 |
Out of Country Seminar Reports
AHAN
Nippon Kan Mexico Activity Support Seminar.
AHAN
International Activity Report.
AHAN Nippon Kan Nicaragua Officially Opens.
AHAN Nippon Kan Costa Rica Officially
Opens
AHAN Nippon Kan Mongolia Receives 1st Computer Shipment.
Used Computers Still Needed!
AHAN Nippon Kan Rio de Janeiro Receives New Government Status.
Domestic AHAN Activity Report
Mongolian Tsam Festival Mask Exhibition.
Dinner at the Denver Rescue Mission;
15th Consecutive Year Draws to a Close.
Aikido Nippon Kan Dojo Activity Report.
Shudo Maruyama Sensei Teaches at Nippon Kan.
Nippon Kan Children’s Class
Promotions
Nippon
Kan End-of-Year and New Year Activities;
A Collection of Notes
from the Journal of Homma Kancho
Susuharai (End-of-Year Dojo Cleaning)
Keiko Osame (Last practice of
the year)
Matsukazari (Putting
up the New Year Decorations)
Toshikoshi Keiko (New
Year’s Midnight
Practice)
Shinenkai (New Years
Party)
Keiko Hajime (First Practice
of the Year)
Four Sessions of Beginners classes begin for 2005.
Children’s School Field Trip Season Begins.
Out
of Country Seminar Reports
AHAN Nippon Kan Mexico Activity Support Seminar.
December 3rd-5th, 2004
Closing Donation Ceremony. From left, Fernando
Sensei, Dr. Tanaka, Mrs. Tanaka,
children from the center, Homma
Kancho, Stephanie Sensei,
Stan Pranin-Editor of Aikido Journal,
Rocio Sensei.
Mexico Aikido, Take Musu Aiki, instructed by
Fernando Roman Sensei and Rocio Aguero Rangel Sensei, (www.mexicoaikido.com.mx)
organized and hosted this event sponsored by AHAN Nippon Kan
Headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The seminar was held as the second annual
fundraising seminar for children with cancer in Mexico. The second
purpose of the seminar was to recognize women Aikidoists in Latin
America.
Held at the Tecnologico de Monterrey (Technical University of
Monterrey), a highlight of the seminar was a special guest lecture
by Aikido Journal Chief Editor on the history of Aikido in Spanish
no less! In celebration of the important role women have in Aikido,
Stephanie
Yap Sensei, Chief Instructor of Aikido of South Florida (www.aikidosouthflorida.com)
accompanied Homma Kancho as a special guest instructor. Yap Sensei
delighted all students in attendance with her dynamic style and
expertise. Stephanie Yap Sensei team-taught the seminar, alternating
classes with Homma Kancho.
Fernando Sensei
|
|
Rocio Sensei |
Continuing the tradition, this year students and instructors from
fourteen dojos came to participate in this fundraising event. The
purpose of this seminar was to welcome everyone beyond style or
affiliation to join together for practice and to help members of
their community.
Stephanie Yap Sensei
|
|
Homma Kancho |
Homma Kancho commented on the seminar experience; “The seminar
this year is like catching five birds with one stone. First: the
enjoyment of physical
Aikido practice, second: the study of the history of Aikido, third: raising support
for local community needs, fourth: the coming together of students and instructors
from different styles and backgrounds, fifth: the recognition of the important
role of women in Aikido in Mexico.
The setting for the seminar at a high level university such as the Tecnologico
de Monterrey is an appropriate setting for such a high level, multipurpose event
such as this seminar. There is something at this seminar for everyone attending
yet it is not for personal profit or personal gain; this seminar is for the greater
community of Mexico.”
We were all honored to have Stanley Pranin Sensei, Chief Editor of Aikido Journal
(www.aikidojournal.com) join us for this fundraising event. I had not known that
Pranin Sensei studied Spanish at a university in Mexico City in 1965. He told
all of us an amusing story about coming to Mexico the first time on a bus from
the United States; a trip that took over forty excruciating hours to complete.
Five years later, after completing his military service, Pranin Sensei returned
once to Mexico, but has not had the opportunity to return since. Now thirty five
years later, Pranin Sensei seemed happy and nostalgic to be back. He still has
managed to remember how to speak Spanish after all these years. This I understand
is just one of Pranin Sensei’s amazing talents!
|
|
 |
| Aikido History lecture by Stanley Pranin Audience at attention. |
Stephanie Yap Sensei was also an inspiration to have with us in Mexico. She had
a lot of fans on this trip both from Nippon Kan and among Mexico students and
instructors. Her long history of hard practice experience as an Iwama uchideshi
really showed through; her dynamic movement and abundant energy was infectious
to everyone who met her at this seminar. In fact, I am a fan too!
