Like most activities, you meet and train with all sorts of folks in the karate line-up. Young, old, men, women, professionals, craftsmen, college students, housewives, retirees….and so on. The karateka in our group look like anyone you might pass on the street or at the mall. Karate-do, of course, is not so much about how one looks on the outside, but what one carries on the inside. In my many years of training and teaching, there is one guy who always stuck out in my mind as what a mature asian martial artist should look like. Actually, with his short stocky build, close cropped hair, weathered tanned face, and quiet, serious eyes; I always thought that he resembled a buddhist monk. All he needed was a robe and bo to complete the image. In later years he often sported a goatee that added even more to this image.
At 51, he was the oldest member of our dojo – ironically, he’d be about the youngest in our current second class, haha. When he first entered our SKC dojo nearly twenty years ago, it was after a long, long break from Shotokan training. A humble man, he entered our dojo, asking to become a student – even though he had earned his Shodan many years back, likely before I had even reached my teens and certainly before I’d taken my very first lesson. His instructor had been the legendary Kanazawa Sensei and we welcomed him to our small but growing group. He was invariably courteous, and trained with the energy and speed of a twenty-year old. Even before karate, he had earned his black belt in Judo; being a part of the territorial championship team – meaning that this was prior to 1959 when Hawaii became the 50th State. He was serious during training, but very mild and friendly before and after class. A lifelong expert in the printing business, he actually printed out the golden handouts with english translations of the japanese karate techniques that some of you have received. After several years, when the SKC departed from the JKA organization and he made the tough decision to remain, as he was already enrolled in the instructor program. We parted on great terms and would meet and talk from time to time, at SKIF events and meetings. I was quite amused to witness his “fighting spirit” over the years, as he would consistently enter the kumite events for his age division. The last one I attended was a couple of years ago. He was competing in the 60+ year division….as a 68 year old. Stan seemed as fast and solid as ever.
Today, I was surprised – then saddened, to read of the passing of this nice man and fellow karateka, Stanley Okano. He passed on January 25 at the too-young age of 70 years, and his services were private. I hardly knew him outside of the dojo, but in the training hall, he was a giant – big heart, giant spirit, and a huge, long-lasting dedication to the art of Karate-Do. I still picture him as my perfect image of the mature, stoic karateka; a steely gaze and just a glint of friendliness showing in his eyes. And yet, there is one other image that lingers with me….one of the few not directly related to karate. Stan was a guest at my nephew’s (also a Shodan in our group) high school graduation, and he surprised us all by participating in the karaoke singing. As it turns out, he had a fine voice, as he blessed us with his rendition of Kui Lee’s “I’ll Remember You.” And that is how I also remember my old karate friend Stan.
The lesson here is to never take your time for granted; make good use of every moment. Especially in the dojo, enjoy your time working out and learning useful lessons, enjoy the folks around you, enjoy and appreciate being healthy enough to be an active participant in Karate-Do. I always say that we are training, not for today, or for a tournament….we are equipping ourselves to be of greater value to others and to Him in the future. And we also get to come away with wonderful memories of time spent in the training hall, long after the training has ended…