Sensei Andrew Faupel from Kenkojuku Karate of
South Jersey spearheaded a weeklong visit for Kenkojuku cousins from
California, Oregon, Florida, Virginia, and Maryland July 23 to 28. Dojos in Collingswood NJ, Astoria, South
Ozone Park, and Bayside hosted workouts.
It was a treat meeting up with them in Astoria and Bayside, and sharing
a meal after class.
Sunday the 28th was our turn to host. We welcomed Sensei Faupel with Jeff Golia
(NJ), Charles Parker (VA), Jimmy Bowden with Daniel Simpson (FL), Donny
Andersen with Travis Coffman (CA), Janine Marr (CA), and Joshua Neumann
(OR). With them were Kyu ranks Theresa,
Nolan, & Kacy Andersen, and Cristina Coffman (CA), and Jacob Dougherty
(OR). Five Dō Gakuin Black Belts and eight Kyu members extended
welcome and made our guests feel right at home:
We worked line basics, 5-count and 4-count
Ten-no-kata, and then looked at some concepts particular to Dō Gakuin.
Sensei Neumann teaches out of a small garage in Portland OR, so we gave
him some ideas on how to maximize training in a tight space. Sensei Abrams then led the group through
Nijushi-ho with some bunkai. We bowed
out after presenting each visiting sensei with a certificate of appreciation
for their dojo, and gave everyone a commemorative wooden nickel challenge coin.
We then headed down to EB Elliot’s on
Freeport’s Nautical Mile, where many great stories and ideas were exchanged at
a two hour luncheon.
We were sorry to miss ASKKA founding
member Sensei Ted Raitch (MD), and Mr. Robert O’Brien & wife Brandy (CA),
who had to leave early in the week. We
look forward to seeing them next time. Osu!