Homma Kancho began the seminar closing ceremony by thanking everyone who had
come and exchanged their seminar fees for a valuable opportunity to share with
each other and be of service to others in need at the same time. He thanked Fernando
Sensei and Rocio Sensei, Mexico Aikido Staff members Senior Jose, Senior Wimmer
and all students who had made this seminar a remarkable event.
To close, Dr. Kunitake Tanaka, his wife Yoko Tanaka, Founders of the Casa de
la Amistad (the cancer facility for children in Mexico) and two children from
the center came forward in front of all assembled to receive $1,300.00 that was
raised by seminar proceeds and $1000.00 that was donated by AHAN Nippon Kan Headquarters.
Many thanks to Stanley Pranin Sensei, Stephanie Yap Sensei, and Homma Kancho
whose donated instruction and lecture fees made this donation to the Casa de
la Amistad possible. (www.casadelaamistad.org.mx).
Kazumi Yoshimura
Nippon Kan Headquarters Staff
AHAN International Activity Report.
AHAN Nippon Kan Central America Activities on the Move.
AHAN Nippon Kan Nicaragua Officially Opens.
December 8th-11th, 2004
This was the second visit in 2004 by Homma Kancho to Nicaragua. On this visit
he taught a four day seminar that was held at UNAN University (Universidad Nacional
Autonoma de Nicaragua) and UCA University (University of Central America) in
Managua. My name is Fernando Roman of Mexico Aikido, Takemusu Aiki, AHAN Mexico,
and I was happy that I was able to accompany Homma Kancho on this trip following
the seminar we just held in Mexico.
Students at UCA.
|
|
Students at UNAN. |
I enjoyed the chance to train with new acquaintances in Nicaragua
and we trained at different locations at the universities. There was a mix up
at one point during the seminar and the practice space we were suppose to practice in was not available.
This irregularity did not seem out of the ordinary to our hosts, and they took
it in stride. We settled on practicing on an outdoor basketball court. Homma
Kancho said “Before my dojo was built, I used to practice in the park.” Since
we were practicing on concrete, thank goodness Homma Kancho concentrated on tachigatame or
standing lock techniques.
Changing clothes outside for practice.
|
|
Serious practice on the concrete! |
Kyu testing outside!
|
|
Founder’s photo treated with care while practicing outside. |
As a way to support the growth and development of Aikido in Nicaragua, Aikido
Pioneer Instructor Susan Kinne gave permission for a few of her senior students
to begin organizing AHAN Nippon Kan Nicaragua. With support, it is hoped that
new AHAN activity development will help Aikido in Nicaragua grow and mature for
generations to come.
In these initial stages of development, a first goal is the training of instructors.
Currently AHAN scholarships are available for leading students to come to Denver
to train not only in the technical aspects of Aikido, but in organizational,
leadership and volunteer project coordination skills. Also of paramount importance
for growth in a dojo, is the ability of a dojo to sustain itself financially.
Training and plans are also in the works to help students open a small campus
restaurant to supplement dojo financial stability.
The first scholarship internship at Nippon Kan in Denver for 2005 was awarded
to Norman Chavarria. Also planned for 2005 is a short-term scholarship visit
for Armando Antonio Lopez. In the summer of 2003, Armando lost a leg to cancer,
amputated above the knee. It was after this at the age of 18, that Armando began
his practice of Aikido. I was listening when Homma Kancho asked him what his
dream was. “Staying alive, surviving life” was his answer. “If
I can practice Aikido it is proof that I am alive! A lot of people helped me
while I was sick, I also dream of helping others now that I am well.” Homma
Kancho answered, “I want to support your dreams. You need a wide view of
life and many experiences. If you would like, we will arrange for you to visit
America”, This offer was readily agreed to by Armando.
Armando at practice.
|
|
Homma Kancho presents a keiko gi to Armando. |
Party at Kinne Senseis home.
|
|
Serving traditional foods at the party. |
I very much enjoyed my stay in Nicaragua, and want to thank our hosts for their
hospitality. It is our hope that our continued communication might lead someday
to the formation of AHAN Nippon Kan Central America.
Fernando Roman
Mexico Aikido, Take Musu Aiki
AHAN Nippon Kan Mexico
AHAN Nippon Kan Costa Rica Officially Opens
December 13th-16th, 2004
|
|
 |
| The Start of AHAN Nippon
Kan Costa Rica. |
After traveling to Nicaragua to meet and practice under Homma Kancho, I invited
Homma Kancho to visit my country of Costa Rica, and my home town of San Jose.
