March-April Activity Report 2005

Out of Country Seminar/ AHAN International Activity Report

AHAN Italy Activity Support Seminar
March 8-15th, 2005
Written by Aurora Onofri

AHAN Italy, Kihon Dojo
Nettuno, Italy

With everyone at the Naturalment Centro-Sociale Center.

Homma Kancho visited us here at Kihon Dojo in Nettuno, Italy, March 8-15th, 2005. This purpose of this visit to Kihon Dojo, (Samuel Onofri Sensei) was to raise funds for local humanitarian efforts in the Nettuno area. Nettuno is a quaint harbor community located one hour southwest of Rome.

Nippon Kan’s AHAN (Aikido Humanitarian Active Network) has ongoing humanitarian projects around the world that serve the needs of children and young adults. One of the projects we discussed with Homma Kancho during his visit was the making of AHAN postcards which will feature a collage of photos of AHAN children from different countries world-wide.

The main focus of this visit was the support of the Naturalment Centro-Sociale O.N.L.U.S., an organization Samuel and I (Aurora) chose last year to aid in their assistance to young adults with mental disabilities. This center has a dedicated staff of six that specialize in caring for young adults ages eighteen to forty two. Special needs children under the age of eighteen in Italy are cared for under government policy that guarantees education and basic care for all children. After the age of eighteen however, many children rely solely on the Naturalment Centro-Sociale O.N.L.U.S. for their special care. This center is a non-profit organization that provides day care, activities, meals and therapy for children and young adults with mental disabilities such as autism and turret syndrome.

Mr. Mauro, President of the Naturalment Centro-Sociale at the seminar. From right; Samuel Sensei, Homma Kancho, Mr. Mauro, Aurora Onofri.

While Homma Kancho was with us here in Nettuno, he taught a three day seminar to students who came from all over Italy to practice. The seminar raised enough funds this year to buy a new ceramic kiln and pottery tools for the center to use in its vocational and therapy programs. Homma Kancho paid a visit to the center and was delighted to see some of the ceramic crafts the children had produced.

Behind the scenes, everyone helps getting ready.

We had a wonderful time with Homma Kancho on his visit with us in Italy, and many new plans were put in place for future AHAN Italy activities. The time was too short as always, and in no time, Homma Kancho was back on a plane bound for Morocco.

Nippon Kan Vice President, AHAN President Visits Morocco.
March 15-21, 2005
Written by
Kazumi Yoshimura
Nippon Kan staff

Emily Busch, AHAN President spends an evening with Moroccan women in Alaoui M’barek Sensei’s home.	Practice with women in Morocco.

Emily Busch, President of AHAN and I traveled to North Africa this past March for a cross-cultural visit to learn about women and Aikido in Morocco. The trip was short, but in one weeks time we were able to visit the cities of Fez, Rabat and Casablanca. We met up with Homma Kancho in the capitol city of Rabat where he had just arrived from Italy.

This trip came about with an invitation to Homma Sensei to come to Morocco to teach Aikido by a Japanese woman named Nanayo Sasaya who has lived in Morocco for the past three years as a volunteer for a women’s world peace association. It was decided at Nippon Kan headquarters in Denver that the subject of women and Aikido in this part of the world would be an appropriate AHAN research project, and the trip became a reality.

In Casa Blanca, the Morocco Aikido Federation arranged for a two-day friendship practice which was instructed by Homma Sensei and Alaoui M’barek Sensei, a long standing Aikido Instructor of merit in Morocco. (Link here) to Homma Kancho’s article “Preserving Our Traditional Heritage”. The practice was a fabulous exchange of cultures and was attended by about 150 students; including five women Aikidoists from Morocco.

Alaoui Sensei with Emily Busch.		Homma Kancho teaching at the seminar.

Members of the Morocco Aikido Federation were wonderful hosts and shared their teaching and hospitality with us most generously. Alaoui M’barek Sensei, the former President of the Morocco Aikido Federation and distinguished instructor, opened his home to us which allowed us the opportunity to experience Morocco family-style!

