April 21-26, 2008
Last spring, we invited Nippon Kan Kancho, Gaku Homma to visit us at the Nikeijin Kaikn (Japan Colombia Association) in Cali, Columbia. The Nikeijin Kaikan is active in many community activities and Japanese cultural programs in Cali including the Cali Nippon Budokan (Cali Japanese Martial Art Dojo). Homma Kancho arrived in Cali on April 21st for a five day visit. I, Ayako Nakata, Director of the Nikeijin Kaikan, along with Jorge Silva Sensei who teaches our Aikido program served as hosts for Homma Kancho’s short but very busy visit.
There are about 150 Japanese Colombian members of the Nikeijin Kaikan in Cali. The history of the Japanese immigrants in Columbia began in 1929, so there are now generations of Japanese living in Colombia. In April 2007, our Japan Colombia Association President, Mr. Sakae Machida was able to raise enough funds through the Japanese Kokusai Kyoryoku Foundation to build our new five-story facility in Cali. Our center is used by both the Japanese community and many other groups for community activities and programs. Jorge Sensei’s Aikido class is held in a large dojo space on the fifth floor.
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- Jorge Silva Sensei and Homma Kancho.
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- In front of the Columbia Nikeijin Kaikan building; Ayako Nakata, and Homma Kancho.
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- Cleaning up the dojo before practice.
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- Homma Kancho shaking hands with everyone before practice.
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- With National Television’s “Todays Mirror” anchor.
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- Preparing to go on air.
Practice at Nippon Budokan in Cali.
Homma Kancho taught three days of Aikido classes to about 50 students at the Cali Nippon Budokan. His teaching was very well received by all of the students who learned a great deal from Homma Kancho not only about Nippon Kan Aikido technique but about Aikido history and AHAN philosophy as well. On the last day of classes, Homma Kancho with Jorge Silva Sensei as uke performed a 30-minute discourse on Aikido including a demonstration on a Colombia National television noon time show called “Today’s Mirror.”
Between classes, Homma Kancho visited a number of local humanitarian organizations in and around Cali as preliminary research for future consideration for AHAN support. After careful review, Homma Kancho and AHAN decided to support by the Dignity and Life Foundation in the Santa Elena slum district. . One of the programs of the Dignity and Life Foundation provides 30 children, selected for their potential as up-coming leaders in their community, with the opportunity to attend the Nippon Budokan Aikido classes once a week at no cost. The training the children receive at the Nippon Budokan not only allows them the chance to practice Aikido, but offers them training in leadership and community awareness. In support of this program, Homma Kancho provided donations of foods and other daily products for the foundation in Santa Elena and pledged to initiate an AHAN campaign at Nippon Kan Headquarters in Denver to provide these children with new uniforms for their practice at the Nippon Budokan dojo.
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- Delivering food and daily products. From left: Kancho, Founder Juliette, Director Mario.
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- Kancho with the kids!
All of us in Cali, Columbia very much appreciate Homma Kancho taking time out of his busy schedule to visit us in Cali, and look forward to his return very soon!
Written by Columbia Nikei Kaikan Kancho
Ayako Nakata
From editor
All photos were taken with permission.