I instruct at two Aikido dojos in Costa Rica. There are a few other practicing
groups of Aikidoka in Costa Rica, but there is no active organization here. For
the future of Aikido in Costa Rica and as a way to support our own communities
in San Jose, I asked Homma Kancho if we could join AHAN officially as AHAN Nippon
Kan Costa Rica.
Marco Gonzales. |
It is planned for instructors of AHAN Nippon Kan Costa Rica
to study Aikido, organization, and volunteer project coordination at Nippon Kan
headquarters under
AHAN’s scholarship study program. We hope to start a new wave of activity
for martial art organizations in our country.
Marco Gonzales
Butokukai de Costa Rica
AHAN Nippon Kan Costa Rica Organizer
AHAN Nippon Kan Mongolia Receives 1st Computer Shipment.
December 16th, 2004
Children from the School named Hope in front of the newly
delivered computer.
On December 16th, the first shipment of computers from AHAN’s used computer
distribution program arrived in Ulaanbaatar. Aikido Nippon Kan Mongolia Instructor
Bold Tumenjargl, AHAN Nippon Kan staff member Enkbayar and me, AHAN Nippon Kan
coordinator, Alimansar Namjildorj were there to receive the computers upon their
arrival for the Zorig Foundation of Ulaanbaatar. (Click here to read related
articles First Shipment of Thirty
Computers Shipped to Mongolia and Updates
from
the School
Named Hope in Mongolia).
The Zorig Foundation assisted us in distributing the computers to orphanages,
schools and other facilities under their administration. As AHAN representatives,
we also personally delivered five computers directly to the School named Hope,
a school directly supported by AHAN.
We have sent photos to AHAN headquarters of the children from the School named
Hope enjoying their new computers, along with photos and a certificate of appreciation
from the Zorig Foundation. The pictures speak a thousand words, and the smiles
are the greatest reward.
Our goal is to have 100 computers shipped to Mongolia. Future shipments will
be sent in smaller quantities as space allows on containers headed to Ulaanbaatar.
The distribution of all the computers is being monitored by our AHAN Mongolia
staff, and we are excited about the potential growth that can be accomplished
with these gifts not only here in Mongolia, but in Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico
and other countries AHAN is involved with.
AHAN Mongolia Staff checking in the computers at the Zorig Foundation.
Alimansar Namjildorj, AHAN Nippon Kan Mongolia Coordinator
|
Used Computers Still Needed!
How does AHAN operate?
AHAN activities are not supported by Domo Restaurant only.
A variety of projects are supported by Nippon Kan fundraising seminars and
private donations. Proceeds
are also directed to AHAN from Nippon Kan’s school fieldtrip for cultural
study program with Denver schools. To date over 10,000 students have participated
in demonstration tours at Nippon Kan. Some of Nippon Kan’s other fundraising
activities include cultural tours to Japan and Mongolia and the presentation
of traditional cultural concerts such as this.
Nippon Kan also supports many community volunteer projects in Denver such as
our Meals for the Homeless program with the Denver Rescue Mission. In the past
14 years, Nippon Kan has made and served over 36,000 meals to Denver’s
needy. Nippon Kan has also partnered with the Denver Parks Department for the
last 14 years in park beautification and preservation projects in the Metro
Denver area and Front Range.
Ongoing AHAN projects:
Currently AHAN is organizing a recycled computer and sewing machine project
for third world communities. Used computers and portable sewing machines, (working
or not) are welcome. Your donated computers will be cleaned, restored and readied
for shipment by our volunteer Nippon Kan computer staff. The computers will
be used in projects for children in Mongolia, Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras,
El Salvador, Guatemala, Italy and Turkey. All of the computers will be distributed
personally by AHAN local branch representatives for educational, medical and
cultural preservation projects.
How to donate:
If you are would like to help by donating a computer, please bring it to Nippon
Kan at 1365 Osage Street between 5-8 pm., Monday through Thursday or Nippon
Kan AHANs affiliated Domo Restaurant 11-2pm. 5-10pm. Mon- Sat. A tax deductible
receipt will be issued at the time of shipment, value established by our computer
assembly staff. If you have access to large quantities of used computers, pick
up is available. Please call Nippon Kan at 303-595-8256 and leave a message.
Nippon Kan
1365 Osage Street Denver, Colorado 80204
303-595-8256 email: info@nippon-kan.org |
AHAN Nippon Kan Rio de Janeiro Receives New Government Status.
