| 2004 ISSHINKAI ENBUKAI by Jeff Perkins An Enbukai is a gathering of martial artists for training, demonstration and camaraderie. It’s a time when at least once a year, one can meet new martial arts friends and reacquaint with old ones. Friendship and camaraderie were the main ingredients that fueled the 2004 Isshinkai Enbukai in Oceanside, California hosted by the Isshinkai’s Chief Instructor, Arcenio Advincula and his “tuji” (Okinawa hogen for wife) Michie. Arrivals began early in the week. The “Megami Garden Dojo” was open for training at the Advincula residence. On Friday. Sensei Advincula conducted a class on martial arts movement. Saturday Sensei Advincula’s senior Eskrima student, Sam Dunca, taught Cinco Terra drills and knife fighting. Another Advincula direct student from the Oceanside dojo, Keith Craig, conducted Hindiandi Gung Fu drills. The afternoon session was filled with fine karate, kobudo and eskrima demonstrations by students and instructors from all over the USA and Canada. Sunday’s training was all Kobudo with Sensei Advincula’s sai basics, tuifa basics, bo basics, and a short session on history and traditions. As can be expected at an Isshinkai event, top notch training. There is no better place (well…..other than maybe Okinawa) for after training activities. The fine dining in the Oceanside area is something I always look forward to. Great ½ lb burgers, microbrew beer, fine pizza and outstanding swordfish steak. And as always, delicious breakfasts in Carlsbad. After dinner, the nights are spent at the “Advincula Ranch” mingling with Enbukai participants while sipping the Isshinkai favorite, Okinawa’s Orion beer. It’s always nice to see our old friends from New Jersey and Canada but, the highlight has to be the participation of our “tomodachi” (good friend) Sensei Byron Marriner from New Jersey. About one year ago “Doc” (he’s a dentist by trade) suffered a stroke. It was wonderful to see him up and about on the dojo floor correcting students and instructors. He is truly an inspiration to all of us with his courage and determination. To see “Doc” get back involved with what he loved so dearly was truly good for everyone’s mind, body and spirit. His road back is still long and hard. If anyone can do it, Sensei Doc can. Enbukais are not very common in the U.S. They are common in Okinawa. More organizations should have Enbukais for their group. After all, it’s really the friendship and camaraderie that actually make the training in the martial arts so beneficial. In the dojo we work the mind and the body but, at an Enbukai one works the spirit so that it swells to unrecognizable proportions. In our hectic lives, the spirit occasionally not only needs a quenching, it needs a water fall. This is Enbukai. |
