| Winter 2002 |
Volume 16 Issue 3
|
|
|
December 9th,
2001 |
| This year’s Christmas
banquet and recognition dinner was held at a local Hoff’s
Hut, with over 130 guests attending. The emcee for the
evening was Dan MaGeough. |
| Demura Sensei gave a
short speech where he thanked all those students who have
helped him throughout the year and over many years. Some of
those who have been with Sensei over 35 years were Dwight Lomayesva, Ted Bleiweis, Jackie Long, David Hines, Kathi
Wegener and Dan MaGeough. |
| Sensei indicated that
he had dedicated his life up to now of furthering the
teachings of Ryusho Sakagami and spreading the knowledge
throughout the world. He now plans to focus on his own group
and philosophy. |
| Recognition awards
were presented to the following: Best Competitor (Men) -
Kevin Suzuki, Best Competitor (Women) Denise Nguyen, Most
Improved Student - Frank Almedia, Outstanding Dojo - Cypress
(Kathi Wegener). |
| Appreciation plaques
were presented to Dwight Lomayesva, Ted Bleiweis, Dan
MaGeough, Jackie Long, David Hines, Greg Collier, Roy
Center, Jerry Short, Susan McGlynn and Christie Hines.
|
| Sho-Dan rank in Batto-Do
was presented to Jo-Ann Eyre, Susan McGlynn, Leo Nakamura,
Byron Fennema, Frank Almedia, Mike Croft, Thanh Nguyen,
Dwight Lomayesva, Jess Sieffert and Kevin Suzuki.
|
| Rankings in Karate-Do
were presented to: Sho-Dan-Ho - Almador Velez, Debi Bain,
Tess Bernstein, Cathi Lenzi and Nora Baker. Sho-Dan - Denise
Nguyen. Ni-Dan - Milt Gerloff, Jo-Ann Eyre and Jim Eyre.
San-Dan - Bruce Butler, Byron Fennema and Kevin Suzuki. 5th-Dan
- Ted Bleiweis. 6th-Dan - Dwight Lomayesva.
|
| A short slide show
followed the awards presentation until the restaurant was
hit by a power outage putting a dramatic ending to the
evening.
|
|
|
|
|
MOCHITSUKI |
| December 29th was a
rainy day in California but many hardy souls turned out for the
traditional season ending Rice Pounding celebration held at the
main Dojo in Santa Ana. 50 to 60 students and their families
attended throughout the morning. Shihan Demura and his sister
Kinue provided hot soup while the rice cooked over a steam oven
(made from a 55 gallon steel drum). Everyone present
participated in the pounding of the rice in a large stone bowl
and from the "mochi", formed rice cakes. The pounding must be
done in a strict cadence while one person kneads the clump of
rice. Following the ceremony, Shihan delivers the cakes to many
of his friends for good luck during the coming year. Mochitsuki
is a tradition dating back to the time of Samurai Warriors.
Before entering battle, the Samurai would prepare rice cakes as
a staple to last during the fighting. The tradition has
continued to this day, although mostly with martial arts
students. |
|
Photo's |
|
|
KAN CHU GEIKO
(Cold Water Training) |
|
January 6th
2002 - Huntington Beach was the site of this traditional event
with the Japan karate Federation throughout the world. On the
first Sunday of the new year, JKF members in the United States,
Japan, Canada, Europe, South and Central America all hold this
special training on the same day at 6:00a.m.. The practice is
the Shinto rite of annual purification or cleansing in the hope
that it will bring health and good luck for the new year.
Training begins with "Seiza" as the sun begins to rise, followed
by warm up exercises and a mile run down the beach. Following
the run, the group performs katas beginning with the basic "Pinan"
progressing through the more advanced forms. Kata is followed by
one-point sparring in the shallow surf. Kumite or "two-man dog
fights" follow. After training, the group changes into dry
clothes and gathers around a camp fire for hot drinks and good
fellowship. |
|
|
"OSOJI" |
|
"Osojo" is the custom of
cleaning your house, or in our case, the Dojo, in preparation
for the New Year. Many students spent the day cleaning and
sorting out equipment, odds and ends at the Dojo. Special Thanks
to Jess Sieffert for repairing our soji screens. Thanks to all
who helped in this effort. This is our Dojo. Lets maintain
cleanliness throughout the year. |
|
Photo's |
|
|
|
|
|
31st Annual Invitational Goodwill Championships
The 31th annual Invitational Goodwill Championships
were held at Orange Coast College, February 24th,2002. In Costa
Mesa, California.
Officials for the tournament were David Hines Tournament
Director, David Hines and Roy Center Referee Coordinators, Jerry
Short and Bruce Butler, Ring Coordinators, Jim Eyre and Michele
Suzuki, Scorekeeper Coordinators, Greg Collier Emcee and Announcer,
Makoto Sugiyama, Charting, Kathi Wegener, Registration. Tournament
moderators for this year were Ted Bleiweis and Dwight Lomayesva.
