Volume 6 Issue 5

Volume 6 Issue 5

Editor: Dave Christman

August 2004

Photo by J. Perry

Summer Camp Success: This year camp was a great success in two ways for us. 1) The level of expertise and the experience of our teachers this year was great, and 2) We had a record amount of participation from our own dojo. We had seven people attend, and I didn't have a lack of helping hands in starting and then cleaning up afterwards. Photo above is (left to right) Bob Mack, Craig Dieringer, Yamanaka sensei, myself, Saito sensei, Ian Robbins, our Matsuura sensei, Tokuhiro Tetsuya, and Aaron Robadey. A special thanks to Jenny Perry who helped in everyway she could. Ian Robbins, and a youngster by the name of Jordan Holmgren came down from the Toyoda Center dojo in Grand Rapids. Jordan is a beginner, but he still got attention, especially from Saito sensei.

This photo (a composite) shows the size of the facility. Here we are using only about two basketball courts. The gym is a triple court sized gym. About 45 people attended.

	Yamanaka Shigeki. Kendo Kyoshi 8th dan. Saitama Kendo Federation, Japan Photo by J. Perry		Saito Shigeki. Kendo Kyoshi 7th dan. Saitama Kendo Federation, Japan Photo by J. Perry
Sensei from Japan: It has been a few years since the MWKF has had the opportunity to train with any high ranking sensei from Japan. This year was a treat. Because 1) We had the dough to do it, and 2) because our friend Hajime Sugawara wanted to, he invited his high school coach to come to the USA for a visit, and join us at summer camp. Yamanaka is rumored to be the man who taught Sugawara sensei his "jodan" and he is still competing at age 60. His wife didn't want to travel so he brought a friend. That is Saito, who is actively trying to pass the 8th dan exams. I have never seen a pair of tougher guys who hit so hard, and so accurately. My ankle prevented me from doing jiyu-geiko with them, but everybody I talked to said they had never seen speed and felt strength like that.

During the camp, sensei covered all the bases. Basics, from the beginning to advanced waza. All the kata, including the kodachi kata, and gave everybody ample time to do some free-sparring with them. They rarely separated the lower ranks out of the way, which impressed me. These guys are professional kendo teachers, that is what they do for a living in Japan. They really have it down. Matsuura did all the translating, which was tough, as he did all the practice also. Imagine working hard to do the drills and then having to think about the translation, and then raise your voice in a triple gym. Big thanks also go to Ken Sakamoto sensei, and Sugawara Hajime sensei who helped with the logistics and keeping the sensei busy with their visit to the Chicago area.

Group photo, Summer Camp 2004. For more photos and complete story click here. Photo by J. Perry

Nafuda Kake ! Nafoo what?? You may say....If you look above the desk in the dojo, you'll see a nametag board, hand made out of oak. It is the official list of "members in good standing" in the Battle Creek Kendo Kai. When you join and pay dues to the dojo you will have a nameplate in oak made for you, and placed in the appropriate area for your rank. If you come to the dojo and don't see your name, you are behind in your dues. Pay up, and the next week it will be back up.

UPCOMING EVENTS
	Kanto Visit: A group of top university students (male & female) from the Kanto area (Japan) will be touring the US and Canada in late August, and they will be making a stop in Detroit. This has been scheduled for August 31st. It is an excellent opportunity to practice with topnotch college-age people. Download info at: MWKF MWKF Tournament: To be announced. but prepare for a mid-November date.

New Monthly Feature


	I've collected a lot of stories, quotes, koans, poems and haiku. Here is one I really like: Think twice...then say nothing. (Old Chinese proverb)

e-mail the editor: let me know your comments at: dtc12(nospam)@comcast.net to reach me just remove the (nospam) from previous address.

[go back]