2010 Jan-April Activity Report
Aikido Nippon Kan Overseas Seminar Report
Royal Morocco Aikido Seminar-Over 860 Students in Attendance
Feb 26th -March 2nd, 2010
Morocco Aikido pioneer, Alaoui M’Barek Sensei and Homma Kancho.
Even though it was a national holiday in Morocco with the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, over 860 students traveled from all parts of Morocco to attend a special two-day seminar instructed by Nippon Kan Kancho, Gaku Homma at the Complexe Spirtif Mohamed V Stadium in Casa Blanca.
Alaoui M’Barek Sensei, a dynamic leader and teacher returns to the mat.
40 dojo instructors gather for a special class.
This seminar was hosted by National d’Aikido under the leadership of Alaoui M’Barek Sensei. National d’Aikido has over 1500 registered dojos in seven regions of Morocco and over 4,000 students. It is the largest Aikido organization in Morocco and has a long history in Morocco of over 50 years. Currently, the National d’Aikido operates independently from the Aikikai International Aikido Federation and Aikikai Headquarters.
It is difficult to fit all 860 students into the photo!
After practice during the seminar, we spoke at length with Homma Sensei about some of the complications and difficulties our Moroccan organization had been having communicating with Aikikai Headquarters and our hopes for the future. As an independent instructor, Homma Sensei listened carefully and offered his advice on our situation.
“In the world today, our Aikido practice is organized by many different Aikido organizations. Aikikai, the organization created by the Founder Morihei Ueshiba, is still the largest organization in the world; but it is not the only organization.
In Morocco, your organization has a long history; an organization that has long supported Aikikai. Now, because of money and politics; organizational problems have risen that are confusing and disappointing many of your students. These conflicts do not reconcile with the true spirit and philosophy of Aikido.
I suggest that you try to re-establish direct communication with Aikikai Headquarters and try to clear up any misunderstandings or confusion that is affecting your relationship. There are many good Shihan at Aikikai Headquarters that should be able to help you re-establish a good relationship.
Only if there is a complete breakdown in communication and a failure to reach an understanding after you have sincerely tried to calmly and openly approach Aikikai Hombu directly, might you think about a possible new direction for your future”.
We respect Homma Sensei’s observations because he is a neutral, objective observer with considerable world experience. He is a teacher with many gifts that remain beyond politics or political aspirations.
Facilitating communication through Aikido, Homma Sensei was accompanied on this trip to Casa Blanca by Turkey Aikikai Instructor Ali Uludag Sensei of Istanbul, Turkey and his assistant Cihan Karagluol (former Nippon Kan graduate uchideshi) of Izmir, Turkey.
We look forward to seeing Homma Sensei again soon!
Link here to a short video on practice in Morocco.
Written by
Sidi Med Islah
Prsident du Comite National d Aikdo
Philippines, Mindanao Island; Annual Visit by Homma Kancho
Feb 14-24, 2010
Seminar for Illigan city police.
Early this spring, Homma Sensei came to visit our island home of Mindanao, Philippines. He came to teach us in Illigan City, Malawi City and for the first time in Davao City.
In Illigan City, Homma Kancho instructed our students at our Illigan AHAN Mindanao Aikido Nippon Kan dojo and also at the Mindanao Technical University (ITT). Aikido has been accepted at the university as part of their accredited physical education program and about 240 students practice at the university in 6 classes of 40 students. While in Illigan City, Homma Sensei also instructed the Illigan City Police Department in introductory Nippon Kan NSDT (Nippon Kan Self Defense Techniques) for law enforcement.
After finishing a busy schedule in Illigan, Homma Sensei and six Iligan Aikidoka traveled
to Davao for a first Aikido seminar instructed by Homma Sensei in that city. Four Aikido
groups with about 50 students assembled at the Atendeo De Davao University for this seminar.
Many thanks to the organizers and students in Davao for putting together a wonderful
seminar event.
Illigan dojo members.
University Aikido class.
Davoa Aikido seminar.
Homma Kancho with Maj General Corais and Ava.