December 16th, 2004
AHAN Nippon Kan Rio de Janeiro, under the stewardship of Luc Leoni Sensei,
has been very active in Brazil with a multitude
of AHAN projects and activities. Their work has been recognized
by the Brazilian Government with the highest level of certification that
can be bestowed on a non-profit organization. AHAN Rio de Janeiro has been
given
the official status of an OSCIP (Organization Social of Public Interest),
which makes AHAN Rio de Janeiro eligible for public funds from the Brazilian
government.
AHAN’s philosophy has been linked through its humanitarian projects
with education and environmental awareness, and has been deemed an added
value for
society by the Brazilian government.
Click to enlarge |
AHAN Rio de Janeiro has been recognized not
only for internal humanitarian and community service, but also
for
it’s involvement in a wide scope
of international cross-cultural exchange activities. To celebrate this
new recognition as an OSCIP, a celebration is planned for the
fall of 2005 featuring
a concert by the well known Kyougaku
Taiko Drummers from Japan who played in Denver in September of 2004. For
AHAN Nippon Kan’s
activities today, Aikido is not always the main focus. Humanitarian support,
human rights, education, environmental awareness and cross-cultural exchange
are some of the focuses of AHAN that have grown in importance since its
inception. AHAN was born from the question of how to relate our practice
of Aikido to
others in our surrounding communities. From that starting point however
AHAN has grown beyond this framework. Aikido is an important physical and
cross-cultural
exchange activity of AHAN but in the future it is hoped that the scope
of AHAN activities will be expanded to include other martial art forms
as well.
I have written a commentary titled “On AHAN and Nippon Kan Activities
in Brazil” for more insight into today’s AHAN projects.
Gaku Homma
Nippon Kan Kancho
Domestic AHAN Activity Report
Mongolian Tsam Festival Mask Exhibition.
Dec 2-28th, 2004
Mongolian Buddhist Llamas in attendance
at the exhibition opening. |
The Cheijin Lham Temple in Ulaanbaatar is famous for a Tibetan Buddhist
festival that is held every year. This festival is the Tsam festival and
features elaborate
masked dancers whose appearances are designed to vanquish evil spirits
and bring peace and prosperity to all. This legendary festival was banned
under
community rule in Mongolia, but was reinstituted after Mongolian self rule
in 1993. Today the festival is held regularly and a museum quality extensive
mask collection can be viewed at the Cheijin Lham Temple year-round.
Tsogo Mijid, a member of the Denver Mongolian Cultural Eel Society of Denver
is a Mongolian artist famous for his paintings and paper mache sculpture.
Tsogo has reproduced a collection of Tsam masks which were hung for exhibition
in
the Nippon Kan Museum December 2nd, 2004. These Tsam masks were also displayed
at the Nippon Kan New Year Welcome party held January 2nd, 2005 and were
worn by Mongolian dancers who danced for the evening’s events.
Nippon Kan is dedicated to the preservation of Mongolian culture and art
forms, and enjoys these opportunities to promote cultural awareness for
members of
both the Denver Mongolian community and the Denver community at large.
Emily Busch
Nippon Kan Vice President
Dinner at the Denver Rescue Mission;
15th Consecutive Year Draws to a Close.
December 19th, 2004
Denver Rescue Mission; 100 years of service. |
In the last fifteen years, Nippon Kan has supplied and served 38,088 meals
to the homeless at the Denver Rescue Mission.
This project was started fifteen years ago by Homma Kancho as a way to
say thank you to the community that had supported the growth of a fledgling
Nippon
Kan. Homma Kancho started this project by himself. On a Sunday, he would
go to the Denver Rescue Mission alone and spend all day and night there
preparing
meals for the homeless.
Now fifteen years later, every third Sunday of every month, Nippon Kan
students gather for one of their favorite service activities. On December
19th, 2004,
the last homeless meal service for the year was prepared and served. In
January of 2005, one of the first community service projects will be the
January homeless
meal service scheduled for January 16th.
On each third Sunday, students peel and cut vegetables for the evening
meals after morning practice at 9:45 am. At 3:00 pm., foods and supplies
for 300
meals are loaded and transported to the rescue mission for cooking. The
first meal for mission residents is served at 5:00 pm. and the second meal
for outside
guests is served at 8:00 pm. A familiar routine by now, different shifts
of volunteers arrive to set the tables, serve the meals, and reload supplies
to
return to the dojo. Everyone knows the tasks to be done, and all of the
work is performed in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I thank all of
the volunteers
who take time out of their Sundays to come down to the mission to share
in this activity. I also thank all of the mission residents and guests
for allowing
us the chance to have this experience.
