Senpai Jorge Torres Visits JKA Hawaii

Well, I escaped last February’s winter blizzards during a ten hour-flight to Honolulu. My plane touched down at the airport on a Friday night, and as soon as I debarked, a warm and refreshing breeze hit my face. Inside the airport the sound of a Hawaiian melody accompanied my walk as I exited the airport. Yes, I was on my way to visit Sensei Maeda’s dojo, JKA Hawaii.

Sensei Hiroshi Maeda, 5th dan JKA, was the Shotokan instructor with whom I had the opportunity to start my karate training in JKA back in New Jersey, as part of Japanese Children Society under Sensei Masataka Mori. More than a decade has past since I last trained with Sensei Maeda in New Jersey and New York, so believe me when I tell you how I so wanted to recapture the experience of training with a great instructor.

Next morning, In Hawaii Kai dojo, which is one four dojos, three strategically located in Oahu, and a 4^th location in Maui. There was no room for jetlag. Sensei and his senior students welcomed me warmly, and shortly thereafter, our training began. I was immersed in a very dynamic, technical Karate class, very typical of Sensei’s training. I trained along young karatekas, which brought back precious memories from my youthful days with Sensei.

Frequently during our practice, I heard Sensei calling out, “Mountainside!” which, to my realization, was indicative of the change of direction as we undertook his Kihon techniques. After practice, having reviewed all Heians, Kanku-sho, and 30 minutes of Kumite, my legs felt numb like I had no longer control over them. I made sure I knew the name of the mountain (Koko head) I faced during our practice, a mountain he used as a metaphor to remind his students that karate was not easy, nor would it ever be, as Sensei said.

Throughout the week, I met with Sensei in his Waikiki dojo, a mere ten minutes fromWaikiki Beach. There, I met with Shotokan practitioners who embodied the very nature of perseverance itself. I met Senpai Ishigaki and Senpai Tachikawa, who have been training for over 40 years in Japan and Hawaii and were only too happy to share their knowledge with me. Although my Japanese made them scratch their heads, we found the means to understand each other. After all, we all communicated in the language of Karate.

During my staying, and prior to my training at the dojo in Waikiki, I understood that martial arts in this part of the world is almost a tradition among people, which runs continuously from their youth to the twilight years of their lives. Experiencing the multigenerational mix, I met practitioners of many styles of karate, but I am happy to note that Shotokan still holds one of the highest standard in the traditional martial arts of Hawaii.

Thus, I was quite delighted to see Sensei's technical teaching alive and well, relatively unchanged. In fact, I learned so more during my brief stay in Sensei's dojos and the family atmosphere that JKA Hawaii offered me complimented it all. The warmness also emanated from the senior students who actively helped sensei, joyful children, and very active parents with whom I mingled. I brought home seeds of red hibiscus as an other palpable memory of a beautiful experience in my visiting to JKA Hawaii. I feel fortunate for having been able to train in JKA Hawaii, a place where prominent JKA masters have taught, including Sensei Mori. Now Sensei Maeda has been able to continue with this legacy of great instructors and great Karate...

Thank you, Hawaii JKA

Ossu!!

Jorge Torres

Sensei Maeda and Senpai Jorge