Genbu-Kai Santa Ana Taiko Group

August 2006

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    More than 60 students from the Genbu-Kai Costa Mesa Dojo competed in the annual Costa Mesa Jr. Karate Marathon at the Baleric Park in Costa Mesa, California.  The weather was absolutely beautiful for this years event, sunny but not too hot.  Competitors ran from station to station and performed in many varied Karate events including punching and kicking soap bubbles (shown).  The event lasted about two hours including the awards presentation where the participants received (dumb) prizes from Senpai Jackie Long and Suika (watermelon).  Everyone got a lot of exercise and had a great time.    Congratulations to all the competitors, well done!  

    20 Genbu-Kai students led by Senpai Jackie Long performed a Karate Demo on a tiny makeshift stage during the City of Newport Beach Annual "Sunday Fun Day" festival at the beautiful Bonita Canyon Sports Park.  The demo included demonstrations of Kata, Basics, self defense applications, 1 point sparring, kumite, Okinawan weapons and the ever popular board breaking.   The weather was perfect, everything went very well except for the stage that had to be physically held together by adult students to prevent it from separating in the middle.  There was even a live band playing (one of several during the day).  The Karate was top notch, the audience and the participants enjoyed the show.  Most of the students stayed after and enjoyed the many other "Sunday Fun Day" activities and entertainment events at the park.  What a terrific day... 

    Sensei Demura presented a magnificent Karate Seminar to a "Packed House" in the Newport room at the Long Beach, California Holiday Inn Hotel.  It was packed  because: 1. Sensei's seminar was the first of the Nikkei Games Seminar series.  2. There were a lot of Students there in attendance today and reportedly  3. The seminar was supposed to be in a suite double the size of the Newport room.  Fortunately, there was just  enough space for everyone to train safely.   Sensei warned, "If anyone hits anyone else, they will get an early Christmas Present."  Of course, everyone was very considerate and careful.  Sensei demonstrated excellent techniques and shared some of his encyclopedic knowledge of Karate and Karate history.  There was a great opportunity for everyone to learn today.  The students worked very hard, class time seemed to pass by very quickly.  Thank you very much Sensei. 

    This year’s Super Summer Karate Seminar in Costa Mesa, California USA was again held in the large gymnasium of Costa Mesa High School.  The event coincided with a national heat wave.  Everyone got a break with the morning overcast making the heat wave tolerable.  Sensei gave a fascinating lecture on Karate history.  After some fun and challenging warm-ups including jump-ropes, students were divided into groups.  Lessons emphasized kata, basics, applications, kumite and much more.  A short break for lunch, then more Karate through the afternoon!  There was much there to learn for everyone.  The day went by way too quickly.  Thank you very much Sensei!   

    Sensei Demura was honored by the World Martial Art Masters Association this week when they inducted him into the World Martial Art Masters "Hall of Fame" as a Martial Arts Grandmaster.   Senpai Dwight Lomayesva made the announcement the following weekend to Genbu-Kai students attending the Super Summer Karate Seminar in Costa Mesa, California USA.  Congratulations to Sensei Demura!

In Loving Memory   Iwabuchi Katsuyuki Sensei

(1930- 2006)

    Again we must sadly report the passing of one of our Genbu-Kai family.  Our thoughts and prayers go out for him and to his other family members.   He will be missed.

    Sensei Demura’s long time friend Iwabuchi Katsuyuki Sensei, head of Hakua-Kai passed away in Tokyo, Japan July 27th at 8:46pm from a stroke.  Sensei Demura told a story of how Mr. Iwabuchi once traveled to the U.S. very shortly after undergoing abdominal surgery.  Sensei said that he had such strength that he just held his side and taught at the Seminar like nothing had happened to him at all.  A great loss to the martial Arts world.   The funeral will be in Tokyo on August 2^nd. 

    Genbu-Kai students from Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Diamond Bar and Santa Ana led by Senpai Jackie Long perform on the world famous Heritage Stage at the Orange County, California Fair July 28, 2006.  Once again the young white belts were the stars of the show.  An excellent show was presented and the very large audience showed it's appreciation with a long round of applause.

    Genbu-Kai students from Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Diamond Bar and Santa Ana led by Senpai Jackie Long perform a Karate Demonstration on the Celebration Stage in the Youth building at the Orange County, California Fair July 28, 2006.  As always the young white belts were the stars of the show.  An excellent show was presented on the tiny stage and the audience showed it's appreciation.

In Loving Memory   Hamamoto Isamu Sensei

 (1938- 2006)

In Loving Memory   John Roper

(1940- 2006)