October 1996
Sensei Andrew Bowerbank, Editor
1st Year Over
The Tsuruoka Canadian Budokai celebrated its 1st anniversary on Sept. 16.
It turned out to be a great party, lasting far longer than anyone expected
(12:30pm to 2:00am)! Thank you to all who attended; let's do it again next year.
TKAO Officials
The new "officials division" for TKAO is now under way. It is important we get
a large number of black belts ready to referee. The Tsuruoka national tournament
is next year, and we also wish to start our own Tsuruoka provincial tournaments.
Dojo heads please encourage your brown and black belt members to get involved.
More at our Oct. 20th meeting.
Tsuruoka Nationals
September 1997 marks the very first Tsuruoka national tournament. This proves to
be a milestone in the development of Tsuruoka Karate-do. It also demonstrates the
hard work and serious dedication we have put forward to regenerate the life and
energy of long established Canadian tradition.
I am sure everyone is aware this
first national tournament will be in Nova Scotia. Our boys out there are already
working hard to make this an event to remember. I have already seen sample posters
for this event, and they look sharp! T-shirts are presently being designed,
and kata teams are already being established! Alberta and B.C. are strongly
preparing themselves for competition. I don't think I have to tell you how important
it is to get as many people from Ontario involved as possible. It would definitely be
embarassing if the Province of O-Sensei's home was poorly represented.
You need not be
concerned with personal high costs. Ron Fagan and his people have already established
a "billeting" system where by everyone who needs it, has free accomodations at the homes
of our Nova Scotia hosts. All you need to do is get your self there. TKAO will be
arranging some transportation packages if you are interested.
I cannot stress enough,
everyone should plan to attend and participate in some manner, this is for O-Sensei,
and for our future as an organization "that puts camaraderie, and a good beer over
any political frictions". More at the Oct. 20th meeting.
October 20th Meeting
There is a TKAO meeting on October 20th. Everyone possible must attend the meeting
on October 20th. Please make sure everyone knows about the meeting on October 20th.
This is your 3rd letter about the meeting on October 20th. If you have any topics
you wish covered at the October 20th meeting let me (Andrew) know BEFORE the day
of the meeting on October 20th, not the day of the meeting! We want to stick to
our agenda so things won't drag on any longer than they have to (on October 20th).
Tsuruoka Calendar
We wish to put together a photographic calendar for the 1998 year. It will be sold
to raise money for the organization. The format for assembling the calendar will be
a photo entry competition--send your entry to the hombu dojo.
Anyone can submit a picture to win a prize of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. The theme
for the calendar is of course the "spirit of Tsuruoka Karate-do", and your
photographs must somehow reflect this. Use your imagination. Prizes to be won will
be determined at the meeting on October 20th meeting. (Did I mention this meeting
on October 20th already?)
Christmas Grading
The black belt grading will be on Sunday, December 15th this year.
Dojo heads
(or reps) must be present on the day of the grading for your students to participate.
There are no exceptions in this matter.
We will be using the new four sided grading forms. If you do not have one,
please pick one up to familiarize yourself with it. Students must receive two
signatures prior to the grading to attend. Please review the grading requirements form for essay topics and expectations.
Note: Please do not allow students to attend the grading if they have not trained
with O-Sensei at least three times, from now until the grading date. O-Sensei has stated
that he likes to familiarize himself with students before the day of the grading.
We Can Come to You
We understand it is sometimes difficult for you to come and train with O-Sensei.
A few dojos have approached Martin and myself to come to them and do some short
clinics during their regular training time. (As we do have the slight bonus of
seeing O-Sensei all the time, why not share it?)
Although we pale in comparison to the big man himself, but this
could be a possible solution for your busy schedule (to keep O-Sensei's concepts
fresh in your mind). All we as at this time is $20.00 a visit to cover travelling
expenses.
Copyright © Tsuruoka Karate Association of Ontario.
Last updated February 17, 1997.
Send your comments to Bernie Rataj at
brat@interlog.com.
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