Mrs. Patricia Sexton
Patricia was the first woman Aikido student at 
Nippon Kan General Headquarters over 32 years ago. Patricia is now 89 years old. After she stopped driving, Patricia could no longer attend practice, but she has remained a faithful student and friend throughout the many years.
In the early days, I used to lead tours of students to Japan and one year Patricia joined the tour. We traveled together to Rikuzentakata City in the Tohoku region of Japan which has since been badly damaged by the great Japanese tsunami and earthquake of 2011.
A few weeks after the tsunami, Patricia sent me a card, expressing her concern for the area she still carried in her memory. Even though the hotel we had stayed at was completely destroyed, some of the region had escaped much damage and it was this news I reported to her, assuring her everything was OK.
Patrica is a wonderful American, and has sent me cards for every birthday and holiday for decades. These days, Patricia lives with her son and his family who came with her to lunch at Domo this summer. She took a tour of the grounds, walking determinedly with a walker and wearing an oxygen mask. When we stopped to take a picture, she removed the oxygen mask and said “ I don’t want to take a picture with this thing on!”
My best wishes to you Pat. You are a fine spirit. Please live long and healthy. You hold an important place in the history of Nippon Kan and are an important student who has supported me for such a very long time.
Gaku Homma
Nippon Kan Kancho
Mr. David Shakley
After finishing his service in Vietnam as a Marine,
David Shakley served at the American Air Force Base in Misawa, Japan. Fluent in Chinese, his job was in intelligence, collecting information on the Chinese and I know his knowledge of Kanji was more extensive than mine! At the Misawa Air Force Base, David was my student, as I was teaching Aikido at the base at that time. Actually, more than a student, David was a drinking buddy. We were young, and yes, we drank a lot together!
When David was discharged from military service, he, myself and a naval specialist named Tom Craper set out for San Francisco, USA. This was the beginning of my life in America.
In May, David, who is now retired from the Postal Service came to Domo Restaurant with his now grown children.
During my lifetime here in the United States, many people from the US military have supported me. In those early days, David Shakley as well as Mr. James Anderson, his good friend Reggie; a proud Native American and Mike, the youngest at that time, a 19 year old in the Air Force and others really helped me. They took the time to trust a Japanese man and gave me my start in this country.
Now I support other people that are homeless, or just in need here in Denver and throughout Asia. I do this in part to repay the debt I owe to all of you. My wish to you all is for a good, healthy and happy life.
Gaku Homma
Nippon Kan Kancho