On this visit to Mindanao, Homma Sensei also made time to travel to Malawi City to visit Maj. General Corais. Maj. General Corais’s grandfather was Japanese and Maj. General Corais now is a local leader in the Islamic-anti-government resistance movement. Homma Sensei first came to Malawi a few years ago to teach Aikido to the young Islamic people of the village and since that time I return to Malawi on a regular basis to continue the Aikido instruction there.
While in the Philippines, Mindanao AHAN Nippon Kan and Homma Sensei worked on a local AHAN activity of which details and video can be found in the next section of this report.
Written by
Mindanao AHAN Coordinator
Ava Yancha
Read more articles on the Philippines
AHAN Nippon Kan General Headquarters International Activity Report
Mindanao AHAN Nippon Kan Activity Report
Feb 16, 2010
Food service for Bajao refugees. Homma Kancho and Mindanao AHAN staff.
Prevalent in many Philippine islands, but especially on the island of Mindanao, there has been an influx of Bajao refugees from the Indonesian islands. These refugees have fled their native islands to escape everything from political prosecution, different levels of economic crisis or rampant disease. These people, who have their own language and customs, have found themselves stranded in colony clusters along the beaches and coastline areas of Mindanao. Here they are outcasts from local societies and find everyday life to be a struggle just to survive. They do not receive any educational, medical, food or other support services from the Philippine government and remain totally isolated from other social groups on the island.
Every month, Mindanao AHAN goes to visit the Bajao refugees to provide a meal service of about 300 meals. Homma Sensei was in Illigan for one of these meal services which can be seen in the video link below
Photo Documentary
Dried fish are a popular cooking ingredient.
Buying rice.
Buying meats.
AHAN staff; outdoor cooking.
Transporting meals to service site.
Greeted by a wave of humanity.
Mindanao AHAN Coordinator, Ava Yancha and staff serving meals
AHAN staff group photo.
Homma Sensei discussed other ideas for providing jobs and income in the Malawi area with Saidamen and his associates at a leaders meeting in Malawi. Water is an abundant resource in the region and plans were discussed for developing future Tilapia farming sites with nearby lakes and streams.
Written by
Ava Yancha
Mindanao AHAN Coordinator
Read more articles on the Philippines
Nippon Kan Aikido and AHAN Activity Symposium in Bangkok, Thailand
March 10th, 2010
At the invitation of Aikidoka in Bangkok, Thailand, Homma Sensei made a quick stop in Bangkok to attend a one-day symposium on Aikido related subjects. WHAT IS AHAN? was one of the subjects discussed and Homma Sensei’s speaking was well received by all in attendance. There were three dojos represented with students and enthusiasts not only from Thailand but Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Homma Sensei spoke at the symposium, “I did not come to Thailand with any intention of trying to establish an Aikido Nippon Kan branch or any affiliations with my dojo. I came here at your request to listen to your thoughts on the practice of Aikido in this country and to answer any questions I might be able to concerning Aikido practice in other parts of our Aikido world”.
Homma Sensei was a very entertaining and enriching speaker and listened to our questions and concerns with kindness and respect. We enjoyed his spirit, his stories and especially his humor!
We hope that Homma Sensei will be able to return for another visit someday soon.
Trang Thuan
Bangkok Symposium Attendee
Myanmar AHAN Nippon Kan Activity Report
March 4-9th, 2010
Yadapon temple; teaching kids a rubber band game.
Homma Kancho came to visit us in Myanmar this March 2010. Below is my report of this visit.
Nilar Than
Myanmar AHAN Coordinator
Visit to Yadanapon Orphanage
Myanmar AHAN Coordinator Nilar bargaining for rice.
Our first stop was at Yadanapon Orphanage, which has been a focus for AHAN since the spring of 2009. On this visit we delivered AHAN’s monthly rice donation and also delivered medical supplies.
12 year old Sein Han, who became the focus of Homma Sensei’s attention last year with his well worn pair of sandals, was there to greet us. Sein Han is an orphaned boy from the Shan (Chaw) state in Myanmar who calls the Yadanapon Temple his home. We discovered on this visit that Sein had recently formally began his priest training and was wearing the robes of an apprentice monk-in-training. We have plans in the future to make a picture book chronicling Sein Han’s life as a young Buddhist monk in Myanmar.
