Selected Articles from Issue 20

January 2003

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year!  Hauoli Makahiki Hou!  Akemashite Omedeto!  Whatevahs  –  here’s wishing you  all a truly GREAT 2003!  According to the Chinese lunar calendar 2003 is a year of the Sheep.  Whatever kind of year of it is, let us all stop for an instance and take a look around us.  We should always make every attempt to be aware of everything and everybody around us.  Is there anything we should be wary of?  Is there anyone or anything that needs help?  Is there something we should be doing?  We need to also step back and take a good look at ourselves.  Where are we?  Where are we headed?  How can we improve ourselves?  We also need to be honest with ourselves.

The following are a few proverbs meant to make us think.  Please look them over and give them some thought.  We should then try to remember and use them to better ourselves.

            Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru:  Even dust amassed will grow into a mountain.

            Ju-nin, to-iro:  Ten men, ten tastes.

            Nana-korobi,  ya-oki:  Fall down seven times, get up eight.

            Tanki wa sonki:  Be slow to anger, quick to befriend.

         Saru mo ki kara ochiru:  Even monkeys fall from trees.

NEW YEAR’S SPECIAL

Unlike the prices and costs of most things in our world, the cost of club dues for Hilo Seishikan Aikido will remain the same for 2003.  In fact, the dues have remained the same since the club started.  Dues for members of our “Open” and “Advanced” Classes will remain at $10 per month.  “Youth” Class members’ dues remain at $7.50 per month.  

We are also offering a “New Year’s Special”  –  a discounted rate for anyone paying dues for the year of 2003 in full by the end of January.  Dues for the whole year if paid by January 31, 2003, will be $100 for “Open” and “Advanced” Classes, and $75 for “Youth” Class members.  Payments can be made directly to your class instructor.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

When Hilo Seishikan Aikido was originated, eight of our instructors were instrumental in laying the foundation upon which our club was built and remains based.  In the months and years that followed, by-laws were adopted, classes and class structures were set, incorporation and tax-free status were officially established.  

The original eight have become our official Hilo Seishikan Aikido Board of Directors.  They are Stephen Adams, Glenn Kahana, Robert Kamau,  Dennis Marshall,  Ruth Walker, Sadami Yamamoto, Carrie Yonemori, and Roy Yonemori.  The president is Roy Yonemori, the vice president is Stephen Adams, the secretary is Ruth Walker, and the treasurer is Carrie Yonemori.  All eight have been instrumental in planning and coordinating our activities.    In addition, each has been active in continuing training and in instructing classes.  Monthly meetings are held, and the “Elite Eight” will continue to serve our club and its membership.  This takes up much of their time and requires much effort from them.  A thank you is also due to their spouses and families.  

PRACTICING BASICS

Starting out the new year by taking a close look at ourselves and what we are trying to learn, and how we are trying to learn is very good.  By doing this, we are on the way to improving ourselves in many ways.  We can do this and apply it to every part of our lives.  Perhaps we should take the time here to apply this to our training with Hilo Seishikan Aikido.  This will definitely make our time and efforts more enjoyable and valuable.

In instructing aikido, the instructor demonstrates a technique.  The class then practices the technique.  Instructors are often surprised and alarmed when they observe big differences between what was demonstrated and what was performed in practicing the demonstrated art.  This shows the extreme importance of learning to pay attention and train oneself in the art of observation.  One must sharpen his/her ability to observe and concentrate.  This will help us to improve ourselves in all aspects of life.

The next thing to work on is persistence.  Learn to keep at it.  Much is learned and much improvement is made through repetition.  Keep doing it and trying to get better and better at doing it.  Listen to the instructor and try to do what he says and demonstrates.

Power, strength, size, even ki is not enough alone.  One must also learn what to do and how to do it.  One must learn techniques.  One must learn how to move and protect oneself.  Some of the most important basic concepts of our aikido were pointed out by Adams-sensei at our most recent arts testing.  He pointed out the importance of “hanmi.”  Hanmi refers to the basic stance used in aikido.  It is a triangular stance with the leading foot in normal stepping position and the rear foot perpendicular to it.  In practice instructors will refer to “ai-hanmi” with both partners in identical stances and “gyaku-hanmi” with partners in opposite stances.  The importance of “ma-ai” was also pointed out.  This refers to being at the proper distance from your partner.  Adams-sensei also mentioned “atemi.”  Atemi is a strike made toward your partner.  Its intention is not to hurt him, but to put him off-balance and keep him from making another attack.  Another thing mentioned by Adams-sensei was the importance of basic body movements in avoiding attacks and gaining control over your partner.  These basic concepts are very important and will be covered and emphasized in all classes. 

As was stated above, basics are very important in learning aikido.  They also apply to achieving success in life.  This topic will be continued in future issues of Tayori.

CONGRATULATIONS

Hilo Seishikan Aikido is proud and happy to announce the following aikido rank promotions.  These promotions were earned over the past half a year, and testing for the ranks were held in November of last year.  The ranks will be officially announced and certificates and appropriate belts presented at our 2003 Kagami Biraki on Saturday, January 4, 2003.

• 10 C Kyu:       Melanie Isa, Taryn Isa, Kolby Proctor.

• 10 B Kyu:       Chanlyn Chartrand, Sara Lim, Stacie Lim.

• 10 A Kyu:       Dason Fujimoto, Jaymie Masuda, Tristan Yoshida.

•  9 C Kyu:       Megan Escalona, Taylor Escalona, Alicia Valdez, Crystal Valdez.

•  9 B Kyu:       Reyn Nishioka, Daniel Tavares.

• 9 A Kyu:        Catelyn S. Hakoda

• 8 C Kyu:        Anson Almeida, Jonathan Oshiro.

• 8 B Kyu:        Francis Blas III, Jonathan Maesato, Kenji Tulman.

• 8 A Kyu:        Andrew Yoshimoto.

• 7 C Kyu:        James Yoshimoto.

• 7 B Kyu:        Colby Miyose.

• 7 A Kyu:        Kayla Lacaran-Costales

• 6 C Kyu:        Bryson Miyose, Adam Nagakura, Ryo Tulman.

• 6 B Kyu:        Deena Aiko Fujimoto, Jessica Galacgac, Kerri Nakatsu.

• 5B Kyu:         Kawehioka’iulani Hanohano, Nathan Teets.

• 5 A Kyu:        Tiffany Lau, Oaka Ruddle-Miyamoto.

• 4 C Kyu:        Kevin Kalani Luiz

• 4 A Kyu:        Steven Maesato, Simon Kaliko Trapp.