NZKF Winter Camp 2004: Visit to NZ by Sensei from Shuseikan Dojo, Tokyo

Where can you begin to describe the enrichment, the fun and the challenge of having four high level Sensei visit a small country to make such a big impact.

When Hutt Kendo Club decided to host the 2004 Winter Camp little did we know that we would attract Sensei from one of the two clubs Liz Dutton spent most of her time in when she lived in Tokyo 10 years ago. Shuseikan Dojo is unique in that it is an 'underground' dojo. Although it is more than 100 years old, during the WWII occupation years it went 'underground' as a 'hidden' dojo when Budo was banned in Japan. I have visited Shuseikan in Nov 2002 and walking down its narrow steps in a fairly modern feeling concrete building did not prepare me for 'Kendo in the space of a postage stamp.' Shuseikan is TINY. Stand with your back to the wall width wise and one decent men and okuriashi pull through will take you to the other side of the dojo. But what it lacks in space, it makes up for in kindness, correct and one on one instruction and an innovative video method of deconstructing your Kendo after training. It is also famous for the sake loving Shibata Sensei Senior and the post drinks discussion on some kendo evenings.

The dojo has been run by a line of Shibata Sensei. Shibata Tetsuo Sensei is the current leader. Currently Shibata S, who is in his 70s, has only just started teaching again, (from the sidelines), after a stroke. But it has not stopped him from wandering in and giving excellent advice from the tatami area fronting the dojo. Shibata Sensei's son, Shibata Akio is a great back up to dad and being in his forties and 7th dan, looks to keep the Kendo fires burning at Shuseikan dojo for some time.

Anyway, on with the visit. Umetsu Keizo (8th dan), Higashiyama Makoto(7th dan), Hayashi Hiroko (6th dan) and Sato Yukiko (6th dan) came across for a five day visit in August to assist Graham Sayer in the teaching at this annual precious camp in New Zealand. Barely had they got off the plane than they were shunting up the Wellington cable car on a warm almost spring day to hear the Tui in the Botanical gardens and see beach views of our capital city. They had been surprised by a Chado (Tea Ceremony) presentation by Liz and Sue (who were in full kimono for the occasion) after a lobster and pate lunch, so maybe they weren't sure which country they had arrived in.

The very same night, still jet lagged, they bravely donned their armour to visit Hutt Kendo Club and help us in our learning. As expected it was a great opportunity and Umetsu Sensei soon showed that he was an attentive teacher and polished our Kihon and worked on our gi-geiko techniques. At the end, he asked all of the members how long they had been training. Some for only two months! He was impressed with their levels based on the time they had trained and that, I reckon, is one indication of a great Sensei. They seemed impressed with all of us, from the 8 yr old Masaki Takane, to our 6 ft 4 inch uni student Richard Robertshawe.

That night the male Sensei went to stay with the Potaka family in the lovely bay suburb of Eastbourne and the female Sensei went home with Liz and Sue. Let's digress here. Pretty much the mover and shaker behind the visit of this wonderful Kendo entourage, can be laid at the feet of Hiroko Sensei. When Liz made her debut to Shinjuku dojo in the early 90's it was Hiroko who took her under her wing and the two became fast friends. This friendship, like many made with Japanese people, has withstood the passage of time and Hiroko was a great support to us when we visited Japan in 2002 and also to Martyn Walker and Fiona Ryder when they went to Tokyo early this year. Hiroko began Kendo at 35 yrs, ostensibly to support her 10 yr old son Toshi. Well, as you can guess, Toshi dropped out but mum found that she really enjoyed Kendo and a Sensei was born. So Hiroko is a great role model that you can be a late starter and climb the grades. This now 59 yr old woman routinely practices nine times per week, holds down a part time job and has a hubby and Toshi at home to cook for!

So when Liz and I told her about the Hutt club hosting our annual winter event the conversation naturally got around to whether Hiroko could visit and who could she bring along. As you all saw who attended our camp on August 13 - 15, the result was splendid. Not only were all Sensei (from the 4'11" Sato, to the extroverted police sensei Higashiyama) highly skilled, they were also sociable people with a great sense of humour and they loved New Zealand. But who wouldn't?

