5 New Year 2010 - Bushido-Kai

BULLETIN•New Year’s 2010
More on the 45 th Anniversary Banquet (continued from Fall issue)
Milford, Sept. 12— During the 45th Anniversary Banquet, there were several informal addresses. The Keynote speakeer was Sensei
Kevin Scully, current active senior student and sandan Takeshin Karate-do.
Text of Kevin Scully’s Keynote Address at Shihan Annesi’s 45th Anniversary Banquet
I have been asked by Jack Lafevra, to offer a few remarks regarding a significant milestone both for
a man and for the martial arts community. We are here to commemorate and celebrate the 45th anniversary of
Shihan Annesi in the martial arts. Forty-five years in any profession, or in this case vocation, is a significant
life accomplishment. Our presence is in part to recognize that accomplishment of time spent in his vocation,
but more importantly, to recognize what has been accomplished in that time. Shihan Anessi has spent his
life perfecting his skills and more importantly sharing the results of this study selflessly with others, to the
benefit of all.
Those of us who have been fortunate enough to study under Shihan Annesi have seen, though the
years, a parade of great contemporary masters that Shihan has invited to share his mat, masters such as Don
Angier, Wally Jay, Joe Cowles, Roland Maroteaux, Bruce Juchnik, and Ian Cyrus, to name a few. Lesser men
would have shied away from creating such direct comparisons, but Shihan Annesi, being driven by the quest
for perfection, has sought them out. He has shown himself to be their peers in ability, and no one is a better teacher.
His relentless quest for perfection and deeper understanding has helped tear down the walls of stylistic prejudice and helped set
many on the path to deeper truths, the universal principles that govern all of the great arts. The body of work he has created and shared
in seminars, on video, and in books could provide any serious marital artist with a lifetime of study—a body of work that will stand the
test of time and, like the works of other great artists, will become even more appreciated with the passing of years.
Shihan, you have said that when the student is ready the teacher will appear. That was true for me and I wish to personally thank you
for all you have taught and given me. I sincerely hope that you will continue to grow and share in the coming years. I wish to end my
remarks with a heartfelt: Domo Arigato Gozaimashita, honored teacher.
Outline of Other Speeches:
Bill Slyva:
• has had 30 years of study
• First: Sensei’s teaching ability sticks out—didn’t realize it until he took another martial art. He had difficulty
learning it, even tough he normally learns quickly. Realized that Sensei’s teaching skill was what he
was missing. Sensei had the ability to teach him and others in many ways.
• Second: karate and Bushido-kai provided him with an organizing point to his life—a structure that helps
him guide his life.
Jack Lefevra:
• made a lot of freindships through Bushido-kai
• journey is just beginning after 20 years of study—Bill Slyva was his beginning instructor
• I’ve done a lot of arts—no one is of the caliber of Sensei Annesi
Annesi:
• Appreciated the fact that so many have continued so long in training
• Something about the dojo makes people continue their connection
• The martial arts, well presented, has the ability to make it so that you don’t want to give it up
• Let’s have peoople volunteer to offer their most memorable moment in their Bushido-kai history

Jim Poli:
• Remembers “Stupid Ikkyu Techniques” (a time where Sensei Poli swears Sensei
Annesi was talking about “stupid ikkyu techniques” when he was talking about
something completely different.)
Mike Leonard:
• Remembers taking shodan exam with the late George Ricker—Sensei was frustrated
because of lack of kime.
• when he took his exam again with Gary Neves, their eyes were blazing.
Lefevra:
• remembers his Sankyu exam when he was hungover and had to spar Tom De Lucia.
He excused himself when Sensei was going to give him his promotion because he had to loose his lunch in the bathroom.
• Remembers Bill Slyva asking him how long he was going to be studying. “I am going to be here forever.” That was 20 years ago.
• Instant freindship with Gary Neves & so many others.
