North Texas Kenshin Kan Dojo

Camp with Hanshi was amazing. He spent so much time working with each student. Jasmine tested for her 6 kyu kobudo and did a wonderful job. I'll be posting photos soon on the "Colorado 2008" page, so check back. Next year's camp should be in Texas, so every student will be able to attend!

Summer Day Camp plans are pending - you'll be notified as soon as plans are final!

We have a new logo - patches and t-shirts will be made up as soon as possible. Thanks to Kelsey H. for her hard work and help on this project!

Check out the photos page for pictures from our October 2007 demonstration at the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens and our most recent testing. You'll also see photos of our friends in the Okinawa DFW Champuru Society, performing traditional Japanese and Okinawan dance.

The class with Ader sensei, held at the Boys' Ranch Activity Center gym on Friday, was a big success. I believe we all came away with a greater appreciation for the fundamentals of our style and realize how important it is to establish a good foundation - and then to work "smart" (not just hard) to build on it! Remember, students, you can contact Ader sensei directly, at jwader@earthlink.net, to request his Lesson of the Week.

The party was a HUGE success - thanks to all the parents and adults students who brought snacks and drinks to share. Check out the photos here. You can probably tell what a good time we had.

Fifteen students of North TX Kenshin Kan tested on Sunday, March 25. This was our first belt test and everyone did a great job. You should be really proud of yourselves - and I hope you're looking forward to moving to the next level of your training.

Here are the stats:

We had 15 students testing. Nine are adults. Twelve tested for the rank of 9 kyu; one, 8 kyu; one, 7 kyu and one, 6 kyu. Chris, who has shown some real leadership among the other students, put on his green belt for the first time for our dojo photo.

Our dojo is honored to have had Shihan John Shipes and Thomas Ashley sensei on the panel. Both traveled a good distance to get here and
gave up a big chunk of weekend. Their presence and comments about the effort put forth is a real encouragement. Paul Wilson (White Rock Dojo) and Thomas sensei's student George helped keep things running smoothly.

You have worked really hard for a certificate, a little stripe of green on your belt and for the personal satisfaction of learning an art that has spanned generations and continents. The results will be sent to Hanshi today - I'm sure he'll be pleased.

Group of Okinawans and Americans who strive to share the best of Okinawa with the DFW community. Read More...

The Japanese gardens in Ft. Worth was the perfect venue for eisa and karate demonstrations in late October. Read More...

Gasshuku 2006 was a huge success, thanks to Hanshi Fusei Kise and Kaicho Isao Kise, who landed in Minnesota for a full weekend of training just as the weather turned a little cooler. (Samui, ne?) John Shipes sensei and I were inside the airport's secure area on Thursday, having just arrived from Texas, so we were able to greet Hanshi and Kaicho as they arrived from Seattle. The Minnesota contingent were waiting at baggage claim, led by Loren Engelby sensei and Ben Madsen sensei.

Camp photos have been uploaded to a new page - just click on "Gasshuku 2006" to view them.

The camp was well-run and the workouts were phenomenal. I'm sure everyone there took away something that helped them to better understand the execution or application of our style of karate.

North Texas Kenshin Kan Dojo is accepting private students at this time, and we hope to have a facility for classes soon. Call 214-783-2360 for information.

Seems a little odd to come home to Okinawa in time for the 4th of July, but here I am!

Camp ended on a high note. We had two more amazing training sessions on Sunday. At the barbecue on Sunday evening, Grand Master was presented with a beautiful pair of handcrafted kama. Both he and Kaicho were given an autographed photo of the camp participants. We left camp after breakfast on Monday morning.

I took a couple of days' vacation to rest after camp and visited the Garden of the Gods and the cliff dwellings near Colorado Springs. My final training session in the States was at Ader sensei's dojo on Thursday evening. It was a blessing to me to get to meet and train with such a hardworking, dedicated group of students. (If any of you read this, thanks again for your hospitality).

Check out the Summer Camp Photos page for the last few photos from camp! (NOTE - 4/30/07 - the link has been removed). That page includes photos of two sensei - Aguilar sensei and Franklin sensei - who formerly ran the Tengan Dojo at Camp Courtney!