The Bubishi Karate Do Organization
Editor: Katherine Loukopoulos Email: kloukopoulos2001@yahoo.com
Issue # 24, February - March 2014 Š 2013 Katherine Loukopoulos
The Cover Theódoros Kolokotrónis was born April 1770 and died on February 15th, 1843. He was a prominent Greek patriot in the War of Greek Independence 1821–30. His most brilliant action was his part in the defeat of Mahmud Dramali’s Ottoman army in August 1822. He was imprisoned on Hydra for his defiance of the central government but was later released to help defend the Morea (Peloponnese) against the Egyptians. In 1825 he signed the Greek demand for British protection and invited Sir Richard Church to be Greek commander in chief. In 1828 he supported the president, Count I.A. Kapodístrias, and became one of the leaders of the pro-Russian party. After the count’s assassination on October 9th, 1831, Kolokotrónis set up a rival administration favoring 17-yearold Prince Otto of Bavaria for the newly created Greek throne; later he tried to overthrow the young king’s regency because it was composed largely of Bavarians. For this, Kolokotrónis was condemned to death on June 7th, 1834; however, he was later reprieved.
Editorial I learned the meaning and function of a ‘teacher’ on Okinawa. Having been a member of several dojo and working across a number of public schools and private companies, I had 14 years to observe, study and learn what was a keen ingredient to Japan’s success. It was their educational system; it was their teachers. Most Japanese teachers, if not all, work hard and long hours in creating and preparing fun lessons. When the day’s lessons are finished, teachers have extra duties which range from sports, tutoring, mentoring, and cleaning. The Japanese teacher has no time off even when schools close for holidays… If I compare the school teachers and the martial arts teachers of Japan clearly there is no difference. Most martial arts teachers have day jobs and when they are finished working they go to the dojo. Adult working students will go every day even if it is just for half an hour… others would be set to a more ridged schedule from which rarely deviate. The dojo is a bee hive of industrious work. Emerging issues are usually solved at the Snack Bar with a few glasses of super cold beer, and with much laughter! This repeated daily routine forges strong relationships. Problem solving is a group effort; but then, so are the individual successes. Everything in Japan is based on hierarchy, age, marital status and position. One is never equal to another. We are senior to some and junior to others with according duties and responsibilities. Everyone participates in cleaning the dojo, the office, the classroom, and the playground; although, duties may be separated by gender. This camaraderie is what I missed most since I left Japan. I missed the sincerity of group effort towards personal achievement. I missed the diligence with which teachers approached
their teaching. I missed the word ‘gambare’ which everyone yells out in support of one’s effort. I missed being around really tired people who gave it their all, and done it with a smile…
Our News…
The future of Uechi Ryu is well secured… Antonis Tzounis, Volos, Jan 29th
Cheng Lai Sheung celebrates Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse) with some nunchaku training! Hong Kong, Feb 1st
Every day is a BIRTHDAY! Hombu Dojo, February 1st
Anfisa Zaichenkina (left) ignores students’ anticipation of chocolate cake and takes a long time wishing me good health‌ Hombu Dojo, February 1st
Greek Legend Giorgos Elefsiniotis Sensei from the beautiful island of Paros honored us with his visit… Hombu Dojo, Feb 8th The Patras Carnival (Patrino Karnavali) is the largest event of its kind in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe. It has more than 160 years of history. The events begin on 17 January and last up to ‘Clean Monday’*. *Clean Monday (Greek: Καθαρά Δευτέρα), also known as Pure Monday, Ash Monday, Monday of Lent or Green Monday, is the first day of the Eastern Orthodox Christian, Saint Thomas Christians of India and Eastern Catholic Great Lent. It is a movable feast that occurs at the beginning of the 7th week before Orthodox Easter Sunday. The common term for this day, ‘Clean Monday’, refers to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods. It is sometimes called ‘Ash Monday’, by analogy with Ash Wednesday (the day when the Western Churches begin Lent). The term is often a misnomer, as only a small subset of Eastern Catholic Churches practice the Imposition of Ashes. The Maronite Catholic Church and The Mar Thoma Nasranis of India-Syro-Malabar Catholic Church are notable amongst the Eastern rite that employs the use of ashes on this day.
The Children’s Carnival The Children's Carnival is an event that is exclusive to the Patra’s carnival. It culminates with the major parade that takes place the week before the grand parade. On that day thousands of youth from Patra, Western Greece and beyond, parade through the streets of Patra with their mums and dads, teachers and supervisors dressed in bright costumes, in groups created by their nurseries, kindergartens, music schools, dance schools and others. Cheerleaders and young musician bands accompany them. In the ‘Ipsilon Alonion’ square a 'carnival town' is created. Giant and colorful carnival structures allow the children to play. Over 5000 children participate in the festival involving
numerous game events and creative activities whose objective is to introduce the younger generation to the Carnival and to encourage their abilities in artistic expression related to aesthetic or satirical masquerading. Source: WIKIPEDIA The Free Encyclopedia
Not to be outdone by Patra, we held our own Carnival right after class‌ parents participation is what makes our events successful! Hombu Dojo, Mar 1st
Our Promotions, Mar 8th
Nikos Theodorou and Dimitris Lemonis share some thoughts with Giorgos Orditis Sensei of Talos Atheltic Association. We are grateful to Orditis Sensei for offering his dojo in order to host our Promotion Event‌
Perfect dojo etiquette and 100 % effort!
