2012 State Qualifier Photos

Last March, our students participated in the Arizona Karate Championship and USA National Qualifier, hosted by Sensei Ray Hughes of the USA Karate Arizona ASO. The event was a huge success, attracting over 250 competitors from dozens of schools across Arizona and the Southwest. Shihan is on the Advisory Board for the USA Karate Arizona ASO, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting young competitors bound for the US Junior Olympics/Open and the USA National Karate Championships.

This was a bigger tournament than most of our students had ever competed in, and the competition was stiff. Still, our small group managed to come home with 20 medals--and we were one of only five schools to do so, despite the fact that many schools had far more competitors present.

The arena was huge and crowded, so we were unable to take our usual photos of the event. However, professional photography company JW Photography took tons of shots, and the owner was kind enough to let us share them our blog. If you would like to purchase a hard copy of any of these photos, please contact Jake Watkins through his website above.

Allen performing Sunakake no kon and preparing for his next match

 Brandon, Milan, Sempai Dawn and Sempai Brianna receiving kobudo awards

Sarah kicking in a kumite match and proudly wearing her medal

Sempai Dawn and Sempai Brianna performing sai kata

Sempai Dawn fighting in the adult women's black belt kumite division

Sempai Dawn performing kata

In addition to these professional photos, we also managed to capture a few shots of our own. A big thank you to Milan's sister for playing photographer while the rest of us were hard at work on the gym floor!

 If you would like larger versions of any of our photos, please let us know. Congratulations to all of the competitors who worked so hard to make our dojo proud!!

Annual Food Drive Tournament

In the spirit of the winter holiday season, the Arizona Budokan always participates in the Annual Food Drive Tournament hosted by Sensei Ted Rabino and his wife Sara. The kids get a chance to shine and we all get an opportunity to represent the Arizona Budokan in one of the biggest traditional martial arts tournaments in the Phoenix area. We always do well, and this year was no exception. Congratulations to everyone who trained hard and gave their best effort in a challenging environment. We're proud of you!

The AZB kids getting ready to rumble...


The very serious and mature AZB adults ponder the competition...


Karate and kobudo--kids

Aunchele Taylor


This was Aunchele's first time out as part of our AZB family and we were so proud of her! Nothing is more difficult than competing as a white belt and she did an incredible job.


With clean stances and focus, Aunchele performed some of the best kata in her huge division.
We can't wait to see what she'll do in her next tournament!


Allen Thomas
THIRD in kumite
THIRD in long weapons


Shihan coaches Allen and Aunchele before their kumite matches.


Allen was a little firecracker in his difficult kumite division and took a well-deserved third place!


Ricky Canas
SECOND in kata
SECOND in kumite
THIRD in long weapons


Ricky and Tristan were like twins, neck in neck throughout the competition and showing incredible sportsmanship and support for each other the entire day.


Both put on a strong performance, placed well, and made us proud!


Tristan Blick
FIRST in kata
FIRST in kumite
SECOND in long weapons
FIRST in short weapons



Tristan did a great job and gave us the focus and precision we've been looking for! The judges thought so too, and awarded him three first place medals and a second place. Way to go, Tristan!


Sarah Craver
THIRD in kata
FIRST in kumite
THIRD in long weapons
SECOND in short weapons


Tough and fearless as always, Sarah gave a strong performance in both kata and sparring.


Sarah's dojomates congratulate her after a tough battle for first place in
a kumite match that went into double overtime.



Shihan with his decorated and hardworking kids' team.


Sarah and Ricky smile between kumite matches.


Brianna Hutchinson
FIRST in kata
THIRD in long weapons
FIRST in short weapons


Brianna's intensity and focus beat out the black belts in her division.


As always, she represented the dojo well and served as an
incredible role model for the younger kids.


Karate and kobudo--adults

Milan Trifkovic
THIRD in kata
THIRD in kumite
FIRST in long weapons
FIRST in short weapons


Milan did a fantastic job in his first tournament. THOSE are the stances we want to see!


Rick Canas
SECOND in kata
SECOND in kumite
SECOND in long weapons
SECOND in short weapons


It was great to have Rick competing again--and stomping out an awesome nitambo kata. Watch out!


Dawn Croft
FIRST in kata
FIRST in kumite


Charged up from her trip to Japan, Sempai Dawn took first place
in both black belt kata and black belt kumite.




Congratulations again to all the competitors, and a big thank you to Shihan, Sensei Ed, and Sempai John for working so hard to prepare us. We are proud to represent the Arizona Budokan and are looking forward to our next chance to shine!

