The Bubishi Karate Do Organization
Editor: Katherine Loukopoulos Email: kloukopoulos2001@yahoo.com
Issue # 16, June 2013 Š 2013 Katherine Loukopoulos
The Cover Greek wrestling was known to the ancients as orthe pale ("upright (or erect) wrestling"). Legend says that Theseus of Athens invented wrestling. The wrestler's objective was to throw his opponent to the ground from a standing position. Holds were restricted to the upper body and pinning an opponent to the ground was unknown. Wrestling on the ground was permitted only in the sport known to the Greeks as pankration. A point was scored for a fall. A fall occurred when a wrestler's back or shoulders touched the ground. Three points were required to win a match. Wrestling was less rough than the pankration and required less space. As a result, it was the most popular sport among Greek athletes. It was an event in the pentathlon (and could be the deciding event) but it was a separate event as well, with the same techniques. The remains of a papyrus wrestling manual from the 2nd century AD reveal that the Greeks were familiar with headlocks, joint locks, shoulder holds, and other techniques used by modern wrestlers. Because there were no time limits to matches, some would end in draws. A wrestler could submit under a chokehold and "tap out". Wrestlers were sometimes killed in contest, but their opponents were never held responsible for homicide. Wrestling was taught and practiced in a building called the palaestra. There were many of these wrestling schools across Greece. The first palaestras were built about the 6th century BC. They were privately owned, but by the 5th century BC palaestras were being built at the public expense. Palaestras were built until the end of the Age of the Roman Empire. The ancient Greek scholar Plutarch writes that only wrestling and the pankration were taught and practiced in the palaestra. Boxing and other sports were taught and practiced in gymnasiums. The palaestra consisted of a square or rectangular yard open to the sky. This yard was used for training and practice. The yard was surrounded by colonnades. During rainy weather, wrestling and the pankration were practiced under the colonnades. Rooms adjoining the colonnades were used for lectures, bathing, dressing and undressing, game playing, socializing, and the storage of equipment and olive oil.
Palaestra at Olympia Source: Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Editorial There are two kinds of leaders: One who participates and one who issues out commands. Regardless if the leader is a teacher in a classroom, a trainer on athletic grounds, or a manager of a company, those who lead by “getting their hands dirty” are proven to be more successful in their work. Students, athletes and employees perform better when they perceive themselves as a member of the Team Effort. They are happier when they feel that they “matter” and their contribution, however small, is an important element of the groups’ goals and subsequent groups’ successes. When a teacher, a trainer, and a manager participate at the “lowest level” the productivity will rise, and absenteeism will be at its lowest. What more? There will be less “sick” students, athletes and employees. By treating every person as an indispensible element of the total group, there will be better group cohesion. All can be accomplished if the rules are laid down clearly, and the participants are held responsible for adhering to those rules which also apply to the Leaders!
Think about it!
Feature Story Mutsuko Minegishi Shihan of Aikido, Nana Dan comes to Athens!
Photo Courtesy: Croatian Aikikai Federation Born in Tokyo, Ms. Mutsuko Minegishi moved to her father's home village in Saitama Prefecture just a few months before Tokyo was air raided during the war. On January 10th, 2010, at the Kagamibiraki Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Minegishi Shihan was promoted to Nana Dan. Her rank was certified from the Aikikai Foundation where the founder Ueshiba Morihei founded and taught Aikido throughout Japan and abroad. She trained under the second generation Master Kishomaru Ueshiba Doshu, son of the Founder, and his grandson, current Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu, Koichi Tohei, the Founder of the Ki Society, as well as, with every high ranking instructor at the Hombu Dojo. She registered at the Aikikai Foundation in 1972, and since then she has been continuously training and teaching with her total devotion and dedication. In 1974, she was sent to the United States as a Fulbright Exchange Lecturer to teach Japanese language to Smith and Amherst Colleges where she taught for eight years. During her stay in Massachusetts, she opened her first Aikido dojo called Nonotuck Aikikai in Florence, Mass., and also instructed at the clubs of Keen State College, New York University in Albany, Amherst College, Smith College and the University of Massachusetts. She was in the Republic of Kiribati in the Central Pacific from 1988-1994. While working for a Japanese government's grand aid project, she taught Aikido to the islanders. Afterwards, Minegishi Shihan moved to Saipan and established herself all over again.
