2nd Annual Goodwill Invitational Kendo Tournament will be held on April 18th, 2009

Dear friends,

Ken Wa Kan and Princeton Kendo & Iaido Club will hold the 2nd Annual Goodwill Invitational Kendo Tournament on April 18th, 2009, Saturday from 1:00 to 5:30 PM, and Godo Keiko (Open floor practice) will be followed.

This tournament will be held at the Carpenter Sports Building, Gym-1, University of Delaware. 60 North College Ave., Newark, DE 19711.

Please see the following documents for details and the registration package.

Vincent

10122

We're saddened over the loss of a great martial arts teacher.

We are sorry and saddened to share with you that grandmaster Thomas J. Wilson, 8th dan taekwondo black belt and 5th dan hapkido black belt, owner of the Black Belt Academy passed away on March 7, Saturday morning.

Master Wilson was a life fighter, and had been battling leukemia since autumn of 2007. He is in a better place now and will be truly missed by all.

Please join with us to include Master Wilson and his beloved wife and children in our prayers.

Vincent

For more information about Master Wilson's journey, please check:
http://www.black-belt-academy.com/School_MasterWilson.asp
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/masterwilson

And the information about the services to be held:
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Dear Friends & Family,

Thomas J. Wilson will have a Christian burial service at St. Elizabeth's Roman Catholic Church (Route 100 in Upper Uwchlan) on Thursday, March 19 at 10:00am. A celebration of his life will resume following the church service at Ludwigs Corner's Griffith Hall (fire hall). Participants will have the chance to publicly share something about Master Wilson at that time if they so choose. If you wish to lend a hand, please bring a dessert to share.

For Families of the Black Belt Academy: On Friday, March 20 at 7 pm, a special memorial candlelight service will be held at the dojang for those who participate in the childrens' classes. The children and their parents are invited to attend. Classes will resume on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions to the Thomas Wilson Memorial Fund. Donations can be made to:Thomas Wilson Memorial Fund c/o 1st National Bank PO Box 514 West Chester, PA 19381-0514.
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9943

(Event canceled due to schedules conflict.) Welcome Sensei Shozo Kato, 7th Dan Kyoshi of Kendo and Iaido to visit Ken Wa Kan on Friday, March 20th.

Update at 5:40 PM on March 16th, 2009:
This event has been canceled due to schedules conflict. I am sorry for any inconvenience may be caused. We will continue to work with Sensei Kato for the possible rescheduling of his visit again in the future. More details will be followed. Thank you for your understanding and consideration.
Vincent

9918

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It's our honor and pleasure to welcome Sensei Shozo Kato, 7th Dan Kyoshi Kendo, 7th Dan Kyoshi Iaido to visit Ken Wa Kan at 7:15~9:15 PM, on Friday, March 20.

Kato sensei is the head instructor of Shidogakuin, one of the highest ranking U.S. practitioners of both kendo and iaido, and the head coach of Team-USA at 10th and 11th World Kendo Championships.

Our members please arrive dojo and get dressed ready by 7:00 PM.

Vincent

9883

Annual Shidogakuin Tournament on Sunday, March 8th, 2009

Dear Ken Wa Kan members,

We are invited to participate the 16th Annual Shidogakuin Tournament on Sunday, March 8th, 2009. It will be held at Rutgers University, College Avenue Gym, 130 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

The deadline for registration is Monday, March 2nd. For more details, please see the following documents.

Vincent

9479

Furukawa (7 Dan) vs Ariga (5 Dan) in 1992

An older video showing an intense keiko session between Taro Ariga Sensei (founder of E-bogu.com) and Kazuo Furukawa Sensei (coach for the Japan Kendo team for the 2009 World Kendo Championships). With tonight's visit from Matsushita Sensei, let's show him the same drive to continue through to the end as Ariga Sensei did here.

Sensei Matsushita, Kendo 7th Dan, from Shu Do Kan will visit us on Thursday, Feb. 19th.

