Homma Kancho Visits Mongolia
Visit with the Mongolia Aikido Association.
A Visit to Pay Respects to Mongolian Kyokushin Karate.
Mongolian Morin Huur Preservation Association Presents Homma Kancho with an Award of Appreciation.
Nippon Kan Spring Session of Technical Classes Begin!
Aikikai 7th Dan The Late Shigeru Kawabe Shihan’s Memorial Remembrance
Colorado Japanese Martial Art Instructors Annual Meeting
A Colossal Competition; Karate vs Aikido
Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shurenkai Celebrates its Founding.
February 21st, 2004
 Center Hitohiro Sensei, right Yoshinkan Inoue Kancho left, Author. |
Hitohiro Saito Sensei led his new Aikido organization Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shurenkai in a “new beginnings” celebration in the town of Iwama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan on February 21st, 2004. This new organization is headed by Hitohiro Saito Sensei, whos late father Morihiro Saito Shihan 9th Dan served as dojo cho for the Iwama Aikido dojo and keeper of the Iwama Aiki Jinja (Aiki shrine) for 36 years. He was a direct student of the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba, who made Iwama his home and the place he ended his practice of Aikido. Morihiro Saito Shihan’s son Hitohiro Saito Sensei, has now established himself on a new road before him.
After Morihiro Saito Shihan’s death in 2002, Hitohiro Sensei was appointed Iwama Dojo Cho Daiko (interim head of the Iwama dojo). After his father’s death, he performed this duty diligently, attended to dojo affairs. Yet in his heart was the sense that his life forward would be to follow his own new path. He left the security of the world that was built by those before him, including his father, and on Feb 21st announced his new organization to the world.
This ceremony began with an Aikido demonstration held at his new dojo Tanrenkan only a few minutes from the Aiki Shrine. This demonstration and ceremony was followed by a party that was held at a large hotel in Tomobe, the next town over from Iwama. Over 350 people gathered for this celebration in a show of support for Hitohiro Saito Sensei and his new quest.
 Nice communication time Yoshinkan Inoue Kancho, Kokikai Maruyama Sensei, behind Author.  |
I, Gaku Homma was also in attendance, and had the honor of presenting the official toast. Click here for further thoughts in my most recent article.
Written by Gaku Homma
Homma Kancho Visits Mongolia
February 23rd -27th, 2004
 Homma Kancho standing at the freezing Gandan Temple. |
My name is Alima, and I studied volunteer
operations at Nippon Kan in Denver for about a one year period.
Currently I am a Mongolian
coordinator for Nippon Kan’s AHAN
(Aikido Humanitarian Active Network) here in my home country
of Mongolia, and serve as translator for Homma Kancho in Mongolian
and Japanese. I would like to report
on Homma Kancho’s visit to Mongolia this past February,
2004.
Nippon Kan AHAN Mongolia
New Project Begins
A
new project has taken shape in Mongolia for Nippon Kan and AHAN
with Homma
Kancho’s
visit. For the past three years, AHAN has been supporting an
orphanage in Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia.
Upon
recent evaluation, it has been determined that the Mongolian
government and other foreign aid agencies have been able to
provide enough
support for the orphanage for Nippon Kan and AHAN to look for
others in greater need. Homma Kancho came to Mongolia on this
visit in
search of those with needs that government and other agencies
could not fill.
What we found was a school, a privately funded school with
the name of “Hope”. This school named Hope was originally
a child development center started by a German NGO (non-profit
organization) that helps children that suffer from poverty and
the complications that poverty brings. A Mongolian exchange student
helped the hand of fate by taking the story of this center to Japan.
She found her way to the heart of a town in Japan named Numazu
City, by talking about the plight of the children she had seen
there. Commenting to local town officials, “If someone is
too poor to go to school, they will never be able to escape that
poverty. It takes education to leave poverty behind.” After
talking about the center to NPO officials in Numazu City, the
city took on the project and raised $27,000 for the centers
development. That money built the school of Hope, which opened
its doors in
September 2003.
 Homma Kancho with children in the first-third grades. |
The $27,000 raised in Japan went a long way toward building the structure of the school named Hope, but there was little left for maintaining operations. Since it is privately built, the school named Hope does not qualify for government assistance and is not funded by the Mongolian government. For the seventy or so children there, the operating budget is about $450-500 per month. There is no money for textbooks, school supplies, educational toys or tools, equipment etc. More is spent on one child per month in the United States for education, than the entire student body here at Hope. These children share a pencil until it is worn down to nothing.