Last meal ser vice of 2004,
volunteers in the
kitchen.
|
|
Meal service down pat! |
Between evening meal services, I sat down with
Denver Rescue Mission graduate resident, Mr. Charles Davis (49), who had
stopped by to give us a message
of appreciation. I learned from him that in 1991, he had been the innocent
passenger
in a car that had a terrible accident in Florida. “I was confined
to my bed for two years,” he told me. “And, spent three years
after that in rehabilitation. Finally with the aid of a wheelchair I learned
to get
around, but by then I had grown bitter and weary or life. I chose to be
homeless, even in a wheelchair, and lived that lifestyle for many years.
About four years
ago, I was accepted into the Denver Rescue Mission’s residence program,
and I have just now finished a twenty eight month reintegration training
course. Now I have a job, my own apartment, and if I get my drivers license,
the mission
will get me a car to get around in. I have started enjoying life again,
even confined to this wheelchair. Because I graduated from the residence
program,
I receive one year of rent vouchers which I receive in monthly installments.
To keep everything above board, I have to turn in rent payment receipts
before I can receive the next installment.
Even though I have graduated from the mission residency program and don’t
live here anymore, I come down to the mission two to three times a week
to help other residents with their programs. We call this the pipeline
program;
a pipeline of people who have made it through the program to help others
achieve a happier and more productive life. A lot of people supported and
helped me,
I can help them by showing them that even me, in this old body, in this
wheelchair has made it to a happier place. I think sometimes I am an inspiration
for
others.
Charles, (seated) with mission residents. |
I make sure that I come down every third Sunday of the
month. I come down especially for the AHAN Nippon Kan meal service. I look
forward to that
good cooking every
month, and I love seeing your group come in like one big family to take
care of us. Every month I appreciate all of you. God Bless All.”
Charles Davis
Denver Rescue Mission
More information on the Denver Rescue Mission is available at www.denverrescuemission.org.
Aikido
Nippon Kan Dojo Activity Report.
Shudo Maruyama Sensei Teaches at Nippon Kan.
November 10th, 2004
|
|
 |
| Shudo Maruyama Sensei
teaching at Nippon Kan Dojo. |
One of the initial Aikikai Aikido pioneer instructors to the United States,
Shudo Maruyama Sensei, Founder of Kokikai Aikido, traveled to Denver with
seven of his students to instruct a special clinic at Nippon Kan. Held
on a Wednesday
evening, over ninety students attended from Nippon Kan and other Front
Range dojos. Maruyama Sensei delighted all with his dynamic technique and
interesting
teaching methods.
Maruyama Sensei was the first instructor to expose Homma Kancho to Aikido
while Homma Kancho was still in middle school in Akita, Japan. The story
of their
relationship has been documented in Homma
Kancho’s article “The
Silent Pioneer”.
Part of Nippon Kan’s practice philosophy is to study the history of Aikido,
and Nippon Kan strives to host instructors from many different backgrounds
that have had an association with the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. Homma Kancho
spoke of the importance of this broad based study, “If we are to
understand the art of Picasso, we cannot study only the painting he produced
at the
end of his lifetime. We need to study the artworks he created throughout
his life
to understand the artist as a whole. We should not hesitate to study what
has happened in our Aikido history with an open mind. Our philosophy is
to learn
as much as we can from the many different Aikidoists that are part of our
collective history. If we want to think about a peaceful future for our
world, we need
to study the mistakes and triumphs of those who have traveled before us.
In this way we can learn how to take our art forward, not backward.”
Homma Kancho has written an accompanying article in honor of Maruyama Sensei’s
visit titled, “Cold Sake and Sensei’s Lessons”.
We would like to thank Maruyama Sensei and his students very much for sharing
with us in Denver.
Emily Busch
Nippon Kan Vice President
Nippon Kan Children’s Class
Promotions
December 17th, 2004
Family members crowd the dojo for Children’s promotions. |
One highly anticipated event for the children in Nippon
Kan’s Children’s
Class is promotion day, and this time was no exception. Martial art dojos
are sometimes notorious for using promotions as an income producer, especially
dojos that focus on children.
At the Nippon Kan office we receive martial art magazines and advertisements
frequently that promote money-making schemes. At the top of the list are schemes
for promotions, examinations, tournaments and certifications; all activities
that a dojo can charge for.
Like any school, Nippon Kan does need income for survival, but Nippon Kan’s
fee policies are based on a unique idea. Nippon Kan does not charge any fees
for promotions. It is one of our working philosophies to try very hard not
to financially pressure parents or guardians with any extra fees associated
with membership or promotion, and the class fees themselves have remained
$25.00 for over fifteen years.