Back to the present. On the Thursday we had arranged a trip to the Wairarapa to see a paua factory shop and various vineyards. Being near spring the sheep were co-operative and many a lamb photograph was taken that day. The paua factory was a great treat with the Sensei buying their wives very nice gifts and the vineyard, well, Umetsu Sensei seems not only adept in Kendo but a very skilled wine drinker. He knew quite a lot about the grape (which by the way is called BUDO in japanese so for those winos out there your sessions on Friday evenings can be put down to the study of 'budo'). Umetsu Sensei purchased a hat from Te Kairanga Vinyard only to have it blown off his head in Wellington (surprise?) and run over by a car! However, if you check the photo area of our website you will see him surrounded in fine wine with the undisturbed hat on.

The Sensei had plenty of opportunities to try New Zealand food. On Thursday night after a brief trip to Te Papa we went to Kai in the Bay (Island Bay), which is a Maori owned and themed restaurant in a cordon bleu cuisine type style. Here you can have Tohu wine, kina on rewena bread, koura (crayfish) and piko piko (fern fronds) on your steak. The piko piko was a hit not only in the culinary dept but also because Jim (owners hubby) sang for us. We had some great traditional Maori songs (I requested 10 guitars) but the highlights were the pikopiko song and our Miyuki Potaka singing Pokarekareana - all the verses. Although the poor darling was battling a cold, she really made an impression on the restaurant and the Sensei with her wonderful singing voice. A great time was had by all and we went home on what was to be for our Japanese Sensei, their only Kendoless day in New Zealand.

Friday saw the Sensei meet up at Maori Treasures. This is an amazing whanau based tourist activity in Hutt City and provides an authentic look at Maori arts of all kinds and culture. From the first hongi to the last hug goodbye the Sensei were treated to an insiders look at Maori weaponry which Maori Treasures had planned at our request. It was very informative and I learnt that Maori warriors name their weapons and have spookily similar reigi (etiquette) to their weapons as we do. Higashiyama gave a demonstration of Jodo (using a long taiaha type spear) and impressed the rather impressively large and moko'ed (tattooed) warrier Tom who demonstrated for us.

After another wonderful kiwi lunch we went on to visit Wellington Central Police Station. There we were met by Stu Mills (our intro was through Steve's brother David) and the Sensei were overwhelmed to see the insides of the Central Communications unit, police cells and other areas. They were very pleased with some gifts and remarked that it would be very difficult for visiting police to gain the same level of access if they visited Japan.

After that it was onwards and upwards to our first session of Keiko for the Winter camp. Fortunately Naenae college has two very nice dojo areas. A bit off the beaten track it has been the home of the Hutt Kendo Club for two of its three year existence. The main hall was where most action took place on the Friday and Saturday and Dojo 2 (which happens to be our proper dojo space) was where the kyu grade training took place and the gradings on the Sunday.

I think most Kendoka found the venue ok and the only hiccups were the cold showers in the Marae on Friday night (fixed with some kiwi ingenuity on Saturday) and the broken window which occurred on Saturday (no casualties thankfully). Other than that the immense sense of eagerness and 'gambaru' from our 65 strong Kiwi Kendo group really impressed our Sensei and two weeks later we are receiving faxes and phone calls to say how pleased they were with the trip and how keen they are to return - yippee. Highlights for me (and you may have some so please write to us and we will put them up on the website) were the concise and directed practical instruction from Umetsu and Hayashi Sensei in Dojo 1. They were able to impress seme onto the dan grades, show proper oji waza, teach tsuki waza and inject the sense of 'kimochi' or emotion into our Kendo. Kata training was demonstrated with live blades which ably showed the purpose behind those strange kata moves, and gi geiko at the end of play Saturday was sanctioned for those taking Dan grades on Sunday. One funny moment from this day was a time when Umetsu Sensei was demonstrating Men on Gerard. He struck him with such a fine cut that both Graham (as translator) and Gerard both simultaneously groaned with delight; an eighth dan men is a thing to behold.

Meanwhile, in Dojo 2, junior grades were gaining some unique experiences. They also went through kihon training, including tsuki training and in depth kata training. I personally noticed a huge difference in the level of kata in our club members after this training so I thank Higashiyama and Sato Sensei who were the leaders in this dojo. Higashiyama Sensei also displayed his police training when a random basketball broke one of the dojo windows showered glass clear across to the other side of the dojo. He quickly quarantined the area and carefully and meticulously searched for stray glass. This resulted in no cuts to feet - which was a feat (sorry). On Sunday after the grading, junior grades had a special treat, they did their training a la Keisatsu (Police) style. This meant press ups and a great deal of running as well as athletic warm ups, kiri kaeshi and exhausting Kendo training. According to one of our beginners 'we were exhausted before we even picked up our shinai!', but in keeping with the high spirit of the weekend, they tried their damndest and again impressed the Sensei. While that was going on, the dan grades were receiving shimpan training in Dojo 1 with Umetsu Sensei.