Japan Trip 2011 (Part III: Toyama-ryu)

One of the best things about Shihan's trip to Japan was the discovery of a wonderful group of Toyama-ryu Iaido practitioners led by Hanshi Takashi Ishikawa, a highly accomplished swordsman and president of the prestigious Zen Nihon Sogo Budo Renmei, a multi-art umbrella federation of over twenty martial arts groups.

Toyama-ryu Iaido is different from many other forms of Iaido in that it was developed specifically for practical combat by the Japanese Imperial Army. Though it has a lot of similarities to the Shinkendo practiced by Shihan for many years, it also complements and adds to our already strong Japanese sword program.

A Japanese soldier practices cutting techniques during WWII

Our first encounter with Toyama-ryu Iaido was actually in a town called Seki, which has been famous for its swordsmiths for nearly a thousand years. Every fall, the town holds the Seki Sword Festival to showcase the history, artisans, culture, and treasures of the region.

Swordsmiths demonstrating traditional forging practices at the Seki Sword Festival

In addition to swordmaking, the festival also features cutting demonstrations by experienced Iaido practitioners from all over the region. Though Ishikawa-sensei's direct students were not performing this year, we did see some rather stunning feats of tameshigiri from other Toyama-ryu practitioners.

Clips from the Seki Sword Festival cutting demonstration

Once we got to Kyoto, we were able to spend two full evenings training with Ishikawa-sensei under his top student, Terakawa-sensei. The members of the dojo were warm, friendly, and serious about their training. As the guest of honor, Shihan got plenty of personal instruction--and even got to do some free sparring with the other students.

Bowing in for sword class in Uji, Kyoto city

One of the fun and challenging warm-up exercises done at the Toyama-ryu dojo involved using logs to practice swinging. Much heavier than a bokken or iaito, the logs helped the sword students develop strength, speed, and control. Once they switched back to their bokken, of course, the wooden swords felt lighter and easier to maneuver.

Swinging heavy logs to develop strength and control

After practicing with logs and bokken, Terakawa-sensei worked closely with Shihan to go over the details of the Toyama-ryu basic kata sequences. He was a detailed, patient, and kind instructor--obviously loved and respected by his students. All of the kata were carefully filmed for later reference at the Arizona Budokan.

Practicing basic kata with Terakawa-sensei

Shihan had the most fun at the Toyama-ryu dojo doing free sparring with one of Terakawa-sensei's advanced students. This is a difficult and potentially dangerous exercise, but the students practice almost daily to ensure they can do it safely. Terakawa-sensei supervised the match while Ishikawa-sensei looked on from the sidelines with delight, watching his new American student confidently handle his weapon.

Shihan practicing bokken free sparring at Ishikawa-sensei's dojo

 
Ishikawa-sensei happily looks on during the match

Training with the friendly and dedicated sword practitioners at Ishikawa-sensei's Toyama-ryu dojo was a breath of fresh air. Ishikawa-sensei himself is a warm and generous man, and even stepped beyond Japanese custom to invite us to stay in his home for an evening. He also went out of his way to take us to a gorgeous temple and the famous Phoenix Pavilion in Uji, where they also make some of the finest green tea in the world. We are truly indebted to his generosity and kindness.

Ishikawa-sensei explains some of the inscriptions on his favorite temple in Uji

Shihan and Sempai Dawn at Byodoin, one of the most beautiful buildings in Kyoto

Ishikawa-sensei and Shihan at Byodoin

In addition to being a fantastic host, Ishikawa-sensei surprised Shihan by awarding him a fifth-degree black belt certificate and a request that the Arizona Budokan join him as the newest member of his Toyama-ryu Iaido organization. We are excited at this honor and dedicated to practicing and propagating Toyama-ryu sword techniques in our own dojo. If you haven't taken a sword class in awhile, this is a great time to get back into it!

A special thanks to Ishikawa-sensei and all of the instructors and students at his Uji dojo!

Japan Trip 2011 (Part II: Old Friends)

In addition to getting to spend a lot of time with Hashimoto-sensei and all the wonderful people at Linden both on and off the mat, Shihan was delighted to meet up with two other great friends and training partners from his days in Japan: Kobayashi-sensei and Uemura-sensei.

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.

(Top) Shihan and Kobayashi-sensei at the Hayashi-ha championships in 1980
(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.

Shihan with Uemura-sensei Sr. in 1969 (top) and 1980 (bottom)

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.