Promotions at Nippon Kan are not based on examinations as in most dojos.
Instead each child’s attendance and progress is monitored and discussed by the
Children’s Class Instructor and his assistant instructors. Attendance
plays an important role in advancement, especially among the newest members.
Besides not asking for promotion fees, uniforms are not required for children’s
class. We urge parents not to invest in a uniform until it is clear that
Aikido practice is something their child is serious about continuing. Another
small
way to ease the burden on parents is the way the belt and ranking system
is organized. Not every rank promotion requires a new colored belt. Intermediary
promotions are signified with colored tape that is securely attached to the
belts, making the same belt usable for different ranks.
Some dojos I have encountered require contracts for extended periods of time.
The extended class fees, miscellaneous and promotion fees can total up to $150.00
per month in some cases! If a child quits practice under these circumstances,
parents are left with a lengthy contract to pay off and piles of unused martial
art equipment and uniforms. Understandably, this can leave parents with a bitter
taste about their experience with the martial arts.
Tom Dammen, children’s class instructor with the kids! |
To make our children’s classes successful,
we strive to make parents feel comfortable that their child is in good
hands,
and they will not be
left with exorbitant bills to pay. Parents that are comfortable are much
stronger
advocates for our programs than those tied to a dojo by a contract. It
is a positive promotion and family support relationship rather than
a negative
one.
This December’s promotion announcements were well attended by students,
parents, guardians, family members and friends. All came to share in the happiness
and excitement of the children in Children’s Class, and no child
left disappointed.
Thomas Dammen
Nippon Kan Children’s Class Instructor
Nippon Kan End-of-Year and New Year Activities;
A Collection of Notes from the Journal of Homma Kancho.
Every year Nippon Kan holds Japanese New Year activities as a way to offer
American students a chance to experience the New Year as it is celebrated
traditionally in Japan. It is a very busy time with many activities. The
following are excerpts
from Homma Kancho’s personal journal which capture some of his thoughts
as we moved through the end of the year 2004 and welcomed the New Year
of 2005.
Susuharai (End-of-Year Dojo Cleaning)
December 28th, 2004
Ichinen no hokori. The translation for one set of Japanese Kanji for
these words is “one year’s dust”. The translation for
another set of Japanese Kanji for the same words is “wholehearted dust”.
The dojo is cleaned every day, but dust gathers in the far corners undisturbed.
It is the dust of one year of serious practice. It is the dust made from keiko
gi’s and canvas. The translation for another set of Japanese Kanji for
the same words is “one year’s pride”. Thank you to all
of the students who helped with this end of year cleaning.
Keiko Osame (Last practice of the year)
December 29th, 2004
So fast, the year went so fast…When I was young, time passed slowly,
like ascending up a steep hill. Now that I am over fifty, time passes so
quickly it is like descending that same hill on wheels! After the last
class, together
we did Iponjime “good luck clap”and Kanpai! I
suppose it is a break from tradition that the tray of sake and cups for the
kanpai toast also has
bottled water as a second choice. It is a new day, a day of new dangers
such as DUI’s or worse. Oh well, better safe than sorry.
Kanpai! |
After class all the students talked happily. I reflected as I left them still
chatting, “Did I do a good job for them this year?...”.
Matsukazari (Putting up the New Year Decorations)
December 30th, 2004
For the last few years, the mochi cakes that traditionally decorate the dojo
altar have been given to me by my good friend Joko Ninomiya Kancho of Enshin
Karate. We used to make them from scratch here at the dojo. I and the uchideshi would spend all day pounding the rice, making more mess than mochi. Somehow
American uchideshi didn’t quite appreciate the gooey mess we created,
barely tasting only a finger full at the most. It got to the point where
I felt like I was making mochi only for the mold that would grow on it in
later
days! The usu (hollowed out stump used as the receptacle for pounding the
mochi) was finally turned over and used as a chair, and since we use the
mochi only
one time a year, it seemed a waste to buy a mochi making machine. Finally
I asked Ninomiya Kancho if he would mind making a bit extra in his mochi machine.
Besides, what are friends for! Making the kadomastu (decorations made from
pine boughs), hanging the red and white banners and the shimenawa (sacred
New Year rope used for good luck in Shinto shrines) has put me in the New
Year
mood.
Matsukazari pine decorations in Nippon Kan. |
Toshikoshi Keiko (New Year’s Midnight
Practice)
December 31st 11:30pm to Jan1st, 12:30 am.
