2020 February
2018 December August June February
2017 December September June March
2016 November August June March
2015 December October July May February
2014 December October July April February
2013 December October August May February
2012 December September July April February
2011 December September July April February
from the July, 2009 issue of Kiai!
Kyoshi Sarah and Senpai Jo Willis
Visit Seido Jamaica
By Kyoshi Sarah Ludden
What an opportunity-to visit Jamaica and be hosted by extremely gracious and generous Seido friends! I have read about Jamaica and been profoundly moved by its history-the brutal colonial injustices, the early economy built on the labor of African slaves, the post-colonial exploitation of natural resources (bauxite primarily) and the unrelenting, courageous and awe inspiring slave rebellions and political struggles for freedom and independence. I love many aspects of Jamaican culture, including the music of reggae-Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh.and have been intrigued by the rumors of how hard Jamaicans work and how hard they play!
At the Kingston airport I was greeted by beautiful poster sized photos of the national heroes, including Marcus Garvey and the famous "Nanny of the Maroons." I walked outside to the beautiful verdant island, the sea, the warm tropical air on my skin, AND two Seido friends, Jun Shihan Paul Williams from Honbu and Marsha from Seido Jamaica, there to take me to the hotel where Senpai Jo and I were staying.
Their hospitality was consummate. Jun Shihan Tony Robinson, the branch chief of all Jamaican dojo, arranged transportation and entertainment for all of the visitors, including special guest Hanshi Charles Martin, seven students from Honbu, Sensei Mark from Florida and Senpai Jo and me from Chicago. Jun Shihan Tony's students, Sensei Enid and Lizzy, Marsha and Judy, were especially helpful to us, driving us everywhere and attending to endless logistics.
We ate together several times-at a busy, outdoor, late night place where I got to enjoy my first Jamaican jerk chicken in Jamaica; lunch in a beach "village" where restaurants serve whole snappers caught right there and prepared right there! I wholeheartedly agree with Hanshi Charles and Jun Shihan Tony-this was the best fish in the WORLD. After the tournament we enjoyed a late dinner in the trendy club area of New Kingston.
Our visit was too brief, only four days. But we did as much as we could. We visited Jun Shihan Tony's dojo Thursday night, connecting with Hanshi Charles and meeting the students, again extremely friendly and gracious, and had one class together. The white and colored belt students, about 25 adults and children, individually performed kata, practicing for the tournament, and the black belts gave feedback. I got a feel for their serious training, spirit and energy.
Jo and I also visited the Bob Marley museum, a few blocks from where we were staying, and walked less than a mile to enjoy the best ice cream in Jamaica.
The tournament was open to children and adults, men and women, all martial arts styles, including Seido, Tae Kwon Do, several gung fu systems and Okinawan/Japanese karate, and attracted athletes from all over Jamaica. Under the watchful eye of Hanshi Charles and overall direction of Jun Shihan Tony, about 300 people competed in empty hand kata, weapons kata and kumite (sparring), from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
I witnessed superb kata demonstrations and breathtaking sparring rounds, had the opportunity to present my kata in the women's masters' event and judged countless rings of kumite and kata. My favorite, I must say, was working under Jun Shihan George's leadership, judging the division of 5 year olds (about 30 of them). Beautiful!
I am very grateful to be a member of our international Seido organization and have the opportunity to attend tournaments all over the world, connecting with people and cultures through our shared language of karate. I learned so much attending this tournament and seeing the outstanding athleticism and technique of the competitors. My own art was enriched, my teaching inspired and I made new friends!
Congratulations Jun Shihan Tony and all the Seido Jamaican students from Kingston on producing yet another outstanding tournament and fun international gathering. I can't thank Seido Jamaica enough for their kindness and generosity. I only hope we can return the favor and host these wonderful Seido brothers and sisters in our homes and dojo soon.