 We found the school inside this fence. |
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 Standing in front of Hope school, teacher Azaya, Zorig Foundation’s Mr. Gunsoku and Homma Kancho. |
Homma Kancho checked into the schools background and listened carefully to the teacher’s and the children’s needs. He collaborated his research with the Zorig Foundation, a Mongolian foundation that serves to check the credibility of service organizations, and found the school named Hope credible. After concluding his research efforts, Homma Kancho pledged AHAN support for the next three years with the following goals in mind:
1. Raise the monthy operating budget by at least $500.00
2. Develop cultural studies of Mongolian music and art to compliment basic studies in order to encourage the development of creative as well as technical skills.
3. Build a computer program from literally the ground up. Internet access is a distant dream, but the Mongolian AHAN staff is taking the first steps by mapping out the needs for at least phone line installation to the school.
The next day Homma Kancho went into action working towards these goals. To the end of bringing cultural education to the school named Hope, he purchased ten Morin Huur (a Mongolian string instrument similar to a cello) and other instruments from the Morin Huur Preservation Association for the children to use. The Morin Huur Preservation Association also promised to supply teachers to help the children learn how to play the instruments. A timeline of June 2004 was set to assemble at least ten working computers, printers, and copiers. Toward this goal three have already been donated. If you would like to donate a working computer, printer or copier, please email information on what equipment you might have to donate to info@nippon-kan.org . Donations can be tax deductible, and upon receipt of your donation, a value will be determined by our computer staff and a receipt issued. Please contact Nippon Kan by email before you send any computer equipment to determine compatibility.
 Innocent smiles moved our hearts. |
With that Homma Kancho passed out much needed school supplies to the children who showed their delight in such simple gifts, gifts that we often take very much for granted.
Visit with the Mongolia Aikido Association.
The last time Homma Kancho visited Mongolia, the Aikido dojo
in Ulaanbaatar was located in the basement of a tenement apartment
building. Last year, the dojo was moved to a new location;
a building bought and donated to them by Aikido Instructors
that had been sent to Mongolia by JAICA (A Japanese Peace Corp
type organization). The “new” facility is a small
house near the Gandan Temple. Currently the JAICA official
Aikido instructor in Ulaanbaatar is Mr. Teppee Maekawa. At
the end of March of this year, his two-year stint of service
will conclude, and he will return to Japan.
 With Mongolian leaders, from left: Mr. Altanbagana, Mr. Lhagvasure, Homma Kancho, Nippon Kan graduate uchideshi Mr. Bold Tumenjargal and Mr. Teppee Maekawa; Aikido Instructor. |
Originally, the Mongolian Aikido Association was
founded by Mr. Lhagvasure who first caught a glimpse of the
practice of Aikido
in Moscow while Mongolia was still under communist rule.
Before Mongolia gained its independence in 1991, it was against
the
law to practice the martial arts of any other country. Mr.
Lhagvasure taught himself Aikido by watching smuggled videos
and studying
Aikido technique books that had been translated by hand into
the Mongolian language. After Mongolia’s independence
in 1991, he began to gather students together to practice and
in
1993, with the aid of Mr. Damdinpurev obtained an license from
the Mongolian government officially sanctioning the Mongolian
Aikido Association.
From that time until today, the dojo has moved four times.
Three Aikido Instructors from JAICA have come from Japan
to teach.
Teppee Maekawa will be the last JAICA Instructor, and when
his tour of duty ends this March, no replacement will be
sent. It
will be the end of this JAICA program from Japan. This transition
into independence will fall largely on the shoulders of Mr.
Altanbagana and his staff to facilitate.
After teaching at the new dojo, Homma Kancho, hosts and students
gathered for dinner. After dinner Homma Kancho spoke, “Nippon
Kan is itself an independent dojo, and we at Nippon Kan support
your Mongolian Aikido Associations independence. I have no motive
to associate the Mongolian Aikido Association under Nippon Kan.
I am one of the Founder’s students, and my only goal
is to help spread the practice of Aikido. If I can assist you
in
any way, I would like to help.
