WHAT HAPPENED LAST APRIL: KURASHITA HANSHI’S 2^nd ANNUAL GASSHUKU, APR 9-15.

SUNDAY, APRIL 8: Kurashita Eiki hanshi, 9^th dan, President of the Goju-ryu Kokusai Karate Kobudo Renmei (Goju-ryu International Karate Kobudo Federation, or GIKKF), returned to NJ for his second annual gasshuku at our dojo.

[Yesterday I had pulled a groin muscle and was barely able to sit or walk when I went to pick up Kurashita sensei at the airport] Sensei’s flight #648 was due to arrive at 6:48 p.m. from Detroit. Confident that nothing catastrophic such as last year’s luggage snafu would occur this time, I left my family’s Easter get-together and arrived at Newark airport’s Terminal B by 5:45, thinking I had an entire hour to wait.

No sooner had I walked into the International Arrival area than, out of the corner of my eye, I perceived a shadow coming over and felt a tap on my shoulder. Who could want anything with me here? As I turned to face the person, my jaw dropped: it was Kurashita sensei himself, whose flight out of Detroit had been bumped up two hours! So it was he, instead, who had been waiting for me these last 50 minutes. He proudly showed me his suitcase, an indestructible-looking trunk, implying that this time it was not lost by the airline.

We walked out to the lot and I showed him where my car was parked: in row 108. I said, “Look, sensei: Suparimpei!” (Suparimpei is the name of our final kata and means “108"). He said, “So this is a Goju-ryu airport!”

When I mentioned my injury to him, Sensei said compassionately, “We’re not young anymore. We have to train more slowly.”

MONDAY, APRIL 9: [Today my hip had improved a bit but I had to limit my movements and do my katas without kicking]

On this sunny but wintry spring morning, we started our week-long gasshuku at 10:00 a.m. A good crowd had assembled at the dojo: Mike Kolwicz, Gregg Scott, Jerry Yoskowitz, Alice Freund, Michelle Amoreno, Miro Musulin, and Mai and Theresa Nguyen. Sensei had been admiring our newly repainted and redecorated dojo and greeted everyone profusely. He remembered most of the students, having given them special nicknames. Later, he would ask me to write down their names so he could identify people properly.

Sensei took everybody through the warm-ups slowly; after we were done, he went over the exercises again, this time explaining what we needed to concentrate on. Then we trained on the basics. Again, Sensei broke down the techniques and showed how they are actually done, and where the source of power was. He showed relative position, relative speed, upper and lower body connection, tanden activation, and shoulder placement. We had never learned so much in so little time!

Then we practiced our katas, from the Gekisais to Suparimpei. The green and brown belts would sit down and watch after Sensei passed their kata, then came back and worked on them again after the black belts were done with theirs. We did have frequent tea breaks, Okinawa style!

Afterwards, we paired up and practiced the yakusoku drills. This time Sensei emphasized suri ashi–the sliding step. After many repetitions and variations, we concluded the session with Sanchin and Tensho katas. Again, Sensei showed correct breathing technique, footwork, and advised us against continuous tension. We cooled down and bowed out at 12:00 p.m.

In the evening session, with the rest of the crew in full attendance, Sensei went into even greater details. He frequently stopped the warm-ups and showed how best to do the exercises, just as he took time to demonstrate how to perform the blocks, punches, and kicks: they were all similar in structure with a soft, even start followed by a sudden acceleration at the end combined with a symmetrical action-reaction from both arms, hip-heel synchronization, and corresponding breath. The final fusion of these composite energies would give us that soft but explosive power Goju-ryu is made of.

TUESDAY, APRIL 10: This morning also saw the majority of the students, many of whom had taken off from work or school to train in the A.M. In kakie, Sensei introduced what he called kakie-ni, a horizontal push-hand exercise where each exponent would deflect the other’s push to the side, using a slight hooking pull.

The evening session saw more of the same. As Sensei delved deeper and deeper into the katas, we realized there were many changes in rhythm and technique that we needed to adapt to. Some sections were clarified for us as Sensei let the students ask questions freely.

Afterwards, Sensei would compliment me on what a nice group of students I had, and how everybody’s katas had improved.

[At dinner, I introduced Sensei to Tomo’s in Little Falls. He really enjoyed himself and engaged the owner/chef, Mr. Tanaka Tomonori in a lively conversation about Japanese and Okinawan dishes.]

