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Special DNBK International Division Edition on 43d All Japan Butoku Sai
Total of 450 elite Black Belts representing all over Japan and Okinawa attended in this pivotal event. In this auspicious occasion, the USA and International Division dispatched the special team comprised of one Kendo performer and six top youth team members. This was the first time ever the youth international team allowed to take part in the major elite martial art event of high caliber. The American youth have been working very intensively and diligently for the last six months to prepare for this challenging mission. No other official foreign division was represented in this event. The traditional celebratory event started with Heian Shrine dedication ceremony and followed with dignified official protocol. After gubernatorial and mayoral congratulatory message, the Harai no Gi and Kendo matches were conducted. It was noticeable that Kendo section has declined considerably in DNBK in terms of quality and quantity of participants. Unlike the golden era of early Showa, when all Japan Kendo matches overfilled the Butokuden with elite Kendo practitioners of the entire nation, today's condition calls for an alarming urgency as to revitalize the Kendo division in the ample time. It was quite evident that the modern sport Kendo had made regressive impact in terms of sustaining traditional Kenjutsu domain. It appeared the inconsistency and major changes extant in relationship between Maai and skills prowess for clarifying the proper skills. As a result it showed the wherewithal of our future devotion to restore the balanced instructional necessities beyond the scope of sport context of Kendo. Kobudo section had more Iaido participants than any other time. More than fifty some major Budo schools and associations represented their skills prowess in sequence of the official venue. Hundreds of Japan's renowned top instructors performed in Iaido, Karatedo, Jiujutsu, Kobudo, Okinawan Kobudo, Kenjutsu, Aikido, Jojutsu, and Battojutsu. The young USA team age between 13-16 years old gave their maximum heart, spirit and martial skills in Karatedo, Jiujutsu, Iaido and Kobudo. Ever since their arrival to Kyoto, they never faltered in their determination and will-power to succeed. Daily hard training and disciplined rehearsal made their strong execution possible. Their demonstration was executed vigorously with precise mindset of original intention, which was to represent the pride and honor of the DNBK USA and International Division. Tesshin Hamada represented the past glory of DNBK and the youth represented the future and together captured the ultimate present by representing the code of Bushido, the Honbu of the USA and International Division as a whole. After the entire procession, the Honbu deliberated the recognition ceremony. The highest and most prestigious award of Sosai Show Cup (The Cup of His Majesty) was announced for the first time by DNBK Honbu and it was bestowed to Tesshin Hamada by His Royal Highness, Higashi Fushimi Jiko, Chief Abbot of Shorenin Temple. We sent the youth team for making our significant statement for boding the future of DNBK. Our youth team showed gallant efforts throughout the difficult process and upheld the classical and cherished traditions of Bushido, warrior's code which are no longer the viable presence in this secular world. Their commitment went beyond the skills on the ancient floor of Butokuden but consistently shown in the disciplined and courteous demeanor in all accounts. Throughout the entire mission, they were constantly reminded of the pervading energies of the immortal spirit residing in the pillars of historic Butokuden honed by the thousands men of virtues. In some sense, we might say they were like the Biyakkotai, White Lion /Tiger warriors of the ancient history whose spiritual legacy still exists in the world of uncommon heroism. The 43d All Japan Butoku Sai gave everyone an occasion to celebrate Budo spirit as it was concluded with powerful concord of Banzai finishing. It was truly a daring mission for the American youth to partake in this Japan's elite platform of Budo. Without a doubt, the vigorous energy and indomitable Ki of the USA team made once again a lasting mark of positive impression in the history of All Japan Butoku Sai. Now Honbu DNBK eyes on the boding future of DNBK. How we intend to meet the challenges of maintaining the classical nobility in the future depends upon all of us in DNBK members of the International Division. Portugal Rensei Taikai in 2005, France-Belgium Rensei Taikai, Canada Rensei Taikai in 2006 will lead to the Third World Butoku Sai in 2007 in Kyoto and The First World Youth Butoku Sai in 2008 will be slated in order. Every event is historic opportunity for all of us. Thus, the next three years will be one of the most exciting opportunities to be followed in sequence by connecting everyone's energy and passion as the noble member of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. Let us be united again to face and build the ring of eternal fire. Honors in 43d All Japan Butoku Sai: The First Award of Sosai Sho The Cup is rededicated to the members of DNBK USA and the entire International Division by Tesshin Hamada. Motoya Nakamura: Second Place in Kendo Shodan-Sandan Contest All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from Honbu Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, USA and International Division |
