GALLERY — LATVIA, JULY 2008
Kantōshō — Fighting Spirit Award
Sayōnara Party
July 6th — After the seminar we had a small sayōnara party at Alus arsenāls, which means Beer Arsenal. And we ordered the "one meter beer special"... Next, Onaga Kaichō presented some "sayōnara presents" to all of us.
Earlier that day, Dr. Artis Pabriks received an award from the President Lithuanian, Valdas Adamkus: The Grand Cross of Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas, which is the highest medal given by the government of Lithuania. This was a great honor for Dr. Pabriks. Congratulations!!!
Artis started his day at 5 AM with a four hour drive to Lithuania to receive his medal. Then, he shook a few hands, took a few photos and drove back another four hours to Riga, Latvia. And he was ready to train at the Shinjinbukan Seminar with Onaga Kaichō.
Last Class
July 7th — Today was the last class of the 2008 Shinjinbukan Latvia Gasshuku. After we checked out of Hotel Gutenbergs and walked to Dōjō for a short class from 10 am to 12:30pm.
A few more photos before our friends had to go to the airport.
BELOW LEFT & CENTER: Me with Miss Elizabete Zariņa: a talented Shinjinbukan Latvian student (14 years old).
BELOW RIGHT: Araki Shunichi Sensei, waiting for his ride to the airport....
Kantōshō — Fighting Spirit Award
July 8, 9 & 10 — I stayed in Latvia a few more days to train with all the Shinjinbukan Latvia students. My deshi, Artis Pabriks, has been teaching them for several months. In the Shinjinbukan School promotions are very slow and the process of changing from another style to the Shinjinbukan Karate is very difficult. Even for a black belt, it could take several years.
I normally encourage my students by giving them a Kantōshō Award, rather than promoting them in rank. Therefore, at the end of the Gasshuku, Artis presented the Kantōshō Award to his students.
In the Shinjinbukan organization, a Head instructor of a Shibu Dōjō (Brach School) is also responsible for supervising a Fuku Shibu Dōjō (Sub-branch). This means that I am not only responible for my own Shinjinbukan New York Shibu Dōjō, but also teach and advise my deshi Artis Pabriks and the Shinjinbukan Latvia Fuku Shibu Dōjō. Therefore, all the Kantōshō Awards were given with my Hanko (red seal) which reads: "Shinjinbukan New York Shibu Dōjō"
Here is a sample of one of the awards:
English Translation:
KANTŌSHŌ
(Fighting Spirit Award)
Certificate of commendation for the good effort during the Summer Session Karate Class.
Given on the 9th day of July, 2008.
Kokusai Shinjinbukan Karate Dō Kyōkai.
Shinjinbukan Latvia Fuku Shibu Dōjō.
Shihan, Artis Pabriks.
After the Shinjinbukan Gasshuku (training camp) in Latvia, I spent a few days in Budapest, Hungary