At my dojo in the United States, there was one uchideshi
(live-in student) whom I instructed for a period of two years,
and who
obtained Aikikai Hombu Dan ranking. He is Mongolian, and
has since returned here to Ulaanbaatar. I have counseled
him to
respect the seniority of this organization, to ask you for
direction
in his practice and to think and act to help the promotion
of Aikido for all of Mongolia. I act as just one individual
Aikidoist
in my support of Aikido in Mongolia. To this end, I would
like to donate $1,000.00 from AHAN to further repair the
new dojo
building and to build a dressing room-changing area”.
Homma Kancho taught at this dojo and also instructed at the
Mongolia/Japan Center where classes are also held. At the
Mongolia/Japan center,
some of the students were wearing uniform with embroidered
Western styled names. Some of the names he recognized as
the names of
students from Nippon Kan who had donated used keiko gis to
Nippon Kan’s Third World Keiko Gi Drive in past years.
This keiko gi drive is still ongoing at Nippon Kan and donations
are currently
needed. If you would like to donate a uniform make sure that
the uniform is clean, in fairly good condition and if possible
with matching tops and bottoms. Make sure you include your
name and the name of your dojo and send to Nippon Kan Keiko
Gi Drive.
1365 Osage Street. Denver, Colorado 80204. Your name and the
name of your dojo will be recognized as a contributor.
 Homma Kancho teaches class. |
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 Cleaning up the dojo. |
 Homma Kancho teaches class. |
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 Student in traditional Mongolian del (clothing). A Visit to Pay Respects to Mongolian Kyokushin Karate. |
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A Visit to Pay Respects to Mongolian Kyokushin Karate.
 Mongolian Kyokushin Karate instructor and uchideshi. Center Homma Kancho, on the right, (in the suit) is Chinzorig Sensei. |
One
pioneer in the history of the martial arts in Mongolia
is also currently the owner of Mongolia’s largest security
company. His name is Chinzorig Sensei, and Homma Kancho arranged
to visit to pay his respects. A former Policeman, Chinzorig
Sensei began his study of Karate in much the same fashion
as Mr. Lhagvasure
first studied Aikido. In 1983, Mr. Lhagvasure was practicing
the Russian art of SAMBO. He became interested in Karate
and began to practice and teach himself in secrecy. After
the fall
of communism, in 1993, he opened his own Karate dojo. In
1996, he was asked by the Mongolian government to serve as
bodyguard
supervisor to “VIP” foreign visitors and guests.
In 1998, he opened his own security company which coincidentally
employees many of his dojo students. To date, Chinzorig Sensei
has instructed over 30,000 students including the members
of the Mongolian police and military forces.
Chinzorig Sensei picked up Homma Kancho at his hotel with
an entourage of students and personally escorted him to the
building
that houses both his security company business and his dojo.
The two had a nice visit together, spending time discussing
martial art philosophy together.
Mongolian Morin Huur Preservation Association Presents Homma
Kancho with an Award of Appreciation.
Centrally located in the City of Ulaanbaatar is the Nairamdal
Peace Park where the Traditional Arts Theater Tumen Eh is located.
The Tumen Eh Theater dedicates its performances to the arts of
Mongolian music and dance. The performers of this theater are
sponsored by the Mongolian government to help preserve this cultural
heritage. When Mongolia gained its freedom from communist rule
in 1991, many young people abandoned traditional arts in pursuit
of more Western ideals. To aid in this decline in interest in
younger generations, the Mongolian Morin Huur Preservation Association
was formed. The purpose of the association is the continuance
of the music, theater and dance arts, the arts of costume and
instrument making as well as the staging arts. At the Preservation
Associations invitation, Homma Kancho visited this wonderful
theater to see a classical Mongolian musical performance. After
the performance, Homma Kancho was guided to a part of the theater
that houses a traditional ger (nomadic Mongolian house much like
a yurt). Being housed indoors was not the only unusual thing
about this ger, and as Homma Kancho stepped inside, he was awed
by its elaborate décor; it was literally fit for a king!
Inside he was motioned to sit in a special chair to share refreshments
with his hosts. “In the last five years”, one of
his hosts began, “only the former first lady Hillary Clinton
and religious leader Dalai Lama have sat in that chair”.
A special honor indeed!