Link here to read the story of our first meeting with Sein Han
Rice delivery at the Yadanapon orphanage. Our visit coincided with spring break. Many of the children were out visiting extended relatives.
Interview with Sein.
Making Plans for the NEW AHAN Learning Center in Yangon
Students at Nilar’s family home class room.
The Myanmar AHAN contact office is in my home outside of Yangon. For the past few years, middle and high school students in the area have also come to m home as a place to study. My mother and both my older and younger sisters are certified public school teachers and my father used to be an English teacher, so my home is a natural place for learning.
Up until now, an average of 30 students has gathered to study in at my home in a class room covered by tarps that barely keep out the rain. During the rainy season, the water line inside the class room rises to above my knee and everyone has to retreat to the second floor to stay dry.
With help from AHAN, we are planning to move the classroom to a better (and dryer) location, complete with five new computers and books in both English and Japanese donated by Nippon Kan General Headquarters.
Nilar’s family library is open to the public; students are welcome to share.
Homma Sensei commented on this first visit to my family home, “The young people in Myanmar
are sincere in their eagerness and motivation to learn. Your class room brings back memories
of Japan when I was young, where there were also not enough books or school supplies
for students to learn from. Short on books, there was still a great eagerness to learn,
and students were educated one-on-one by teachers with too few resources but a great
passion for teaching. Myanmar today reminds me of those days. AHAN’s resources are small
but we will offer what support we can to kindle the spirit here. I believe together a
lot can be accomplished”.
Research in Agricultural Development: Changing Poppy Fields to Buckwheat Fields.
Child monks-in-training beg for donations near a new buckwheat field.
Myanmar has had good success with a program that helps farmers transform poppy fields (formerly used to make heroin) into fields that grow buckwheat. Buckwheat can be harvested and made into flour and liquors, both of which have a good market in Japan. Buckwheat flour can be made into biscuits and noodles which also are very popular in Japan. This program for growing buckwheat in Myanmar began in 1996 as a joint project between Myanmar and Japanese governments.
For more details on this on-going program link here to article (Japanese).
After visiting some of the sites where buckwheat is being grown successfully in Myanmar, Homma Sensei hopes that someday this type of agricultural development might be used in areas of Mindanao to help the very depressed local communities there with a new source of income and productivity. With Myanmar project managers, Homma Sensei discussed ways to introduce these types of agricultural programs into the Philippines not only logistically but how to integrate them socially and culturally as well. Specifically they discussed not only how to introduce this program for growing buckwheat but also how to connect them into distribution and sales networks that would make the programs sustainable.
A visit to the Myanmar Times English newspaper headquarters. Second from the front, Agriculture reporter Mr. Myo Lwin. Behind (last); my father; Senior Editor Than Aung.
Written by
Nilar Than
Myanmar AHAN Coordinator
Nepal AHAN Nippon Kan Activity Report
April 30, 2010
On April 30th, 2010, the Nepal Army Rangers performed a Nippon Kan NSDT (Nippon Kan Self Defense Techniques) Aikido demonstration for a Marine General with the US Navy and other official dignitaries in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Under the leadership of local Nippon Kan Instructor Rajesh Bista, there are currently over 1000 Nepal Army Rangers practicing Nippon Kan NSDT as part of their military training. In their recently completed facility on base, soldiers selected as future assistant instructors practice Aikido up to six hours a day. In accordance with military protocol, no photos were taken at this event.
Written by
Nippon Kan GHQ Editing Staff
Sudan AHAN Nippon Kan Activity Report
February 12, 2010
Under review by high military officials.
There are about 800 soldiers from Nepal whose mission is to aid in United Nations Peace keeping efforts in Sudan. It is my responsibility to train my fellow Nepalese soldiers in many combat skills as well as Nippon Kan NSDT Aikido while in Sudan
Nippon Kan Aikido NSDT technique demonstration.
Peace Keeping Nepalese soldiers.
February 12th was ARMY DAY in Sudan and a team of my Nepalese soldiers performed an Aikido demonstration for local ranking Sudanese Army officers and other officials. One good thing is I guess, that you don’t need mats in Sudan to practice Aikido; the sand works just fine!