The friendly women of Morocco.

Our local trip coordinator, Mrs. Teruyo Sano of Rabat, Morocco also took very good care of us during our visit. The restaurant Hong Kong Café, owned by Mrs. Sano and her husband became our home base in Rabat with its convenient access to the local markets (medinas) and central train station. Mrs. Sano, who was introduced to us by Nanayo Sasaya, was an intriguing woman also from Japan, whose dynamic approach to life in Morocco was a great lesson for us all.

Inside Hong Kong Café.

Teruya-san buying chickens at the market.		Teryu-san, a wiz at bargaining in Arabic!

We all hope that this visit will be the first in a growing relationship between Nippon Kan and our new friends in Morocco. We hope to keep in contact and be able to return for another visit soon. Many sincere thanks to all in Morocco who made our visit one to remember!

Please also read the following related articles on Morocco:
Preserving Our Traditional Heritage by Gaku Homma Nippon Kan Kancho.
Aikido, a New Wind in Morocco; a Woman’s perspective by Emily Busch, AHAN President.
A Friend for Life; Women I Met in Morocco by Kazumi Yoshimura.

**Note from editor. Permission was obtained before taking photographs inside the Moroccan family home of Alaoui Sensei.

International Instructor Seminar Series 2005
Featuring;
Dento Iwama Ryu (Traditional Iwama Style) Hitohiro Saito Jukucho
Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai Tanren Juku, Iwama, Japan.

Sponsored and Directed by Nippon Kan AHAN Headquarters.

Nippon Kan AHAN Headquarters sponsored and directed the first seminar tour in AHAN’s International Instructors Series 2005. This tour to Mexico City, Mexico and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was coordinated with host dojos in both countries with AHAN affiliation. Proceeds from both seminars were donated directly to local humanitarian organizations selected by the host dojo in their own communities.

For this seminar tour, Dento Iwama Ryu no Shin Shin Aiki Shurin Kai Tanren Juku, Hitohiro Saito Jukucho was the featured instructor. It is the objective of this AHAN based series to feature a variety of different high-ranking instructors from many different organizations and backgrounds. Homma Kancho traveled on this tour to Mexico and Brazil as the primary coordination and reports the following:

Mexico Seminar
April 7-11, 2005
Written by
Gaku Homma
Nippon Kan Kancho

Seminar attendants in Mexico City.	Hitohiro Jukucho teaching.

AHAN Mexico Aikido, Take Musu Aiki, instructed by Fernando Roman Sensei and Rocio Aguero Sensei, www.mexicoaikido.com.mx hosted the seminar in Mexico City as the first stop in this International Instructor Series Tour. I met Hitohiro Jukucho in the Houston airport where he had just arrived from Japan. After such a long flight, I was a little surprised that he showed no signs of fatigue only excitement as we headed for our plane to Mexico City.

Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by our gracious hosts from AHAN Mexico Aikido and ushered toward the home of Senior Jose Alvarez who graciously opened his home to us for the days ahead.

Hitohiro Jukucho signing over 150 certificates by brush.		Hitohiro Jukucho straightening Sr. Joses’ bokken.

For Hitohiro Jukucho, this trip to Mexico and Brazil was the culmination of a dream of his father’s, the Late Morihiro Saito Shihan. During his lifetime teaching in Iwama, Morihiro Saito Shihan had many uchideshi who came to study under him from Central and South America. It was his dream to someday visit the homelands of these students; a dream that was never fulfilled before his death in 2002. This dream became the mission of his son Hitohiro to fulfill his father’s wishes.

During Opening Ceremonies at the Mexico Seminar, Saito Jukucho explained to all students gathered about the dream of his father and his resulting mission. Saito Jukucho also called for a moment of silence to honor the passing of Pope John Paul II as a world religious leader and activist for peace around the world. This seminar was attended by students from all over Mexico of many different styles and organizations. Over 150 students from twenty dojos were in attendance for this fundraising event.

