November 15-16th 2003
Students preparing vegetables for the Homeless.
This seminar was held November 15-16th at Nippon Kan dojo in Denver, Colorado, headquarters for AHAN (the Aikido Humanitarian Active Network). Nippon Kan students and supporters gathered for this even to raise foundation funds for the upcoming holidays. A portion of the funds raised will go to the support of a special holiday meal to be served at the Denver Rescue Mission in December. With the meal, we are also planning to donate 400 pairs of socks to outside guests at the Rescue Mission meal service. The Rescue Mission receives ample donations of jackets, sweaters, hats and other clothing, but it is sadly lacking in donations of socks and undergarments. Additional funds raised will also be used to support holiday projects for AHAN children in Mongolia, Brazil and Mexico.
Two days after returning from Mexico where he led a fundraising seminar for children with cancer in Mexico, Homma Kancho conducted this two day event at Nippon Kan in Denver.
This seminar was unique in that not only did seminar focus on community service projects but so did the curriculum! On Saturday, Homma Kancho instructed four intensive Aikido practices which included topics of Aikido and Nippon Kan history, technique and teaching structure. Sunday practice began in a very unique way as students gathered to peel and chop potatoes, carrots, onion and other vegetables and meats in preparation for a dinner service of about 350 meals that evening at the Denver Rescue Mission. After the vegetables were prepared Sunday morning, students continued with their aikido practice under Homma Kancho for an additional two classes.
The seminar ended in time to transport the foods from Nippon Kan to the Mission where student groups met again to serve dinners at 5:00 pm. to mission residents and at 8:00 pm to outside guests. Only at Nippon Kan! It was an interesting mix of activities that provided hands on experience for students in active community service. The space for serving at the Mission is limited, so Nippon Kan students were divided into two groups, the “prep group” and the “serving group”. Proceeds raised by this event exceeded our expectations at $6,000.00. Many thanks to all of the students that participated, the students who contributed but were unable to attend, and all other supporters both named and anonymous who made this a wonderful event.
(article continues after photos so read on!)
 Kathy Ganev, Nippon Kan student volunteer sets the mood at seminar registration. |
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 Practice at the seminar. |
 The American Flag flying high at Nippon Kan |
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 The “serving group” of volunteers at the mission. |
 Eighty people in one seating, four seatings as the goal. |
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 Everyone has a smile! |
During the seminar, Homma Kancho brought into the dojo, an old, slightly dusty, picture frame from the uchideshi quarters adjacent to the dojo. In the frame were two tattered remnants of canvas that had been used to cover the old Nippon Kan dojo mat from 1984-1993. With this he proceeded to teach all of us a little about Nippon Kan history and philosophy in Denver.
 Homma Kancho explains to newer students the stories behind the tattered canvas. |
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 Nippon Kan dojo canvas remnant from 1984-89. |
Homma Kancho began, “These two pieces of canvas came from the spot in the front where the instructor stands daily. By the condition of these pieces, you can tell many things about Nippon Kans history and about our students. For one, you can get a pretty good idea of the financial condition at Nippon Kan during those days. Back then, to buy a new canvas would have cost about $1,500.00, money that Nippon Kan did not have to spend. Instead of being able to buy a new canvas when the old ones became worn, these canvases were stitched and mended with patches, sometimes up to four layers thick to try to hold them together. To be able to amount this much wear on a practice canvas is quite an accomplishment actually and speaks volumes for the dedication of the students at that time. A lot of care and eventually a kind of affection came about for these old tired pieces of cloth, and spending the time after class sewing yet another new tear brought the students together as a group. It finally became a challenge to see how long we could make the canvas last, and everyone pitched in. It is extremely difficult by the way, to sew a taut canvas that is laced in its moorings, and took strength as well as patience.
Just about the time the first canvas in this frame could not take another single stitch, someone came up with an idea. It was suggested that we cut up the canvas into frame able size pieces and sell them as “souvenirs of practice” to raise money for a new canvas. The idea took off, and we were able to do just that. We bought not only the canvas but also had enough to buy a new layer of foam cushion for underneath!
The very first canvas was brought to Nippon Kan as a donation by Fererc Gyulafia Sensei, current Chief Instructor at Foothills Aikido located in the foothills west of Denver. In those early days, Ferenc Gyulafia Sensei practiced at Nippon Kan. When the dojo was under construction, the “mat” was rather loosely defined by layers of carpet for a pad, and that was about all that we could afford. There was no money for a canvas. It was Ferenc who came into the dojo one day carrying a new canvas for us to finish the dojo area. Without a word he dumped the new canvas on top of the pile of carpeting we were laying. This was his donation, and with his donation, our practice at Nippon Kan continued.
This gift, cared for and mended, again and again was finally recycled as frame-able keepsakes which allowed us to continue on again. The spirit of appreciation, nor the mat, was thrown away. The mat that we have at Nippon Kan today is not in too bad of shape for its years of service, but it has a long way to go with a little tender loving care. It has a long way to go to resemble the mat remnants now hanging in the dusty frame.
In the old dojo, paying rent on time was always a major ordeal, so we were not allowed to make a lot of demands on our landlord. We learned to live with the many leaks that the roof afforded during the rain and snowstorms that frequent Denver. We had pots, pots of all sizes and shapes that decorated the mat during storms. Some were cooking pots, some were not, as long as they held water and were stable enough to stand, they were used to collect the water as it rained down from the roof. We used to joke about Nippon Kan secret flying pot ukemi techniques, as we dodged the pots during practice.
The pots, being of different sizes and shapes made their own distinct sound as the water dripped into them. Between all of the pots, we had our own sort of meditation medley, which was almost melodious in its own way.
Through these hard times of lumpy mats and leaky roofs, we learned the art of humor and perseverance. No one complained. The spirit of Nippon Kan was born in those days from patience, and hard practice. This was the spirit that has allowed us to survive, and is the spirit that has become AHAN.
The Nippon Kan dojo we practice in today had humbler beginnings and a long history of effort and contribution by students over the many years. The simple framed mat remnants with all of their stitching are a reminder for all students at Nippon Kan.
AHAN was not founded because Nippon Kan had a wealthy benefactor for support. Many hundreds of wonderful students support Nippon Kan and AHAN with the best they have to offer. This makes AHAN rich in the best way; it is rich in spirit and heart. With these resources and my sincere appreciation much can be accomplished to help those in need in Denver and many other parts of the world.
To look at Nippon Kan today, you need to remember its twenty seven year history, and those in the past that helped along the way. To judge Nippon Kan as it stands today is too simple of a judgment, and one that does not give merit to its past. Day by day we continue to build Nippon Kan’s history of activities and spirit. This seminar was another special page in this history and I give thanks to all of those who attended or contributed. I also want to thank all of Nippon Kan advisors and friends for their positive advice and support in recent times. Your support is appreciated.”
Three days after this Holiday Fundraising Seminar, Homma Kancho left for Brazil to continue work with AHAN in Rio de Janiero.
 Homma Kancho standing at the helm during volunteer prep. |
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 Writing articles in the Denver Rescue Mission Kitchen. |