Martial arts training is unique in that it aims to develop the body, mind and spirit of the practitioner. Even more special is having the opportunity to apprentice under a true exponent from the lands where the budo were developed and fostered. In 1990 Dan Popp had the good fortune to meet Duk Yeong Kim Sensei, and what transpired was a 17 year journey of studying traditional Japanese Kendo (Way of the Sword) and Shodo (Way of the Brush). In Sensei’s Final Lessons, Dan outlines various lessons learned during the last five years of his sensei’s life – lessons that are not necessarily related to martial techniques and training methods, but also include concepts and ideas to continually hone and polish the mind and spirit. Lessons that Kim Sensei believed and demonstrated by example each and every day – as a dedicated follower of the budo should. This book provides a glimpse into the mind and spirit of a true martial arts Renaissance man as Dan’s sensei provided him instruction in not only the martial arts, but also the Japanese aesthetic arts such as Shodo calligraphy. Duk Yeong Kim was from an era before the official formulation of Kendo – and Dan’s story will give the reader some sense of what it’s like to train in the Japanese arts of Kendo and Shodo and the guiding principles garnered from such training.

Dan’s journey in martial arts began in 1982 at the age of 15 under his father in Isshin Ryu karate. Current holding the rank of Roku-dan (6th degree black belt), Dan was named the 2008 Male Instructor of the Year by the International Isshin Ryu Hall of Fame. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Order of Isshin Ryu, founded by Toby Cooling in 1971. In 1990 Dan began his study of Kendo (traditional Japanese swordsmanship) under Duk Yeong Kim, progressing to the rank of Yon-dan (4th degree black belt). Kim Sensei also provided Dan instruction in the art of Shodo, or Japanese calligraphy. Although his sensei passed away in 2007, Dan continues to practice Shodo to honor his teacher. His art has exhibited in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 2009 and 2010 where he was listed in Central PA magazine and Lancaster magazine. Dan’s training in martial arts also includes Modern Arnis and Kombatan, stick fighting arts originating in the Philippines. Dan has also promoted two tournament for the World Kumdo Association (Korean Kendo) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The 1st World Kumdo Association tournament held in 1998 and the 2nd U.S Open Kudo Championships held in 2001 where he received the Kumdo Ambassador Award. A 1994 graduate of Pennsylvania State University’s Capitol College in Middletown, Pennsylvania, with a B.S. in Professional Accountancy. Dan was employed in 1999 by the National Credit Union Administration where he still serves as a federal examiner specializing in IT audits. He resides in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania with his two daughters.

Bohemia Manor High School, Chesapeake City, MD.

Submitted by, Joseph Nickle – Sho-Dan (Elkton Dojo)

The Winter Shiai was held February 5^th, 2012. Those attending had the opportunity to witness the finest of competitions. Karate-ka faced the fiercest of competitors, the best of the best, the elite of the Martial Arts World; themselves.

Evaluations were held first. Those going up for rank were given the opportunity to confirm their ability to a knowledgeable testing panel.

Sensei Cimorose held his “Sensei Says” competition. With the assistance of the Black Belt referees, they navigated through the maze of participants. One by one, Sensei took them down. In the end, one contestant was left standing. His eyes closed, and performing commands on cue, he was surrounded by an impressive ring of Black Belts. I can only imagine what was going through his head when he opened his eyes to find he was, “The Last Man Standing”. Congratulations to all; Moms and Dads were as entertained as the participants.

A well performed Sai vs. Bo demonstration was held next with Sensei Cimorose wielding his Sai against his opponents, Sensei Harris, Mr. Waldridge, and Mr. Caldwell, all equipped with Bo. The attackers were disarmed and laid to rest.

An excellent demo of Seisan kata was performed by Sensei Sullivan, followed by Master Ewing giving a brief history and performance of ‘Tamarateseishan’ kata; the grandfather of our Seisan kata.

Round Robin fighting gave everyone a chance to experience the fighting techniques of students from different dojo. Many thanks to Master Martin and his students for taking time to attend and participate in our Shiai.

The following Black Belt promotions were made on this date.