Written by
UN Nepal Peace Keeping Forces
Sgt. Dhan Gurung
AHAN Nippon Kan General Headquarters Domestic Activity Report
AHAN Nippon Kan General Headquarter Homeless Meal Service Project
January-April 2010
Cooking at Denver Rescue Mission in the early days. (about 1994)
This year, Nippon Kan will celebrate 20 years of service and 60,000 meals served at the Denver Rescue Mission. This is a very unique accomplishment for a martial arts dojo; I don’t believe that has been done anywhere before.
Every 3rd Sunday of the month, Homma Kancho and a staff of student volunteers work from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm to serve 4 dinners serving a total of an average 350 guests and residents at the Denver Rescue Mission. Students who attend Sunday morning practice at the Nippon Kan dojo stay after class to help peel and chop the vegetables used for the evening meals. After the morning prep, Homma Kancho works for the rest of the day to prepare a menu of 5 to 6 entrée selections. In a pot large enough for a small child to paddle around in, Homma Kancho makes a pot of chicken curry for 350! The biggest challenge, Homma Kancho jokes is to just stir such a big pot! Lot of kia helps!
This May, Homma Kancho celebrates his 60th birthday so it is possible we might start to hear a few complaints from Homma Kancho while puts his whole body into stirring the pot. “I used to not have any trouble stirring this pot… this could be a problem”, notes Homma Kancho.
After practice on Sunday morning, students help chop vegetables.
Consul Mistui joins as volunteer regularly. Today’s task of chopping onions brought him to tears.
For many years, we served two dinner services at the Denver Rescue Mission; one for
residents and one for outside guests. Recently the services have been increased to four
which makes for doubled efforts for Homma Kancho and his crew of volunteers…
The funds used to support this project have come from Homma Kancho and Domo Restaurant. This is not the only project that Homma Kancho has personally funded; he supports most of the AHAN projects personally all over the world. When asked about this, Homma Kancho replied, “I don’t drive a car and I don’t play golf. I have no children to support and I reside at the dojo. Not being burdened by all of these expenses allows me the opportunity to do this”. Once asked by an assistant when visiting a Bangladesh orphanage, where the money would come if he decided to support that orphanage, he replied, “If I skip going out to dinner at the sushi bar just one time, I can feed about 30 people with rice for a week! When I first came to the United States I only had $5000.00 to my name. Today almost forty years later, any money I earn over $5000.00 is extra and I can use for AHAN projects”.
This May, all students at Nippon Kan Headquarters and around the world will celebrate Homma Kancho’s 60th birthday.
AHAN Nippon Kan Homeless Food Service Project Report
January-April 2010
January 24th, 2010 355 meals served
February 21st, 2010 — previous Mission schedule precluded our dinner service
March 21st, 2010 325 meals served
April 18th, 2010 394 meals served
Total since 1991 59,689 meals served
Editor note: Out of respect for privacy, photos are not allowed to be taken of guests during mealtimes at the Denver Rescue Mission.
Written by
Emily Busch
Nippon Kan Vice President
Nippon Kan General Headquarters Computer and School Book Donation Campaign
Spring 2010
This spring, Nippon Kan General Headquarters launched a new computer and school book donation campaign in Denver. Donated computers are to be used to support student study at the new AHAN Learning Center in Yangon, Myanmar and to create a new youth internet center in Malawi, Mindanao, Philippines.
According to United Nation export regulations, Nippon Kan can only accept complete computers that are Pentium 4 or better with flat screen monitors (for space restrictions in carrying or shipping). Computers that are too old cannot be accepted as they no longer qualify for export and must be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.
So far this spring we have received 5 new and 6 used computers ready for donation! To date, AHAN Nippon Kan has distributed over 200 computers to orphanages, schools and individuals in need all over the world. Link below to read about some of these past computer donation projects in Bangladesh and Mongolia.
Nippon Kan General Headquarters is also collecting used and textbooks for the AHAN Learning Center in Myanmar. We have already accepted enough English and Japanese middle and high school level text books for math, science and English studies for the next trip to Myanmar.
We will report on the delivery of all donated computers and textbooks in the next upcoming Nippon Kan activity report.
Written by
David Geras
Nippon Kan Treasurer
Nippon Kan School Fieldtrip Season Begins for 2010.
