I know that the title is an odd one, considering that tomorrow is Mother’s Day. However, I was just thinking about why I originally got into the martial arts, and as you would expect, there were a bunch of reasons. However, as it turns out, my initial foray into the arts (aikido) wasn’t really due to any initiative on my part. I remember that it was my dad who was the actual impetus. One day, after he had come home from work, relaxing at the dining room table with the newspaper and a cold beer (he favored Primo and Lucky Larger back then), he told me, “Wes, I’m going to take you someplace tonight.” Since this was a rare and unusual statement from him…actually, those days, any statement from him was rare, I looked up from the book I was reading and asked, “Where?” He said we were going to the local Hongwanji dojo where his friend from work practiced aikido. And that was the beginning…

Looking back, I suppose dad’s unprecedented interest in getting me into a weekly activity was heavily due to dad’s interest in the martial arts, though his only experience was some judo as a kid and boxing with friends as a teen. After that first night, his interaction consisted of dutifully sharing in the carpool responsibilities of several of the aikido parents (which included my future father-in-law). However, I do recall at least three instances which illustrate his great interest. Once, he told me, “Wes, I see in the TV schedule tonight, there’s going to be a program on the martial arts.” At seven o’clock, we excitedly turned to the channel, only to see several men and women seated in a panel, having a rather boring discussion on…the marital arts. Another time, he said, “Wes, tonight’s schedule says he program, “Judo for the Defense” is playing.” On this occasion, I decided to verify what was playing. Upon close inspection, I realized that he was getting us revved up for “Judd for the Defense”, an attorney series from the 1960’s starring the actor (Carl something) who played Donna Reed’s husband in “The Donna Reed Show”. I also remember him taking me and a friend to watch the movie classic, “Judo Saga” at the old Nippon Theater. The highlight of the evening was a live demonstration during the break, given by an elderly man (a true iaido master from Japan, who had once been honored by Emperor Hirohito himself) who was sitting seiza style, sword in scabbard, facing a bunch of bananas, suspended from a string about 4′ off of the ground. He was going to replicate a feat he had demonstrated at the Imperial Court , many decades earlier, which was to draw the sword, cut the cord, and return the sword, with blinding speed, back to the scabbard, before the bananas reached the floor. The audience watched breathlessly, as the old master quickly drew, slashed the cord, and…had trouble getting the sword safely back into the scabbard. By the time the katana had “snicked” back into its scabbard, the bananas had been laying on the floor for what seemed forever (several seconds). Nonetheless, we all applauded in appreciation for his effort…after all, we all knew that he had done it successfully many times over the years.

Much as I laugh at these old memories, I also remember that if it weren’t for dad’s interest, I probably would never have gone down this particular path, there would never have been an NHPC Karate Ministry, and we all wouldn’t have the opportunity to practice in fellowship and create more memories to relished decades hence. I guess all of the kids in our karate group were brought here by their father (or mother)….I know that I was brought by mine, haha.

P.S. Happy Mother’s Day for all of the great moms who provide the impetus and support for nearly everything else!…thank you.

P.P.S. On the next episode of “Lost” (I think it’s May 16th), if you see a flashback scene with kids swimming around in a swimming pool, a couple of them are two of our blue belts, Michael and Joey Logan.