Selected Articles from Issue 15
January 2002
KAGAMI BIRAKI
Kagami Biraki 2002 was held by Hilo Seishikan Aikido on Saturday, January 5, 2002. The event was very successful with good participation by club members and family. The ceremony started at
NEW RANKS
Hilo Seishikan Aikido is proud and pleased to announce its latest round of aikido ranking promotions. These ranks are based on the evaluations of individual students and their performance of rank testing arts in November of 2001. The following ranks were announced and presentations of certificates and belts made at the Hilo Seishikan Aikido’s Kagami Biraki on January 5, 2002.
- 10C kyu Dason Fujimoto, Brandee Konanui, Kayla Lacaran-Costales, Jaymie Masuda, Adam Nagakura, Jonathan Oshiro, Kevin Oshiro
- 10B kyu Megan Escalona, Taylor Escalona, Deena Fujimoto, Alicia Valdez, Crystal Valdez, Shyla Yoshihara
- 10A kyu Reyn Nishioka, Daniel Tavares
- 9C kyu Anson Almeida, Royce Dela Cruz, Catelyn Hakoda, Marcus McClintock, Andrew Yoshimoto, James Yoshimoto
- 9B Kerri Nakatsu
- 8C Jessica Galacgac, Kawehioka`iulani Hanohano, Jonathan Maesato
- 5C Kevin Luiz
- 5B Austin Camacho, Alan Nishimura
- 4B Joni Tao
- 3A David Cadaoas
- 1B Lindsey Iyo
- Shodan Mindy Furuta, Ana Kapihe, Mychael Singson
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!
NEW YEAR’S MOCHI
Mochi is an integral part of any new year’s celebration in Japanese culture. In Hilo Seishikan Aikido’s Kagami Biraki celebration, mochi was placed in the arrangement at the shomen. This is known as “Kagami mochi” or “mirror mochi.” Mochi was also served in the “sensai,” or red bean flavored dish. Sensai is very traditional in new year’s celebrations and other joyful occasions.
Mochi itself is regarded as a symbol of happiness and used at festivals, erection of new houses, and other happy occasions. The kagami mochi during new years is meant to bring in a brighter and happier year, and a brighter and happier life. The new year’s mochi is a symbol of hope that the new year will be even brighter and happier than the previous year.
With this in mind, we wish all a happy new year and that the new year brings a happier and brighter life for all mankind and the entire earth!!!!
THREE NEW SHODANS
Hilo Seishikan Aikido is really happy and proud to have promoted three members to the rank of shodan at our recently held Kagami Biraki. The three of them qualified for and tested for the rank of shodan last November. We’d like for you to get to know a little about each of them, and this article is printed for that purpose.
First, we have Mychael Singson, a senior at Waiakea High School. Mychael will be graduating this coming June, and his immediate plans are college and to continue at his part-time job at Larry’s Chevron. His plans for the future are to finish college, studying electronics, computer science, or electrical work. Mychael is also an accomplished musician and part of the popular “Hawaiian Sunrise.” He also enjoys surfing the internet, fixing computers, and doing some electronic work. Mychael lists his father as a role model and someone he looks up to.
Mychael started aikido when he was five years old, and worked his way up through the classes of Walker-sensei, Goya-sensei, Niwao-sensei, and on up to the advanced class taught by Yonemori-sensei and Adams-sensei. He says he feels like “the learning has started all over again and the training will be more intense from now on.” His advice for youngsters regarding aikido is “you have to try hard and even if you feel like quitting, try something new. When I moved up to the advanced class everything changed and I saw a new area of aikido.”
Ana Kapihe is someone who is deeply involved in budo. She not only trains in aikido, but also trains in kendo and judo. She first started in aikido back in 1986. What Ana likes about aikido is its fluid, circular motion and non-aggressive nature. She also says that aikido gives one a good workout. Her advice for anyone practicing aikido is to train one’s balance, patience, and single-minded concentration.
Ana comes with an interesting background. She is involved not only in physical training, but also mental and spiritual training. She is a “sweat lodge” leader, which deals with Indian ceremonies. She is also into Zen. She also enjoys soccer, swimming, woodworking, and furniture-making. Ana is mother to one of our club’s youngsters, Kolaka. She is a full-time student in geology and also does carpentry work. She says that she hopes that a year from now, she will be just working full-time. Her hopes and plans for the future are “a better job, nice house, good shape, and pau school.”
Like Mychael, Mindy Furuta is a senior at Waiakea High School. In her senior year, Mindy has been involved in WHS Kiwins and serving as a statistician for the WHS wrestling team. She is also employed part-time at Kuhio Grill. She says she is also enjoying her last year of high school, cruising with friends, and being herself. Mindy hopes to a college on the mainland and major in education. She hopes to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in education and go on and earn a master’s degree and teach school.
Mindy started aikido back in 1991, when she was a first grader. What she likes about aikido is that it “teaches you discipline, patience, and how to defend yourself.” Mindy’s advice to anyone practicing aikido is “practice hard and discipline yourself, so you can achieve your highest potential.”
SPECIAL DUES RATES
This is a reminder that one may receive special dues rates by paying for the whole year at this time. Youth class rates for a year are $80, rather than $7.50 per month. Open and Advanced classes may pay $100 for the year, rather than the usual $10 per month.