Jan-April 2010
The school fieldtrip program has been part of the Nippon Kan curriculum for over 35 years and started as a way to introduce Japanese culture to the Denver community.
In the earliest days, Nippon Kan was called Japan House Culture Center and offered classes
in Japanese language, shodo (brush calligraphy) kado (flower arranging), Japanese cooking
classes and of course Aikido. Japanese language was a popular subject of study at that
time and Japan House instructed up to 6 classes a day! At that time, Japanese cultural
and Aikido demonstrations were performed in the Denver schools and were in such demand
that sometimes two schools were scheduled in one day to keep up with the demand.
Nippon Kan’s current Japan Branch Coordinator, Yutaka Kikuchi was a central figure in Japan House operations in those days and worked with the Japanese volunteer staff in Denver full time to keep up with the teaching of classes and demonstrations schedules.
Since Aikido was relatively unknown in Denver at the time, the cultural demonstrations served as a useful vehicle for introducing Aikido to Denver. Ultimately this approach proved successful, and Japan House became Nippon Kan and AHAN around the world.
After Nippon Kan moved to its permanent facility in 1996, cultural demonstrations have been held on the premises. School buses from all over the metro Denver area travel to our new facility to tour the Japanese folk art museum and gardens, watch Aikido demonstrations, participate in origami and calligraphy projects in the dojo, visit and learn about AHAN and enjoy a Japanese lunch at our adjoining Domo restaurant.
These tours cost participants $10.00 per person, $7.00 of which are used to support AHAN rice donation projects and other projects locally in Denver and abroad. For 2010 we have about 12 school fieldtrips reserved and are expecting about 1000 students through the month of May.
Written by
Nippon Kan Cultural School Fieldtrip Staff
James Salmen
Nippon Kan General Headquarter News
The New Year begins with Keiko Hajime; a Nippon Kan Tradition
Jan 4th, 2010
From Homma Kancho’s first speech of the New Year, “Sit comfortably, your knees and your health are most important”.
As is tradition, 2009 drew to close with keiko osame (last practice of the year) and the transition from the old year to the new was recognized with toshi koshi geiko (New Year Eve practice). The New Year was celebrated with keiko hajime (first practice of the year) held in the dojo decorated with red and white banners for good luck and the shrine adorned with matsu kazari (pine branch decorations).
The close of the old year and the welcome of the New Year is always celebrated in the same fashion. This is Nippon Kan tradition and a symbol of stability and renewed focus for the year to come.
This year, special guests instrumental in Nippon Kan’s history and development were invited to share in our Nippon Kan New Year tradition. Mr. George Blankenship, real estate and budget advisor for Nippon Kan, who, along with current Nippon Kan Vice President, Emily Busch, was instrumental in the purchase of Nippon Kan’s current facility in 1996, was invited to speak at our opening New Year ceremonies as a guest speaker. Other guests included David Shakeley, one of Homma Kancho’s original accompanying students from Misawa air force base in Japan in 1976, Mr. Morris Brown; Nippon Kan’s most senior student at 87 and his wife Betty, and Consul Koji Mitsui of the Japanese Consulate in Denver.
Homma Kancho spoke of all our special guests, “Today, Nippon Kan has grown into a large international organization. It is important for all of us not to forget our beginnings and all of those who have made this journey successful”.
Written by
Nippon Kan Secretary
Victor Bui
Nippon Kan on Facebook.
January 15th, 2010
Nippon Kan is now on Face book! Check it out! Aikido Nippon Kan
Youth Class Membership Explodes!
April 10, 2010
The older kids take care of the younger ones; the communication is what is important.
Membership in Nippon Kan General Headquarter Youth Program has exploded this year. Currently we have over 70 youth program members in classes organized by Instructor Noel Camp and assisted by Mr. Jeff Legwold and Mr. Roger Failor and other adult Aikido class members. Instructor Noel Camp has a background in military rescue and Jeff Legwold is a sports writer for a major Denver newspaper. With years of experience executing risky missions and dealing with the world of journalistic deadlines you might think that the instructor staff for our youth program might be a little strict, but all of the instructors respect the individuality of each child in class and take great care to insure that the classes are up-beat and enjoyable as well as instructive.
