Yoshitaka Kinjo sensei

I was so happy to hear this news about Kinjo sensei - President of Gohakukai Canada, and 9th dan. It speaks volumes about the kind of person he is and the respect he receives from others. Congratulations Kinjo sensei!

Beppu or Bust - Part 5

While on my recent trip to Japan I was able to catch-up with Quint B, a good friend, practitioner of Shidokai Goju-ryu, Daito-ryu, Shorin-ryu, Ryukyu Kobudo and all around good guy! Quint's Shorin-ryu and Ryukyu Kobudo teacher is Murakami Katsumi sensei - a man I have since the mid-nineties. Quint was generous and offered to pick me up and take me to Murakami sensei's for the day. We met a Fukuoka station and then headed out to Tagawa - about a 40 minute drive into the countryside and rice fields of northern Fukuoka. On the way we chatted - about what you ask? Budo of course and life in Japan - Quint is into year 6 or was it 7 of his adventure on "Planet Japan"? At any rate, we arrived at Murakami sensei's house and were greeted at the door by his wife. She led us into the guest area where we sat and waited for Murakami sensei, who soon appeared from around the corner. He greeted us with a smile and bow.

I always love meeting with Murakami sensei. The man truly is a walking encyclopedia of Karate history and technique, and budo in general. His commentary and experience into it are always insightful to me. Naturally this time was no exception - the morality of "Karate ni sente nashi", the importance of "hiza wo nuku", the importance of "Ju" in Okinawan martial arts, to name but a few topics. The time just flew by and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Murakami sensei was very gracious this time out and agreed to demonstrate some of the Asayama-ichiden Jujutsu he had learned from Sato Kinbei. Naturally Quint was his uke :-) Some of it reminded me of Daito-ryu type technique, but other techniques seemed quite different. Overall it was an education and I was amazed again at how robust, strong, and swiftly Murakami sensei moves at the age of 82! It truly is inspiring. When it was over, Quint stood up from the floor, sweating and out of breath somewhat. Murakami sensei simply smiled. If there was one down-side to the demonstration, it was that Murakami sensei would not let me video tape it. Despite my long-term relationship with him and my request, I was not surprised that he said no. He has always been very protective of his teachings and his arts. I respect that.

After a long and enjoyable day it was almost dark and time to head back. I bade farewell to Murakami sensei and wished him well. With any luck I will be back in Japan next year and will naturally drop by Murakami sensei's home for a visit. Thanks Quint!

Beppu or Bust - Part 4

During my trip to Japan I also had the good fortune of meeting up with James Hatch who I hadn’t seen in almost 8 years! In fact it was James who was kind enough to pick me up at the Fukuoka airport when I arrived. When I stepped through the arrival gate, there was James and his daughter Nanami there to great me. He hadn’t changed a bit. For those of you who might not know, James is a long time student of Chito-ryu and Judo, as well as being a fellow Canuck and Irishman. He currently studies Chito-ryu, Enshin-ryu, and Ryukyu Kobudo with Inomoto Masaru sensei of Kumamoto.

It was great catching up with James; work, life, and of course training! The next day James was kind enough to take me to see his teacher Inomoto sensei. Interestingly enough, I had known Inomoto sensei before I had met James many years ago in Japan. In fact it was Inomoto sensei who kindly arranged a meeting with Yamashita san – Kyoda Juhatsu’s nephew who lives in Kumamoto as well so that I could interview him about Kyoda sensei. I had heard that Inomoto sensei had had some health problems the year before, but on entering the dojo you would never have guessed. He looked in the same robust shape as he ever did. During our visit Inomoto sensei was teaching Enshin-ryu and was preparing James for his upcoming Go-dan exam! Amazing! All the while we talked in between corrections. It was a wonderful visit and I was so happy to see Inomoto sensei in good health.

On our drive back to Fukuoka, the most unusual van I have ever seen in Japan passed us on the highway. It was painted with movie scenes of yakuza all over. I tried to snap a couple of pictures, but it was moving a bit to fast for us…..