While conducting classes at Saipan Aikikai, she began contemplating her plans to expand her activities to Guam and to other countries. In 1999, Ms. Minegishi founded Guam Aikikai while she was the chief instructor of Saipan Aikikai and the advisor to the Korean Aikikai. She often traveled to many countries to attend seminars and workshops as well as holding her own in such countries as Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, and Italy. In her activities in Aikido, she is particularly interested in training youth and children. This came from her long experiences as a teacher from a primary school in Japan to colleges in the United States. She accepts children of any age. She says that the children can start as soon as they make their first step to walk because if they are introduced to the friendly atmosphere without any competitions or fear, they grow with physical and mental balance, and they become good members of their peer group. In 2004, she became involved in Croatia and currently five groups are active under her instructions. In 2006, they founded the Croatia Aikikai Federation of which she is the technical advisor, and teaches there two-three times each year. In 2009, she became the technical advisor to Monaco Aikikai and the honorary president to Aikido Federation of South Africa (AFSA). Additionally, she has visited Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Philippines, Russia, Ireland, England, Holland, Sweden, Greece, Vienna, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Italy, and Singapore. Biography: Courtesy of Guam Aikikai Hombu Dojo Official Website
Minegishi Shihan and Christos Koutelieris Sensei with his young aikidoka, Athens, June 15th
Rolling out of danger‌ Adults worked hard, and kids had fun!
Beyond impressed with Minegishi Shihan technical expertise, and teaching skills!
Christos Koutelieris and Minegishi Shihan at the end of a very good day! June 15th
Iliana Papadaki with her adorable Kobayashi Shorin Ryu Kids, Kyu Test, June 1st
Nikos Theodorou is getting ready for Okinawa, Brahami Dojo, June 8th
Filoppapou Dojo, Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu Kyu Test, June 12th
Energy and natural beauty in abundance is what we get when we practice at Filoppapou Dojo!
A perfect day for Fofie Emiri who passed with flying colors to Hachi Kyu, June 12th
Yoga Instructors, Ioanna Papaioannou is our senior Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu karateka who represents us with Nana Kyu, June 12th. When Ioanna performs kata, it is “poetry in motion�!
Thanos Halkias, son of Fofie Emiri, handled all serving responsibilities‌ Anna Halkias, the daughter, was the assigned photographer‌
A Real Treat! Yamato Taiko at Badminton Theater, June 18th & 19th
AKJU TEAM AMERICA in Athens, June 22nd – 27th
Welcomed AKJU TEAM AMERICA led by Heather, Paul and Cheryl; a total of 31 members! The team came to Athens for some rest and relaxation before continuing to Ireland for the 17th Irish Cup to be held on the 29th. Don Madden, founder and USA National Coach for many decades is a firm believer that after exhaustive training of many months, athletes perform better when they are given a chance to rest. In Athens, they did just that!
The 31 members of AKJU TEAM AMERICA stayed at Jason In located at Thesion where meals were taken with view the Acropolis and Lukavittos Hill‌ simply spectacular!
Daughter Heather did a marvelous job representing Soke Don Madden; the later flew directly to Ireland in order to get the ball rolling! Some of Dr. Heather Madden accomplishments:
Karate – Hachi Dan Ju-jitsu – Nana Dan Judo – Ni Dan Aikido – Ikkyu
Highlights of our time together…
The Team was treated to some authentic Greek folk music played by none other than Shotokan practitioner and famous musical store owner, Ioannis Samouelian, of Armenian descent.
Apollo's sacred precinct in Delphi was a Pan-Hellenic sanctuary, where every four years, starting in 586 BC athletes from all over the Greek world competed in the Pythian Games, one of the four Pan-Hellenic games, precursors of the Modern Olympics. The temple was erected precisely on the remains of an earlier temple of the 6th century BC.