This new team has inspired confidence in parents leading to a class growing in popularity in our community. Nippon Kan Youth Program classes never focus on teaching kids how to punch or kick but rather focus on conflict resolution and teaching balanced, coordinated movement. Tournaments we don’t have or champions like they have in karate or taewondo, just a dedicated staff that continually work on the personal human development of each young person.
Kids reading on their own before class.
Homma Kancho spoke to parents and youth program members, “Learning to kick and punch for self defense is like promoting peace by stockpiling missiles. The best defense against violence is to train in the martial arts with a spirit completely void of any violence or violent technique. If our young people do not understand this point of view, they will always need a new and better missile. It is an escalating cycle that never ends.
I believe there is something wrong if a parent watches their child compete in a tournament and rejoices if their child knocks out a young opponent and “wins”. I believe this to be a most miserable scenario. That is why traditionally, Aikido has never had tournaments. Nippon Kan youth program classes teach common sense and reinforce reality; not what kids see in the movies”.
More on our Nippon Kan Youth Program is available on our website including an online version of Homma Kancho’s book “Children and the Martial Arts; An Aikido Point of View” Link here
Nippon Kan Office Staff
Laura Royer
15th Annual Nippon Kan vs Enshin Karate Tournament
April 11th 2010.
Sharing a smile is the best prize.
This year too, Nippon Kan came out the winner in this annual tournament with Enshin Karate. Over 150 students turned out to participate in this 15th annual tournament…BOWLING tournament that is!
Who wins and who loses is not the point. What is important is that this event has brought students and Enshin Karate Kancho, Joko Ninomiya and Nippon Kan Kancho, Gaku Homma together for the past 15 years.
150 martial art bowlers this year.
Homma Kancho studies Ninomiya Kancho’s technique.
The losing team’s uchideshi get the ice water bath! What a tradition!
It has always been tradition that the uchideshi of the losing team be doused with coolers filled with ice water at the hands of Homma Kancho and Ninomiya Kancho. This year is was the Enshin uchideshi and Ninomiya Kancho’s son Jota on the receiving end of the ice water bath!
Even as Nippon Kan claimed the winning trophy as their prize we could hear whispers among some of the Eshin student. “Nippon Kan wins because their students practiced a lot when bowling was the “in” thing to do. Enshin students don’t have that kind of experience.”
What I think they are trying to say is that Nippon Kan students are OLD! The rivalry is already heating up for next year’s main event…
Written by
2010 Enshin-Nippon Kan Bowling Tournament Coordinator
George Pazmino
Denver Film Society
Japanese Cinema Film Festival
Click image to enlarge.
Denver Japanese Film Festival Support
April 8-11, 2010
The Denver Film Society held a Japanese cinema film festival in Denver this past April. Nippon Kan’s Domo Restaurant served as sponsor and host for the film festival’s opening reception for about 80 guests.
Written by
Marjorie Garner
Nippon Kan Office Staff
Nepal Army Ranger Captain Anees Khadka visits Nippon Kan Headquarters
April 9th-11th, 2010
Visit to Red Rocks Amphitheater outside of Denver with Emily Busch.
Captain Anees Khadka, commander in charge of the Nepal Army Ranger Aikido training program in Nepal came to Nippon Kan Headquarters in Denver for a weekend visit this past April. Captain Anees, in the United States for training and for personal reasons, was able to take a few days from his busy schedule to meet with Homma Kancho, Nippon Kan staff and students. He was in Denver long enough to join us for practice, and even took part in our American-style bowling tournament with Enshin Karate! We also showed Captain Anees the sites in the mountains outside of Denver and the Boulder area.
We enjoyed having Captain Anees Khadka at Nippon Kan Headquarters, and hope that he will be able to use this experience in Denver when he returns to Nepal as commander in charge of Nepal Army Aikido later this year.
Captain Anees attending practice at Nippon Kan Headquarters.
Captain Anees joins the bowling tournament. Beginners luck; gutter balls or triple strikes and nothing in between!