Perfect Day! Front Row Left to Right: Earned Roku Kyu in Matsubayshi Shorin Ryu! Alexandros Marios Sarris, Dimitrios Perkizas, Petros Liarmakopoulos, Panos Georgoulias Back Row Left to Right: Ascended rank in Ryu Kyu Kobudo!
Dimitrios Lemonis – San Kyu Anfisa Zichenkina – San Kyu Ioannis Samouelian – Yon Kyu Nikos Theodorou - Ikkyu
Happy parents and tired students gathered for a last photo at the end of a great day! Congratulations to all! I’m so proud! Mar 8th
Yoga Instructor, Ioanna Papaioannou, inspite recovering from a knee surgery successfully passed to the rank of Roku Kyu in Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu. Gianna, as she is affectionately called, also knows Maezato no Nunchaku. Dimitris, Gianna’s son and Shotokan Shodan candidate, is quickly learning Hakusho no Kun and loving it!
My first book presentation held at the Greek Folk Dance Lykio Ellinidon Association. I am thankful to the dance teacher Aggeliki Karageeorgou who took the initiative and made it all happen! Thank you Aggeliki! Athens, Mar 12th
Crime Prevention Awareness is all citizens’ concern… ‘Lykio Ellinidon’! March 12th
Greek cuisine, plenty of wine and live music is how we enjoyed ourselves after the threehour Crime Prevention Workshop… Klimataria, Mar 12th
Activities Abroad…
I thank all the students of Tomsk, Siberia, of a long time ago who made this possible, and for Vyacheslav Rogozin Sensei who 20 years later put it altogether… Smiles from Greece…
Kobudo Seminars, Zurich, Switzerland, Mar 15th – 17th
Left: The last time Daniel Schmid and I met was on Okinawa… 2000 Right: The last time Mauro Richina and I met was in Zurich… 1998
Learning with a smile is the best way to learn…
Hamahiga no Tunfa Laura Casadei of Switzerland and Robert Goeslbauer of Austria met for the first time… at the end of the two days they presented a stellar dantai Hamahiga no Tunfa which we will be uploading on YouTube for all to admire… by the end of May…
Mauro Richina Sensei of Asia Sport Center is a hardworking man! The last time we met was 16 years ago, but seems as yesterday…
Finished the first part!
Sai Basic Training‌
Everyone learned Chatan Yara no Sai in one afternoon!
Robert Goeslbauer of Austria leads with Shushi no Kun Dai
Kumi Bo… Robert was a big help throughout the two days…
At the end we are still smiling… the man who made it all happen is Leo Chin Sensei dressed in suit… Chin Sensei is very busy because he is the director of the European WKF Championships in Zurich, 2015!
Carlos Abreu with his friend Katrina showed off Zurich at night; we concluded with some delicious Chinese food and beer… thank you Carlos and Katrina! Mar 16th
Let’s Cook Japanese… Wasabi and Sesame Broiled Verlasso Salmon (Serves 6)
Ingredients
1 cup dry white wine (try Sauvignon Blanc) 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 teaspoons honey 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated 1 teaspoon wasabi paste 6 eight-ounce Verlasso salmon fillets, with skin 3 heads baby bok choy 1/4 cup, plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and pepper to taste 1 1/2 cups quinoa, cooked according to package instructions 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice, plus a few drops for finishing 1 cup roasted red bell peppers, sliced 1/2 cup scallions 1/4 cup sesame seeds, lightly toasted
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400° F. 2. To prepare the marinade, combine wine, soy sauce and sugar. Heat oil in a heavy saucepan. Add garlic, ginger and wasabi paste. Cook for 2 minutes. Add wine mixture and cook an additional 2 minutes. Set mixture aside to cool completely. Place salmon in a re-sealable container and add marinade. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 3. Toss the bok choy in a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly. 4. Combine quinoa, 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, roasted red pepper and scallions. 5. Preheat oven to boil. Remove salmon from marinade. Brush with olive oil and place on a baking sheet, skin-side down. Broil until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Turn and broil on the skin side until the skin is crisp and the meat is still slightly translucent, about 4-5 minutes. 6. To serve, spoon quinoa on a plate and place a salmon fillet on top. Cut the bok choy into quarters and place two pieces on plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and lemon juice. Source: http://blogs.ajc.com/food-and-more/2014/03/26/recipe-wasabi-and-sesame-broiledverlasso-salmon/?cxntfid=blogs_food_and_more Written by Alexa Lampasona
On most Saturday mornings I visited weapons maker Kami Unten Yiensho. He spoke Hogen, (Okinawa dialect), and I had no clue. He spoke, I smiled… and said plenty of ‘hai’ in between… he allowed me to watch him scrape and shine weapons, and in the process I learned appreciation! Okinawa, October 26th 1993
Source: Stephen Chan OBE PhD Professor of World Politics School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London
Inspired by Teruo Hayashi Legend of Shito Ryu, Shotokan Toyotaro Miyazaki Sensei and I attempted to reciprocate the demonstration. After months of training and countless hours of repetitions we were able to create a performance for an upstate, News York gala event. It must be said that we could not come near to Hayashi Sensei’s excellence! 1984
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. John F. Kennedy