AHAN Mexico Aikido, Take Musu Aiki in Mexico City, became independent from Mexico pioneer Instructor Kurita Shihan in 1998. In a relatively short time, AHAN Mexico Aikido today has a student base of 150 students. Fernando Roman Sensei and Rocio Aguero Sensei have maintained good working relationships with other small dojos in many parts of Mexico, and many groups attend AHAN events organized by them.

The Michou y Mau Foundation, was the charity chosen by AHAN Mexico Aikido as the recipient for proceeds raised at the seminar for their work with children with severe burns. Representatives from the Foundation were present at the seminar closing ceremonies to receive the donation from all students, and Hitohiro Jukucho and I visited the Michou y Mau Foundation facility office in Mexico City the following day. www.fundacionmichouymau.org

Micheo y Mau Foundation Representatives at the seminar. From right Hitohiro Jukucho, Rocio Sensei, Mr. Izabal, child from the center, Fernando Sensei, Homma Kancho.

Visit to center’s facility office.

After the seminar, our hosts from AHAN Mexico Aikido took Hitohiro Jukucho and company to see the pyramids outside of Mexico City and other historical monuments. After enjoying a day of learning about Mexican history and culture, it was time prepare for the next leg of the journey; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil…

A moment of reflection at Mexico Cities largest cathedral.		Sketching the pyramids.

In attendance at this seminar was IISA (Instructors in Support of AHAN) Instructor, Vince Salvatore Sensei of Reno Aikido, www.renoaikido.org. Many thank to Vince Salvatore Sensei who came to assist Hitohiro Jukucho in his teachings.

Brazil Seminar
April 12-18th, 2005
Written by
Gaku Homma
Nippon Kan Kancho

Visiting instructors gather for group photo at the Rio Seminar.

The seminar was held at the Fort do Leme Brazilian Military base facility located near the world famous resort of Copa Cabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. 150 Aikidoka from nine countries and thirty-three dojos of different styles and affiliations came to attend this landmark event.

Aerial shot of the peninsula where the seminar was held.		The beauty of Rio de Janeiro serves as background for Hitohiro Jukucho and Homma Kancho.

During opening ceremonies, Hitohiro Jukucho called for a moment of silence to honor the passing of Pope John Paul II, a leader to the people of this country of Brazil. Also present for the opening ceremonies was Kazutami Shikanai Shihan who traveled five hours by bus to attend these ceremonies. Shikanai Shihan is a direct student of Yasuo Kobayashi Shihan (Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, Japan), and has been in Brazil for many years as one of the original Aikido pioneer instructors. As an honored and respected instructor in Brazil, Shikanai Shihan’s decades of effort and accomplishments were acknowledged to all seminar participants.

Consul-General Ikeda gives speech at opening ceremony.

For the second consecutive seminar, the Consul-General of Japan to Rio de Janeiro, Mr. Toshio Ikeda took time out of his busy schedule to give a welcome speech at the Rio de Janeiro seminar opening ceremonies. During his years as a University student in Japan, Consul-General Ikeda practiced Aikido, and seminar attendants were surprised to see him practicing on the mat in the practice that followed the ceremonies. Everyone was respectful of a man of his position’s willingness to practice Aikido with attending students. We sincerely appreciate Consul-General Ikeda’s time, and thank him for his participation in the event.

I feel it is important to reiterate that the purpose of Nippon Kan’s International Instructor Series 2005 is to invite world class instructors of many different styles or affiliations to come together with Aikidoka all of the world in a spirit of friendship, communication and to serve our communities. A goal of Nippon Kan series organizers is to scout out and promote quality instructors and allow them the chance to share their understanding with others. The purpose of this series is not to promote one particular type or style of Aikido. The purpose is not to promote any one organization or to gain profit from the event. As always, seminar proceeds from this event were donated to a local humanitarian organization of the choosing of the host dojo. In this way, the reputation of our Aikido community as a whole can be raised, as well as it being a wonderful opportunity to communicate across borders and barriers. These and only these are the main ideals and principals behind this International Instructors Series 2005.

