ENGLISH ∙ ESPAÑOL ∙ FRANÇAIS ∙
GALLERY — MAY & JUNE 2008, OKINAWA
The Shinjinbukan Honbu Dōjō in Okinawa celebrated the 70th Birthday of our founder Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō (June 2nd) and the 20th Anniversary of our School. Most of the details were a surprise to Onaga Kaichō, including the arrival of several Shinjinbukan members from North America and from mainland Japan. Also, many Shinjinbukan members from around the world called Onaga Kaichō to congratulate him on this special ocassion.
OKINAWAN SONG PERFORMED BY MRS. SHIGEKO ONAGA (VIDEO CLIP)
THE SHINJINBUKAN SONG (VIDEO CLIP)
SPEECH BY ONAGA YOSHIMITSU KAICHŌ (VIDEO CLIP)
BEFORE THE PARTY
The main party took place on Saturday, May 31st, 2008. This event was coordinated by Mr. Arakaki Shunichi. The day of the party he arrived early to setup all the decorations. Below, Mr. Arakaki sitting next to Senaha Shigetoshi Sensei, President of the Ryusyokai Gōjū Ryū organization.
One of the great surprises during the celebration was the location: Thai Thai Restaurant (on Highway 58). The "VIP room" looked like a mini submarine or the compartment of a Navy warship, or even like the London tube (subway).
Surprise, surprise!!!
FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS
A joint gift of flowers and a large Jazz CD collection was presented to Onaga Kaichō from the Shinjinbukan members listed from left to right in the photo below:
神人武館ミシサウガ Shinjinbukan Mississauga
神人武館ヴァンクーヴァー Shinjinbukan Vancouver
神人武館ラトビア Shinjinbukan Latvia
神人武館ヴィクトリア Shinjinbukan Victoria
神人武館フランス Shinjinbukan France
神人武館イサクア Shinjinbukan Issaquah
神人武館ニューヨーク Shinjinbukan New York
Others gifts were presented to Onaga Kaichō from the Honbu Dōjō, and also a flower arrangement for Mrs. Onaga.
All these beautiful flower arrangements were made by Hiroko Arakaki (sister of Mr. Shunichi Arakaki).
Arigato Gozaimasu!! Thanks for all your help!!!
THE PARTY BEGINS
The party got started and the food and sake started to flowing. KANPAI!!
After the gifts were presented, several speeches were made and more KANPAI...
OKINAWAN SONG PERFORMED BY MRS. SHIGEKO ONAGA (VIDEO CLIP)
Later, Mrs. Shigeko Onaga performed a traditional song in Uchinaguchi (Okinawan language) for her beloved husband. This beautiful song, KINUKUJUSHI has a beutiful melody. It sounds like a love song, but it is not...
Click to See Video: SHINJINBUKAN CELEBRATION 1 (QuickTime Format)
THE SHINJINBUKAN SONG (VIDEO CLIP)
Next, Mr. Arakaki fired up the party performing the Shinjinbukan Song, and everyone else clapped and sang along...
Click to See Video: SHINJINBUKAN CELEBRATION 2 (QuickTime Format)
SPEECH BY ONAGA YOSHIMITSU KAICHŌ (VIDEO CLIP)
Then, Onaga Kaichō made a short speech thanking God for all his wonderful deshi (disciples), and expressed his desire that his life work, Shinjinbukan will continue to grow around the world.
Click to See Video: SHINJINBUKAN CELEBRATION 3 (QuickTime Format)
And then came the big item: the Birthday Cake and all of us singing Happy Birthday Onaga Sensei!!!
ENDING THE PARTY
At the end of the party everyone wanted to take a picture. Here are a few samples:
Left: Onaga Kaichō and me (Jimmy Mora).
Center: Jimmy Mora, Onaga Kaichō and Daniel Kogan.
Right Top: Jimmy Mora, Onaga Kaichō and Preston Flammang.
Right Bottom: Onaga Kaichō and Preston Flammang.
Below Left: Onaga Kaichō and his son, Onaga Yoshikatsu.
Below Center: Vincent Liew, Onaga Kaichō and Senaha Sensei.
Below Right: Jimmy Mora, Onaga Kaichō and Daniel Kogan. Again...
THE AFTER PARTY
We left the party carrying all the flower arrangements to Onaga Kaichō's home office. Then, the karaoke machine was turned on and everyone was ready to become a "Star"...
And the sake, beer kept flowing.