By 11:00pm., there were many students waiting quietly outside in the night
for the door to open. Silently they filed in, changed and waited in seiza in the dojo; the lights dimmed for the occasion. This is the only day of
the year
that I perform a Shinto ceremony; clapping hands firmly and calling the gods
with the prayer Amatsunorito.
Nippon Kan is not a religious organization and I always am very sensitive
about offending anyone’s religious backgrounds or beliefs. It was announced
in advance that at this New Year ceremony a Shinto prayer would be performed
in order not to offend anyone. Some of the students that I have met in Denver
are deeply religious and serious about their beliefs. They are not like the
Japanese who noisily celebrate Christmas, followed by a Shinto based New
Years and a Buddhist Bon Festival in August!. Some might not appreciate a
mixing
of religions.
Toshikoshi Keiko |
Shinenkai (New Years Party)
January 2nd, 2005
Setting up a party for three hundred is a bit tight, even at the Nippon Kan
dojo. The dojo looked beautiful all decorated in red and white, and the forty
foot long banquet table is laden with delicious foods. Student, families and
friends arrive, Mongolian friends in traditional attire. The music begins,
first traditional Mongolian song followed by American bluegrass banjo and the
impromptu songs devised by students and friends. Everyone seems to be having
a glorious time.
Yet all is not fine. Mr. Cold has grabbed me like a hook on a bad Vaudeville
act and slammed me with an irimi. For my part, I only got to stay
at the party for about a half an hour before miserably returning to bed. Thank
you Mr. Cold,
at least I did not begin the year with a hang-over. To all the busy volunteers
that organized the set up, reception, and party clean up, Thank You Very Much!
Children’s Class students man the coat check for party.
|
|
A gorgeous banquet! |
Mongolian dance for the children.
|
|
Mongolian song accompanied
by the morin hur. |
Buddhist Llama join the festivities.
|
|
Mongolian Tsam festival dance. |
Western Music, Hee-Hah!
|
|
Kids getting into the swing of things. |
Nippon Kan Co-Founder Yutaka Kikuchi
works the crowd with
a raffle. |
Keiko Hajime (First
Practice of the Year)
January 3rd, 2005
This year, Keiko Hajime was held one day earlier than usual. I think
everyone was anxious to start the practice year, wanting to get back on the
mat as soon as possible!
Someone asked me before Keiko Hajime began if we could organize a
fund raising seminar for the victims of the Tsunami disaster that had just
been announced to the world. His question stimulated a lot of thinking on my
part that ultimately became the body the New Year’ s speech I delivered
at Keiko Hajime and resulting article “Between
the Steps”.
As the Keiko Hajime Ceremony was about to begin, I stepped into the
dojo and looked at the many rows of students lined up straight and tall in seiza. I
wanted to tell them to sit comfortably, but I stopped myself. This was Keiko
Hajime after all, and everyone should be able to be patient and sit in seiza for
a while at least, it makes the photos look better anyway!
The evening’s itinerary was full. There were welcome speeches, advisor
speeches, practice, staff position appointments (numbering over forty this
year), ranking promotions and special achievement recognitions. The time went
by so fast! Before I knew it, it was time to dine together with the senior
Nippon Kan advisors, (referred to as the Moo Club after the cow in the Nippon
Kan logo) at our annual senior advisor dinner.
Editors’ note: Excerpts from Homma Kancho’s Keiko Hajime 2005
New Year Speech has been formalized in his article “Between
the Steps”.
Lined up waiting for the
first class of the year.
|
|
Homma Kancho’s New Year demonstration. |
 |
Nippon Kan’s most senior student Mr.
Brown (82) and highest attendance leader
Mr. Heinz Schlue (62) receiving their achievement awards. |
Four Sessions
of Beginners classes begin for 2005.
January 10th-15th, 2005
I always get a little nervous before the New Year Beginners’ sessions begin
each January. I wonder how many students will come. In a year we have twenty-four
sessions of Beginner Classes, and by the attendance in the January classes
I
can almost predict how the year’s attendance will be. In the past twenty
seven years over 15,000 beginning students have attended Beginner’s Classes
at Nippon Kan. This is a lot of people, and I know I have been very lucky to
have so many students come through our doors. Many do not know however the kind
of
sacrifice and how much help from others it has taken to accomplish this.
Aikido Exercise. |
The new students that attend beginner classes
in January usually have big dreams or goals in mind. We call them
the “New Years resolution students”. To help them achieve
their goals, my first advice is to let go of the resolutions; they
are much easier to accomplish this way. In this way one days practice
is what becomes important, one day at a time.
In the first week of January beginning
sessions we had a total of about seventy students, and we have one
more session that begins February 1st. We are hopeful that this year
too we will have 100 students begin; how long they will stay, how
long I will have to teach them, nobody knows.
