HIS Karate-Do

During our college years, Sensei Peter spent our parent’s hard-earned monies that they invested in our education on: lunch and snacks at old Hemenway Hall, shooting pool, relaxing in Hamilton and Sinclair libraries, practicing karate, training to become AF officers, and…going to class, haha.  The truth be told, I am sure that the biggest slice of our day’s pie-chart was actually spent…..playing foosball or table soccer.  Yes, that old game with the little plastic men and ball that was so popular before the advent of video games forever banished it to fond memories of the 1970’s.  We played many hours each day until no one could defeat us at the University of Hawaii.  On weekends, we would roam the various pool halls, game rooms, and other college rec rooms in search of viable competition.  Since the challengers would usually have to pony up their quarters, Sensei Peter and I usually got to play most of the night for free.  The favored commercial brand back then was the Tournament Soccer machine (I hate to admit that I still own a commercial coin-operated TS table at my home and Sensei also had a table at his home for many years).  Playing with other skilled players [...]

I always know when October and the holidays are coming around each year, as we get a slight increase in cancelled classes due to activities at the Momilani Rec Center.  This go around, class for this Saturday, Oct 7, is pre-empted by the annual Fall Craft and Gift Fair, running from 9 am to 1 pm.  So, instead of training, you could actually go to the dojo and look for Christmas presents early in the shopping cycle. When one can’t train at the dojo, there are various vicarious venues that one can choose to augment class.  One of the easiest is to watch a short video.  Here is one that I sent out a few years ago, likely before many of you had joined our group.  With the recent decision to include Karate as a sport in the 2020 Olympics in Japan, it seemed like a good idea to resent the link out so one can see what Olympic-level kata will be like.  I have watched the performance a number of times just to appreciate the high level of technical ability these young karateka have achieved.  It is from the World Karate Federation 2012 Championships.  It is the winning three-man team from Japan, performing the [...]

Each of us can probably remember the first time we entered the dojo to begin our journey with the art of Karate-Do.  It is an intentional act, and for most adults, a pretty big decision to put on a gi and commit the body and mind to learning the exercises and philosophy of Shotokan.  For some, it ends up being something of a lark or hobby that’s tried for a few classes, a few months, or perhaps a few years.  For others, it eventually becomes a natural and long-lasting part of one’s life. Ironically, while the first karate lesson is usually planned and prepared for – the last one is usually unintentional.  One might gradually get too busy at school, work, or with personal activities.  It might be a health issue or some minor injury.  Often, it’s a temporary break due to some circumstance that slowly becomes a permanent break long after the circumstance is gone.  In any case, few of us ever know when the last time we train in the dojo will be.  The only sure thing is that for each of us – there will, inevitably, be a last time we get to place on our gi [...]