Greetings Martial Artists: Just thought I’d let you know how Alan Goldberg’s event went in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The place was packed as usual. There were about 1,500 people at the banquet and the trade show and seminars were well attended.
Got to see many old friends and martial arts “Stars!” Michael Jai White (man crush) was there promoting a new movie along with Bill Wallace, Joe Lewis, Dan Severn and many other greats. As long as I’ve known Shihan Dana Abbot– oddly we’ve never done kendo together.

I’m always teaching karate and he’s always teaching sword. So this time we decided to “get it on.” Dana said, “I’ll bring my bogu but you bring the shinai! ” I said, “Of course!” So during the trade show on Friday and Saturday we did two great seminars and got to
keiko (spar) with each other. Dana is very fast and a seasoned kendoka. He has spent many years in Japan and really understands kendo, especially as a gentleman’s art. But this old bastard I mean master had a few tricks up his sleeve. We did some marvelous
and extremely fast kendo and pummeled one another repeatedly. Later that evening we attended the banquet and really enjoyed ourselves. Sensei Kevin Cullen was there of the famed Mondo Silente dive team along with Reno Morales, Chief Supreme Ultimate Grand Master
Rico Guy, John Pellegrini, Dr. Craig Lane, Gary Alexander, Cynthia Rothrock, Hank Garrett (of Car 54 Where are you?), Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Tokey Hill, Willie “Bam” Johnson, Michael DePasquale, Nikolai V. Smirnov (not the vodka) from Russia, Joe Hess, Bill Urso and
Maurice Elmalem from Iran. Everyone got their awards (I think I got one. I don’t remember) and celebrated one another’s august company in a true spirit of martial arts camaraderie.

After a great weekend it was off to New York City and some more training… Also got to train with my private student in New York. He wishes to remain anonymous. Not now Kato!! (I’m referring to the Pink Panther Kato here but if you haven’t seen The Green Hornet do so–both films have
characters named Kato!) I saw it while in New York and it was hilarious.

Just a reminder, the Summer Camp will be here before you know it. August 5th, 6th & 7th. So reserve your spot now and don’t miss out. 2010 was a year of great success for our International Martial Arts Summer Camp. 2011 will be just as spectacular. It will include many awesome seminars in many martial arts including karate, jujitsu, kendo, iaido and MMA. We can’t forget to mention the World Water Mellon Kumite Championships and an outrageous dojo sake party as well as white water rafting. If you are intent on attending the Summer Camp please sign up now as folks have already reserved their spots on the dojo floor. We are limited to forty people only. The Summer Camp is August 5th, 6th & 7th. Contact me if you want to reserve your spot. It’s only $50.00 to reserve your spot. Call 1-888-299-YAMA (9262). We’ve already signed up some folks for this year. So don’t miss out! Plus you save $50.00 by registering before June 1st. Total cost is $399.95 if you register before June 1st. It’s $450 afterwards. Includes lodging, training, entertainment and meals. See attached registration form below photo gallery. We are also planning a trip to Okinawa in October. If you have interest in this please contact me. The Okinawa trip is limited to 12 people.

I told you in the last newsletter that I dedicated the last months of 2010 to finishing Japan’s Warrior Nation. This is a book I’ve been working on for ten years. It’s about the samurai mentality and bushido and how it affected Japan in the twentieth century and more specifically World War II. It’s a scholarly work and not a martial arts book per se. So far good reviews. It’s available on Amazon.com or at the Yamazato website. The new book we are completing now is, “Essential Kendo The Way of the Sword.” This should be released by March. Although it is primarily a technique book and a how to book it does contain some history and personal narrative. In the last newsletter we included an excerpt from the text—Training with a Master. This time included in this newsletter is an excerpt about Dr. Gordon Warner –The one legged kendo man. If you don’t know who this great martial artist was read on..