Special guests from Japan were Shihan Shigeru Sawabe, Master
Seiji Ueki, Mrs. Sato Ueki, Mr. Zenemon Sakaida, Mr. Matsuhashi, Mr.
Y. Miyazaki, and Mr. Z. Miyazaki, Mr. Hisahiro Uno. Also attending
were Mr. Sato, Mr. Shimabukuro, Pat & Susan Johnson, Gerald Okamura,
Bob Wall, Lauro Chartrand and Nia Peeples, Tak Kabota and Dave Brock
and Dan Ivan.
More than 250 competitors took part in the competition which
went very smoothly and was completed by 3:00 p.m. without any
serious injuries.
The weekends activities began on Thursday, February 21st
with a Kata seminar for the ranks of Sho-Dan and above. Shihan
Shigeru Sawabe oversaw the seminar adding comments and corrections
through the afternoon. Katas practiced were "Supar Rinpe", "Nipeipo",
and "Karumfa". The seminar was followed by a diner at a local
Chinese restaurant. There was an evening of Kata classes taught to
beginners and advanced students at the hombu dojo in Santa Ana, CA.
Friday morning a Mochitsuki Ceremony was held at the hombu
dojo followed by International Black Belt testing for out-of-town
students. A four hour clinic for Black Belt Referee training was
held in the afternoon followed by Kata seminars for all levels
throughout the evening.
Saturday morning was the Kobudo (weapons) competition,
including all the traditional Okinawan weapons. The Kobudo
tournament was followed by our first Tai Kai (Batto-Do sword
competition.) Sword masters from Japan officiated and judged the
competition and presented awards following the tournament. Events
included individual Kata, individual cutting, team cutting and do-dan
cutting. The competition was open to all styles. |
|
|
Goodwill
Championships (Cont.)
Sunday, February 24th - The opening ceremonies
began with a solo rendition of The National Anthem by Kelly
Eyre, a former student of Shihan Demura, now teaching in the
California State University System.
Shihan Demura addressed the group encouraging the
competitors to give their best and test themselves to the limit
but to remain fair and honorable.
Kata and Kumite competition proceeded throughout the day.
There were no serious injuries which is a reflection of the
training of the fighters as well as experienced referees.
Scorekeeping went relatively well. Judging, refereeing and
scorekeeping seminars have begun to pay off, although Shihan
stresses we always need more work to make it better. Special
thanks to Shihan, David Hines and Roy Center for their efforts
in this training.
Final Black Belt Kumite matches were exciting as usual
with the women’s division won by Stephanie Miner over Shannon
Shaw and the mens division won by James Stahl over Frank
Almeida.
Shihan was pleased with the way the tournament was run,
and expressed his sentiments that he holds this tournament to
foster goodwill throughout the Japan Karat-Do Genbu Kai
organization as much as for holding a competition. Following the
tournament many of the competitors and judges met at a local
pizza restaurant for food and merriment.
Many thanks to all who helped make this a successful
tournament and especially those referees and judges who came
great distances to help officiate.
Domo Arigato.
Photo's |
|
|
Referee Training Classes
Oct 13th & 27th
were held at the hombu dojo in Santa Ana. David Hines and Roy
Center conducted the instruction with about thirty-five in
attendance. Green and brown belts, along with some black belt
volunteers provided the fighters for judging. Following the
seminar, a luncheon of "hero" sandwiches was served. Thanks to
Kinue Demura and Susan McGlynn for providing the refreshments.
|
|
|
R.I.P.
Sensei Richard Kim - 17 Nov 1917 to 8 Nov 2001. Long
time friend of Shihan Demura. Created "Shorinji Ryu" style.
1967 Black Belt Magazine’s Sensei of The year, 1973 Black
Belt Magazine Hall of Fame. Rest in peace Sensei. |
|
|
|
|
36th
Annual Japan Karate-Do Itosu-Kai Inter- Dojo Championships
The 36th annual inter-dojo tournament was held
Sunday, November 4th, 2001 at Costa Mesa High School,
Costa Mesa, California.
The tournament was directed by Shihan Fumio Demura,
Referee and Judge Coordinator - David Hines, Ring Coordinators -
Roy Center and Jerry Short, Scorekeeper/Timekeeper Coordinator -
Jim Eyre, Emcee/Announcer - Greg Collier, Charting - Makoto
Sugiyama, Security - Milton Gerloff, Registration - Kathi
Wegener, Food dispensing - Kinue Demura, Merna Martinez.
Shihan Demura opened the tournament with a speech
encouraging the competitors to test themselves with spirit to
the best of their ability, but to show good sportsmanship.
Shihan always stresses that it is not so important how you
place, but that you compete honorably. The fact that you
compete, you are already a winner.