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11: Today was Sensei’s break. I took him sightseeing in Manhattan. The weather was practically perfect for us: cloudless blue sky, bright sunshine, and just a spring nip in the air. We went all the way up Rockefeller Tower to the Observation Deck and had a breathtaking view of the city, as far as the eye could see. Then we partook of a rousing matinee performance of The Lion King at the Minskoff Theatre. For the first time, I myself felt like a tourist as well!

THURSDAY, APRIL 12: Today’s weather was in sharp contrast with yesterday’s: an early rain had put a damper on everything. I was so grateful we were graced with abundant sunshine on our New York outing. Today my hip was much better and I could kick almost normally. During our usual early morning session (before the students arrived), Sensei went over many things with me, including the shorter version of Sanseru, called Sanseru Ichi by his teacher, Kiyuna sensei. This kata was peculiar to our Federation alone and is not known outside of it. I imagine it was an early version of Sanseru which Higa sensei had learned from Higaonna Kanryo.

Kurashita sensei had shown me this kata two years ago in Okinawa but didn’t teach it to me then, fearing it would confuse me too much.

Today’s morning session saw fewer participants because many could no longer take time off in the A.M. However, we did have a great class and Sensei treated everybody to the bunkai (application) of Seiyunchin kata. The class was extremely enjoyable and enlightening.

The P.M. class tonight had to wait until 8:00 p.m. for the T’ai Chi Ch’uan group to finish. Dr. Ante, the T’ai Chi instructor, graciously ended his class five minutes early to allow us to move in, clean up, and get started. Tonight’s was a small group too as many people took a break due to the shorter session (8:00 - 9:15 p.m.)

FRIDAY, APRIL 13: This morning Sensei taught us the bunkai to Sepai kata. Everybody really enjoyed pairing off and working together. Sensei also appreciated the dynamics of the situation, commenting that this teamwork contributed to group remembering and would even spark creative thinking as to what other applications are possible. Bunkai explanations are limitless, depending on the student’s level of training and comprehension.

Our evening session started at 6:00 p.m. today and I had allowed some youth students to participate, especially since I had closed the dojo on Wednesday and tonight was their regularly scheduled class. Jacob, Liam, Fahd, and Zayed showed up (others were away on vacation since it was their spring break) and I explained to Sensei what they were doing.

After many rounds of kata, the youths were picked up by their parents at 7:30 and the adult class continued until 8:00 p.m. Tonight was our first group dinner together and we all convened at Ichiban in the West Caldwell plaza for sushi and lively, casual conversation.

Sensei absolutely relished watching everyone interact socially like a big family. To him, this was the wonderful sign of a healthy, viable dojo where camaraderie and unconditional support reigned.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14: Today, weather-wise, was literally the calm before the storm. A major nor’easter was about to pound us silly the next day but today the sky was blue and clear and the breeze never betrayed its impending fury. Today was also our week-end’s first long session, the class running from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In addition to our regular crew, we had the addition of our resident Shotokan guest, Margaret Lo, from Princeton. We had no “outsider” guests this year, though a couple of people from Pennsylvania and Canada had contacted me and expressed the wish to attend.

Sensei took his time explaining the hojo undo again, and once more broke down the basics. Also today, he added Saifa bunkai, to everyone’s delight.

At lunch, as a nice diversion, Gregg had brought his bocce balls and introduced Sensei and me to the game on the Community Center’s court. I teamed up with Alice vs. Sensei and Theresa while Gregg explained the rules of the game to us. Sensei was quite taken by it and enjoyed himself immensely, requesting a second round after we finished the first.

The afternoon flew by as we reviewed katas, yakusoku kumite, kakie, and bunkai.

This evening was our official banquet as we retired to Ginza on Passaic Avenue for a “farewell” group dinner with Sensei. We were joined by Alice’s husband Larry and Justin Howard’s lady friend Kylie. Once again, Sensei took everything in, listening to people talk, joke, and banter joyously. He definitely reveled in the good vibes.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15: Today was the last day of the gasshuku. And today the nor’easter hit us with relentless, pounding rain that kept increasing in intensity as the day wore on, causing major flooding in the surrounding area.

At breakfast, Sensei and I had gone over some dan promotions that he thought were appropriate. For our affiliation with Okinawa to be finalized, Sensei wanted me to return there when the High Dan Board would convene the first Sunday in June. He has a great vision of the Asian Arts Center becoming the U.S. branch of the Federation, with me as its Chief Instructor/representative; as such, he sees our joint future growing by leaps and bounds.

