Abe Palo Alto Adult Kyu Aono Oakland Youth Team: 1st Salinas 2nd Palo Alto Adult Team: 1st Palo Alto 2nd San Mateo ------------------------------------ San Jose Kendo Dojo Tournament August 27, 2000 10 yrs old & under: 1st F. Michioka Salinas 2nd A. Eitoku Salinas 3rd N. Nishi San Mateo 3rd R. Cole Rancho Cordova 11yrs-13yrs: 1st K. Mori Salinas 2nd J. Hinojoza Palo Alto 3rd K. Ueno Palo Alto 3rd M. Haga San Jose 14yrs-17yrs: 1st A. Mori Salinas 2nd K. Michioka Salinas 3rd S. Dyer Salinas 3rd Colton Palo Alto Adult Kyu: 1st C. Park Salinas 2nd E. Tolentino S.F. 3rd A. Kang Berkeley 3rd A. Moore Berkeley Women’s Division: 1st R. Mikuni San Jose 2nd M. Ueno Palo Alto 3rd D. Mita Palo Alto 3rd L. Tanaka San Jose 1 Dan-2 Dan: 1st G. Mikuni San Jose 2nd L. Tanaka San Jose 3rd R. Funaoka Shin Fresno 3rd A. Philip S.F. 3 Dan & above: 1st M. Minami Salinas 2nd Y. Iwata San Mateo 3rd M. Koga San Mateo 3rd R. Mikuni San Jose |
San Jose Kendo Dojo Tournament August 27, 2000 (cont’d) Youth Team: 1st Salinas Adult Team: 1st Salinas Fighting Spirit: T. Sakano Oakland 2. Report from the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation: Schedule of Events and News, submitted by Tom Bolling, Recording Secretary, 7318 23rd Avenue N.E., Seattle, WA. 98115 (work) 206-543-2060, (FAX) 206-685-8485, (home) 206-527-1190. Internet e-mail addresses: http:\\weber.u.washington.edu\-kendo or kendo@u.washington.edu. Also, read PNKF’s Kenyu online at: http:\\faculty.washington.edu\-kendo /kenyu.html. DATEBOOK-2000 British Columbia Kendo Federation Junior Championships-June 4, 2000 Steveston Beginners: 1st C. Morimoto Steveston 2nd N. Chang Steveston 3rd T. Kikuchi Steveston 3rd K. Turner Steveston 10yrs & under: 1st A. Tajiri Renbu 2nd R. Aramaki Sunrise 3rd L. Murao Steveston 3rd N. Marumo Sunrise 11yrs-13yrs: 1st S. Marumo Sunrise 2nd R. Nakata Renbu 3rd Q. Morimoto Steveston 3rd B. Imanishi Cascade |
British Columbia Kendo Federation Junior Champioships-June 4, 2000 14yrs-15yrs: 1st J. Marsten Highline 2nd M. Tajiri Renbu 3rd H. Merley Highline Red & White: 1st B. Imanishi Cascade 2nd R. Marumo Sunrise 3rd J. Marsten Highline Fighting Spirit: E. Lachica Cascade G. Mizutani Renbu Junior Team: 1st Cascade 2nd Renbu 4. Report from the Southern California Kendo Federation submitted by Brian L. Olson. For more details, or to confirm date, time, location of events, etc., contact Brian L. Olson by e-mail at: blolson8@earthlink.net. Nisei Week Kendo Tournament August 6, 2000 Non-kyu-6 kyu: 1st Komatsu Covina 2nd S. Owaki Covina 3rd R. Eguchi Torrance 3rd W. Konagata Covina H.M. G. Owaki Torrance H.M. A. Kern JCI H.M. S. Oiwa Sho Tokyo Kantosho S. Toriyama Gardena 5kyu-4kyu: (Group 1) 1st K. Osias Covina 2nd K. Kamimoto Long Beach 3rd Y. Omura Norwalk 3rd H. Kinjo Covina Kantosho Matsumoto Covina 5th kyu-4kyu: (Group 2) 1st T. Konagaya Covina 2nd Y. Fukusumi Covina 3rd C. Chung OCB 3rd H. Fukusumi Covina Kantosho C. Chung OCB 3kyu-lkyu: (Group 1) 1st S. Yoo Torrance 2nd T. Kurokouchi Covina |
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REGIONAL MEMBER'S NEWS (Continued)
Nisei Week Kendo Tournament August 6, 2000 (cont’d) 3kyu-1kyu: (Group 1) 3rd T. Kato Norwalk 3rd T. Kawagishi Norwalk Kantosho S. Tamura OCB 3kyu-1kyu: (Group 2) 1st M. Omura Norwalk 2nd S. Matsumoto Covina 3rd G. Suzaki Cascade 3rd N. Makino Long Beach Kantosho A. Imai Covina Women’s Kyu: 1st M. Hagiwara Sho Tokyo 2nd M. Hatagami Norwalk 3rd K. Kamimoto Long Beach 3rd C. Chung OCB H.M. M. Matsuyama San Diego H.M. T. Takeuchi JCI H.M. L. Kamomoto Long Beach H.M. S. Tamura OCB Women’s Yudansha: 1st K. Takada Long Beach 2nd J. Abe Chuo 3rd M. Takeda OCB 3rd R. Uto Chuo Adult Kyu: (Group 1) 1st A. Costello JCI 2nd M. Matsuyama San Diego 3rd S. Fukumoto Sho Tokyo 3rd A. Nemeti Sho Tokyo Adult Kyu: (Group 2) 1st K. Kinjo Covina 2nd H.S. Kim Torrance 3rd M. Hagiwara Sho Tokyo 3rd D. Rodriguez Chuo 1Dan-2 Dan: (Group 1) 1st Moridomo W. LA 2nd Kawakami W. LA 3rd S. Kim Costa Mesa 3rd K. Takemura OSU 1 Dan-2 Dan: (Group 2) 1st Y. Kitajima Torrance 2nd C. Takada Long Beach 3rd Y. Imamura Long Beach 3rd M. Takasaki Sho Tokyo |
