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Nahashu Ryu Quarterly Message
From Hombu: March 2009
Dave Nielsen, Hanshi, 10th
Dan
Founder (Soke) Nahashu Ryu Karate-Do
My fellow students:
A lot of good Karate has transpired since I
last spoke to you by message several months ago. So much so that I
sometimes felt like I have been in a tornado spinning around with so
many thoughts and projects in my head. All of it I call Karate because
every decision made had something to do with the “art” as well as my
personal life.
As many of you know, we have the best Karate
instructors, bar none. I trained 5 black belts through the ranks to
instructor status over the last 11 years and one has the first title
that I have ever awarded any student. That title is “Renshi”, or Expert
Instructor. Sensei “Miko” has also been given the lineage title of
“Tesshi” which translates to Head Secretary, or Secretariat to the
Master. This title carries a lot of weight with it since it puts him,
Miko, in the place of my second in charge and as successor to the Karate
system of Nahashu Ryu which I founded (Arguments can be made over the
exact translations of the words Renshi and Tesshi, but they are written
here in a loose translation so that all students will understand their
intended meanings. I make no claims as a Japanese linguist.). I found it
necessary to announce my successor early on in Nahashu Ryu history so
that it would transition into place smoothly upon my retirement with no
arguments from within. As a writer of Karate, I have discovered time and
again the many fractions or branches of the four main styles of Okinawan
Karate due to the petty fighting that breaks out amongst senior
instructors because a master has unfortunately waited too long to
announce his successor and had died. I do not want this to happen to
Nahashu Ryu.
In place in our system is also Sensei Amy
Nielsen (most of you know her as my wife), who is the Chief Executive
Officer of the United States of America Traditional Karate Association,
or the USATKA. This is our governing body which all our schools, or
dojo, fall under. This Association certifies every student’s kyu rank
(mudansha), all black belt (yundansha) ranks, all titles, awards, and
makes new rules as they become necessary for Nahashu Ryu. The
association also entertains and hosts all forms of traditional martial
artists who wish to align themselves in a needed body to certify their
ranks. This is a permanent position and the replacement for it will be
announced when needed by Amy Sensei.
By keeping the style of Nahashu Ryu separate
from the USATKA we are able to incorporate other traditional styles of
Karate into the association. Otherwise some styles would not have a body
to certify their ranking systems. I created both the style of Nahashu
Ryu Karate Jutsu and an association for two different reasons. These
reasons should be self explanatory.
Our next senior ranking member would be
Sensei Roberto Artigas. Roberto Sensei is a diligent student who gathers
information about the traditional styles of Karate and their off shoot
branches. He is a bit of an Historian if you will, but not quite.
Roberto concentrates on the pure essence of Nahashu Ryu by compiling its
entire necessary Okinawan heritage. This is important, as Nahashu Ryu is
made up mainly of the two systems of Karate invented in Okinawa. These
are Naha Te and Shuri Te. Another side was Tomari Te, but this system
has been gathered up into the system of Shuri Te. Roberto Sensei has
large volumes of work and is diligently and systematically putting them
together for our style. I believe this would make a fine, true history
of Nahashu Ryu when it is finished. Roberto Sensei is also our oldest
instructor, both wise and strong in our art as well as a personable
instructor to all age groups. We all should follow his tremendous
example as he has truly transformed himself mentally, physically, and
spiritually on his martial arts journey. Roberto Sensei is also studying
to be a master in the Chinese Healing Arts.
Next in line is Sensei Michael Neal. Look
out for this guy! He is a BIG dude, with a very soft demeanor. Michael
Sensei will be teaching around the Memphis area until he and his bride
to be (another Nahashu student), decide where in Tennessee they will
reside. Eventually Michael Sense will open a Dojo in Memphis,
Cookeville, or Knoxville. Michael Sensei is a strong physical sensei
with a strong moral code. He will push you to your limits.
Rounding out my core group of instructors is
Sensei Drew Davis. Drew Sensei is lightning fast and stings you so much
in so many places that your apt to fall from sheer shock in about 5
seconds if you tangle with him. Drew Sensei explains things with great
precision and garners a great deal of results from his students. So much
so that his demands upon anyone he teaches result in excellent Kata and
Kumite. Drew Sensei is the assistant to Tesshi Miko Sensei.
