George K. Izui
March 8th, 1923 -  January 25, 2002
 Memorial Service Feb. 9, 2002
I first got checked into my room at the Days Inn and headed towards the temple, about 20 minutes away. I had heard one of early influences was coming all the way from Japan to attend the service, and lo and behold he was there. He gave me a great big hug, and I was pleased to speak with Yutaka Miyazaki, the founder of the Choyokan dojo(1979). He is a fearsome fencer, and another man who has played a major role in shaping kendo here in the Midwest.
All Photos by D.Christman, except where otherwise noted.

The Memorial weekend started with a 8:00 p.m. kendo practice session on Friday evening  dedicated to Izui, held at his home dojo at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago. It is located at 1151 W. Leland.

 
Two views of the BTC, this is the front door, where the main temple is.

The dojo is the annex on the rear right.

 

 2 photos of men wo tsuke. Gives you an idea of how many people were there that night. There were two rows of people.   Photos by Tom Okawara

 

This is just a good spacious shot of the recreation hall of the temple. We had almost 50 people there.  It was a rousing good practice, starting and finishing with kiri kaeshi. In between it was 5th dan and above on one side, with the rest of us lining the walls waiting to show off to sensei how strong we were. Miyazaki must have had keiko with 35 people, before he took a break.....about a 60 second breather, then he was back at it for the rest of us.

 

Three photos of Miyazaki sensei putting people through the ringer....though I'll admit he has mellowed a bit over the years. "A bit"

 

Tom had someone grab this photo immediately after keiko was over. L to Rt- Tom Okawara, Bob Cochran, Matsumoto sensei, myself and Ken Sakamoto

 

 Bob Cochran wanted to get this photograph together, this is the old crew, who can all say they practiced with Miyazaki sensei in Chicago, 1985 era, at least.
L to Rt: Tom Okawara, Yours truly, Miyazaki, Ken Sakamoto, Les Wilson, Bob Cochran & Dale Umeki

 

Here is our group photo from this "official" memorial practice specifically dedicated to the memory of George Izui, he will never be forgotten, his teachings and students are now spread all over the Midwest. I was proud to be there. 

The next day I arrived early at the temple so I may help set up chairs. The amount of people expected to come to the services were going to far outstrip the main room, and there had to be an overflow room. Sensei was very active in the local Japanese community and made many friends outside of kendo and iaido also. The rec room was to be it (previous night's dojo). It was very nice, because there was a video camera set up recording the service, but the image was also projected onto a large white canvas for the 'over flow' people.  I took no photos of the services, out of respect. At the end, there was a very nice spread of food downstairs, enough for everybody...and we all milled around to get re-acquainted with old friends. I ran into lots of old friends, and met new friends. Of course some people then snuck off because the Des Plaines dojo has a regular Saturday practice. Hmm...more kendo practice... somehow.....I don't believe Izui sensei would have minded that.

 

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