We are very happy to announce that Sensei Matsushita, Kendo 7th Dan from Shu Do Kan will visit our dojo on this Thursday, February 19th. Please join with me to welcome Sensei Matsushita.

Vincent

9410

Results & Photos of 2009 East Coast Iaido Seminar and Shinsa

Congratulations to four of our members for passing their Iaido Shinsa at 2009 East Coast Iaido Seminar and Shinsa at Brooklyn, New York on February 1st.

Here are their ranks:

Shodan: Peter M. & David H.
1st kyu: Yuko N.
2nd kyu: David C.

Congratulations!

Also we like to thank Mr. Aram Kailian sent us his photos from the event. Here is the link to his site:

http://www.system75.com/photo/2009/02/01/

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Videos: 2009-01-22 Beginners practice

There are three videos included in this playlist:

Another video during practice:

8977

Photos: Ken Wa Kan Delaware's practice on January 21, 2009

First look!

8948

New Year's party at Yang sensei's place

I wish you have a great MLK day today!

Yang sensei from Princeton Kendo and Iaido Club is inviting all Ken Wa Kan members to his traditional New Year's party at his house on this Saturday at 6 PM. Please feel free to attend, and enjoy a good time with friends, senseis and kenshis.

Time & Date: 6:00 PM, January 24, 2009

Location: 21 Orchid Lane, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Phone: ( 856) 414-0940/ Cell: 856 313-2708

Vincent

8895

Videos: Practices on Jan. 6th, 2009

Kendo man:

Kakari geiko: Eric, Peter, David C., Andrew, Joe, Anthony, Mike L., Yuko, Steve's performances.

8838

Photos: New Year's Opening Class on January 8th, 2009

We thank Jason for his new camera to capture these great moments:) Enjoy!

2009-01-08 Ken Wa Kan Kendo Dojo New Year's Opening Class

8807

Ken Wa Kan Newark Delaware (New!)

Check out our new location: Ken Wa Kan Newark, Delaware

Delaware Kendo Club

http://udel.edu/stu-org/kendo/Home.html

8662

Kakari Geiko Videos and Holiday Pictures at our Dojo's last class of the year 2008

Dojo Holiday Puctures Slides Show:
2008-12-18 Merry Christmas: Official Last Class of the Year




Kakari-geiko (掛-稽古, かかり-げいこ): short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness and readiness to attack, as well as building spirit and stamina.

Here are 12 videos/students' "Kakari Geiko" in the following playlist. Enjoy!

8545

2008 EUSKF Shinsa Results, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

Results of Ken Wa Kan at the 2008 EUSKF Shinsa:

Ni Dan: Jason, David C.
Sho Dan: MaryEllen, Kelly
I Kyu: Andrew, Alex, and Mike L.
Ni Kyu: Rebecca, Joe, Anthony, and Yuko
Yon Kyu: Yu-Wen, Nicole
Go Kyu: Liz

Congratulations to everyone!

Also, I would like to thank you for your supports to Ken Wa Kan in the year of 2008! It's been such a wonderful year for our dojo. In 2008, we have been through many excellent Kendo events together- 1st Friendly Tournament, Yu Sensei's visit from Taiwan, demonstrations at several occasions, AUSKF Championship at Las Vegas, AEUSKF Tournament in New York, Baltimore Tournament, EUSKF Shinsa, visited other dojos, invited Senseis and kenshis to Ken Wa Kan, and of course, many happy hours like Yang sensei's New Year's party, Kelly's Holiday party, and our dojo's Anniversary party...etc.

Even though we have achieved some goals, there are a lot more to be pursued. I wish in this coming new year of 2009, we can work and train together to make Ken Wa Kan become a more cheerful and wonderful place and family for everyone to study the Art of Kendo!

Again, Thank You so much for your support and hard working! Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year of 2009!

Vincent

8500