Nisei Week Kendo Tournament August 6, 2000 (cont’d) 3 Dan-4Dan: (Group 1) 1st T. Abe Sho Tokyo 2nd Y. Goya OCB 3rd Y. Oshima OSU 3 Dan-4 Dan: (Group 1) 3rd H. Sang Sho Tokyo 3 Dan-4 Dan: (Group 2) 1st S. Takei OSU 2nd D. Kang Chuo 3rd D. Bailey SFV 3rd R. Uto Chuo Team Competition: 1st Covina 2nd Norwalk 3rd OCB 3rd OSU IAIDO NEWS: 1. Report submitted by Southern California Iaido Association President Dennis Ralutin. For more information, contact Dennis Ralutin at: (626) 339-8623, or e-mail at: kryptonian13@hotmail.com The Southern California Iaido Association (SCIA) will be conducting its annual iaido seminar and promotional examination on Sunday, November 12, 2000, at the Los Angeles Police Department Academy in Los Angeles, California. This seminar will be taught by Takeshi Yamaguchi sensei-6 Dan, Ichiro Murakami sensei-5 Dan, and Henry Asai sensei-5 Dan. The seminar will cover the basic techniques of Sei Tei Iai kata according to the International Kendo Federation (IKF) standards. All levels and styles are invited to attend the seminar. Individuals eligible for the ranks of 3 kyu through 2 Dan may participate in the promotional examination. More details (fees, directions, registration forms, etc.) will be available after the first week of September. |
AUSKF ARCHIVES AND Report submitted by Norman K. Otani As initially reported in the June 8, 2000, AUSKF Information Bulletin from President Jeffrey Marsten, AUSKF Board of Directors Norman K. Otani, Tim Yuge and Ichiro Murakami formally met with Executive Director Irene Hirano, Deputy Director Luke Gilliland-Swetland, and another official from the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) on June 7, 2000 to discuss possible ways to develop a partnership or affiliation with the JANM for the purpose of developing a AUSKF Archives and to consider the concept of a Hall of Fame. Previously, my predecessor in the office of AUSKF Secretary-Historian, initiated the idea of a AUSKF Archives. Taking this idea one step further, I made a proposal that was approved by the AUSKF Board of Directors at the May 20-21, 2000 Board meeting. The proposal was to select a committee and to immediately begin a process to explore the development of a AUSKF Archives and if feasible, to include a Hall of Fame; the proposal indicated that there would be meetings with organizations such as the JANM to discuss these ideas. I am pleased to report that the June 7, 2000, meeting between Mssrs. Otani, Yuge and Murakami with Ms. Hirano, Mr. Gilliland, and the official from the JANM was a very positive experience for both organizations concerned. Each respective organization is now better aware of each others organizational needs and we were able to now understand the limitations of the JANM as to the feasibility of the concept of a Hall of Fame; this concept will probably need to be given more thought as to whether or not a virtual Hall of Fame would be acceptable to the AUSKF Board of Directors and members. As to the AUSKF Archives idea, the immediate efforts suggested to be taken by the JANM is for AUSKF volunteers from all respective regional federations to attend |
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AUSKF Archives and Hall of Fame (Continued) regional workshops on the subject of Personal Collections: Preserve Your Family History. The training received in this workshop will be the first step that must be taken by AUSKF volunteers to learn to preserve family history through managing and caring for objects such as family papers, photographs, books, artwork, home movies, videotapes, and clothes. After there is a core group of AUSKF volunteers trained in how to manage and care for personal collections in general; these individuals can then begin contacting individual kendo dojo members, advisors, and others who may have personal collections of local, regional and national kendo organization materials to be preserved. The next step after there are trained AUSKF volunteers who will begin contacting current and past kendoists