 |
Homma Kancho visits Puerto Rico Aug 20-27th, 2003.
 |
 |
Only five students,
but a very serious practice |
Homma Kancho was very excited to visit Puerto Rico. His mission, in
his words was to visit a “front line” dojo. We were headed to Puerto Rico to
visit Shushinkan dojo, operated by Bolivar Rameriz Sensei. The Shushinkan dojo we had been
told had about ten
practicing Aikido students. The dojo is located in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, a town about
two and a half hours southwest of San Juan.
The first practice was held at the dojo and was attended by five students. Homma Kancho
began class reminiscing. “When I first opened my dojo in the United States, I too
had this many students. It is not the number of students, but the willingness to practice
diligently that is important.” Although the class was small, it did not lack for
intensity, and everyone seemed to enjoy the work out!
|
 |
| Homma Kancho and Ramirez Sensei talking together
at Shushinkan dojo |
On Saturday and Sunday, practice was held at the Puerto Rico University Mayaguez Campus
Gymnasium and was attended by a gathering of about forty martial artists from many different
backgrounds. Jujitsu, Karate and Aikido students all joined class together which made for
a very interesting practice. Class was held for four hours on both Saturday and Sunday,
and was as rigorous as it was insightful.
Homma Kancho spoke to the group assembled. “When I came here from Denver, my purpose
was not to teach a large seminar. My interest lies in learning about all of you, students
who practice here in the outlying areas of Puerto Rico. I was interested to see if I could
teach a class to students from mixed martial arts backgrounds; to see if my teaching methods
could be understood, and if my communication was effective. Here the conditions are similar
to when I began teaching in the United States, when I formed Nippon Kan almost thirty years
ago. I wanted to return to the “front lines” of today’s Aikido frontier.
Thank you all for being here, I am enjoying my time here with you, and remembering days
of mine long ago!”
 |
|
Front of the Puerto Rico University
Mayaguez
Campus Gymnasium |
This was also a chance for Homma Kancho to fine tune the teaching presentation he will
be making in Las Vegas in September at the Aiki Expo 2003, where attending students will
also be of mixed martial art backgrounds.
After practice, Homma Kancho, Rameriz Sensei, and trip coordinator Javier Morales spent
time in deep discussion on dojo operations and current events in the world Aikido community
today. Homma Kancho was very interested to learn about their concerns and opinions as a
small dojo in a distant land.
Experience and understanding is always a goal of Homma Kancho, and for this trip he did
not ask for teaching fees or compensation for travel or lodging expenses. Homma Kancho’s
reflections about this visit can be found in his most recent article: “Small Dojo,
Big Value” which can be linked to at the bottom of this page.
Homma Kancho was accompanied on this visit by AHAN President Emily Busch and Nippon Kan
Instructor Bryon Hays.
Thank you to all Puerto Rico martial artists for a very enjoyable time!
Emily Busch
Nippon Kan Vice President, AHAN President
September 6, 2003
Editors note:
In consideration for the privacy of students attending from different martial art backgrounds,
seminar photos will not be displayed.
Read Homma Kancho's article Small Dojo Big Value
Letter from Javier Morales
I read the articles and want to thank Homma Sensei
Bryon and yourself for the wonderful time we had in
Puerto Rico and for giving us the chance to experience
Nippon Kan's teaching method. Is not everyday that a a
teacher with the experience of Homma Sensei writes an
article about a small Dojo instead of writing about
big and lucrative Dojos and for that I personally feel
deeply honored that Homma Sensei decided to write a
wonderful article about his experiences in our Dojo.
This shows the wonderful human being that Homma Sensei
is and that all of you are. Hope we can develop AHAN
in Puerto Rico so we can continue our relationship
with Nippon Kan and at the same time give something
back to the community. Hope to see you soon.
Sincerily,
Javier Morales
Puerto Rico
|