Kaz (Karen Davidsen):
• Even though she had a black belt and plenty of previous expeirence, “Sensei Annesi actually taught me
how to punch. Instead of someone just telling me how, Sensei taught.”
• She was amazed that Sensei could teach an aupair from France in French and deaf students in ASL—because
he took the time to learn the languages well enough to do it.
• She arrived at Bushido-kai from Sensei’s Demas’ dojo (Taisodokan). He was
very strict. She was amazed that Bushido-kai could have such an informal
attitude without the loss of discipline.
• Sensei gets frsutrated because he still can’t teach in Farsi.
Mehdi Pourali:
Bill Slyva:
• Remembers that Sensei sparred Bill Wallace and could not score. He admitted
that. Bill thought how rare that a head instructor would be that humble.
Deborah Sawyer:
• Bushido-kai provided an environment of learning.
• She was doing Yoga—wanted to work with another person’s energy.
• When she had to punch someone, she froze, but people at Bushido-kai guided
her and taught at her level patiently until she could throw a punch.
• The dojo allowed her to move at her own pace.
Bridget Gassner:
• Started August 1, 1986. Jim Poli after 3 weeks said, “I didn’t think you would
last this long.” That was enough to spur her on to show him: in July of ’94 and Jan
of ’98-made shodan in karate and aiki.
Annesi asked the 20+ years veterans to stand up. Said that anyone who makes it
past a decade, can make it 45 years.
Ed Sawyer:
• Sensei Annesi taught his wife, sons and grandson—great teacher and a friend.
Gary Neves:
• Feb. 1985, at age 13, met Nelson who was ikkyu at the time—had a loud kiai
and was intimidating, but Nelson knelt down to spar him.
• Remembers moving from Ashland dojo to Framigham.
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Jack Jordan:
• Fist saw Sensei back in the Natick dojo (circa 1980.)
• Jack is himself a good teacher at what he does so he recognized a good teacher
when he saw one. He was impressed that Sensei could clearly explain what Jack
was doing wrong and how to do it right.
• Since Jack has moved to RI, he started aikido and is continually amazed at how
much he knows that he didn’t know he knows.
Bill Harrison:
• Has been studying for 3 years—checked out sevedral schools—first time he saw
Bushiod-kai & Sensei’s instruction, he thought, “this is the real deal.”
• Has a stressful job—comes into the dojo uptight--every time he comes out of the
dojo, he is a different person.
• When he has to speak publicly, he thinks of himself as having to perform a kata in
the dojo and because of his dojo training, handles it well.
Rich Tarro:
• Studied kempo for 4.5 years—saw Sensei at a seminar at his dojo.
• First seminar was Aiki vs. Aiki—was lost and felt traumatized when camera on him.
• Sensei became personal friend.
Kevin Scully:
• Very excited that he had found the real dea, he asked friend Nelson Hsu to attend seminar. Nelson said he
hadn’t been training for a couple of years and doubted if he could even do Heian Shodan. Kevin said, “It’s
not like Sensei’s going to ask you to do it on the mat.” Sensei asked Nelson to demonstrate Heian Shodan on
video.
Annesi mentioned 2 incidences where his own black belts messed up Heian Shodan in a new environment, under a pressure situation.
Jim Poli:
• Used to travel with Sensei for seminars.
• Was amazed that 3rd, 4th dans were having difficulty doing what we take for granted—Jim was able to help them, even as a shodan.
It struct Jim that this was not something that he innately knew—he had to learn both the technique and how to impart it from his
studies at Bushido-kai. This is a rare, rare thing in dojo.
• Bushido-kai is also a rare place also because of it sense of community.
Annesi:
• I needed to balance the intellectual part of my personality with the athletic part. I chose martial arts to do it.
• The martial arts were holistic—there is a spirtual, intellectual, physical side.
• I often had to create the intellectual side of the martial arts I studied because they were not usually taught intellectually.
• I had wanted to teach since junior high school.
• Where can you put those four items (spirit, intelligence, physicality, and teaching) together? Few other places besides the martial arts.