After the morning session, we stayed indoors for lunch and sat on the opened mats, conversing.

We reviewed everything in the afternoon and soon it was time to line up and end the gasshuku. While the class was still in seiza after the final bow, totally unaware of what would transpire next, I brought out the list of promotions for Sensei to divulge. Very cautiously, he announced the following promotions–pending the Federation’s approval: Michael Boasso and Miro Musulin to Shodan (1^st degree), Gregg Scott and Alice Freund to Nidan (2^nd degree), Michael Kolwicz to Sandan (3^rd degree) and Jerry Yoskowitz to Yondan (4^th dan). Everybody’s face lit up and surprise changed into elation. It was a fitting ending to a knowledge-filled gasshuku.

[Epilogue: The following morning, in spite of the havoc caused by the storm, Sensei’s flight was on time. I couldn’t ask for more grace.]

WHAT HAPPENED IN MAY: MY TRIP TO OKINAWA, MAY 28-JUNE 3.

...So here I am, back in Okinawa. I left New Jersey on May 26 in humid 90 degree weather and plunged right into Naha’s humid 90 degree weather May 27! No shock here.

Naha airport is still the most beautiful airport I’ve been to: immaculately clean, and festooned from end to end with the most outrageously gorgeous orchids. Granted, it’s comparatively small, but small has its advantages. This time around, something is different: my relationship with Kurashita sensei has grown more personal, after his two trips to NJ. He greeted me warmly as I emerged with my luggage at 8:40 p.m. on this muggy Sunday evening, then a few paces down the lobby abruptly introduced his wife, a serenely beautiful grand-motherly silver-haired lady. She had come with him to thank me personally for having taken such good care of him in the States and for taking him to see the Lion King on Broadway. He had not realized at the time how popular that show was back home but I guess she must have been impressed when he recounted his adventures.

They took me out to this special sushi restaurant, one in only a few in Okinawa. They serve a “fisherman’s sushi”, as Sensei called it. I found out what he meant when they brought out the meals: the portions were enormous! Each thick piece of sashimi was more than a mouth-full, worthy of the best Texan eatery. Mrs. Kurashita was served so much food she had to take it home (here they give you a container and you pack it yourself); she laughed when I told her in the U.S. it’s called a doggie bag. Her English was still better than my Japanese. The Okinawans are very law-abiding citizens. There is absolutely no drinking and driving. So after having one small beer with me, Sensei handed the car keys to his wife as we left.

MONDAY, 5/28: This morning was spent re-acquainting myself with the Minato hotel’s neighborhood: buying a pre-paid international phone card to call home, buying snacks and drinks to bring to Sensei’s dojo (to share at the end of class) and fresh fruits and drinks for me to leave in the rezoto (refrigerator) in my room. The heat and humidity were overpowering. But wait till I started training...

My first class with Sensei (my private lesson) was from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. I found the old winding way back to his place, the Eikikan, through narrow back streets. Up the five flights of stairs, and I found him just getting set up. As we got changed into our gis, the sweat started pouring already. I expected to do plenty of katas, but we didn’t do any. After the warm-ups, he taught me how to manipulate my tanden, my spine, my rib cage, and my latisimus dorsi to effectively punch, block, and do most anything. Goju-ryu turned out to be a lot harder than I had ever imagined.

Sensei drove me back after class. After a little rest and a quick snack, I returned for the 7:30 p.m. class. Tonight only Mr. Yoshihara Tomiya was there; I remember him from my last trip. He’s turning 66 this week and was slated to take his sandan (3^rd degree) test Sunday at headquarters. So we trained on his three requirement katas: Seipai, Shisochin, and Seisan. Then he performed them for Sensei by himself, without counting. Imagine a compact sixty-five year-old, about 5 feet 5, with bad knees, doing powerful katas with great internal focus. He was a track star in his youth (that probably explains the bad knees) and is skilled with the shamisen (Okinawan lute.) He most certainly deserves his sandan, no question about it. Many Americans half his age couldn’t hold a candle to him.

At this point, another of Sensei’s old timers came in: Mr. Uchima Yasumori. I also remember him from last time. Sensei went over the same katas again, for his benefit. After Sanchin and Tensho, we went through suri-ashi (sliding step) practice, punching on the way forward and blocking on the way back. At 9:00 p.m., after the cool-down, we pulled out the mat and shared a few cans of iced tea and socialized. Or rather, they did. I could only watch them banter back and forth, now and then catching something about Parkinson’s. Afterwards, Sensei looked at me and succinctly summed up what had transpired: “Old men. They have a lot of problems!”

