A New Year's Eve Reflection: Our First without Fukuda Sensei
Fukuda Sensei’s traditional Kagami Biraki was bittersweet this year. While 2014 was the first year she was not present in body,
she will forever be here in spirit! Last year’s Kagami Biraki was Fukuda Sensei’s last public appearance. She passed away just weeks later on February 9
th. Kagami Biraki, a tradition of Kodokan that Fukuda Sensei introduced to the Bay Area nearly 40 years ago, was carried down to Los Angeles by Rob Oishi of Taishi Judo Club, to be held for the first time.
I’m grateful to have been welcomed into the Soko Joshi/Palo Alto/San Jose community. I really enjoy starting my year off with the re-dedication and watching all the graceful, skilled judo. I use it to re-dedicate myself to getting Fukuda Sensei’s legacy further out into the world.
MRS JUDO New Year’s Resolutions
- Get Mrs Judo to broadcast. We are offering “Mrs. Judo” for public broadcast during Asian American Heritage Month. If you want to see it aired in your region, please write a letter to the local PBS station, requesting them to program “Mrs. Judo” during the month of May, and include a personal reason of why you’d like to see it broadcast. This will be especially critical outside of California in regions that have smaller Asian populations.
- Distribute Mrs. Judo DVD for home viewing and educational institutions. The more we share “Mrs. Judo”, the more people and communities will be inspired by Keiko Fukuda.
- Re-dedicate yourself to judo and/or whatever you are passionate about! And let us know if you have any good stories to share.
Past Screenings:
“A Quiet Presence – Judo Culture” was the theme of the community screening held on January 25th, presented by the Sacramento Japanese Film Festival, Jan Ken Po Cultural Association, and SJUMC Goes to the Movies.
A rapt audience heard from Mac Takeda of Sacramento Judo Club, whose early exposure to judo by Yamauchi Sensei in Fowler, lead to an intensive training at Tenri University in 1968. Mac has had an illustrious judo career, where he competed for nearly 50 years and continues to teach and serve as referee and in leadership positions.
Isao Fujimoto, retired lecturer emeritus of UC Davis, recounted his early exposure to judo at Tule Lake concentration camp during WWII, his training in judo with Yosh Uchida in San Jose, and wrestling at UC Berkeley with Henry Stone in the 1950s. With lively detail, Isao relayed accounts by Nisei whose judo skills allayed any doubts of their prowess during WWII and his own assurance in getting his first job as a probation officer.
Reflecting on the legacy of Fukuda Sensei, Wilina Monar reminded others that while she serves as head instructor of Soko Joshi Dojo, many others contribute to the continuance of judo – to teach the kata forms and internal rhythms of judo that guide not only in training but in “being a good person”.
Like this Newsletter!
Like us on facebook!
Share on facebook!
