Kawanabe Celebration of 50 years

It was a very good time from the flawless flight to landing in Narita Airport Japan and making our way to our Hotel Tohei to recoup.
We were lost in small packets Carlos, Steve and the ladies went off their way.
Arizona teams did their thing, and Vermont represented By Chris Price and New York by Lenchus Sensei and Stewart Ratzker found things to entertain themselves and stay busy.

We worked out at the Mother Dojo with Kawanabe Sensei and Professor Heyden of Chile joined us.
Workouts are long and hard which is great when you are aching for knowledge.

We visted Funakoshi Gichen Senseis grave which was very moving and did rubbings of his gravestone, and brought back small stones from the graveside.
In Kamakura we visited the big Buddha, then to a major sword maker who is the 24th generation of the greatest swords makers in Japanese history where we all purchased something to commemorate the meeting

Before the big day we worked out a few times to practice and on that major occasion we received medals, belts, tee shirts, and certificates of Promotion

At the Saturday celebration, many dignitaries from the Mayor to other major Martial Artists came including the JKA and Numba Sensei who is very strong.

We all demonstrated then went to a dinner party where I was re-introduced to Kawanabe Senseis family who I had not seen since 1959.
We laughed and danced and ate and took lots of pictures which we will share with you in weeks to come.

We are all now safe at our respective homes and back to work, but the memories live on.

Lenchus