TUESDAY, 5/29: Today was very cloudy and oppressive. Surprisingly it was a half degree Celsius cooler than yesterday (301/2 degrees)! My class was at 10:00 a.m. because Sensei had some business at the Rengokai in the afternoon. The Rengokai is some all-style organization of which he is also the President.

Once again, at this private session, we did no kata. For two hours, Sensei took me through suri-ashi practice just like we did the previous evening. He painstakingly corrected me on technique (how to punch and how to block), tanden training, muscle control, and timing. He said this was the most important practice; after this, kata is easy. I believe him. Learning basics from a master is accessing the very secrets of the style itself.

It didn’t take long to be drenched and drenched I was. We ended at 12:00 and Sensei drove me back to the place I called home away from home. I had the rest of the day to myself.

I spent the evening studying my Japanese and watching lots of Japanese TV.

WEDNESDAY, 5/30: Thanks to last night’s heavy rain, the humidity cleared up and it was noticeably cooler (28 degrees) with a gentle breeze. Today my class with Sensei was at 9:00 a.m. because later we would be going to a special buffet luncheon at the Beach Tower, a resort hotel where his son worked.

Sensei was a bit late this morning, so I just waited for him on the 5^th floor balcony, enjoying the breeze. Soon he pulled into his usual parking space and walked up after noticing me.

Today Sensei was determined to teach me how to punch and time my blocking properly. It took an hour and a half but finally I did it. I didn’t know if I should feel like a total beginner learning basics for the first time or the luckiest guy to be taught this secret in private. Either way, I was immensely grateful to Sensei for the attention he had lavished on me.

He drove me back to my hotel at 10:30 then picked me up at 11:15. In the car were his wife and their two grand-daughters, Momo (“Peach”), the most adorable 2 year-old, and Urara (“Ouh La La”), 5 months old and fast asleep. Apparently grandpa and grandma had been baby-sitting the two girls. Sensei told me he had started Momo training at the dojo already so I could expect to see her again later at 3:30.

We drove through Ginowan city, a thriving modern suburb, then passed through Machan, a curious town with a strong concentration of Middle-Eastern population. Soon we pulled into the luxurious Beach Tower, an impressive resort hotel. There, I met two of Sensei’s lady cousins, his two sons, and Momo’s and Urara’s mother. Momo is the spitting image of her mom, a petite teacher who worked at a Christian school. We picked from a superb international buffet and dined on the veranda, overlooking the magnificent beach. Sparrows, apparently accustomed to picking crumbs from vacationers, landed lazily within reach. Mrs. Kurashita was the perfect hostess, acting very motherly towards me and encouraging me to speak more Japanese. At 12:30, Sensei took me back. I was looking forward to seeing Momo again this afternoon.

Momo didn’t show up. We figured she must have been tired from the luncheon. This afternoon, I got to help Sensei teach three beginners: a mom and her two kids (Ryuki, 5, and Eito, 2). The mom was a dentist and a cousin of Sensei’s. Limited by his traditional curriculum, Sensei had his hands full. Needless to say, the 2 year-old didn’t do much except run around, cling to his mother’s leg, and wet his diaper. The 5 year-old endured countless repetitions of Gekisai kata. Sensei had the patience of a saint (that’s what people usually say about me!) We finished mercifully at 4:30 and I walked back to my hotel instead of letting Sensei drive me as he was wont to do. I returned for the 7:30 p.m. class.

When I arrived at a little past 7:00, the dojo was already crowded with a mixture of youths and adults, busily stretching.

Three juniors were there, ranging in age from 6 to 8: Momoka, Mr. Yoshihara’s grand-daughter, a green belt; Higa Hayato, also green belt; and Nishihara Akira, a spunky yellow belt. Although playful and even disruptive when not training, they were the epitome of focus and discipline when it was their turn to practice their katas, from Gekisai ichi to Seiyunchin. A junior black belt, Marika, was a tall 8^th grader who had recently won 3^rd place in kumite and 4^th in kata at her Middle School’s local competition. Her dad, Kuba-san, a tall thirtyish shodan, was someone I had not met previously. All the regular sexagenarians were present, including Murata-san, who usually takes care of the dojo when Sensei is absent. I was told he is an expert shamisen player.