Hitohiro Jukucho teaching at the seminar.

Being interviewed for Brazilian TV.

This seminar was hosted and organized by Brazil Nippon Kan which is a collective of small dojo groups instructed by Luc Leoni Sensei. Luc Leoni Sensei is also the Founder of AHAN Rio de Janeiro, which has gained status and notoriety for its involvement in many humanitarian, educational, and environment projects in the Rio de Janeiro area. Because of AHAN Rio de Janeiro’s involvement in the community, there was a strong media presence at this fundraising seminar event. The largest Brazilian TV station; The Global Channel, and other educational channels including TV-E were present at the seminar along with a number of magazine and newspaper reporters.

At the closing ceremonies, seminar proceeds were given personally by Hitohiro Jukucho to representatives of the Obra do Berco and LAR Beneficente AMAR orphanages. The proceeds were donated in the form of promissory receipts that will be exchanged over the next year for monthly supplies of formula, diapers, paper products, laundry soaps and other needed items by AHAN Rio de Janeiro staff members. In this way, badly needed items will go directly to the children on a monthly basis.

Donation given by Hitohiro Jukucho to Rio orphanages.

Hitohiro Jukucho and company visited the Obra do Berco orphanage where he found time to spend time with the children living there.

Visit to the Obra do Berco Orphanage

With the two week Mexico-Brazil schedule drawing to a successful close, Dento Iwama Ryu Shin Shin Aiki Shurin Kai Tanren Juku Hitohiro Saito Jukucho did not seem tired as he hopped cheerfully back on the plane heading home to Japan.

Hitohiro Jukucho catches a few moments to relax.		A big smile at one of the seminar posters featuring…himself!

In attendance at this seminar was IISA (Instructors in Support of AHAN) Instructor, Stephanie Yap Sensei, Chief Instructor of Aikido of South Florida. Many thank to Stephanie Yap Sensei who came to Rio de Janeiro to assist Hitohiro Jukucho in his teachings. www.aikidosouthflorida.com

Many thanks to the Rio de Janeiro womens volunteer staff.

AHAN International Activity Report

Brazil Okaeri Dojo Garden Project Phase II.
April 19-26th, 2005
written by
Bernadete Marco
Okaeri Dojo, Santo Aleizo, Brazil

The donkey carrying sod, is important part of the crew!

With the International Instructors Seminar Series in Mexico and Rio de Janeiro successfully concluded, Homma Kancho escorted Hitohiro Saito Jukucho to the airport and turned his attention to the REAL work ahead!

In the mountains, about an hour outside of Rio de Janeiro is the town of Santo Aleixo; the home of Okaeri dojo. For Okaeri dojo, it was time for Phase II of the Okaeri dojo garden project to begin.

Before the work began on phase II…		After the work was successfully completed for phase II…

Accompanying Homma Kancho on this trip was Scott Olson who was the contractor and head carpenter for the building of the Nippon Kan Headquarters’ facility and Domo Restaurant in Denver, Colorado. As the work planning the execution of Phase II began, Scott played a major role in organizing the tasks and the crews needed to carry out the plans. His experience building the Nippon Kan dojo and gardens was a tremendous help in organizing our Okaeri Garden Project Phase II.

Scott also has training as a builder for the Peace Corp, and spent time volunteering to build schools and other public buildings in Guatemala. Even though most of those helping on the project spoke Portuguese, Scott’s command of the Spanish language helped a great deal in giving directions. His skills, expertise and wonderful attitude as an organizer made Scott’s help on this project invaluable.

Scott and Homma Kancho in the organic garden.

Everyone working hard on Phase II.

Homma Kancho leads the way!		Brazils’ Japanese community leader Mr. Shikada visits the garden.

Scott gives valuable advice to the crew.		Preparing the land for Phase II.

Making a strategy before the rocks are moved.		Everyone pushing together.

Only human power will work here.		Encouragement from the sidelines.

Bamboo- an important element of the garden.		Everyone working together.