• It came to define me—it was not only something I could be good at, it also became something I could contribute to.
• I now try to reach my goal of contribution via seminars, books, articles, and DVDs.
Bruce Juchnik’s 2009 Gathering
Sacramento, CA, September 26 & 27— What a cast of teachers! Several senior masters from Hawaii were
invited to attend including Paul Yamaguchi Hanshi, one of the most senior of all living Kempo practitioners.
Among the most well-known active instructors were Maha Guru Victor deThouars (Penjak Silat), Sijo Steve
(Sanders) Muhammad (founder of the BKF who appeared in Enter the Dragon), Malia Bernal (groundbreaking
forms competitor of the 70s), Guru Bernie Langan, and Hanshi Jerry Piddington (sparring champion of the
60s). Friday night was full of leisurely conversation around the pool. Saturday and Sunday saw teams of master
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teachers teaching seminars on themes that Hanshi Juchnik had devised. On Saturday evening, the seminarians
were offered a grand buffet with luau-style entertainment (Taiko drummers, hula, fire dancing, martial arts
demonstrations, etc.) Over 200 people attended seminars taught in 11 venues.
TOP: Masters
(note the
seniors from
Hawaii on
the far right);
BOTTOM: student
assembly;
LEFT: TA &
Jerry Piddington;
CENTER:
Hanshi Juchnik;
LEFT: TA
demo “in the
bullpit”
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LEFT: Guru Bernie Langan; CENTER: Dr. Brian Garrett; RIGHT: Master Randy Stigall (rear) & Master Glenn “Doc” Gavin (front).
LEFT: Sensei Jeff Driscoll; CENTER: Taiko drummers by the pool; RIGHT: Sensei Terry Dow
LEFT: 1/3 of
the banquet
under the
awning by the
pool; RIGHT:
Hawaiian fire
dancer.
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Interview with Master’s Magazine
Burbank, CA, September 24— Prior to the Sacramento Gathering, Shihan Annesi met with Michael James
(publisher, L), Jose Fraguas (editor, C), and Val Mijalovic (videographer, R) of Martial Arts Masters Magazine
for a photo shoot and DVD interview. Currently, the magazine plans to publish this interview in March.
The entire California trip was made possible due
to the good graces of
Kamishin
instructor,
Louis Mang
(RIGHT).
Kamishin Reunion
Charleston, SC, October 18- Darrell
Collins, Ron Cherry, and Tony Annesi
were the featured instructors in this
fourth Kamishin Reunion (the third
Shihan Annesi has attended.)
Calendar
• November 15- 1:00 PM at BUSHIDO-
KAI: Instructing Invisible Aiki 3 Seminar
REGISTER on website before November 1
(the final of four 45 th year special celebrations)
• December 6- 7:00 PM at Sensei’s
Residence: Annual Holiday Party FREE
Potluck Yummies
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• January 10, 2010- 1:00 PM at BUSHIDO-KAI: Annual Kagami Biraki (open workout)
Connecticut Martial Arts Festival
Bristol, CT, October 24 & 25— Domenic and Jeanene Violante and their Avon Kempo and Aikido school hosted
this first CtMAF modeled after the successful Saratoga Martial Arts Festival (SMAF). Two days of seminars and
comeraderie. Great teaching, great spirit.
Upper LEFT: Friday dinner at TD
Homer’s
Upper RIGHT: Shihan Annesi’s
Situational Aiki Seminar
Direct LEFT: Master instructors
Lower LEFT: Sensei John Borter
Lower CENTER: Sigu Steve
Pearlman
Lower RIGHT: Master Zhou
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CLOCKWISE from upper left:
Saturday dinner, TA receives
plaque, Jesse Dwire, Sifu Mark
Cardona, In-fighting Seminar.
BULLETIN•New Year’s 2010
BUSHIDO-KAI
92 Blandin Avenue, Suite 26
Framingham, Mass. 01702
508 879-7622
www.bushido-kai.net
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