In the United States, Homma Kancho has supported the preservation
of Mongolian music in many ways. Homma Kancho and Nippon Kan
sponsored a traditional Mongolian concert by the Winds of Mongolia
that was performed at the Denver Center for Performing Arts;
a first of its kind in Denver in 2002. In 2003 he sponsored Mr.
Ulambayar, a prestigious member of this association to come to
the United States and build ten authentically crafted Morin Huur
(Mongolian cello like instrument) in Denver; another first for
Denver. Mr. Ulambayar himself is a national treasure in Mongolia
and his crafted instruments have been presented by the Mongolian
government to the Queen of England. He has received the title
in Mongolia of Khan Huurch, which is someone who makes instruments
for the king, (the equivalent of a knighthood title in England).
The ten Morin Huur that he made for Nippon Kan are now being
used by the Denver Mongolian community in music classes held
at Nippon Kan to promote cultural education among the young.
During this visit to Mongolia, Homma Kancho also commissioned
Mr. Ulambayar to make ten Morin Huur for the school named Hope.
For his endeavors, Homma Kancho was presented with an award of
appreciation for his contributions in the preservation of Mongolian
musical culture.
 Receiving a welcome toast. |
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 Homma Kancho receives appreciation award |
Homma Kancho arrived at almost midnight on a freezing Mongolian winter night. The next morning he rose with the dawn and walked to the Gandan temple, which is a sacred place for us in Mongolia. He went to pray at the temple on behalf of all of his Mongolian friends in Denver; and to pay his respects.
 Standing with Alima at the Gandan Temple. |
I told him when I heard he was planning to visit Mongolia, that February was too cold, and that he should wait until summer. He replied “No, that is why I am coming”. It was the time of the New Year in Mongolia during his visit, and it is customary to visit each friend and relative’s home for food and drink and to toast the New Year. Homma Kancho knows many people in Mongolia now, and he visited many houses. I think he did well, making it through the festivities!
This concludes my report on Homma Kancho’s
very busy visit to Mongolia this February 2004.
Written by Nippon Kan AHAN Mongolia staff member
Alima
Nippon Kan Spring Session of Technical Classes Begin!
February 24th-March 23rd, 2004
 Jeremy Olive Sensei and his wife Tray Olive. |
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 Olive Sensei leads a very powerful class! |
Nippon Kan Instructor Jeremy Olive Sensei began a six week
technical shape up series this past February 24th. Especially
while Homma
Kancho is out of town, Olive Sensei’s presence at Nippon
Kan is well appreciated. His classes are well attended by students
of all levels, as he instructs with precision Nippon Kan’s
original teaching method and techniques.
Jeremy Olive Sensei joined Aikido Nippon kan and began
his practice at the same time he started college. It was
about
this time that
he met his wife, Tracy Olive and together both continued
their practice at Nippon Kan. As part of their Nippon Kan
cultural
experience both Jeremy and Tracy were invited by local
government officials to live for six months in a remote
village in northern
Japan. During that time period they also spent time training
in Akita at the Aikido dojo of Aikikai Akita branch director
7th Dan, the late Shigeru Kawabe Shihan. After returning
to the U.S., Jeremy resumed his active role as an instructor,
and in
his own training at Nippon Kan. In recent years, Jeremy
realized a long time dream and goal of his by graduating
from the
Police Academy with honors. With his academic record, physical
skills and personality, Olive Sensei was quickly hired
as a police officer. He told Homma Kancho with a sense
of new
pride, “I
am now a white belt policeman”. With the challenges
of a new career, and also being the father of a baby girl
of almost
two, all Nippon Kan members appreciate him taking time
out of his busy schedule to instruct this technical clinic.
For
this
clinic, Olive Sensei has had over 30 students participate
in each class.
Written by So Yoda
 Teaching kindly to beginners. |
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 One of Nippon Kan’s most popular classes. |
Aikikai 7th Dan The Late Shigeru
Kawabe Shihan’s
Memorial Remembrance.
February 28th, 2004
The first anniversary memorial remembrance ceremony for
the passing of Shigeru Kawabe Shihan was held on Feb 28th,
2004.