Recent promotions as of the date of this
writing are as follows:
Sandan:
Sensei Amy Nielsen
Nidan:
Sensei Michael Neal
Sensei Drew Davis
This group of instructors forms the core
group for all of Nahashu Ryu Karate Jutsu. I feel it is necessary for
all present and incoming mudansha kyu level students to know who the top
people in our Karate style are.
With all of these instructors based in one
Dojo it was evident that the time had come to expand to at least one
more school or perhaps two. Too many top people in any Karate class can
and does both intimidate and waste lots of lower ranking student’s time
in training. So some decisions had to be made.
I decided to pursue other venues in and
around the Memphis area that would host a Karate school in their
establishment. Such places as Community centers, Fitness centers, and
Churches were looked at. To make the story short, both “Well Works” in
down town Memphis and Singleton Community Center in Bartlett have shown
interest in having our Karate style taught at their locations. Tesshi
Miko Sensei has procured Singleton Community Center and will open there
on April 1st, 2009. Shortly thereafter it looks like we might
also place another Sensei at the “Well Works” location in down town
Memphis. Both places are great locations that will do all advertisements
for us and both have a constant flow of people looking for training in
different arts. If at all possible I would like to see one of our Sensei
to also try to keep the current church location open. This would only be
possible if Roberto Sensei does not move. Although not a student
factory, they have given us a home for the last 3 and one half years to
practice without any stipulations for absolutely free. Otherwise,
Roberto Sensei would assist at Singleton or Well Works at his
discretion.
As stated previously, it was evident that
the class had to break up in order to broaden the style of Nahashu Ryu
Karate Jutsu. Quite by accident or most probably the will of God, I
found myself in a position to move. The decision made itself for me due
to the economic status that we are all faced with at this time in our
country. With no job for Amy and all my 23 years of living in Memphis, I
made the decision to broaden Nahashu Ryu Karate Jutsu in another state.
Thus Amy and I decided to move to Cabot, Arkansas to both live and work,
and most importantly to take a chance at opening yet another Karate
school.
As it turned out, Cabot is where an old Navy
friend of mine is from. He and I served in the Navy Band together over
30 years ago. This helped make our transition to a new town in another
state easier for us. Cabot lays just North of Little Rock and is far
enough away to call a country town. It takes about 30 minutes to drive
from where we live to North Little Rock.
Amy found a job almost immediately and I in
turn found a place to teach Karate within three weeks of us arriving in
town. We are very happy to be a part of a physical fitness facility
known as “Extreme Fitness”. It has two locations, one here in Cabot and
another in the town of Conway which is west of here about 35 miles. They
have been in business for about 30 years and have never been at a loss
for students. Their facilities are large and the owner and I hit it off
professionally as well as personally. So now your “Hombu” is settled in
Cabot, AR. And the new “Hombu” dojo is at the Extreme Fitness center in
the same town. This is what is known as both the Nahashu Ryu Karate
Jutsu and the USATKA Headquarters. Both Amy Sensei and I will be
teaching there and running three different classes on three different
days of the week. The classes we will offer are an all women’s Self
Defense/Martial Arts class, a regular Karate class, and a Karate class
for 8 to 12 year olds. Additionally we both offer private lessons. All
three classes will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday early
evenings and nights continually. We look to try and establish a well
grounded and well rounded karate student as we always have. We also hope
to become strong pillars in the community and train up some more fine
instructors to take our place so that the style of Nahashu Ryu will
continue to grow.
From time to time you will see Amy Sensei
and myself in Memphis as we come for ranking test and just to have some
seminars with you. We look forward to having you all come here to Cabot
to visit the Hombu Dojo and to work out with your new karate brothers
and sisters from time to time. All of you are being trained in the exact
same way.
I am very pleased that all the students in
Memphis decided to stay on in their pursuit in Karate training.
Sometimes some students leave when an instructor leaves. I am happy that
all of you enjoy Tesshi and Roberto Sensei so much. They are fine
instructors as is Drew Sensei.
In closing let me say that I believe that
our green belts, Mr. Tracy, Jacob, and Hannah are the best that I’ve
seen in a long time. Keep at the hard work. I look forward to seeing
your progress.
Peace.
This is the Way.
Soke Nielsen
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