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Volume 4 Issue 2 |
Editor: Dave Christman | Feb. 2002 |
| Izui
sensei....
Click on logo to visit PNKF |
These kind words about Izui sensei were published by my friend Tom Bolling sensei on his internet newsletter for the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation. It was posted on 3/1/02. On January 25, 2002 Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan George Izui, a wonderful friend and supporter of the PNKF, passed away in Chicago. Friday evening February 8 there was a memorial keiko at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago, with a service the following day. Born in Seattle March 28, 1923, Izui Sensei enrolled in the Seattle Kendo Kai in 1933 at the age of 9. His teachers there included kantoku Umajiro Imanishi, Kazuo Shoji, Yoriaki Nakagawa, Kiyoshi Yasui and chief instructor Takizaki Sensei. He moved to Chicago after the War, attended the Art Institute of Chicago, and worked as a dental technician. He was one of the founders of the Chicago Kendo Dojo in 1964, and later the Midwest Kendo Federation and their journal, Sempo, which he distinguished with his penetrating philosophical writings and his clear yet intricate drawings. Famous for his quiet, attentive modesty, warm, kindly reassurance, classical "Kiru Kendo," and powerfully present Budo seishin, Izui Sensei was deeply trusted and beloved by beginners, while held in awe by the advanced. Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Ruby and all the family. |
ANNOUNCEMENT: ALL practices this weekend (March 9-10) are cancelled due to the Big Event in Detroit. See below for changes in our schedule. Iaido on Wednesday the 13th is also cancelled. |
Dojo News......Attendance at our monthly kata practice was up I hear. I was unable to attend as I was at Izui sensei's memorial service in Chicago, but Matsuura sensei was here and so was.....Jason Mills, Bob Mack, Luke Denison, Barry Poulson, and Moses Ryall. This is the way to advance in kendo....study the kata. | |
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Welcome......to new beginners Don Burns and Jason Van Dam |
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Tagawa sensei's visit / Feb 27th Sensei had to return to our dojo for business purposes, so of course we had a practice session included. Those attending were: Matsuura sensei, Jason Mills, Atsushi Ikenobu, Moses Ryall, Stefano Lassini, Barry Poulson, and myself. Not too good of a showing, considering I had given 3 days notice to the club. You know, most kendo clubs practice 2 or 3 times a week, yet our club is just too put upon to come to a 2nd practice in a week.....don't get me started about this subject............ Sensei showed up about 7:00, so we did the footwork drill he taught us last time he was here, going from corner to corner. |
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Then he added a twist to it, so you might expect to see this over the next few weeks. I won't tell you here, you'll just have to learn it at the dojo. Sensei watched our basic's, and commented carefully, giving support and tips here and there. |
| At about 8:30 (we started
at 6:00) we finally started a jiyu-geiko session. The 4 of us in bogu
were, well.... there is no other way to say this.....sensei trashed us.
Ran us into the ground, smothered us, struck us each a hundred times.
Basically he reminded us of just what a 7th dan is capable of.....
Of course afterward, we then went out to our favorite watering hole and shared a few, and enjoyed the special of the evening - Philly Cheese-Steak sandwiches....ummm |
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| ANNOUNCEMENT: Matsuura sensei is looking for volunteers to do a demonstration in Grand Rapids at the grand opening of the "TOYODA CENTER" The date is Saturday March 16. Please volunteer and get with sensei to help out. |
Upcoming Events......
"OUR" Kata Seminar.....The 2nd Saturday this month is the Detroit event (see below) so we will re-schedule our kata practice for March 23rd Detroit Tournament-March 9-10th The 4th Annual Detroit Rensei Tournament, Tagawa has managed to bring in the current All Japan (Emperor's Cup) Champion to Detroit: Iwasa sensei. You can download the registration forms click here. Univ. of Toronto Tournament-March 24th This is an annual event, and it is not too far away. For more info on this event check this site US Team tryouts / Shogo/Kodansha exam-April 7th Chicago to host an area wide tryout for the US Team, also reps from the AUSKF will be holding exams for 5th degree and up. Cleveland Tournament-May 4th I will be receiving the e-mailed or mailed invitations, and will make copies for the dojo.
MWKF
Team Try-outs, Mid-May T.B.A.
The MWKF will
hold tryouts for our federation team, in Chicago ( a one day event ).
The results of the match play and point totals of the tryouts will be
used as a basis for the discussions and final placement in the
various divisions by the Board of Directors and the Sensei Committee.
The team will participate in the July 4th event (see below).
Summer Camp-June 21-23rd Kalamzoo College This is the official date, it will be before the July 4th US Championships, but long after the MWKF team selection process. There may be a "REAL BIG" surprise later announced about this camp this year. Click here to download registration forms. AUSKF National Championships- July 5-7 In Las Vegas, this is what you could call the "top" tournament in the USA. It is only once every 3 years.
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| "Freddie the "Bungler" is a creation of George Izui sensei in Chicago. He first started these cartoons to entertain and educate the youthful members of the Chicago Kendo Dojo many years ago. This corner of our Newsletter is dedicated to him, with different cartoon each month. |
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Each month I'll have a quote from Golf and Sports Psychologist Dr. Bob Rotello. Notice its similarities to kendo. GOLFER'S CORNER " The vast majority of golfers have the talent required to play well, but it must be developed with proper guidance from a respected professional."
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e-mail the editor: let me know your comments at: dtc12@attbi.com
