THIS IS WHY I DO WHAT I DO!AS DID MY DAD!PLEASE READ! And it is guys like this Brian who dont forget,and appreciate where the come from and the influences on their lives!Great article from the 70s with me and my brother in our 20sas Ukes THANK YOU BRIAN! Mike DePasquale Jr. , My name is Brian James. I am writing you this email because I came across an old article in Masters of Self Defense magazine Dec 1974. I thought you might like to have a copy. I had trained with your father and you on many occasions over years at many seminars starting in 1992 at the Karate College and also at your dojo. I would spend most of my days training with youll and not many of the other instructors at the Karate College. I also got to be uke for both of you on many occasions. That was a wonderful learning experience too. I was a member of the IFOJJ back then, and bought your magazines religiously. I got some of your instructional videos back then, and have incorporated many things I learned from both of you into my teachings over the years. Those were some of the most memorable moments I have of my years of training in the martial arts, and I share these with my family of students to this day. Your father and you changed me as a martial artist back then forever. I was a Shotokan Karate-do stylist, with an instructor who forbid you to train with another instructor or style. But, through your magazines, books, and meeting youll; I learned that it was alright to exchange information and training with others. That is how we grow, and how most of the arts today came about. The both of you gave so much freely to those who asked and wanted the information and training. You both have such a passion for the martial arts and Jujitsu specifically. I was greatly saddened to here of your fathers passing in Black Belt magazine in 2006 while living in Texas, and I began to cry uncontrollably at the B&N bookstore as I read it. As I still get teary eyed over it today. His picture holds a location of respect and honor among others in my dojos shomen-kamiza (spirit seat) by the kamidana. My students and I bow and show our respect to him daily. I do still train daily; now in my 30th year. And thanks to both of your influences I now hold Dan ranks in Shotokan Karate-do, American Kenpo Karate, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu/Ninjutsu, Yoshin Jujutsu, and Judo. I just want to say thank you so much to the both of you for your influence on me becoming a better martial artist, sensei, father, and human being. I hope you enjoy the article. Domo Arigato Gozaimasu!!! Sincerely, Brian A. James
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 01:24:29 +0000
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