Senpai Jacki Long’s tips for Kangeiko

KANGEIKO (Cold weather training)
This Sunday, January 5th, 05:30, ready to start at 6 am sharp!
Huntington State Beach off PCH at 1st Street (beach parking lot across from the Dairy Queen) Meet at the fire pits, you'll see others trying to keep warm before we start. Wear your gi and a jacket to keep warm until we start. You will take off your jacket & shoes once we start, it will just be you in your gi, barefoot until it is over.

Over the years, these are my suggestions:
1. Bring some kind of bag or duffle that you don't mind getting sandy.
2. Inside a trash bag with the warm clothes, sox etc. you will change into.
3. Also, a trash bag with a dry towel to use when you change. You'll put your wet gi in here afterwards.
4. Also, a "baggie" with a wet washcloth inside to get off stubborn sand.
5. A hanger that you bend over the wall, to hold your bag when you are changing, the floor is usually wet.

They will have hot tea, coffee, cocoa at the fire pits after you change.

PROS:
It will be dark when we start.
We do "Seisan" by the ocean and you will hear the waves , gulls etc.
By the time we are done, the sun is coming up and you've had a workout and have the whole day ahead of you. You're doing something not very many people do, and you are doing it with other karateka, and Demura Sensei. You'll be colder than you ever wanted to be, but you will make it through and be glad to have accomplished it.
We only do this the first Sunday morning of the year! ;o)

CONS:
You have to get up early!
You will be cold!
You will get wet!
The water is cold!
The sand is colder!
The restrooms are yukky!

Kangeiko training goes really quick and is done. Years ago, we decided to add on to it. Anyone is welcome to join us. Since then, Costa Mesa Dojo has always practiced kata in the ocean while everyone else goes in to change. We do at least one kata each, this takes about 20-25 minutes. By then the restrooms will be cleared out ready for us to change, and join the others at the fire.

International Karate Tournament was held April 17th through April 20th, 2003 at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The four-day event included Masters’ seminars, two days of competition, a dinner reception and even an Easter egg hunt for the children Sunday morning. There were over 400 competitors this year, some traveling from as far away as Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Canada and Mexico. Demura Sensei attended the event and was accompanied by students Kevin Suzuki, Thanh Nguyen, Lance Baker, Denise Nguyen, Nora Baker, Adam Johnson, Seth Johnson, Michelle Suzuki, Patrick Falconer, John Perez, Jennifer Ashman and Hendrix ___________.

On Thursday, Demura Sensei conducted a seminar in which he taught self-defense techniques. Students Patrick Falconer and John Perez attended the seminar. They were a little sore afterwards, but truly enjoyed it. On Saturday eliminations began. Demura Sensei officiated over the tournament while Sempais Kevin Suzuki, Thanh Nguyen, Lance Baker, Nora Baker, Adam Johnson and Seth Johnson helped referee. Kevin, Adam, Seth, Patrick and John also competed. Kevin and Seth advanced to the finals for kumite which were held on Sunday. Kevin placed 3rd in men’s black belt team kumite and Seth placed 2nd in men’s individual black belt kumite. Patrick placed 2nd in men’s green belt kata and 4th in kumite, while John placed 4th in men’s green belt kata and 3rd in kumite. Great job guys! During the Masters’ demonstrations on Sunday, Demura Sensei, accompanied by Kevin Suzuki and Thanh Nguyen, performed a three-man routine in which Kevin and Thanh attacked Sensei. The audience really enjoyed the performance. Can you guess who won?

Although the Ozawa Cup had daily events, everyone had a chance to take in the sites of Las Vegas, eat some good food and play in the evenings. Everyone had a great time and can’t wait to attend the event next year.

One of the most famous kenshi of the 20th Century, Nakamura Taizaburo, passed away peacefully in his sleep at age 92 on May 13, 2003. ZenKenRen Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan, Kokusai Budoin Kendo Hanshi 8th Dan, Jukendo Hanshi 8th Dan, Kyudo 4th Dan, senior master of Battodo for the Zen Nippon Butokukai, Special Battlefield Kenjutsu Instructor, founder of the All Japan Toyama Ryu Iaido Federation, and Hanshi 10th Dan in the Nakamura Ryu Happo Giri Battodo, Nakamura Sensei was born January 1, 1911. A direct Muso Shinden Ryu student of Nakayama Hakudo, Nakamura Sensei was an instructor at the Toyama Military Academy, and an active fighter in the Nanpo Kirikomitai, the most elite of Japan's Imperial units, going into action on numerous occasions armed only with drawn sword. Developer of the "Eiji Happo Giri Kata" ("eternal" character eight directions cutting forms), based on the classical principle of calligraphy in which all known brush strokes may be found in the kanji "Ei" ("eternal"), Nakamura Sensei strongly advocated an abandonment of the seiza forms and a return to the standing forms of Iai. In particular, he emphasized kesagiri (diagonal cuts), which his battlefield experience led him to understand were the most effective -- and most neglected -- techniques in Kendo. Generous, calm, kindly, aware, and ever-attentive, Nakamura Sensei impressed his friends with many clear evidences of his spiritual enlightenment. Nakamura Sensei explained that he had renamed his system from Battojutsu to Battodo to signal his renunciation of war and his conversion to the Katsujinken. Elsewhere he has elaborated on the Katsujinken. "The Life-giving Sword trains and polishes the Self, the road to cultivating yourself and self-discipline." "There should be established a balance of the old and new in all training, but the tendency for showmanship must be removed, sport or competitive aspects eliminated, and the relationship between Kendo and Iaido recognized." Many modern kenshi know nothing of true swordsmanship simply because "the shinai is not a sword." "Only the live blade can instruct in Kendo, the Way of the Sword," Nakamura Sensei said. Though he's now gone on before us, we will continue to take inspiration from his example and his teaching in our daily practice.