In the kitchen...		Doing the laundry…

Releasing the first carp into the pond.		Lunch together.

As with Phase I, men from the village came to help with the garden so it was quite a reunion even if it was a hard working one. The work went smoothly and the scheduled tasks were completed on time. Plans for Phase III are being made for the fall of 2005, and the total project is scheduled to be completed in 2007.

Phase II finished!

With the Brazil agenda completed, a sun tanned Homma Kancho left quickly for his next adventure. His laundry he left hanging on the line, not quite dry enough to take, and not quite enough time to wait…next stop Japan.

Homma Kancho Visits Japan
April 28-May 3rd, 2005
written by
Yutaka Kikuchi
Nippon Kan Japan Branch Coordinator

Homma Kancho and Boy’s Day carp kites in Matsukawa village.

After the scheduled projects in Brazil were completed, Homma Kancho traveled directly to Japan. On May 29th, he attended the Aiki Jinja Tai Sai Festival in Iwama. While in Iwama, Homma Kancho paid a follow up visit to Hitohiro Saito Jukucho to thank him for participating in Nippon Kan’s International Instructor Series as the featured instructor for the Mexico and Brazil fundraising seminars.

After his visit to Iwama, Homma Kancho traveled to Matsukawa village in Nagano Prefecture to pay a visit to the Kyougaku Taiko Drummers’ dojo. The Kyougaku Taiko Drummers performed in Denver last September, and Homma Kancho traveled to Matsukawa village to discuss plans for a Nippon Kan AHAN sponsored fundraising concert series scheduled for October 2005 in Rio de Janeiro.

In front of the Kyougaku drummers dojo.		The home of Kyougaku troupe leader Mr. Chino.

The magic of Kyougaku Taiko is born from this beautiful village.

Homma Kancho received a grand welcome from the drummers who treated him to Japanese country style hospitality. After spending one evening in Matsukawa village, Homma Kancho returned to Tokyo where he met with nominees for next years International Instructor Series. Next years International Instructor Series schedule will be announced at a later date.

After a long and productive month abroad, Homma Kancho headed home to Denver, Colorado to begin once again planning for future projects to come.

AHAN Domestic Activity Report

Mongolian Monks Visit Nippon Kan Bringing Word from Choijamts Hamba Llama, the Highest Buddhist Llama in Mongolia.
March 5th, 2005
Written by
Yoda Sou
Nippon Kan Staff



By the order of Hamba Llama, Reverend Choizamts, the highest Buddhist Llama in Mongolia, Nippon Kan received a visit by three monks from the Gandan Temple in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. These monks had been sent to Denver by the Gandan Temple to open a branch Buddhist Temple in the Denver area.

Homma Kancho welcomed the monks to Nippon Kan with the greatest respect and hospitality and received a greeting and message from the Hamba Llama Choizamts. Plans were discussed for the opening of a temple in the Denver area to serve the large Mongolian population that resides here. It is estimated that over 2000 Mongolian natives live in the greater Denver area. There is a concern for this community that the children that are now growing up here will forget the culture and traditions of their native homeland. A Buddhist temple in Denver could help carry on the cultural teachings of Mongolia as well as offer a place for spiritual gathering. There is a need in this community for this kind of facility in Denver.

Second Shipment of Thirty Computers Leaves Nippon Kan for Mongolia.
April 17th, 2005
Written by
Emily Busch
AHAN President


AHAN Nippon Kan headquarters in Denver has an on-going project refurbishing used computers donated by the Denver community and re-distributing them to schools and other organizations for children in need. This is the second shipment of thirty computers to Mongolia, making it a total number of sixty computers shipped to Mongolia by Nippon Kan in the past six months.

This time, the computers shipped from Nippon Kan will be delivered to Gandan Temple, the largest surviving temple complex in Mongolia to be used in temple sponsored schools. The Zanabazar University for young monks in training will receive many of the computers shipped. Most of the monks studying religious and general studies at the Zanabazar University are fifteen and older and have been training at the Gandan Temple since childhood.

