In this issue:
Do you get as many kicks out of a well turned phrase as a karate class? Does "Lean and Athletic" call to mind the prose of Hemingway as well as the wiry figure of Yasuhiro Chitose? If so, consider putting pen to paper for KIME. Warrior-writers from Quispamsis to Kelowna are invited to send story ideas about Chito-Ryu in their areas to Peter Giffen, c/o KIME. Tournaments, social events, problems implementing the technical manual, a partner's unwashed gi are all fair game for your deathless prose. We would like to see some lively writing. If you do not have any ideas yet but would like to make known your intention to cover events in your area, drop us a line. And if you have something already written do send it, including your name, dojo, rank, address and phone number. Although all unsolicited pieces will be read and considered we of course reserve the right to chose what actually goes into print and to edit those submissions.
We would also like to hear from readers who have had a reaction to something that has appeared in KIME, or simply if they want to air a beef or make an announcement (both related to karate preferably). Three letters are included in this issue. The first, from Paul Oliver of New Brunswick, speaks on behalf of the few Canadians who misbehaved during last fall's excursion to Japan (KIME, volume 8). Paul contends that by mentioning their bad conduct we discredited the entire Canadian contingent, and that the contributions of New Brunswick to the trip were generally overlooked. This certainly was not our intention. We applaud the enthusiasm of New Brunswick which manifested itself in the large turn out for the trip, especially since Ontario could barely muster one participant. But it is the few who let their enthusiasm overcome better sense that risk discrediting the achievements of the rest.
Paul Oliver Responds to Kime #8 negative comments
After reading the last issue of KIME, which mentions the Nov. '83 trip to Japan, I feel it necessary to respond to the first paragraph of your story. Since I was the senior belt present from the east, I am undertaking with the consent of the majority of the New Brunswick delegation to reply to the newsletter.
Although the "very few travellers who did not know what passes for good behavior in Japan" were not mentioned, I know the article was referring to some members of the New Brunswick contingent, as does everyone else. Some people say if the shoe fits then wear it. We have thought about it and have decided to wear it. On behalf of the New Brunswick members who travelled to Japan I formally apologize for the disrespect shown by some of us. We fully regret that our ignorance has reflected back on the members of the Canadian Chito-Kai, the people of Japan, Sensei Higashi and the entire Canadian team.
We feel, however, that KIME was unfair in bringing this to the attention of all Chito-Kai members. This did not just discredit the very few but everyone who was a part of the Canadian contingent. It also seems the writer of the article is unaware that almost half of the Canadian team that went to Japan consisted of New Brunswickers. We were the only province that made a commitment of people to go to Japan and kept it. Is it unfair of us to expect any mention of cur participation at the tournament in Japan? There is no doubt that the representatives from the west coast did well in placing so high and deserve the recognition. However, three members from N.B. also took trophy placings that were not mentioned. If a report en how Canada did abroad was made, then a full report on their achievements and disappointments should have been written.
We realize that a lot of mistakes were make on this trip with money, organization, lack of communication etc., and ours may have stood out, but the problems were not ours alone.
Sincerely,
Paul Oliver, san-dan
Hampton, N.B. Chito-Kai
(Apologies. At the 1983 Chito-Ryu Soke Cup Championship, New Brunswickers Carol Duffly placed fourth in women's kata and kumite, Paul Oliver won fifth in men's kata and Jerry Caisse placed seventh in men's sparring.)
Nelson, B.C. karateka J.R. Dunn sent this short review of a newly published book because he feels "that it's general principals and ideal-s are consistent with our (Chito-Kai's) point of view."
Telegrams from New York announcing the publication of their first book, The Last Sunrise, arrived recently for Nelson, B.C. authors Norm Carelius and Verna Kidd. The co-authors had wanted to write a book which was easy to read and entertaining, contained an upbeat message and clearly delineated admirable and villainous characters, rather than mixing them up as is the custom of the anti-hero school of novelists. The Last Sunrise achieves these goals.
The physical setting of the book - an ocean liner, Vancouver's Shaughnessy neighborhood, the Steveston docks -- is described with an attention to fascinating details. The authors relied upon advice from martial arts instructor Hiro Kasai, who is the model for one of the book's heroes. The plot is fast moving and complexly woven. The martial arts training segments will be painfully familiar to those involved in karate. Since the book is a dramatic saga of two Canadian families, one Japanese, the other German is descent, there is an interesting tension between Oriental and Occidental points of view.
