PUHI — The silent power of the Japanese sword master touched several hundred people Friday at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center. A part of the International Awareness Month celebration, Sensei Tetsutaka Sugawara of Japan was the subject of
PUHI — The silent power of the Japanese sword master touched several hundred people Friday at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center.
A part of the International Awareness Month celebration, Sensei Tetsutaka Sugawara of Japan was the subject of silent admiration as well as a source of knowledge as martial arts students in kendo and aikido basked in his precense.
At 73 years of age and more than 50 years of studying under his belt, Sugawara Sensei started his study of aikido under Morihei Ueshiba in 1960.
Friday, he worked with members of the Lihue Aiki Kai aikido organization and the Lihue Kendo Club in demonstrating kata, or established routines for the audience who reciprocated with a barrage of clicks from cameras positioned around the hall.
The international flavor of the awareness month extended to Spain where Lourdes Sanchez, a visitor here for the seminar, worked through tai chi demonstrations based on the teachings of Sugawara Sensei.
Following his study in Tenshin Shoden Katori Ryu Japanese swordsmanship, Sugawara Sensei received his instructor’s license in 1986.
Moving on to Goju-ryu Karate, Sugawara Sensei was instrumental in introducing Aikido to China. This allowed him to incorporate principles of Tai Chi and Qigong into his training.
The result is a unique and powerful presentation where music enhances the presentation where principles of kendo, aikido, Tai Chi and Qigong are used.
Kyoko Ikeda, Kauai Community College International Education coordinator, said the month-long celebration continues with the focus moving to women’s issues and faculty-led study abroad programs, Monday through Friday.
A Red Flag campaign starts the week, Monday and Wednesday, culminating with “1 Billion Rising,” Friday from 2 to 5 p.m., coinciding with an International Flash Mob/Dance Worldwide to end violence against women and girls.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
