The day began by going to the complimentary breakfast area. I walked in to Sensei Andrew Faupel and his crew from Kenkojuku of South Jersey and Sensei Ted Conway and Brenda Hill with their California Shotokan Kenkokai group having breakfast. Great catching up with them. While we were there Kathryn Doi and Stephanie Louie from Quan's Bushido-Kai Martial Arts in California came in. I’ve been Facebook friends with many of these people for a long time; now we are actual face-to-face friends. Louie and Doi were kind enough to bring me to the event location, Forest Capital Hall. Many thanks.10:00am came. We seminar participants spent time stretching, meeting, greeting, taking photos, and waiting for Kancho’s entrance. He and his translator/assistant Timothy Neely did not disappoint. Kancho has wonderful technique and Sensei Neely provided excellent translation and further explanation as needed. Many of the senior ASKKA members actually trained at the Kenkojuku honbu in Japan with Okano Tomosaburo and son Tomokatsu over the past 50 years or so, and they asked thoughtful questions on basics and techniques that changed over time.
Lunchtime was more for continued socializing than eating, but both got accomplished. Among the many martial artists I spent quality time with was Donny Anderson from California Shotokan Kenkokai. It was a real treat sharing ideas with you, sir. The afternoon seminar included footwork and speed drills used in kumite. We then reviewed details in Taikyoku Shodan and Kanku Dai (now that covers the spectrum!). Formal photos followed, and as always, took forever to get done. I understand that everyone wanted photos taken on their camera, so literally dozens of each pose were snapped, but I can’t understand how martial artists, trained in following instructions and holding poses, can take forever to assemble for each shot.
Shihan John Hinken and his friend Wendy brought me back to the hotel after the seminars to clean up, rest, and prepare for the luau that evening. They even brought me back at evening’s end. Domo arigato gozai mashita, shihan. Sensei Bowden introduced me to his lovely wife Gerry; a friendly, caring woman who seems to suit him perfectly. Before the dinner began, ASKKA founder Ted Raitch arrived with Master Miyazaki and Shihan Kai Leung. The luau itself was great! The dojo was set up with banquet tables and chairs, and a wonderful food selection was presented. Of course, instead of choosing, I said ‘yes please’ and had some of everything. Spent dinnertime with Rick and Pat Schmidt from Nebraska. They’re both great company, interesting with long, impressive pedigrees. They’re trying to convince me to visit Japan and train at the honbu dojo. Would it be an adventure of a lifetime? Yes. Is it my nature to travel? No, but then again, even this Florida trip seemed out of the question a few weeks ago. My mind is open to the possibility, but my bank account is closed. We’ll see.
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