"No person enthusiastic of his work has anything to fear from life." ~ Samuel Goldwyn
My father used to say to me his competition was himself. When in seclusion you only have yourself and your imagination. He trained in the mountains, months at a time, he said the only motivation he had was himself and his book. I don't think he ever got bored because he knew what he wanted to achieve.
When IKO Kyokushinkaikan Honbu was built in 1964, my father said something which shocked my mother. When the construction finished and all the lockers, sand bags etc were moved from the ballet studio to Honbu, everyone, including my mother was in a celebratory mood. When she dressed for the occasion and went down to greet the students, my father took one look and told my mother to change her clothes. She was shocked but he said, "Why are you dressed up? We are just beginning to get to work now!". All the students (like Terutomo Yamazaki First All Japan Champion) were stunned. But it made sense- to Sosai, it was not the end, it was just the beginning!
He loved what he did. Everything he did built momentum- to keep going. He continually bettered himself. He continually challenged his potential and I think this really humbled him. Because he was never complacent. He took steps further into where he did not know what will happen. He did not settle for mediocrity.
When everyone said he was insane to publish a book in English, or built a building instead of a dojo, or organize and sponsor a world tournament- he dedicated to each event with every might he had. And this all stemmed from his passion, his karate. No wonder he called it, "Kyoku" "Shin"- the ultimate truth. He lived by his truth and never settled for anything less than his vision.
Feb 18, 2011
Feb 9, 2011
Watch the Back.
"One of the things that really brings a team together is when they learn how to cover each other's weaknesses. That's when the team really grows. "
Coach from LA Lakers, US Basketball team.
Coach from LA Lakers, US Basketball team.
Feb 6, 2011
A Great Book Story.
I was once told by a wise friend, "If someone is stepping on your toes, you better had learnt to yell."
A few years ago, there was an unauthorized book published on Sosai. I was still mourning over my mother's passing and to be quite honest, I did not think much of this writer. He was one of those gossip writer that jumped around Matsui group like a flea. He was a bad news and no serious journalist ever took him seriously. Then I found out he had the manuscript already and was in print. I contacted the publisher, who turned out to be was as vile as he was.
What Sosai created is not just a marital arts organization but he actually built a brand around himself and his karate. Which efforts are recognized all over the world today. He was a genius on how he produced them. Then comes is.... this reprehensible human being who publishes a book which denounces your worth and damages the image/reputation to make a name for himself. To top it off, Sosai is not in his physical body to defend himself. I had to something.
The book was disgusting. It was full of fabrications from the writer's supposed "research", it was scathing. As worst was the publisher. It is one of most renowned Japanese publishing house, I was surprised they even decided to take part in it. It showed me of my father's concern with the decline of Japanese integrity.
He had outright lies in his book, his intention was to damage Sosai and the Kyokushin reputation to sell his name. The man was not just bad- he was evil. His intent was defamation. It was so far from truth, I had no idea what he was even writing about. And it only boiled down to this: money and attention. This was not the way to do it, at least not properly. I decided not to look the other way.
Although mourning, I started researching. His reporting was reprehensible and he had to bear the consequences. I contacted Matsui san, Goda san, Royama san etc... but they did not want anything to do with this pit-viper writer! I said it is not about him,the writer, it is about their teacher and Kyokushin! Still they said, "Oh... we don't want extra trouble." I can tell my father is rolling in his grave! Again, I had to do something. Once the book was out, people will see it as facts. That is the power and the responsibility of journalism.
I borrowed money and sued both the writer and the publisher. For a large sum. Now, it is not very Japanese- the amount we asked for and the public apology. We demanded to have one full page on newspaper of our choice as well as on their website for a certain period of time. It took all the way to High Court since the publisher was fighting for their reputation now. At any event I told them- especially the publisher, that I am not interested in settling without a large payment and a full apology. There 's always going to be struggling writers but the publishing house- they helped make this mess big time.
The result from the courts were 100% satisfactory. The writer closed his office and the publishing house issued public apology and the editor who was responsible was fired. What was left after the lawyer's fee, the money went to build the MOC Unity Funds, which I dedicated to Sosai and my mother, Chiyako. It's purpose is to fund raise through activities of Kyokushin Karate or from it and sent to nine different charities world wide, in the name of my parents. We come up with different projects every year, in honor Sosai and my mother.
One of the greatest lesson I learned from my parents is to never give in something you don't believe in. They never, ever gave up and I look today what Kyokushin is doing for thousands of students who train them. Truly astonishing. I could not have some loser take advantage of Sosai and his Kyokushin. The culmination of it was a greater good that came out.
It was definitely worth the fight and I had yelled when my toes were stepped on!
