This last summer, July of 2002, Taniguchi-Sensei and I were hosted by the Abbotsford Seikukan Karate Club of Abbotsford, British Columbia. The head teacher of the dojo, Harry Sidhu, as well as Manjit Gosal were our two primary hosts during our two-week stay. These guys were very cool, and were absolutely astonishing hosts. In short, we had a riot with them.
We were picked up on the 2nd of July at Vancouver International airport. I flew in a little early from Nagoya, while Taniguchi-Sensei, after a Tokyo karate conference came in from Tokyo. We were greeted by Harry and Manjit at the airport and whisked off to Abbotsford, where we would do most of our training and visiting. The Abbotsford Seikukan was at the beginning of their summer session, and despite the fact that most dojos close down during the summer months, these guys were still running their dojo and tons of students were coming out for practices. On the first day we were off to the dojo, still pretty high on adrenaline, but soon after jet-lag kicked in and Sensei and I found ourselves snoring away in Manjit's place not much later the first night.
Our visit was especially wonderful with the tremendous people we could visit with. Robert Khamis, Richard Hoogewerf, Kelvin Jagpal were three of the instructors who really made us feel at home. These guys are also pretty good karate dudes too, so it was a pleasure to see them teach and to train alongside of them as well. Right away we could feel a very kind spirit of camaraderie with these men and we enjoyed the time both in and out of the dojo we could spend together. Although Taniguchi-Sensei, having the character that he does, wanted to spend every waking moment in the dojo if possible, Harry, Manjit, and the other instructors made a point of taking us around the beautiful British Columbia interior to enjoy some of the most spectacular sites of North America. That was just fabulous.
We also had the great opportunity to meet teachers and karate people from other dojos too. We visited Endo-Sensei's dojo at the YMCA in Vancouver, where other karate instructors from a variety of different organizations and schools came out to visit and train with Taniguchi-Sensei. That was great. And Endo-Sensei in particular is a wonderful man to get to know. Having lived in Canada now for over 25 years, this Japanese-Canadian has the reverse perspective of life between cultures that I do, and it was a delight to visit with, joke around with, and compare notes with this man. I also accidentally punched him in the nose once (long story--we were drinking!!) and really appreciate his good humor and forgiving spirit!
We also met several of the biggest wigs in British Columbia as well, certainly not least among them is Sensei Don Owens. This is a man too with a tremendous tale to tell of more than three decades of karate behind him, and a gentle perspective towards karate, which was marvelous to hear. As a career police officer he is also a man who knows what really works with karate. It was a delight to meet him and make his acquaintance too.
Our two weeks with these gentlemen flew by too quickly. July 17th came. And we were truly sorry to see our visit come to an end. But we made great friends in British Columbia, the home of my birth. Taniguchi-Sensei and I both felt a particular kinship with these guys and are enriched for our time with them. Thank you guys!
Among the people we really want to thank for our spectacular visit are, in no specific order:
Harry and Tina Sidhu, Manjit and Mohinder Gosal, Robert Khamis, Kelvin Jagpal, Richard Hoogewerf, Rolf, Don Owens, Endo-Sensei, Monty Bains, Monnu Bains, Tony Zanatta, Cathy Adam, Anna Rogers, Keith Martin, Lionel Chan, Harry's dad and family, and anyone else who I have forgotten. Thanks so much for your warm hospitality and kindness. We were truly overwhelmed.
On this page are some links to some of the pictures from our visit. I hope that the subtitles help you figure out what is going on. Several photos are from our final practice with the Abbotsford Seikukan, in which these guys went all out. It was great. Also, Taniguchi-Sensei and the instructors of Abbotsford Seikukan had a thirty minute program with embu and various demos. It was a great night for parents, students, friends, neighbors, and the media to come out. It was a riotous success. Enjoy some photos of the trip.
Our very sincere thanks again to Harry Sidhu and Manjit Gosal. We are anxiously waiting for when you guys come out this way to train with us.
Mark Groenewold
Kanazawa, Japan
November, 2002
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