Both authors fit their writing into already tight schedules. Carelius is employed as assistant administrator at Kootenay Lake District Hospital. Kidd works full time as a bookkeeper. Both are married and have children -Kidd has two sons and Carelius' son, Steve, belongs to the Nelson karate dojo.
John Morrison writes about the recent addition to the Chito-Kai fold in Prince Edward Island:
In October of 1983 a Chito-Kai karate dojo was opened in Cornwall, P.E.I. This is the fifth such dojo to be opened on the Island. Previously the only other dojo in the area was in Charlottetown. Early organization of the dojo involved making contact with David Macfarlane, chief instructor of the Charlottetown club. After several phone conversations and meetings a demonstration was set up so I could have a better understanding of Chito-Ryu. Since that night our dojo has grown to 25 members. We have two instructors from the Charlottetown karate dojo: Peter Walker, a black belt, and Gus Longaphie, a blue belt. All club members are pleased with the level of instruction and the ChitoKai. My perception of organizing a dojo was a bit different than the actuality, but now that everything is running smoothly and the paper work is under control I am very pleased with what has taken place. We have a good club and the members are working very hard.
Keep up the good work, Chito-Kai!
For all those interested in the Canadian Chito-Kai Association and how Sensei Higashi and Sensei Aukutagawa have been ranked 1st and 2nd in command. The following is a translation of a letter sent by Dr. Chitose in 1979.
To: The Canadian Chito-Kai Association
The executive of the All-Japan Karate-Doh Federation Chito-Kai had made a decision concerning the leadership of the Canadian Chito-Kai. Please accept this decision in the interests of Chito-Kai.
As of June 1, 2021 the highest ranking and second highest ranking members of the Canadian ChitoKai are to be Shane Yukio Higashi and David Yoshu Akutagawa respectively.
Consequently we shall be sending to you their Certificates of Trust. Please forward them accordingly.
Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
To Shane Yukio Higashi and David Yoshu Akutagawa
The All-Japan Karate-Doh Federation ChitoKai hereby entrusts to you the leadership of the Canadian Chito-Kai.
Dated this first day of June, 1979
Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose Supreme Instructor and President All-Japan Karate-Doh Federation Chito-Kai
The Chito-Kai Board of Directors held a meeting in Toronto last March, and as usual when these worthies congregate much was said and much put in motion.
One area of concern was the use of the Chito-Ryu crest. Increasingly as karateka visit Japan, clothes are getting embroidered with the crest. During last November's trip to Japan the Chitose tailor got enough business to set him up camfortably for the rest of his life. Everything that could be pierced by a needle, including underwear, was adorned. While such open displays of affection for the style are heartwarming, a certain decorum has to be observed. Crests should be embroidered with red thread; gold is reserved for shihan (senior instructors), as a couple of travellers found out when they were forced to remove gold thread from their newly embroidered sweatsuits. As well, the placing of the crest, especially on a gi, is strictly determined. No matter where Calvin Klein decides to put his label, the Chito-kyu crest is placed on the left side of the jacket, roughly over the heart. If a student wants to adorn himself with a dojo, provincial or national crest, then it is put on his upper left sleeve. If there is any confusion about the placing of crests consult the diagram on page 16 of the Chito-Ryu textbook.
Plans were revealed for a new hombu dojo in Toronto. Right now it is expected to cost $ 200.00 and take two years to complete. More details, especially about funding, will be available in the next issue of KIME.
Also clinic funding was discussed: the size of honorariums and who pays for what. The issue of money is important. Same people have mistakenly got the impression that clinics are primarily designed to raise money and supplement greedy instructors' incomes. No one is into this for the money. Students go to clinics because they want to learn, instructors because they want to teach. It is important to stress this because at the clinic in Prince Edward Island last February an unfortunate situation arose where a few students did not attend, though they wanted to, because they were unemployed and figured they couldn't came if they couldn't pay. In a case like that the student should consult his instructor and pay what he can or forgo the charge all together. We are in the business of promoting Chito-Ryu, not capitalism.
Edited by Peter Giffen
Assisted by Doreen Docherty
KIME
1 Harfleur Rd.,
Agincourt, Ont.
M1T 2X4