• Sensei Ronnie Cimorose, Nana-Dan
• Sensei Dan Popp, Roku-Dan
• Mr. Larry Waldridge, Ni-Dan
• Mr. Bob Foard, Sho-Dan
• Mr. Nathan Deguzman, Sho-Dan.

Congratulations to all!

Watch this video on YouTube.

Video for kata guruma http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy6FzlSTkpU.

Note:P

The younger you start, the better youwill be,” said Barry Smith, Cambridge karate teacher. He walks across the shiny wooden floor, eyeing each student as they await his next instruction.

“This boy is exceptionally mild mannered and it is difficult for him to get in the so called frame of mind to fight. But when he does fight, he wins.” He stops in front of a boy, who is clad in a white robe.

Suddenly Mr. Smith flings his hand toward the youth’s swinging arm, concentrating on an invisible foe. “Don’t play games, when you move that arm to strike, strike with your whole body.” As the teacher finishes speaking, the student pauses and bows slowly from the waist down, a typical courtesy.

“It’s your friend that you can’t trust. Soon after you have a few karate lessons, it will be your friend who will try to embarrass you in a crowd. They’ll teach you the lessons you won’t forget!”

The stocky muscular teacher again moves down the line as the small group of 15 students practice the lessons Mr. Smith demonstrated at the beginning of class.

During the summer months a group of 15 students attend the karate class, which lasts indefinitely.  “But during the winter, I’ll have about 25 people, some stay—some enjoy the discipline and the nature of the lesson.”

The class routine begins with an half hour of general exercises and other forms of physical conditioning intended to “strengthen from the belt up and loosen from the belt down.”

“During conventional fighting, most people are unskilled in the art and have a tendency to become awkward and move in blundering steps. In karate, grace, speed, and agility are absolutely essential for the successful termination of a fight, meaning that the good karate man wins, and wins fast.”

The black robe and pants give Barry an even more solid appearance. “It isn’t my intention to impress my students with my knowledge of karate, I’m here to help them learn, not to work them out and make fools of them or myself.”

Smith has been a black belt holder for eight months. “I am still a student. My teacher is Walter Cooling, a six degree black belt holder in Chesapeake City. I’ve been learning from him for the past two and a half years. I just hope to be able to perfect what I have been taught.”

An observer can readily tell that Barry’s students have a strong admiration and respect for the black belt teacher. Said one youth, “I was small and my brother continually picked on me. He doesn’t now.”

Most students appear to possess a calm selfconfidence. “I teach my students to get the job done when the opportunity is presented. I do not believe in that old saying ‘step outside’. If you’ve got to defend yourself, then do it. I don’t want to hear of any student moving around to find a ‘good place’ to settle a fight. The right time and the right place is wherever an incident happens.”

Barry Smith is a deputy sheriff in Dorchester County and also works as a foreman at the Cambridge Port. As the class ended, Barry Smith stood in the doorway, facing the Order of Isshinryu poster on the wall. “I will show a student anything I can help him learn, as long as he’s dedicated and wants to know.”

NOTE:  Sensei Barry Smith has been a student of Master Cooling’s for just shy of 40 years. He was inducted into the International Isshin Ryu Hall of Fame in 1996 having previously been recognized with Instructor of the Year and Dojo of the Year awards. Smith was promoted to Hachi Dan (8th degree black belt) in February 2011. Sensei continues to display his expertise by actively training all levels of military, law enforcement, and civilian students.

He was thirteen years old when he had his first duel, in which he fought and killed an adult opponent, a master in the chain-and-hook school of martial arts. He invented the eight-point-stance, a fencing position that left no side of him unguarded and unprepared for an attack.

In his later years, he published a book entitled, Go Rin No Sho (Book of Five Rings), which outlined and explained his science of

martial arts and strategies. This book is used in Japan today as a roadmap for business success as well as a treatise on martial arts.

Below are his nine precepts for conduct and success:

1. Think of what is right and true.

2. Practice and cultivate the science.

3. Become acquainted with every art.

4. Know the principles of the crafts.

5. Understand the harm and benefit in everything.

6. Learn to see everything accurately.

7. Become aware of what is not obvious.

8. Be careful even in small matters.

9. Do not do anything useless.