SVBD Mentor Jack Hoban on Community Policing in Camden NJ

Here is in interesting article, although disappointingly brief, about the work Jack is doing with the Camden, NJ police.
Community policing lesson for Camden County Police to come from retired U.S. Marine

For those of us who made it to last fall’s seminar, Jack shared some of the successful resolutions they have made since adopting an ethical protector approach to policing.

More information on Jack’s training here.

 

–SVBD

 

 

 

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SFO Warriorship Seminar

 

 

Once again, Jack Hoban will be visiting California for his “Year in Review” Seminar. Seminar information can be found HERE.

This is a once a year opportunity to bring your Taijutsu up to a new level. Mr. Hoban’s interpretation and insight bring a deeper understanding of Budo and its relationship to morality and ethics.

SVBD members are highly encouraged to attend.

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A Definite Drop Off… The New Bujinkan Hombu Dojo

No new blog posts here since our last visit to Japan.  It has been a long time since the Fall of 2014.  To long to leave this blog dormant.  With a new trip in the planning stages, we hope to fill in more as the schedule develops.

Since the new Bujinkan Hombu Dojo was just beginning during our last trip, it will be a treat to finally visit.

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American, Brit and Kiwi Ninja…San Jose Bujin Visit Tokyo

The Silicon Valley Bujinkan Dojo just returned from a thirteen day trip to Japan.  It was great to see our friends and places, make some new friends and learn new nick names of our old ones.  Training was great, of course, but seemed to go past in a whirlwind.  We stayed in a new location this trip, which may become a new standard.  As all trips must come to an end, at least so far, we are back in California, safe and sound.

Getting in late on a Friday night, we quickly got training started with a short session Saturday morning.  Our luxurious ride from Shinagawa to Saturday night training was on a road trip to see old friends so we stayed for beers with the gang at Asakadai.  Being extremely jet-lagged at that point we slipped out early with a resident that had a very long train ride.  It was great to get to know him as we had seen him around for many years and never were introduced.

I learned my Brit ex-pat friend’s nickname, “Shandy Pants” from his good friend “G.T.” visiting from the U.K.  (I will leave out the explanation of G.T. as a matter of decorum.)  G.T. even got a new nickname, “Annoying Orange”.

On our last night we got a nice impromptu send off from one of my favorite restaurants.  Kiwi, Fin, American, Brit and Japanese friends were there to enjoy some delicious Chicago style pizza and a selection of twenty craft beers.   Some quick goodbyes and it was straight to the airport for the trip home.

We are already looking forward to our next trip to Tokyo …. well maybe not quite yet.

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Martial Arts for Adults (Bujinkan and others)

I have been thinking about this subject for some time and just came across “Martial Arts Over 40”.  There is some good encouragement there to help someone get motivated to start a new activity.  Starting martial arts training in the middle of life can be intimidating to say the least.  It’s great that someone is providing a resource to help people who might be just ‘curious’ get started on a life changing journey.

In my experience, I definitely see the health benefits to older adults of martial arts training, both physical and mental.  We must, however, also take our physical condition into consideration when selecting a martial art.  We regularly see “MMA” on television these days.  While these fighters and their arts are obviously very powerful it may not be a good place to start at 45.  For most of us (not all), we will gain the most benefit from an art which is not only more appropriate to our age now, but looking forward to our 50’s, 60’s and further.

Some of the martial arts I have experienced fit well considering the older practitioner.  Aikido and  Budo Taijutsu exercise the body and joints and provide a self-defense system not dependent on speed and power.  Baguazhang is a chinese internal martial art which has helped many people overcome back and knee problems and many other heath issues.  These are arts that one can continue into their 70’s and even 80’s.

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ATTN: San Jose Buyu… SAMURAI AND NINJA SAFARI!!!

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Now!  The event you’ve been waiting for…  If you’ve been prcrastinating on making a trip to Tokyo this will surely motivate you to commit.  In the temple area / tourist trap of Asakusa you can enjoy a bus tour complete with running street battle between Ninja and Samurai.  Now thanks to JAPANiCAN, the pleasure can be yours!

Seriously though, if you haven’t been to the Asakusa shrine area, it’s a great half day outing.  There is a variety of shines on the temple grounds to see.  My favotire is the Omikuji fortune, you put a 100 yen coin in the slot (hey, upkeep on a massive shrine isn’t free you know) then shake one of the steel cylinders around a bit and shake a long chopstick like stick out the end.  The stick has a number on it corresponding to a drawer.  Inside that drawer is your fortune!  BE SURE TO PUT THE STICK BACK IN THE CYLINDER IT CAME FROM.  The only trick to this operation is that the numbers are in the chinese charaters, if you don’t know them, find a friendly looking local, point to the charaters on your stick and shrug.  Chances are, they will be happy to help you find the right drawer.

And if you are looking for a reason to go to Japan, try picking-up a modern adaptable martial art base on ancient Samurai and Ninja schools here:  9 Schools of Samurai and Ninja lineage.

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Tetsusan – Hatsumi Sensei’s Martial Art of Ninjutsu

THUMBNAIL_IMAGE Tetsusan is now available for those who don’t already have a copy.  This is a great look into Hatsumi Sensei’s appoach to training.  There is great information on kihon happo.  Soke tells several stories about the saki (5th dan) test.  There are several essays from shihan and interview which provide insight that few are close enough to soke (or possibly wise enough) to receive otherwise. Here is the link:  https://www.createspace.com/4754613 It’s probably should be required reading.  I can’t recommend it enough.

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