Today's Schedule:

6:30-7:30pm. Special Practice tonight. Everyone is invited to train. Please come!

Christmas Party fees due before Sunday. Christmas Party on December 3. Everyone is invited, please come!

CORRECTION Christmas Party is on December 3, Sunday.

Thank you!

Yamanashi Kenjinkai

This Saturday, November 25, the 104 year old Yamanashi Kenjinkai will have their annual Memorial Service for those who have passed on before us. In the early days, there were over 3,000 members and today, about 9-10 members have survived.

The service is at 10:00am at Zenshuji nearby the dojo. About 10:45am after the service, I need a few volunteers to help me drive them to the New Formosa about ten minutes away for lunch. All volunteers can join us for lunch too. Lunch will be at 11:00am, we will be finished at back to Zenshuji and the dojo at about 12:15pm.

Please help out if you can. Many thanks,

(Sensei has been President of this organization for over 10 years now.)

ETIQUETTE IS ELEGANT:

Create an elegant feeling. In the dojo, etiquette is important to create an elegant and friendly feeling in which to practice. When I talk to many people these days, the language is too informal and sometimes not pleasant. When I talk with friends in Japan - but perhaps they are all veteran teachers and well educated and trained - the language is very formal but relaxed and easy. I notice that this always creates a pleasant, elegant and friendly atmosphere and I like this very much.

When we think of etiquette here in this country - it becomes too stiff and formal. It is important to train to make very formal etiquette into something relaxed and easy - This, I think is very noble and refined.

Many thanks!