Shihan has known Kobayashi-sensei since he first went to Japan. The two of them trained under Kuniba-sensei together.
Shihan and Kobayashi-sensei in 1969
Over the years, they stayed in touch--sometimes meeting in Japan and sometimes in the States when Kobayashi-sensei would visit to train and give seminars.
On this trip, Kobayashi-sensei was an amazing host, taking us on a whirlwind tour of some of the coolest tourist sites in Osaka--including Osaka castle, a riverboat tour, and a fun and funky shopping street in downtown Osaka.
A nostalgic trip back to Osaka Castle
Kobayashi-sensei on the riverboat enjoying being a tourist in his own city
Having fun in wacky and fabulous downtown Osaka
(Top) Shihan and Kobayashi-sensei at the Hayashi-ha championships in 1980
(Bottom) In South Carolina after a seminar in 2003
(Bottom) In South Carolina after a seminar in 2003
On this trip, Kobayashi-sensei was an amazing host, taking us on a whirlwind tour of some of the coolest tourist sites in Osaka--including Osaka castle, a riverboat tour, and a fun and funky shopping street in downtown Osaka.
A nostalgic trip back to Osaka Castle
Kobayashi-sensei on the riverboat enjoying being a tourist in his own city
Having fun in wacky and fabulous downtown Osaka
Unfortunately, we didn't have time to train with Kobayashi-sensei, but the two definitely enjoyed connecting and catching up during our day together. As Kobayashi-sensei said, there are very few people left who have firsthand memories of training with Kuniba-sensei in Japan, giving these two old masters a very special and lasting bond.
Another dear friend and kohai that Shihan was able to visit in Osaka was Shigeki Uemura-sensei. Uemura-sensei was just a boy when Shihan first came to Japan, but his father was also an outstanding martial artist who had already trained closely with Hayashi-sensei for years when Shihan arrived. Shihan was lucky enough to train under Uemura-sensei's father, and he also served as a special sempai for the young Shigeki as he grew up surrounded by the world of Hayashi-ha karate.
Sadly, Uemura-sensei Sr. died just before Shihan's trip to Japan. However, he was honored to have an opportunity to speak to him during his final hours and tell him how much he meant to him as a sensei and a friend. In addition, Shihan was also able to pay his final respects to him at a beautiful altar that Shigeki-sensei had set up in his dojo to honor his father's passing.
Like with Kobayashi-sensei, time constraints did not allow Shihan to train with Uemura-sensei while we were in Osaka, but the two spent a wonderful day together catching up, reconnecting, and reliving old memories. One of Shihan's favorite memories of Uemura-sensei is teaching him kobudo in the street outside his house back in 1979.
Shihan also brought with him a photobook commemorating Hayashi-sensei's life, and the two spent hours poring over it and talking about the past and future of Hayashi-ha karate. Uemura-sensei and Shihan share a special bond in that they were both taken under Hayashi-sensei's wing not just as students, but almost as sons. If Hashimoto-sensei and Shihan are like brothers in their philosophy and approach to budo, it was clear that Uemura-sensei and Shihan are brothers in their feelings of love, respect, and gratitude towards the great Teruo Hayashi.
Shihan and Uemura-sensei pore over photographs and share stories of their late teachers
Today, Uemura-sensei has taken his place as an outstanding and internationally known martial artist in his own right. In addition to running his own dojo in Osaka, he serves as the head of the World Karate Federation referee committee and has traveled to nearly 100 countries promoting traditional martial arts. It was an honor and a privilege to be able to get to know this kind, fun-loving, and incredibly accomplished martial artist, and to watch the two masters share both the present moment and their treasured past.
Another dear friend and kohai that Shihan was able to visit in Osaka was Shigeki Uemura-sensei. Uemura-sensei was just a boy when Shihan first came to Japan, but his father was also an outstanding martial artist who had already trained closely with Hayashi-sensei for years when Shihan arrived. Shihan was lucky enough to train under Uemura-sensei's father, and he also served as a special sempai for the young Shigeki as he grew up surrounded by the world of Hayashi-ha karate.
Sadly, Uemura-sensei Sr. died just before Shihan's trip to Japan. However, he was honored to have an opportunity to speak to him during his final hours and tell him how much he meant to him as a sensei and a friend. In addition, Shihan was also able to pay his final respects to him at a beautiful altar that Shigeki-sensei had set up in his dojo to honor his father's passing.
Like with Kobayashi-sensei, time constraints did not allow Shihan to train with Uemura-sensei while we were in Osaka, but the two spent a wonderful day together catching up, reconnecting, and reliving old memories. One of Shihan's favorite memories of Uemura-sensei is teaching him kobudo in the street outside his house back in 1979.
Shihan and Uemura-sensei practice kobudo in the street as passersby look on at the sight
Shihan also brought with him a photobook commemorating Hayashi-sensei's life, and the two spent hours poring over it and talking about the past and future of Hayashi-ha karate. Uemura-sensei and Shihan share a special bond in that they were both taken under Hayashi-sensei's wing not just as students, but almost as sons. If Hashimoto-sensei and Shihan are like brothers in their philosophy and approach to budo, it was clear that Uemura-sensei and Shihan are brothers in their feelings of love, respect, and gratitude towards the great Teruo Hayashi.
Shihan and Uemura-sensei pore over photographs and share stories of their late teachers
Uemura-sensei toasts his beloved sempai and brother in Hayashi-ha karate
Today, Uemura-sensei has taken his place as an outstanding and internationally known martial artist in his own right. In addition to running his own dojo in Osaka, he serves as the head of the World Karate Federation referee committee and has traveled to nearly 100 countries promoting traditional martial arts. It was an honor and a privilege to be able to get to know this kind, fun-loving, and incredibly accomplished martial artist, and to watch the two masters share both the present moment and their treasured past.
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