Thoughts, stories, and ideas from Sensei Steve Gottwirt

Thoughts, stories, and ideas from                  Sensei Steve Gottwirt
Some of these thoughts, stories, and personal history appeared in our newsletter, "Dō Gakuin News". Few members have been with us since our first issue in 1993. As such, ideas on this page may have been printed before, but are worth telling again.

Friday, August 2, 2019

West Meets East Tour 2019


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!

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