In July we were fortunate to have many kendo visitors come to teach and practice with us. They were 7 high rank kenshis from Aichi Toyokawa City headed by Natsui Yoshihisa Sensei, Inoue Kazuyoshi Sensei from Fukuoka, Yuji Onitsuka Sensei with his son of Salinas, California, Family of Tom, Helen, Kyle and Kiana Fukuda from Seattle and Daniel Anzai with Tomoko Iwanaga from Portland, Oregon. Because of Hawaii Kendo Federation members warm hospitality, they decided and/or repeated to visit us. Let us keep welcoming visitors.

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17th World Kendo Championships will be held in Incheon, Korea on September 14th, 15th and 16th. Team Hawaii is consisted of Kevin Chun, Wesley Fujimoto, Christopher Goodin, Seth Harris, Billy Kang, Hyun Kim, Nicklas Matsumoto, Randy Umetsu, Jack Yamada and Koyo Yancey for Men’s team. Nicole Chun, Akiko Fujimoto, Tina Kaku, Gina Kishimoto and Audrey Parabicoli for Women’s team. They are assisted by Andy Fujimoto, Garrett Matsumoto, Yuichi Miura, Lawrence Chun and Neil Shimabukuro. They are doing their best to improve themselves and everyone is showing some or much improvement. Good luck to them.

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Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation Tournament is on Saturday, November 3rd. I am planning to go. Because some regular participants are Team Hawaii members, they may exhaust vacation time and funds by going to World Kendo Championships. I am wondering if we can form Team Hawaii. At this time, please let me know for my record if you have intention to go even if you end up with not going at the end for some reasons.

 

Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Club made an announcement of hosting their tournament on Saturday, November 17th at Halawa District Park Gym. I want our club members to participate in it to support the tournament if you are in town on that day.

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Hawaii Kendo Federation’s 1 Kyu and Dan examination is expected to be held on Sunday,

November 18th. If you are eligible and ready to be promoted, let your senseis know so that senseis can work with you in order to pass the examination.

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Our Club’s annual fundraise drive will start in September. We need help from all of you when it starts. Our fund is not only used for our club but also promoting kendo in Hawaii.

Wahiawa Kendo Club T-shirts are for sale. Sizes are S, M, L, XL and XXL, all in black color.

The cost is $15 for S through XL and $17 for XXL. If you want to get one, let me know.

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Soccer World Cup was held in Russia this year. Japan could not make it for the best 8th,

though it was very close. One of the former kendo mothers posted in Facebook of the picture of spotless locker room after Japan Team left and remarks showed, “Japan leaves touching thank you note and a spotless locker room after World Cup loss.” And she wrote, “ We may be able to feel more proud of them than they capture Championships.” A few of you might have seen me pick up trash from restroom floor during tournaments. I am doing it so that they may say, “What a difference renting this place to Kendo Group comparing to others. They leave this place clean.” Japanese say, “Tobu tori ato wo nigosazu,” Water fowls fly away without disturbing water.