Then suddenly we were found, near the end of the day on Saturday being absolutely awed by a demonstration of the special Keishijo kata (with in depth history translated by Graham) from Umetsu and Higashiyama Sensei. This was after we got to see the new beginners Kata demonstrated by Hayashi and Sato Sensei. It is great to see the new kata shown in NZ for the first time. As for the Keisatsu Kata, breathless would be how you could describe the many wide eyes from those Kendoka present at what will become a memorable life experience for those present. The ear splitting kiai and high energy of this historic and complicated kata was profound. Fortunately it has been videoed and copies will be sent out to clubs. So exhausted it made the Sensei that Umetsu S lost his voice! But in keeping with his strong spirit, this did not stop him from joining us in the Saturday karaoke festivities.

There was little time between the end of play Saturday (5.45pm) and the start of the dinner at the Avalon Pavilion (7pm). We rushed to Scott and Anita's home with Hayashi and Sato Sensei and there had another treat, watching them layer themselves in 2 layers of cotton undergarments and then the splendid and colourful kimono that they wore to the evening event. Sato Sensei is also a Kimono Sensei and can put on her kimono by herself in about 10 minutes (which is nothing short of a miracle) and it was to my knowledge, the first time women Sensei from Japan have participated at a Winter Camp AND worn kimono!

I think everyone would agree that the Kendo Karaoke Idol Competition on Saturday was a great success. We challenged all clubs to enter a team or individual to compete in our Karaoke Shiai and had a DJ (Ross known as DJ Fanboy and the son of Liz) present to keep our guests entertained. Our Shimpan group headed by Umetsu Sensei had Graham Sayer and Miyuki Utsumi-Potaka on board and were highly skilled in their ability to select the best three.

Suffice to say, between the great food provided by the Spit Roast company we were entertained by a variety of brave souls. From Sam (HKC), Jenny and Sachiyo (Rembuden), Glen's wonderful daughter (Well Sth), Ben (chch), Marilyn (Nel), Oscar and palls (Akld) and Mia and Maiky (HKC) New Zealand was pretty well represented. Miyuki who is a pretty famous singer in her own right in Japan before Steve Potaka stole her away, sang Yopara Chata a famous sake drinking song she launched in her career. Umetsu Sensei gave us a song and full ippon points for doing so even though he had exhausted his voice during the Keisatsujo kata earlier in the day.

However, as they say in the ads, but wait there is more! Before we left our dinner and after the announcement of our winners - first Maiki and Mia, second Invercargill and third (oops - who was that?) - Hayashi Sensei led us in an Obon dance. Obon is a traditional mid summer dance which is part of festivities to honour ancestors. We certainly got into the summer mood and warmed up following the delightfully kimonoed Hiroko around a la conga line and all had a unique Kiwi/Japan Obon moment to end the evening. Hiring a hall and catering for our Kendo parties was a great idea and I suggest other clubs consider it in future as the karaoke contest should become an annual event as important as our Nationals I reckon.

And so to Sunday. Those nervous Kendoka on Saturday evening who were hopefully relaxed somewhat by our evening entertainment showed up polished and proper for the gradings. Fortunately, although Winter camps are restricted to grading sankyu and above, rather than have two grading panels (to cater especially for those below those grades) Graham and Umetsu Sensei agreed to have one grading panel but make gradings prompt while non grading Kendoka had a training session in Dojo 1. This meant that you could cut the air with a knife (or katana) in Dojo 2 while those in Dojo 1 were continuing with basic training.

One thing has to be said about the lunches and although this report is from the Hutt we took a risk by ordering pizza and chips from our local Hungry Kiwis Pizza company. In fact this turned out to be a great success. They provided vegetarian ones to cater for all tastes and their thick and deliciously compiled pizza were a hit with our hungry mobs. We had plenty of food and drink - care of sponsorship from Coke (thank you) and the Petone Pak n Save (tea, coffee and Powerade) - thank you again and Arnotts for the lovely biscuits. Our refreshment area which also had plenty of fruit available was a nice respite for the hard working kendoka throughout the weekend.

