August 10th, 2007-February 6th, 2008
Genbei and Yonta.
All of the gardens and landscaped areas at Nippon Kan are organic and chemical free so we attract many uchideshi (live-in students) of the four legged, eight legged, many-many legged and winged variety. We have everything from dragon flies, butterflies, praying mantis, locusts, grasshoppers and other insects, fish, snakes, frogs, mice, rabbits, squirrels, fox, badgers, raccoons, wild cats, doves (of which two were hatched last year in the Nippon Kan office) ANDuchideshi dogs.
It is not that the dogs at Nippon Kan are uchideshi; the dogs at Nippon Kan serve as companions and many times as moral support for all of our hard working “human” uchideshi and staff.
Ponk was the first canine English Springer uchideshi at Nippon Kan, survived by Genbei who is now 8 years old and still with us as senior uchideshi. Santa, the newest English Springer joined our dojofamily last year. We are sad to report that Santa passed away this past February from heart complications as a young pup of six months. Mother Emily, office staff and students were extremely saddened by the loss of baby Santa. The breeder upon hearing the news took heart and brought a new baby brother down to Nippon Kan.
Santa was with us for only a little while but touched everyone’s heart while he was with us. “Santa” actually means “third generation” in Japanese, so the new English Springer puppy has appropriately been named “Yonta” or “fourth generation”.
Our dojo will keep the memories of Santa forever.
Written by
All Nippon Kan Staff