More than 250 competitors took part in the competition,
which ran very smoothly and was completed by 2:00 p.m. There
were no serious injuries, which is an indication of not only the
expertise of the fighters but to the control of the referees and
judges. Seminars held throughout the year by David Hines and Roy
Center have begun to pay off. We’re grateful to Shihan, Dave and
Roy for the effort these seminars take and the opportunity to
learn from their experience.
The final event of the day was Black Belt Kumite, with
many exciting matches. The women’s final was won by Denise
Nguyen defeating Christie Hines. The men’s final was won by
Kevin Suzuki defeating Marcus Garcia.
All contestants competed honorably, with many gestures of
good sportsmanship and no serious injuries. |
|
|
|
Japan Karate-Do
Genbu-Kai
The crest below, is the family crest of Shihan Demura as well
as the family crest of Ryusho Sakagami and will become our new patch
to be worn on the gi. "Genbu" means" professional martial artist"
and "Kai" means "dojo" or "organization". Genbu-Kai was the name
Master Sakagami used before he changed it to "Itosu-Kai". |
|
|
TAIKO DRUMS
A group of energetic students have formed a Taiko Drum group.
They consist of the leader, Scott Etherton, Susan McGlynn, Cathy
Ancheta, Katie Mobley, and Meghan Mobley.
Taiko is a very traditional art and Shihan has had the group
practicing for almost two years before he would allow them to
perform in public. They demonstrated their abilities at the February
International Goodwill Tournament and judging by the audience
reaction, were very successful. As with all the Japanese arts,
Shihan demands more practice to perfect the skill. Keep up the
practice and we look forward to more performances. |
|
|
JAPAN KARATE-DO
GENBU-KAI |
|
INTERNATIONAL
SHITO-RYU KARATE-DO ORGANIZATION |
1429 N. Bristol, Santa Ana, CA 92706 (714) 543-5550
fax (714) 835-5067 jkfitosu@juno.com
To All Members and Instructors:First, I’d like to
take the opportunity to wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
The year 2001 gave us many great things, but it also took many great
things from us. Some of us lost loved ones, friends, or things that were
important to us, and some of us had very hard times. We are fortunate,
though, that we have made it through the hardship, and are still here to
make a difference.
Of course, September 11 was a day that changed all
of our lives forever. That day was a terrible first for America.
However, because of that tragedy, as has been said before, "A sleeping
giant has been awakened." The world is now coming together on many
issues, across all ethnic and racial lines. This will enhance our growth
and leadership as the world’s strongest and most powerful nation.
There is another powerful event happening, one
close to our hearts. In this year of 2002, eight years after the passing
of Master Sakagami, many of the Senior Sempai of Itosu-Kai, including
myself and others in the US, Japan, and throughout the world, have
resigned from the Itosu-Kai organization. Many of you may have already
heard something of this. Please be assured that there is no reason for
you to be concerned or anxious. As you all know, my loyalty was always
with Master Ryusho Sakagami. I promised him that I would do all I could
to make the Itosu-Kai name be known everywhere as a symbol of integrity,
character, and strong karate. With all of your support and hard work,
this was accomplished. We did not need any help, financial or otherwise.
We did it ourselves! Together, we have built an organization of students
and instructors of which I am unreservedly proud!
The most important thing in my life is the future
of my organization’s members. Because we have fulfilled the promise I
made to Master Sakagami, it is my firm belief that the best thing for
all of my students is to now move in a new direction. After much thought
and planning, our organization will now be known as Japan Karate-Do
Genbu-Kai."Genbu" means "professional martial artist" and "Kai" means
"dojo" or "organization." Genbu-Kai was the name used by Master Sakagami
before he used the name Itosu-Kai. Also, we have a new logo, which is
the crest of my family, and which also represents the family of Master
Sakagami. Another part of this change is that we will be affiliated with
Japan Karate-Do Shubu-Kai. This is the new organization of Master
Shigeru Sawabe, who has also resigned from Itosu-Kai at this time.
Master Sawabe is my Sempai and Master Sakagami’s oldest and greatest
student. He will be a strong source of leadership and direction as we
continue to develop our organization, as you can see by his many
distinguished accomplishments:
• Ninth Dan in
Itosu-Kai
• Former FAJKO (JKF)
Chairman
• Former FAKO
(Asian) Chairman
• Former Itosu-Kai Head
Advisor
• Head of Japan Karate-Do
Shubu-Kai Organization
I know we will all
do everything we can to ensure that Genbu-Kai grows stronger, and ever
more dedicated to the well-being of its members. Together we will raise
the awareness and strength of karate throughout the world, in the spirit
of Budo. As we move forward, please let me know if you have any
questions. Please also remember how important you all are to me, and how
much I appreciate all of the work you have done. I look forward to our
future, and all the hard work we will do together!
Sincerely,
Fumio Demura
President and Chief Instructor
Japan Karate-Do Genbu-Kai
|
|
|