The palaestra at Delphi is part of a gymnasium at the sanctuary. It is the oldest existing gymnasium from the Greek world, dating to the second half of the fourth century B.C. It was
built on two terraces, with the palaestra and baths on the lower terrace. Frequent earthquakes and landslides have damaged the palaestra. Source: Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
After climbing and hiking around Delphi swimming was the only way to go‌
11th Century exceptionally well preserved Byzantine art was admired at the Osios Loukas Monastery‌
PANATHINAIKO STADIUM also known as KALLIMARMARO erected in 566 BC, it is where the first modern Olympics of 1896 took place.
EPIDAURUS – Epidaurus Theater is famous for its acoustics. Built in antiquity, still holds spectators at awe when ever ancient drama plays are presented.
I couldn’t help myself and I took center stage to perform Fukyu Kata Ichi… my kiai was heard across the mountains… Several hundred yards away was Asclepius Hospital (famous for healing physical and mental ailments) was dedicated to Apollo’s son Asclepius.
Spent an entire day at Aegina Island where we visited archaeological sites, admired more rare works of art, swam for several hours, and shopped till we dropped… everyone was tired…
AKJU TEAM AMERICA sealed the conclusion of five memorable days by signing their names!
Athletes were relaxed and ready to compete. They warmed-up, stretched, and reviewed their skills outdoors… just like the ancients did… just like me and the students do… I learned the AKJU TEAM AMERICA brought home 58 Medals from the Irish Cup!
Some highlights of our Hachi Kyu Test at Plaka Dojo, June 29th
Front kick, round kick, side kick, footwork, and body movement are some of the requirements!
Left to right: Anna, Alexandros, Petros, Panos and Dimitris‌ five dynamites!
Fukyu Kata Ichi!
Kata Maezato no Nunchaku: Always took home the nunchaku after practice… just in case… we did not want accidents…
Happy Hachi Kyu recipients!
At the end of a great evening!
Asako san’s Healthy Kitchen Soba Salad & Buckwheat Noodle Salad Ingredients: 4 Servings
Salad Dressing:
1. 1 can/ 14.5 oz / 411 g of reduced sodium chicken broth 2. 6 table spoons soy sauce Kikkoman brand 3. 2 table spoons Sugar 4. 2 table spoons White vinegar or vinegar of your choice 5. 1 1/2 table spoons of ground roasted white sesame seeds 6. 1 table spoon Sesame oil 7. 1/4 tea spoon Garlic powder 8. 1/8 tea spoon White pepper powder 9. 1/2 cup Newly harvested Vandalia onion finely chopped / mild yellow onion 10. 1/4 cup Green onions / spring onions finely chopped 11. Salad Toppings 12. Two boiled eggs cut in quarters 13. Four petite cucumbers julienned / cut into thin strips
14. 5 oz / 142 g five thin slices cooked ham julienned & cut into thin strips 15. 1/2 tomato sliced 16. 7 pieces of okra sliced, cooked in salted water for 1 ½ minutes. Cool in ice water, and drain 17. 5 oz / 142 g salad leaves of your choice: Baby lettuce, endive and radicchio 18. 1/2 cup corn (in can or frozen) drained
Other topping suggestions: avocados, bean sprouts, carrots, mushrooms, imitation crab meat, shrimps, and shredded chicken
Noodles: 12 oz / 340 g dry noodles such as Japanese soba (buckwheat noodles) and thin spaghetti Directions: Salad Dressing: Make the dressing in advance in order to be chilled when it is time to serve. In a pot, bring the first 8 ingredients on the list to a boil, add chopped Vidalia onion and bring back to a boil for 30 seconds, then add chopped green onions and turn the heat off. Let it cool off to the room temperature, and chill in the refrigerator. Noodles: Cook dried noodles in a large pot of boiling water as directed in the package. Drain the boiled noodles in a colander and wash the noodles in a large bowl of ice water in order to remove starch from the surface of the noodles. Drain well. You can even use paper towel to absorb excess water. Assemble on the Plate: On a large plate, thinly lay the noodles and top with vegetables, meat, and eggs. Pour over the dressing! Meshiagare Buonappetito ❤ Enjoy the meal!
Our nature consists in motion; complete rest is death! Pascal