Children’s
School Field Trip Season Begins.
January 11th, 2005
Cultural tour guide
Emily Busch, AHAN President |
Like the return of migrating birds, the children
return to
Nippon Kan in January
for Nippon Kan’s cultural tour program. On these tours, children from 1st
grade through high school receive a facility tour and lecture, participate in
demonstrations, visit the museum and gardens and enjoy a Japanese lunch at Domo
Restaurant. This year we expect over two thousand students to participate
in these cultural enriching programs. Out of the ten dollars that is charged
to students to participate in these tours, seven dollars is donated to AHAN to
help fund humanitarian projects for children around the world. These tours are
staffed by Nippon Kan instructor and student volunteers who take time out of
their busy day schedules to assist in this project. The restaurant staff arrives
very early on tour days to prepare the lunches, sometimes over 150 at a time.
Many thanks to all volunteers and staff whose extra efforts have made this program
a success.
Excerpts from Homma Kancho’s journal edited by SoYoda, Nippon Kan Japan
Staff Editor.
2004 Awards
of Achievement and Appreciation
| 1/4/04 |
Denver Rescue Mission.
A plaque was awarded by the John Geddings, Director of the Denver Rescue
Mission for 35,000 meals served to the homeless. |
| 2/26/04 |
Mongolian Morin Hur Association,
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
A certificate of appreciation was presented to Homma Kancho for his support
in introduction Mongolian traditional music to Denver. |
| 4/9/04 |
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Presented Homma Kancho with a certificate of appreciation for banquet donations
made to an city employee appreciation event. |
| 4/29/04 |
Mongolian Aikido Association,
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Homma Kancho and AHAN for
assistance in dojo development by helping with renovations for the Mongolian
Aikido Association in Ulaanbaatar. |
| 5/19/04 |
School of Hope, Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia.
AHAN and Homma Kancho were awarded a certificate of appreciation for sponsoring
the making of ten Morin Hur instruments and facilitating a new music program
for the School named Hope in Ulaanabaatar. |
| 6/10/04 |
Minoru Yasui Foundation Inn of
Court.
Nippon Kan and Homma Kancho were presented with a plaque of recognition
honoring their community service and humanitarian activities. The annual
Inn of Court meeting was held at Nippon Kan’s Domo Restaurant Gardens
on June 10th. |
| 7/7/04 |
Japan America Society.
Nippon Kan and Homma Kancho were honored by the Japan America Society for
their support of cross-cultural events. |
| 7/18/04 |
President of Mongolia.
Homma Kancho was presented with a large framed portrait of Asa Shoryu,
(a Mongolian national who has won the title of Japanese Sumo Wrestling
Champion eight times in Japan) by the President of Mongolia at a special
reception held for the President and members of his cabinet at Domo Restaurant,
July 18th. The President awarded Homma Kancho this gift in recognition
of AHAN and Homma Kancho’s personal contributions in supporting
projects in Mongolia, and in support of the Denver Mongolian Community. |
| 8/5/04 |
Mongolian Ambassador to the United
States in Washington D.C.
A plaque was awarded by the Mongolian Ambassador to the United States,
Mr. Bold Raftan to Homma Kancho for the reception held for the President
of Mongolia on July 18th, and for support of the Mongolian community in
Denver and in Mongolia. |
| 9/5/04 |
Japanese School of Denver, Cherry
Hills Village Elementary School.
Certificate of Appreciation was given to Homma Kancho and Nippon Kan for
promoting cultural awareness and music appreciation by sponsoring visits
by the Kyougaku Taiko Drummers to Denver Elementary schools. |
| 9/15/04 |
Matsukawa Village, Nagano Japan
Certificate of Appreciation awared to Homma Kancho, Nippon Kan and AHAN
for promoting cultural awareness and music appreciation by sponsoring
visits by the Kyougaku Taiko Drummers to Colorado. |
| 12/4/04 |
Denver Parks and Recreation Department
of Denver.
Outstanding volunteer commendation awarded to Nippon Kan for volunteer
efforts in 2004. |
| 12/5/04 |
Casa de la Amistad Foundation,
Mexico City, Mexico
Certificate of Appreciation awarded by Cancer facility for the second annual
fund raising seminar efforts to AHAN Nippon Kan and AHAN Nippon Kan Mexico
in December 2004. |
| 12/28/04 |
Mongolian Zorig Foudation, Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia.
Certificate of Appreciation awarded to Homma Kancho and Nippon Kan for
thirty donated computers. |
|