Written by
Darell Schmick
Nippon Kan Office Staff
Enshin Karate Sabaki Challenge World Tournament Fighters at Nippon Kan
April 22-25, 2010
Denver, Colorado is also home to Enshin Karate World Headquarters, led by Kancho Joko Ninomiya. Many young Japanese people have traveled from Japan over the years to study at Enshin Headquarter as uchideshi live-in students. The most promising and talented have returned to Japan to open their own dojos, settle down and raise their own families. Every year these former “alumni” uchideshi return to Denver, now as coaches with promising students of their own. They come to participate in the Sabaki Challenge World Karate Championship and for the past few years, all of these former uchideshi coaches and their star fighters have stayed at Nippon Kan during the tournament.
Having been an uchideshi myself in my youth, I have long taken care of the Enshin uchideshi. Recognizing the young talent in these students, it brought me happiness to add a little comfort to their lives in the midst of their uchideshi training. It was easy recognize that these students would grow into leaders when they returned to Japan, and now to see them every year with new students of their own makes me very happy indeed.
The fighters stretching routines are more sports science that bravado.
Last warm up at Nippon Kan dojo before the tournament.
For these “alumni” uchideshi, Ninomiya Kancho is a father figure. I am more like an
uncle, and it is easier for them to relax around me. Besides, Ninomiya Kancho does not
drink, so they know if they stay with me that there will be a beer or two available to
celebrate with after the tournament!
This year, the coaches brought three fighters to participate in the Sabaki World Championship. Of the three, one fighter won the men’s middleweight championship, one fighter won the woman’s championship and one won the heavy weight runner up title. All of the fighters and coaches came back to Nippon Kan after the tournament to celebrate the accomplishments of the evening’s matches and the most important triumph of all; the fact that there were no major injuries.
There is something a bit odd about full-contact Karate fighters staying at an Aikido dojo, but it is a time that all of us at Nippon Kan look forward to.
The Enshin students are able to stay at Nippon Kan during this international tournament because they have a very wise Sensei in Ninomiya Kancho. Ninomiya Kancho is a martial artist that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. It is evident in the quality of students of Enshin Karate and the legacy they are now carrying forward.
Written by
Nippon Kan General Headquarters
Gaku Homma Kancho
Homma Kancho Visits Japan
March 11-15, 2010
A busy time in Iwama, but time enough for a warm welcome from Saito Sensei.
After teaching in the Philippines and Morocco and visiting Myanmar, Homma Kancho stopped by Japan to meet with the Nippon Kan Japan Branch staff and to pay a visit to Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai no Nihe Saito (Hitohiro Saito). Homma Kancho traveled to Iwama to deliver a mourning gift from Sein Mae Sensei of the Myanmar Aikikai New Organization in respect for the late Morihiro Saito Shihan.
Written by
Nippon Kan Japan Branch Coordinator
Yutaka Kikuchi
From the Editor
There have been many projects and activities at Nippon Kan both at home and abroad already this year and it is hard to believe that it is May! While we work to complete these 2010 activity report updates for the website, the Nippon Kan garden is in bloom. Today the Nippon Kan garden is alive with the beauty of cherry, crabapple and lilac trees and bushes that have grown tall and strong over the years; quite a change from the asphalt parking lot that was here before us.
before…about 14 years ago.
…after. The Nippon Kan garden this spring.
Having just returned from his travels, Homma Kancho announced, “I need to fix my jet lag. The best remedy is a new construction project!” With that, the demolition began as Homma Kancho began to build a new storage area for Domo Restaurant, a new office lay out for Nippon Kan staff and to finish things off, he turned part of the attic into a new traditional Japanese room.
Homma Kancho moves like a rocket when he is motivated, but using an electric saw at
2:00 am is no longer recommended; a late night trip to the emergency room proved that!
Homma Kancho commented, “I must be getting old, when we built this dojo 14 years ago,
working through the night was a piece of cake…”
New second floor Japanese room. Seats about 15!
When Homma Kancho visited Morocco this past February, the country was celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed V. Every day of his visit, he was invited to join celebration after celebration in the homes of host families and friends. He came back marveling about how important and valuable the experience was for him. Homma Kancho talked to students after his return and related, “To see entire families dancing, singing and enjoying festival feasts left quite an impression on me. Especially, since according to Muslim law, no one was drinking…
All family and friends join in the celebration!
A celebration feast!