"It is not that I am smart- I just stay with the problems longer than most people."
A.E.


Problems are opportunities- or so I tell myself each time obstacles arise! One thing I can thank the last 17 years after Sosai's passing is I have learned and still learning, how to deal with the inevitable. Problems, they are your teachers!

Another great reason to train Kyokushin (and yoga if you prefer) ~~!

Go google epigenetics- it explains how any form of exercise helps keep the DNA stable
and in goo condition. Using large muscles in repetitive movement also stimulates release of serotonin, the "happy hormone", reducing anxiety.... !

I do more breathing exercises now along with my training and yoga now. It really helps balance the "fire" from Kyokushin training. Too much fire can burn down the "Temple" in your soul.... hahaha....

Hello Everyone,

This message is especially for those who are with groups such as the Union, Matsushima, Midori and then some- who's visiting Japan this year for their tournaments.

Please note that we will NOT open Honbu to unnotified visitors.

For the past couple years we have asked the offices of these groups to speak to their dojo's and studenst about the etiquette. However, the group(s) mentioned above has failed to respect these protocols asked by Honbu which has led to many disruptions of our classes.

Last year from Australia a man came to Honbu pretending to be close to our Branch chief from there. He did not disclose which organization he belonged to and tricked one of the students into letting him inside by saying he was "asked" to take picture It is amazing because he actually turned out to be and elderly person who was an attorney.

Honbu is not a tourist spot- it is where Sosai trained until few days before he was hospitalized. It is where we choose to train and belong to.

It is also where my relatives come and stay as well as my sisters. My niece was terrified to have people banging the door late at night, when Honbu was clearly closed for the evening.

Please respect our prerogative and if you really want to visit please email us.

Thank you.....!

Life is about taking chances, and the people with the most gifts have a responsibility to themselves and those they can inspire, to take those chances. You never know how many people you end up paving a path for.

You, my dear reader, are an incredibly gifted person, in many ways. All avenues must be explored. Always remember this and stay true to your goals and above all, to your perfect little face.

The world is waiting for you!

R.H.

One of the most important thing I've learned is observing the motion of the person speaking as opposed to listening to what they are saying. This can be a challenge when it is with people from overseas but you can still observe from afar.

I've seen and sat in meetings with all sort of people and Kyokushin BC's (from all factions... when they were younger and with more hair on their head... ) sometimes I think they have no idea what they are talking about. It is like split personality, mouth going one way and everything else going the other way. They can't get their thought together. And they failed meeting their goals.

I've found one key to successful (meaningful) anything, is having the two- your mouth and your thoughts- work in tandem. It also saves a lot of time for yourself and others.

As thankful as we are, every new sign of a potential member is a gamble because you never know exactly how things will turn out. People (Shihans) with 'great' credential may not be so great after all, and in some cases, a complete utter disaster. And sometimes people (students) who are self-taught but with iron-will, determined not to do the same mistakes as others and has little or no credential (stripes on their belt) can turn out to be great. And vice versa. Sometimes, we end up with such great Shihan's you wonder why every other Bc is not like them. There is no easy guarantee until they all come and play on the proving ground.

That is why the smarties from the Honbu Committee put the "provisional basis" on new Dojo's. So we can at least see their potential, work ethic and stress management working with the other Dojo's and Honbu .

I know some of you read Japanese and the word 'Branch Chief' is 支部長　in Japanese characters. The three individual character has meaning separately as well as collectively and the character I always emphasize here is 支, = "to support". I know watching from my father as well as reflecting on all the historical greats are that a great leader knows how to lead as well as to being led. Synergy is so important and crucial, if functioning as a collective group.

In the past, I have met some with disorders and like with any disorder- they don't surface quickly. The scary part is they usually hide behind the belt. Like policemen, when someone says you are karate teacher, the trust is immediate there. But I try to be circumspect if not slightly paranoid. To be blunt, you can't trust someone just because they say they teach karate or say they are trust worthy. Trust but verify, always.

I was once told by a wise friend, "If someone is stepping on your toes, you better had learnt to yell."

