KAPA‘A — The roots of the light sabers made popular by the “Star Wars” movie series was brought to light at the All Saints Church ho‘olaule‘a. Elton Ushio, head instructor for the Lihu‘e Kendo Club, oversaw the demonstration of the
KAPA‘A — The roots of the light sabers made popular by the “Star Wars” movie series was brought to light at the All Saints Church ho‘olaule‘a.
Elton Ushio, head instructor for the Lihu‘e Kendo Club, oversaw the demonstration of the ancient art of Japanese swordplay as students went through their warm-up exercises and provided a demonstration of basic moves before wrapping up the presentation with a mini-tournament as part of the ho‘olaule‘a’s entertainment lineup.
This was an extension of the organization’s presentation last year when the church celebrated its 80th anniversary and made possible due to several of the church members being students in the dojo.
Founded in 1983 by Rev. Tsuumei Murakami, who also has a doctorate in religion, Lihu‘e Kendo Club continues to meet twice weekly at the Lihu‘e Hongwanji social hall under the direction of Ushio, who is assisted by Dr. Dawn Ushio, Rev. Kojun Hashimoto, George Mones and Cheri Holck. David Noda also assists in an advisory capacity.
During a visit to the dojo earlier, Ushio explained the basis of the popular light saber is in Kendo.
When Murakami-sensei moved to the Lihu‘e Hongwanji Mission as its resident minister, he formed the club to focus on pre-WWII style Kendo, along with kenjutsu, iaijutsu and classical bujutsu.
Murakami-sensei further honed his budo and bujutsu skills serving in the Japanese armed forces during WWII. Following the war, he concentrated his studies to become a Buddhist priest, in part from the sorrow for those who died in the war.
Due to his background in martial arts, practices with Murakami-sensei were intense, with Kendo students being disarmed, flipped or thrown to the ground and pinned or choked.
On occasion, the sensei would tie people up to demonstrate how to take and immobilize prisoners.
Murakami-sensei’s background includes Judo (7th Dan), pre-WWII Kendo (5th Dan), Jukenjutsu (5th Dan), Karate (4th Dan) and other arts such as jujutsu, hojo-jutsu, jojutusu, katsu-kappo and seikotsu. Additionally, he was skilled in Hokushin Itto Ryu, a classic style of kenjutsu that was became famous in the late Edo period in Japan.
Although training with Murakami-sensei may appear harsh by modern Kendo standards, he believed such training was the basis for building strong character, sharp minds and healthy bodies.
Murakami-sensei taught free of charge and provided students with all of their initial equipment.
Additionally, he did not hesitate to fix sprains, strained muscles and headaches with traditional medical skills.
Murakami-sensei currently lives in Gifu, Japan. Through the support of the Hawai‘i Kendo Federation and some of the original students who helped re-organize the dojo in 1999, the dojo flourishes with students as young as elementary school students and adults being able to study the traditional Japanese martial art form.
The Lihu‘e Kendo Club meets twice weekly on Sunday and Wednesday evening. Seasonal Friday practices are also available.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