In 1921, when Stalin and his Russian regime conquered Mongolia, they razed over 800 Buddhist temples to the ground and slaughtered thousands of monks. The Gandan Temple in Ulaanbaatar is the only major temple to survive. When communist rule fell and Mongolia emerged as an independent democratic country in 1991, there were only 80 monks that had survived. In the past fifteen years, with the help of world support organizations, especially the Japanese Buddhist Society, the rebuilding has begun. Today there are close to 800 monks and monks in training, ranging in age from very young children to adults.

In July of 2004, the President of Mongolia and Mongolia’s highest Llama, Reverend Choisants visited Nippon Kan. During this visit the President emphasized that the study of Buddhism played an important role in shaping the lives of young people in Mongolia, and was important for the future of the country as a whole. To this end, Nippon Kan is donating computers to the Gandan Temple for the purpose of training Mongolia’s young people for their future.

The School named Hope did not get neglected this time around, in fact boxes of school supplies and other needed materials were included in this shipment as well.

The monks pitch in to help with the packing.		Everyone pitches in…

Packing the computers after practice.		Schools supplies for the School named Hope.

Aikido Nippon Kan Dojo Activity Report

Nippon Kan Uchideshi Graduates with 100 break roll challenge!
April 6th, 2005
Written by
James Haugen
Nippon Kan Uchideshi Coordinator

…99…100! Congratulations Jason		Good job Sarah!

Nippon Kan receives about fifty uchideshi applications a year, but uchideshi that graduate with honors from the program are much more rare. Many of the applications we receive are inspired by fantasy, usually after the release of the latest flying-sky-martial art movie. You can tell by the actual application what might be motivating a potential uchideshi student, and what their chances of successfully completing the program might be. Very few applicants are actually accepted into the program each year.

We have many stories about uchideshi students at Nippon Kan, some endearing, and some not so endearing. One application began with the question, “What is the starting salary for an uchideshi”? The mother of another applicant (that was thirty years old at the time) called to find out what arrangements would be made for her son’s meals and rest times. Sometimes uchideshi students arrive with many loads of gear to begin their training; others have arrived with incense and beads. One uchideshi brought matching curtains and beadspreads! Many have quit, and a few have been asked to leave. Our shortest uchideshi stay on record is three hours. The ones that are accepted and do stay, receive intensive training by the Nippon Kan staff. Besides training on the mat, there are rules to cover, schedules for practice and chores to maintain and orientation to meet the physical needs of the uchideshi such as instruction on the location of the grocery store, Laundromat and bank.

It is always a disappointment for the staff if an uchideshi quits after only a few weeks, and it is interesting that many of the excuses are the same. “A family member is sick”, or “my girlfriend misses me” are two favorites. What ever the excuse is, the real reason is usually the same. They could not make it in the program. Since the ones that leave so soon have usually boasted to family and friends that they were going to live for a long period of time at a martial art school, Nippon Kan itself becomes the excuse. This is always the saddest, and most damaging to Nippon Kan.

At Nippon Kan, if an uchideshi graduates after one three-month semester or eight, it doesn’t matter; it is time for a celebration! The graduating uchideshi have their name plates added to the uchideshi alumni board as part of the ceremony, as well as receiving a certificate of achievement. One thing is certain, all of the uchideshi that have completed their goals and graduated with honors from Nippon Kan have gone on to make their lives successful in the world.

This April Nippon Kan had two one-semester graduates, Jason Austad from North Dakota and Sarah Fishleder from Iowa. They were uchideshi during the winter at Nippon Kan which can be a mighty cold adventure! Both Jason and Sarah did very well in the program, training diligently and taking care of their dojo responsibilities.
For Jason, his uchideshi graduation included one hundred break falls from throws by Nippon Kan hakama members. Both Jason and Sarah received their plaques, certificates and parties thrown in their honor.

Congratulations Jason and Sarah!

*Nippon Kan holds records on all of our graduate uchideshi, if verification of practice is ever needed.