5 New Year 2010 - Bushido-Kai

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.
BUSHIDO-KAI BULLETIN, New Year’s 2010 2 www.bushido-kai.net