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2006 SHINKIKAN NEWS
HOW TO DRINK SAKE
December 1, 2006.
Yes, there is a way to drink sake.
Some are drunk hot, some cold and some at room temperature.
On Friday December 1st, 2006 a few of us learned which is which. We got to taste some fine sake, some OK sake and some cheap sake. We even got a taste of the same sake the samurai used to drink, long, long ago.
Again, Christian did a wonderful job imparting some needed knowledge to us about how to drink. But the seminar wasn't about drinking, it was about culture, about history.
In Japan, hundreds of years ago, workers were paid in "RICE". That was the currency. The rice was also made into a drink called, "SAKE". It was an alcoholic dink.
Lords, Samurai, Farmers and Merchants, all enjoyed this drink. On wedding days, couples are still required to drink the 9 cups of Sake in a ritual, that I personally got to experience.
Christian gave a wonderful seminar, and we look forward to next months cooking class, "Sumo Wrestlers Hot Pot."
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BUNKER HILL DEMO
view more photos
November 9, 2006.
This morning we gave a wonderful demonstration at Bunker Hill Elementary. I’d forgotten how wonderful it is to hear the cheering of children as students are being thrown around.
I started off the demo by giving a power point presentation on the different martial arts of Japan. The kids enjoyed that, but it’s never as exciting as a real life demonstration, and after about 3 minutes of talking, which is more than enough for the children, we began our demonstration.
Aikido, Karate and then Ninjutsu was the line up. First I threw Hector around a bit, then it was Sassans turn to take a beating, and finally Matt. Matt said his face hit the mat soo hard that it almost knocked him out. I guess that’s the exciting part, getting to really beat up Matt, Sassan and Hector for a few minutes.
After the Aikido demo came the Karate demo. Patrick gave a wonderful show of the art of Karate. Juan Salmeron, Pam American Champion, performed the niseishi kata – 24 movemnent form. After the kata demonstration, Patrick and Juan gave a wonderful display of Karate and self-defense application. They exchanged blows, and I think they enjoyed the fact that they were not wearing any protective gear, like true men.
Following Karate, we saved the most exciting for last, the Ninjutsu demonstration. Did you know that Nin of Ninjutsu means to hide ones emotions, or a hidden act?
I thought I was having fun beating up my students, but then I realized, as I watched Brian Tritico Sensei, that he was enjoying it even more.
He performed some incredible movements against the sword, and he even got to stick his fingers up Thres’s nose.
And, I don’t even want to mention what he did with the sword….well,…...
just look at the pictures for yourself.
All in all it was an exciting demonstration, and an honor to be invited out to demonstrate the wonderful aspects of the Japanese culture. The aspects that we can all learn about, like respect, honor and discipline, honesty, trust, perseverance, faith, courage, compassion, responsibility, loyalty and work.
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8th YEAR ANNIVERSARY
July 1, 2006.
Eight years ago, I signed the lease at 3215 Fondren and opened the dojo ShinKiKan. I have so many fond memories of that time. Of the excitement and the challenge of opening a dojo with no money.
I ended up having to get three jobs in order to make ends meet. I worked at Mountain King Potatoes doing financial reports for Wal-Mart; I worked at Elvia’s Cantina; I worked at Houston Medical Imaging and to top it off I still had to teach all of the classes plus the private lessons at ShinKiKan.
It was an amazing challenge as I was only getting between 1 and 2 hours of sleep a night, plus a few cat naps here and there, especially while driving.
The first Members of ShinKiKan were Maurice, Hiram, and Rafael. After I signed the lease at 3215 Fondren, I placed an ad in the greensheet and Sonny Fitcher signed up. These were the first members of ShinKiKan and also some of the nicest people I have met.
After that a few more people signed up and many people came and went. Two of the members that made a great impact on my life where Sonny Fitcher and Kenneth Kovar. I was teaching Sonny Aikido, while he was teaching me how to run the dojo, become more disciplined and make the dojo a better place for everyone. Kenneth taught me the greatest lesson of all, to not give up although I truley wanted to.
Years went by, Kato Sensei would come and go and the dojo would grow, little by little.
I made some incredibly great decisions and I made some incredibly terrible decisions during this time, learning from both.
I’ve had injuries, and I’ve healed from those injuries.
I've also had two more children.
It’s been eight years since I signed the lease at 3215 Fondren. I would like to thank all those special students that have continue to train and support ShinKiKan; those special students that have come and gone, and most of all I’d like to thank Kato Sensei for putting his life and his dedication into perfecting his Aikido.
If it wasn’t for his passion and his level I would have quit Aikido 16 years ago.
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APAHA ASIAN FESTIVAL DEMO
April 29, 2006
Every year the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association (APAHA) puts on and Asian Festival in the month of May. Their festival is very well organized and a lot of fun to be in. They have a very strong turn out and some very good vendors with very good food.
This year we had the honor of watching Rafael’s long awaited Ni Dan (2nd degree black belt) promotion. He did a wonderful job displaying the art of Aikido with Ron Ballow as uke.
For those of you who don’t know, Rafael is one of the first students of ShinKiKan. He began learning Aikido from me before I had the dojo on Fondren. I used to teach Aikido at The “Q” Fitness club, where Rafael was a member. He saw one of my classes and decided to join, and has been learning Aikido from me ever since.
For more information about the APAHA please visit:
www.apaha.org.
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JAPAN FESTIVAL DEMO
April 8, 2006.
Last years traffic and lack of parking still on my mind, I left an hour earlier this year to make it on time to the festival. I didn’t take into account that there is construction everywhere; and luckily I left an hour earlier to barely make it on time to the demonstration.
Again, like last year, the Japan Festival was a smashing success. There were crowds of people everywhere, and Jay Mochizuki, again, made the festival an incredible hit with his Taiko (Japanese Drum) group.
Our demonstration this year was different, though. We had two students perform their promotion, through public demonstration and speech. We had the honor an privilege of viewing Vinny Nguyen and Mike Nguyen receive their long awaited rank as Ni Dan, 2nd Degree Black Belt.
They both gave a wonderful performance and demonstration of Aikido. We were able to video tape and broadcast their demonstrations on the public access channel, Time Warner Channel 17. Please check back on Mark you Calendar for future broadcasts.
For more information about the Japan Festival please visit:
www.jashouston.org.
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