A few years ago, there was an unauthorized book published on Sosai. I was still mourning over my mother's passing and to be quite honest, I did not think much of this writer. He was one of those gossip writer that jumped around Matsui group like a flea. He was a bad news and no serious journalist ever took him seriously. Then I found out he had the manuscript already and was in print. I contacted the publisher, who turned out to be was as vile as he was.

What Sosai created is not just a marital arts organization but he actually built a brand around himself and his karate. Which efforts are recognized all over the world today. He was a genius on how he produced them. Then comes is.... this reprehensible human being who publishes a book which denounces your worth and damages the image/reputation to make a name for himself. To top it off, Sosai is not in his physical body to defend himself. I had to something.

The book was disgusting. It was full of fabrications from the writer's supposed "research", it was scathing. As worse was the publisher. It is one of the renowned Japanese publishing house, and I was surprised that they even decided to take part in it. It showed me of my father's concern with the decline of Japanese integrity.

The writer had outright lies in his book, obviously his intention was to damage Sosai and the Kyokushin reputation to sell his name. The man was not just bad- he was evil. His intent was defamation. It was so far from truth, I had no idea what he was even writing about. And it only boiled down to this: money and attention. This was not the way to do it, at least not properly. I decided not to look the other way.

Although mourning, I started researching. His reporting was reprehensible and he had to bear the consequences. I contacted Matsui san, Goda san, Royama san etc... but they did not want anything to do with this pit-viper writer! I said it is not about him,the writer, it is about their teacher and Kyokushin! Still they said, "Oh... we don't want extra trouble." I can tell my father is rolling in his grave! Again, I had to do something. Once the book was out, people will see it as facts. That is the power and the responsibility of journalism.

I borrowed money and sued both the writer and the publisher. For a large sum. Now, it is not very Japanese- the amount we asked for and the public apology. We demanded to have one full page on newspaper of our choice as well as on their website for a certain period of time. It took all the way to High Court since the publisher was fighting for their reputation now. At any event I told them- especially the publisher, that I am not interested in settling without a large payment and a full apology. There 's always going to be struggling writers but the publishing house- they helped make this mess big time.

The result from the courts were 100% satisfactory. The writer closed his office and the publishing house issued public apology and the editor who was responsible was fired. What was left after the lawyer's fee, the money went to build the MOC Unity Funds, which I dedicated to Sosai and my mother, Chiyako. It's purpose is to fund raise through activities of Kyokushin Karate or from it and sent to nine different charities world wide, in the name of my parents. We come up with different projects every year, in honor Sosai and my mother.

One of the greatest lesson I learned from my parents is to never give in something you don't believe in. They never, ever gave up and I look today what Kyokushin is doing for thousands of students who train them. Truly astonishing. I could not have some loser take advantage of Sosai and his Kyokushin. The culmination of it was a greater good that came out.

It was definitely worth the fight and I had yelled when my toes were stepped on!

Hello everyone,

Sorry I have been MIA for a while- I got a new job and am still trying to make a website so please be patient!

I have been getting some inquiries/comments regarding what's happening to Kyokushin all around nowadays, Matsui and his formal IKO comments etc.

I think Kyokushin will align naturally into certain groups and I think it will fall in two categories. One that will be about Sosai's teachings and other more about the sporty side of karate. Maybe it will have the third category of one's who mouth the philosophical teaching and promoted their karate masking as, "Sosai's teachings".

My father always maintained that Honbu is in Japan and "his" karate is rooted here. So my answer is simply to adapt to his wishes and interpret them in best possible way.

Ohhh it has been so, so long since I last wrote in here!

I am in midst of making a new fabulous website and have been busier than ever traveling to make Sosai's wishes come true.

Please be patient....

"Disappointments are opportunities in disguise."

E. M

Whoever I am and whatever I am doing, some kind of excellence is within my reach.

-John W. Gardner

"Be a fool. Don't be afraid to be a fool. It is okay to be one.... just do not let anyone treat you like a fool."

- Words from my Dad (Sosai) when I asked him how can I be "smart".