KOBUJODOKAI - News

December 2006

On December 24th Nishikawa Sensei arrived in New York. Nishikawa Sensei is a 7th Dan senior instructor from Kobukan Dojo in Tokyo. Sensei taught class everyday and a seminar and small demonstration was held over the weekend. We all benefitted from the training, and will work to integrate all the corrections received. I think everyone learned quite a bit. I know I did. Classes were attended by members from New York, Maryland, San Diego and guests from dojos in France and Poland.

Sensei joined us for a new years celebration at a favorite Japanese restaurant where we partied hardy and all had a great time. We were all sorry to see him go the next morning and look forward to seeing him again soon.

Happy New Year !

Harvey King

December 2006

U.S. Kobujodokai is happy to announce an upcoming visit by Tadakuni Nishikawa Sensei.

Nishikawa Sensei is a 7th Dan senior instructor from Kobukan Dojo in Tokyo. Those of us who have trained at Kobukan Dojo realize what an honor and pleasure it will be to have Nishikawa Sensei here with us. There will be daytime training from December 26th through December 29th as well as a weekend seminar December 30th and 31st. Practice is open to all U.S. Kobujodokai members.

Please call Harvey King Sensei at 718-986-9592 for further details.

July 2006

Harvey King Sensei and two of his students attended the annual Shinfukan Dojo summer seminar in Boulouris (France) from July 20th to July 23rd. Daniel Chabaud Sensei and Corinne Marie dit Moisson Sensei taught an interesting and challenging seminar that focused on many important points of the Seiteigata and kihon. In addition, our group practiced koryu with the senior members of Shinfukan Dojo. The seminar was attended by many Kobujodokai members from throughout France as well as Poland and Spain.

In addition to training, we were able to enjoy the delicious food and wine as well as the beautiful beaches of the French Riviera.

It was great to see our friends in France again. Thank you Shinfukan Dojo for inviting us!

April 2006

Last month five students from America and four students from Russia came together to practice Jodo with the members of Kobukan Dojo in Tokyo. Dan tests were held on the 21st of March. Those who were testing practiced very hard. Those of us who were not testing lent our support and assisted with the training. All of the Kobukan Dojo members were very helpful.

Of the students from America, Olivier tested sandan and Irving tested for shodan. Among the Russian students, from Nizhny Novgorod Alexey tested for sandan, Dmitry and Mikhail tested shodan. From Moscow Dmitry tested nidan. Everyone worked hard and the tests were all satisfactory. Matsumura Sensei was very diligent in preparing everyone for their upcoming test. Matsumura Sensei also taught those of us who are direct students new kata and of course corrected the many mistakes made by all of us.

Training and testing proved to be a wonderful experience. We made new friends as well as enjoyed once again seeing old friends. We all look forward to returning to Japan to train at Kobukan Dojo.

September 2005

September was a very busy month. Kobukan Dojo had it's 30th anniversary celebration. Groups came from Marseille, Paris, and various parts of Japan. The U.S. had members from San Diego, Maryland, and of course New York. Some people arrived weeks early for training and others just before the special events.

From September 16th through the morning of the 20th everyone stayed at the Yoyogi Olympic Sports Center in Tokyo. Training and special instruction was held all day. On the 18th there were demonstations followed by a large party. Other parties were held at the center or at Kobukan Dojo. Both Jodo and Aikido were represented. There was singing and performances at the main party. The Japanese groups did very well. The French groups as always did exceptionally well. The American singers sounded like frogs on a bad day (also as always). A free jodo scholarship is offered to any professional singer who will train us for the 35th anniversary party. There was quite a bit of excellent food and of course just a wee bit of sake drinking.

All in all we had an excellent time both during training, events, or just hanging out with some old friends.

July 2005

Special Announcement: As you all know, September is approaching. Those of us going to Japan need to see to your travel arrangements. The 30th kinenbi of Kobukan Dojo will be celebrated from September 16th through September 19th. There will be parties, stage demonstrations (of which we will participate) and of course lots of keiko.

To all going please fax me your name, age, rank and name in katakana there will be representation from Marseille, Paris, Novgrad and of course various parts of Japan. Most of us will be heading for Japan on September 8th and coming back on the 20th. Please let me know your travel dates as soon as possible.

June 2005

We now have a multimedia section with six video clips.

May 2005

Special news item: On Monday May 2nd I met Sensei Shingo Nakao and Akiko Nakao. They were in the U.S. to visit friends in Philadelphia. Shingo Nakao Sensei is chief instructor at Seibukan Dojo in Kobe. Nakao Sensei is a direct student of Endo Sensei who teaches at the Hombu Dojo as well as Kobukan Dojo in Tokyo. Aikiko Nakao Sensei also instructs in Aikido. She both studies and instructs in Jodo at Seibukan Dojo as well. Her Jodo instructor is Moriyoshi Obata Sensei. He is a direct student of Shigehiro Matsumura Sensei of Kobukan Dojo. The Jodo group in Kobe is a branch of Kobujodokai in Japan.