The closing ceremony was quite moving. Attended by VIPS, Mr Austad (Hutt City Council Central Region), Brian Scott (HCC), Rosemary McLennan (Hutt/Minoh Friendship House) and Minister Kaku (Japan Embassy), they were treated to watching a 30 minute gi-geiko practice between dan grades and the Sensei. A highlight of the speeches was from Minister Kaku. He talked about a historic samurai who made a heroic horse ride through enemy lines more than 100 years ago to bring a peace solution to the then Shogun. So impressed by the bravery of this Samurai, the Shogun agreed to a compromise resolution to the stand off between the two armies, thus saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Also, Minister Kaku reminded us that August 15, 1945 was the 59th anniversary of the Emperor of Japan seceding and the end of World War II. There seemed great resonance to know that nearly 60 years later, kendo has led to such understanding and friendship throughout the world.

Our newly graded people were announced and gratefully accepted their certificates. Of particular resonance for New Zealand was to have one of the youngest 8th dan Sensei in Japan (Umetsu at 53 yrs) grade what could be our youngest kiwi to yondan (Blake at 20!)

I also reckon it must be a rare occasion in NZ when a kyu certificate is signed by an 8th dan, so those lucky enough to have one of those awarded should frame them! Hutt was overjoyed as those who entered all passed their gradings and we have our first home grown nidan (Scott Duncan) to begin the chase to sandan with Marty.

Results of Hutt Kendo Club Gradings:

Scott Duncan	Second dan
Nic Philip	First kyu
Miyuki Utsumi-Potaka	Second kyu
Steve Potaka	Third kyu
Colin Phillip	Fourth kyu
Maiki Potaka	Fourth kyu
Mia Potaka	Fourth kyu
Malcolm Hill	Fifth kyu
Yuxuan Xie	Sixth kyu
Rowan McAlpine	Sixth kyu
Richard Robertshawe	Sixth kyu

So the hearty members of Hutt Kendo Club began the earnest work of cleaning up the dojo, marae and refreshment areas. I would like to thank ALL members of the Hutt Kendo Club who without their help, it would have been impossible to organise an event of this kind. Especially thanked are Anita, for her admin and project management bamboo under the fingernails skills at getting us organised; Scott for his back up role to Anita, Sempai role in the dojo and webmastering; Colin for creating the great images and marketing materials for the camp; Jackie for being available to do heaps of odd jobs and signage and general dogs body work with a stress fracture to her wrist!; Nic Phillips who at the age of 16 (just) showed remarkable maturity in being the key keeper and security person for Naenae college and his contribution throughout to helping us all; Malcolm for being our sponsorship hero (who was overheard to apologise for not being able to get a beer sponsor!); Yuxian and Richard for keeping dojo clean and cared for and the marae sorted; the parents of Rowan and Richard who stood guard at our doors and John who used kiwi ingenuity to fix the marae water problem; Steve and Miyuki for heaps of things no less making the stay of Umetsu and Higashiyama memorable and lets not forget Liz for having the forsight to live in Japan in the early 90's and make friends with such wonderful Sensei - thus resulting in this visit.

Our weekend with the Sensei ended in a Hutt Kendo Club farewell party which deserves another big thank you to Margaret Walker (Marty's mum) who cooked for 20 people and we had a wonderful 'mid winter Xmas' to delight the Sensei. Two other special surprises were a specially crafted thank you cake. This had a picture taken of the Sensei at training on Wednesday night scanned on the icing. They were most surprised and impressed with this. There was of course some argument once we cut the cake as to who would 'eat' whom. Maiki got Umetsu Sensei though, so we hope some of that cake spirit will be seen in his future gi geiko!

The other special gift from the club was a photo album of photos which were hastily developed over the weekend. Hutt members will sign the book and when it is fully completed we will post it to Shuseikan dojo along with a video of the high points of the NZ visit by the Sensei.

It was very sad to see all Sensei go home. Such a short trip allowed us to learn so much more about friendship and Kendo. They had an early start meeting at 5.45 am with their downsized luggage (having gifted 3 sets of armour) but replaced by wine and Bee pollen extract health products to take home. Sato Sensei had given me a midnight kimono obi (belt) keiko the night before but the exhaustion was combated by the extreme energy and thankfulness of these truly wonderful people. Speaking on behalf of all NZ kendoka now, I hope we see them back in the future!

So please, if you have any anecdotes or special experience you would like to share, please send it to our webmaster and we can put it up on our site.