Had a good time with Hataya Sensei last week. He first stopped at Big Tony's for (what I heard) was a successful visit. Next he headed our way. Bob Lampp and I picked Sensei up at the airport at 4:30 and promply left for Tom Smyth's dojo in Palm Bay.
Smyth Sensei had a record breaking 18 people at the seminar! We geared these training sessions towards the "shoshin" or beginners. Seems the "Last Samurai" has swelled our ranks! Everyone got to cut with some personal help from Sensei. As far as I could tell, everyone was stoked! Afterwards we went out for beer at the Outback.
The next day Sensei and I did some running around and started our seminar promptly at 6:30. We all know how difficult that is! Our Orlando site hosted 16 attendees. Run much the same way as at Tom Smyth's all of the beginners were amazed. I talk till I am blue in the face about what a nice guy and good teacher Sensei is but it must be experienced to be appreciated. We tried like hell to finish in time to eat sushi but as usual, between the after seminar photos and the bodies lying around the Aikido mat (from Sensei's back cracking) we only got to Alfonso's, the official dojo hangout.
Next Day (Friday) we were off to the Tampa sword show. Sensei bought 30 swords! I bought a waki for cutting and gave the blade to Animo for his star sharpening job and the mounts to Wally Hostetter for saya/handle work. I hope it turns out!
Sunday after various pow-wows and such, I hauled it back home. A busy and very successful time for me. I would like to add that most of the brain work (and a big friging headache) was handled by Bob Lampp in that he handled the travel schedule. That is one tough job. But he did it well Thanks a million to him and all who turned out for Hataya Sensei's seminars.
Bob Elder