Monday night Mr. and Mrs. Nakao trained in Aikido at Aikido of Park Slope in Brooklyn. After class a special Jodo class was arranged for Akiko Sensei. (See attached photo of Akiko Nakao practicing Jodo with student Sandor Vir.) Tuesday night Aikiko participated in the regular Jodo class. Wednesday morning Nakao Sensei practiced Aikido at the New York Aikikai. Wednesday evening they returned for another class. Both classes were taught by Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei, chief instructor. After class Mr. and Mrs. Nakao met with and enjoyed a pleasant conversation with Yamada Sensei.

On Thursday they caught a train to Philadelphia. I headed to the airport that same day to fly out to San Diego for a semi - annual practice with Steve Luis Sensei and his students.

Aside from being dedicated martial artists, Mr. and Mrs. Nakao are two of the nicest people I have ever met. Nakao Sensei, we all thank you for your visit and training with us. We look forward to seeing you again in Tokyo in September.

January 2005

Harvey King came to Tokyo on January 9th for two weeks of intense training in Kobukan Dojo. Marie Dit Moisson also came to train for two weeks from Shinfukan Dojo in Marseille, France. Matsumura Sensei and all the senior members spent a good deal of time in training and corrections. It was good to see and train with Corinne and everyone at Kobukan Dojo once again.

On January 21st the 6th and 7th Dan tests were held at the Edogawa Sports Center in Tokyo. Needless to say, at that level only a skillful few passed. Among those who received 7th Dan was Kaniko Sensei of Kobukan Dojo. Congratulations Kaniko Sensei.

On the 22nd and 23rd of January the Jodo Chiku Koshukai was held. It also took place at the Edagawa Sports Center. This was a two day seminar taught by the top ranking Jodo instructors in Japan. Needless to say it was an exciting event.

A special thanks to Matsumura Sensei from me for all the time and effort he takes to help me along with my Jodo and correcting my many errors. Thanks to everyone at Kobukan Dojo.

Announcements will be forthcoming soon concerning the 30th anniversary seminar of Kobukan Dojo in September and for the planned trip to Japan for training and testing in March 2006.

September 2004

Harvey King Sensei and two of his students, Steve and Olivier, visited Japan to train at Kobukan Dojo. Corinne Marie dit Moisson Sensei from Shinfukan Dojo was also visiting and everyone was able to train together at Kobukan Dojo.

Matsumura Sensei and the senior members of Kobukan Dojo were very generous in providing detailed instruction concerning the koryu. We were extremely fortunate to receive so much help and will work hard to improve our keiko.

After the classes Matsumura Sensei and the members of Kobukan Dojo graciously hosted us and we enjoyed dinner together. As always, we had a great time visiting with our friends at Kobukan Dojo.

Outside of the dojo, we were able to visit some of the sights of Tokyo such as Senso ji in Asakusa. We also did some shopping at the always popular Oriental Bazaar as well as Tokyu Hands.

We look forward to returning for Kobukan Dojo’s 30th Anniversary in September, 2005.

August 2004

Harvey King Sensei and two of his students attended the annual Shinfukan Dojo summer Jodo seminar in Boulouris (France) from August 19th to August 22nd. Daniel Chabaud Sensei and Corinne Marie dit Moisson Sensei conducted a challenging seminar and explored some of the finer points of Jodo technique. Everyone learned a great deal and enjoyed the intense training.

For several days before the seminar, the senseis and members of Shinfukan Dojo treated our group to the historical sights and wonderful foods of Marseille, Nice, Aix-en-Provence, and Avignon.

Thank you to Shinfukan Dojo for inviting us!

July 2004

Our website got a facelift. We hope you all enjoy the new look and welcome your suggestions and contributions!

March 2004

A group from the Kobujodokai Dojo (USA) visited Japan to train, accompanied by Harvey King Sensei. On March 20, 2004, four members tested in Tokyo. All members passed their tests: Congratulations to everyone!

Matsumura Sensei and the members of Kobukan Dojo in Tokyo graciously hosted the visiting group. While visiting, we had the opportunity to receive instruction from Matsumura Sensei and the senior members of Kobukan Dojo. The instruction was excellent and the training very intense.

Afterward, everyone enjoyed dinner together. New friendships were made and old ones were renewed. The group returned home tired but with greatly improved Jodo technique.

Everyone looks forward to returning soon.

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