The kids lined up in front and we went through our class, the black belts alternating with the kids for kata practice. They trained from Gekisai ichi to Seiyunchin and we picked up from there to Sanseru ichi. After several kata turns, Sensei checked Mr. Yoshihara by himself on his three kata requirements. Then his daughter Ayuko showed up. She was also due to test for sandan with him.

During tea breaks, it was mostly the kids who ravenously drank up. The adults were content to stand aside to mop off their sweat and feel the breeze through the sliding doors.

After a spirited suri-ashi session, we paired up for yakusoku kumite and kakie. The kids had no trouble doing it (I can’t figure out why mine can’t). Then we cooled down and it was snack time! The students pulled out the mat and we sat around to socialize. Sensei brought out the box of goodies I had bought for them. It was a big hit. He also brought out a birthday cake for Uchima-san, who was turning 66. The cake was baked by Sensei’s daughter-in-law, each individual portion already sliced and foil-wrapped. There was no singing, though.

THURSDAY, 5/31: Today I was to train with Sensei in a double session, nearly back-to-back: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., then 2 to 4 p.m.

It’s a bright and clear sunny day, breezy and dry. In the morning session, Sensei endeavored to teach me how to throw a loose punch and manipulate the return snap with the latisimus muscles. So he positioned me facing the wall, 6 inches from my full reach, and had me punch until I could hit it from my muscles’ elongation alone! Next, he fixed my hiki uke (pulling block), working on its angle and timing.

After a quick lunch of fruit and plenty of Vitamin Water, I returned for my afternoon session. Once again, Sensei worked on my punching. This time, I had to make my sleeve snap noisily just from my arm’s sudden return at the end of its elongation. I kept thinking of Bodhidharma’s Muscle and Tendon Change classic. We finished with Sanchin and Tensho katas and I was done for the day.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1: Today I had the morning to myself. I guess Sensei had some family matters to attend to (either that, or he was sick of me.)

Tonight’s class at 7:30 p.m. consisted of Kuba-san, his daughter Marika, and the other juniors. An extra green belt slipped in, whom I had not met previously. It was Momoka’s brother, Naoya, also a green belt. Sensei is extremely lenient towards the children, no matter how disruptive they get. And yet they are very obedient when it comes to training, trying hard and never complaining. I noticed the Okinawans are very law-abiding people; they cross streets at crosswalks only, and only when the light turns green. They recycle zealously and are very clean. No third-world mentality here.

After we went on our katas for the second round, Ayuko showed up. Sensei watched her perform her requirement katas, making a few corrections.

Then we paired up for Jo-chu-ge yakusoku kumite. After the basic three rounds, Sensei introduced the kake uke where the defender simultaneously returns the strike with an inside block. Apparently the students have not done this before so there was a bit of confusion as to their relative positions, and technique. Sensei had to do a bit of explaining and demonstrating. He also showed them the advantages of a simultaneous riposte without blocking through judicious body shifting and lightning-fast punches. This took us to the end of class. At our social hour, once again the kids devoured the goodies I had brought. Outside, the bright full moon illuminated the clear night sky.

SATURDAY, 6/2: Today is my last day of training with Sensei. Once again, he scheduled me for back-to-back sessions: 10-12 and 2-4. Today felt like the first day: the heat and the humidity had returned full force. It didn’t take long for me to be drenched once we started training. This morning Sensei continued drilling me on punching and blocking, up and down the floor. He insisted on me getting the dynamics right: slow, then sudden, with full tanden involvement. Not only that, but placement and timing had to be just right, too. My gi was so saturated it felt like I was carrying an extra 20 pounds.

After a quick lunch and a short rest, I returned at 2:00 for my last session. As I walked in the blazing sun, a thought dawned on me: tomorrow I was going to present myself to the Federation Board, to represent not myself or my dojo, but the U.S.! I was petitioning to be the sole U.S. Representative of the Federation! A wave of pride and responsibility cleared away my nervousness and strengthened me profoundly.

For the next two hours, Sensei fine tuned all my techniques, finally agreeing that I’ve got it right. I, too, felt such an accomplishment from actually understanding the internal mechanics of the art. We concluded the class with a few repetitions of Sanseiru ni and Suparimpei, to prepare me for tomorrow.