Family and
friends gathered at the family temple which is located
very near the late Kawabe Shihan’s dojo in Akita, Japan. After my
visit to Mongolia, I was fortunate to be able to attend this
ceremony in my home town of Akita in northern Honshu. All who
attended remembered Kawabe Shihan’s efforts and accomplishments
and what a kind and generous person he was.
Since his passing, his wife has taken on the duties of dojoshu
on an interim basis, and his oldest son Ryusaku Kawaba will
continue dojo operations as instructor. I would think that
Kawabe Shihan
would be pleased with the continuance of his dojo in this
fashion.
The late Kawabe Shihan had a deep relationship with Nippon
Kan and visited Denver on four separate occasions. To continue
this
relationship, at Nippon Kan’s invitation, his son
Ryusaku will be coming to Denver in May, serving as otomo
for Aikikai
Hombu Shihan Masatake Fujita Sensei.
By Gaku Homma
Colorado Japanese Martial Art Instructors Annual Meeting
March 6th, 2004
 From left, Senseis Igaki, Homma, Kurobane, Yaguchi, Otaka, Ninomiya. |
The Colorado Japanese Martial Art Instructors annual
meeting was held March 6th, 2004. Usually this meeting is held
closer to the New Year, but to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules
it was moved to early March. This year, the meeting was held
at Nippon Kan’s Domo Restaurant, and Nippon Kan Kancho,
Gaku Homma served as chef for the event. In order of senority,
the meeting was attended by JKA Shotokan Karate’s Yutaka
Yaguchi Sensei, Wado-ryu Karate’s Sadaharu Kurobane Sensei,
Kodokan Judo’s Otaka Sensei, Aikido Nippon Kan’s
Gaku Homma Sensei, Enshin Karate’s Joko Ninomiya Sensei
and United States National Karate Federation’s Head
Coach Hideharu Igaki Sensei.
Currently 72 years old, Yaguchi Sensei led the meeting
with stories of his early experiences as a martial art
instructor
in the United
States. Next year, Yaguchi Sensei will celebrate his fiftieth
year as a Japanese martial art instructor in the United
States, and his stories about his early years were enlightening
and
entertaining. Homma Kancho is currently documenting Yaguchi
Sensei’s
history in Denver for publication. Everyone had a good
time together, and is tradition, the party ended in song.
Written by So Yoda.
A Colossal Competition; Karate vs Aikido
March 14th, 2004
The 9th Annual tournament between Ninomiya Kancho’s Enshin
Karate and Homma Kancho’s Aikido Nippon Kan was held
March 14th, 2004. Over 130 competitors arrived early in
the morning
hours to ready for the grueling competition ahead. This
year, Nippon Kan emerged as the victor, making the running
nine year
score; Nippon Kan 6-Enshin Karate 3.
As is tradition, the uchideshi (live in students) from the
losing dojo were doused with 10 gallons of freezing cold
ice water,
to the cheers of onlookers.
 On this tournament day, was also our monthly meal service to the homeless. Before the tournament, everyone cheers on the upcoming competition while peeling veggies. |
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 Children young and old enjoying bowling. |
 Children young and old enjoying bowling. |
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 Many thanks to the Registration Staff. |
 Ninomiya Kancho and Homma Kancho |
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 This year Nippon Kan wins! |
 Traditional ceremony for the losing side. |
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OH! Did you think this was a bloody martial art battle?
No…sorry…it’s
a bowling tournament!
This event, which has been held for nine consecutive years,
is noteworthy as an event that brings students of two different
martial arts together for a day of fun. Could you imagine
this
kind of event taking place in Japan between a full contact
Karate organization and Aikikai Hombu headquarters? Not likely.
Through our practice of the Martial Arts, we strive to achieve
a healthy and peaceful state both individually and on a global
level. To truly achieve this kind of balance the leaders
of Martial Art organizations need to have minds that exhibit
flexibility
as well as strength. As martial artists we need to reach
beyond style and confining definitions, what better way than
with a
bowling tournament. The innocence of this event goes toward
breaching differences in people or differences in styles
of practice and
promoting community. Everyone that day appreciated the wisdom
and value of Ninomiya Kancho and Homma Kanchos leadership,
as well as their bowling style!
The bowling committees from both organizations worked hard
on organizing the event, so hard in fact that they did not
even
get a chance to bowl. Everyone did a great job, and the event
went smoothly. Many thanks to all!
Written by
Emily Busch