to begin the collection process, is for the AUSKF Board of Directors and members to decide what to do with the collected materials. The JANM has provided information to Mssrs. Otani, Yuge and Murakami as to two available options, as to what can be done with the collected materials. One option is to endorse the JANM as a Repository of the collected AUSKF Archive materials, and individuals would then be able to submit Collection Donation Information Forms directly to the JANM for processing; the downside to this option is that these individual requests would be thrown into the current general mix of work done by the JANM curatorial staff. As a result, the AUSKF Archives , would slowly evolve, and any possibility of the development of a virtual Hall of Fame project would be almost non-existent. The second option, would be a partnership with the JANM, which would require the approval of the Board of Directors of both the JANM and the AUSKF; in addition, there would be formal memorandums of understanding as to what would be expected to be done by each organization. This type of partnership is currently in |
operation with another national organization (Buddhist Churches of America). One key requirement of this option to be viable would be the need for AUSKF to provide financial support to the JANM, which in turn would hire a part-time student, supervised by JANM curatorial staff. Along with an AUSKF volunteer, this part-time student would implement the agreed upon tasks set forth in the memorandum of understanding, e.g. (1) review the donated personal collections for identification, cataloguing, etc.; (2) Develop an AUSKF virtual Hall of Fame, with a hyperlink to the JANM website that could be accessed by AUSKF members. These are the general concepts regarding an AUSKF Archives and Hall of Fame that were discussed at the meeting with the JANM held on June 7, 2000, that each AUSKF member is requested to think about, and if you are interested in supporting either of the above options, please contact your regional member representative, AUSKF Board of Director, or any of the Officers to give your opinion on this matter.
BOOK REVIEW: The Heart of Kendo, Shambhala Publications has recently published a new book which can be described as a comprehensive introduction to the philosophy and practice of the art of the sword. "The martial arts, if taught correctly, are limitless journeys with no final destination; [T]hey are a way of life." writes author Darrell Craig. By 1975, Craig sensei held ranks of godan in karate, yondan in kubudo, sandan in kendo, nidan in jujitsu, and shodan in iaido and judo; in that year he opened the Houston Budokan, where he taught and still teaches today, all of the above arts. |
Craig Sensei takes the reader through the basics of the study of kendo, starting with sitting, breathing, and the all important bow or rei. He describes the kendo equipment and its care; then, progresses to the basic features of a kendo practice session, warm-up exercises, assuming the proper stance, grips, strikes and positioning. Only after thoroughly explaining these concepts, does he then move on to explain the seven long-sword forms or kata that are the foundation of kendo practice. Craig sensei’s teachings go far beyond the mechanics of kendo. Through stories and actual recorded conversations with his kendo sensei, the late Harutane Chiba, the 37th generation of a famous clan of samurai swordsmen; Mr. Craig has preserved for the reader a life history and understanding about the evolution and history of the art of the sword, that together with the photographs and drawings are captivating and clearly demonstrates the respect, restraint, and discipline that lie at the heart of kendo where the most important opponent to vanquish is oneself.
IN MEMORIAM:
NAKAHARA, WATARU
Norman K. Otani, Esq., Editor
Thanks to all of the Future news items for the next issue to be published on August 1, 2000, can be submitted to my e-mail address: aj082@cvip.fresno.com or news items can be sent to: 2338 E. Minarets Avenue Fresno, CA. 93720 |