SUNDAY, 6/3: Today is the big day, the day I had come to Okinawa for. I dedicated it to the spirit of harmony and friendship.

Last night’s and this early morning’s heavy thunderstorms have done nothing to dispel the overbearing humidity. Sensei came to pick me up at 8:45 a.m. and we were on our way to the Seigokan in Naha. The Seigokan, headquarters dojo for the Federation, is located on sensei Gushi Akira (Vice-President and Treasurer)’s home, in the old section of Naha, where modern streets give way to ancient narrow mazes. No commercially accessible dojo, it is rectangular in size, roughly equal to ours, with a dark chestnut floor and tatami mats running the length of its shomen where full-length mirrors leave you no place to hide.

Across the hall was the dressing room where weapons are kept alongside a large flat screen TV where the Board members play the DVDs of examination candidates. Along the wall were arrayed neat rows of bo, ancient-looking sai, stacks of shiny conical metallic hats (probably used in conjunction with tinbei) and telescopic sticks I was not familiar with.

The Board members are a fierce-looking bunch of high-ranking masters (7^th dan and above). Sensei introduced me and they were surprised to find out I was American. They said I had the face of a Japanese!

Today was indeed a special day for many. One instructor had brought a dozen juniors to test from yellow belt to 1^st kyu brown belt. Kurashita sensei’s own, Mr. Yoshihara and his daughter Ayuko arrived for their sandan examination. At 9:40 a.m., sensei Oshiro took the candidates through the warm-ups. Outside, parents were milling around, trying to catch a glimpse of their kids. Mr. Gushiken, the Secretary, invited them inside.

At 10:00, the session started. We all lined up and bowed in, then the Board members took their place behind the low tables that had been set up on the tatami. Even though Kurashita sensei was presiding, he did not take part in the grading and just sat to the side, observing.

Mr. Gushi Akira took attendance of the children, then called them out one by one to perform their requirement katas. When they were all done, they were paired up to demonstrate Jo-chu-ge yakusoku kumite. Then they were dismissed and their parents took them home.

After the last child left, Mr. Yoshihara and Ayuko were called up for their katas. They took turns performing Seipai, Shisochin, Seisan, and Tensho katas. Mr. Yoshihara was a bit nervous and was encouraged to take deep breaths in between katas.

Then it was my turn. Kurashita sensei called me out to perform Kururunfa, Sanseiru ni, and Suparimpei katas. Then the Board asked me to show them Sanchin and Tensho. The scrutiny was intense.

After it was over, a couple of people came over and offered corrections on my techniques. Sensei came by and said, “Don’t worry. Every teacher is different, they all have something to chip in. You did fine.”

When Mr. Yoshihara and his daughter had left, the Board convened for business. They brought over more tables and Sensei motioned me to sit next to him as he called the meeting to order. He enumerated the items on the agenda, then quickly came to the number one matter at hand: my petition to join as the U.S. Representative. Sensei gave a lengthy introduction, glossed over my job, martial arts background, training history, my involvement with Yamanni-ryu and Iaido. Then he spoke passionately about my dojo, its student body and their interrelationship, its proximity to the local community center and New York City. By now the Board members had softened up, and were even jocular. They had perceived at this point that I was Sensei’s protege and my membership was his pet project. They asked me only a few questions, then voted.

I was unanimously applauded into the Federation. Everybody clamored, “Speech! Speech!” so I got on my feet and thanked them all profusely and pledged my utmost to uphold the honor and responsibility bestowed upon me and my dojo. They applauded again and after finishing the rest of their business, cleared the tables for lunch.

Mrs. Gushi had prepared delicious steamy bowls of pork noodle soup and rice balls for everyone. To me, it was like a dream. Here I was, in the midst of these masters, being

treated as one of their own, sharing their meal. It was priceless and unfathomable.

At 1:00 p.m. we disbanded; only a few remained to practice kobudo. Sensei took me back. Tomorrow he would pick me up extra early for the airport to beat the rush hour.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN JULY: The Dojo will be closed Wednesday, July 4^th for Independence Day. Have a great one!

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AUGUST: THE AAC’S JUNIOR SUMMER CAMP, AUG 13-17. Our summer camp will run from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily, Monday 8/13 through Friday, 8/17, culminating on Friday in our annual mini-tournament, awards ceremony, pizza party, and–new this year!–a movie to top off the week of training fun. We will practice toward the tournament in kata, sparring, and kobudo (weapons). Camp fee is $200.