A few years ago, there was an unauthorized book published on Sosai. I was still mourning over my mother's passing and to be quite honest, I did not think much of this writer. He was one of those gossip writer that jumped around Matsui group like a flea. He was a bad news and no serious journalist ever took him seriously. Then I found out he had the manuscript already and was in print. I contacted the publisher, who turned out to be was as vile as he was.
What Sosai created is not just a marital arts organization but he actually built a brand around himself and his karate. Which efforts are recognized all over the world today. He was a genius on how he produced them. Then comes is.... this reprehensible human being who publishes a book which denounces your worth and damages the image/reputation to make a name for himself. To top it off, Sosai is not in his physical body to defend himself. I had to something.
The book was disgusting. It was full of fabrications from the writer's supposed "research", it was scathing. As worst was the publisher. It is one of most renowned Japanese publishing house, I was surprised they even decided to take part in it. It showed me of my father's concern with the decline of Japanese integrity.
He had outright lies in his book, his intention was to damage Sosai and the Kyokushin reputation to sell his name. The man was not just bad- he was evil. His intent was defamation. It was so far from truth, I had no idea what he was even writing about. And it only boiled down to this: money and attention. This was not the way to do it, at least not properly. I decided not to look the other way.
Although mourning, I started researching. His reporting was reprehensible and he had to bear the consequences. I contacted Matsui san, Goda san, Royama san etc... but they did not want anything to do with this pit-viper writer! I said it is not about him,the writer, it is about their teacher and Kyokushin! Still they said, "Oh... we don't want extra trouble." I can tell my father is rolling in his grave! Again, I had to do something. Once the book was out, people will see it as facts. That is the power and the responsibility of journalism.
I borrowed money and sued both the writer and the publisher. For a large sum. Now, it is not very Japanese- the amount we asked for and the public apology. We demanded to have one full page on newspaper of our choice as well as on their website for a certain period of time. It took all the way to High Court since the publisher was fighting for their reputation now. At any event I told them- especially the publisher, that I am not interested in settling without a large payment and a full apology. There 's always going to be struggling writers but the publishing house- they helped make this mess big time.
The result from the courts were 100% satisfactory. The writer closed his office and the publishing house issued public apology and the editor who was responsible was fired. What was left after the lawyer's fee, the money went to build the MOC Unity Funds, which I dedicated to Sosai and my mother, Chiyako. It's purpose is to fund raise through activities of Kyokushin Karate or from it and sent to nine different charities world wide, in the name of my parents. We come up with different projects every year, in honor Sosai and my mother.
One of the greatest lesson I learned from my parents is to never give in something you don't believe in. They never, ever gave up and I look today what Kyokushin is doing for thousands of students who train them. Truly astonishing. I could not have some loser take advantage of Sosai and his Kyokushin. The culmination of it was a greater good that came out.
It was definitely worth the fight and I had yelled when my toes were stepped on!
Feb 3, 2011
Et tu, Brute.
Most of us have been exposed to Shakespeare. His masterpieces spends great deal of time on different characteristics of human nature. Sosai loved his writings especially King Lear and Julius Caesar. Both are extreme and kind of morbid for my taste but it isn't far-fetched. If it were, Shakespeare would be played to this day! Honestly I see similar scenario's in my father's life. Which brings me back to what I am going through. I am learning to be a bit more careful and not taking things for granted. Sharpened sense is different from paranoia and if something does not make sense to you, no matter how eloquently other's may try to convince you- go with your instincts.
The upside in all this is that there are people who genuinely wants to do their best. And do it right with integrity. That is also a real encouragement to see. This too, is something not to be taken for granted.
The upside in all this is that there are people who genuinely wants to do their best. And do it right with integrity. That is also a real encouragement to see. This too, is something not to be taken for granted.
Jan 26, 2011
In the Gut.
You know how you feel butterflies in your tummy when excited or nervous? I really think believing in your "gut" feeling is the survival tool Mother Nature has given us.
I thought about this with a bit of self-reflection. Because I ignored mine in regards to this.
As my computer shut-down from some killer virus, then got an alert my blog account was attempted to get hacked, my domain account got changed without my knowledge and only one person had access to it- it dawned on me like a sack of potatoes- I should have listened to my "gut" !!!
I knew who this was.
I will refer to this person as the "Hare". No matter how good he sounded, I did not like the dude. I did like some parts about him but not the whole package. I liked that he was tenacious. But the downfall with him was he did not know how to listen. Hare was so rigid. And like many of us, he liked to pretend to be good. I see this more in women usually but he could not say what he wanted because he was so puritanical! He could not stand anything that might taint his "good" image. Unfortunately this causes trauma to the personality because you can't honestly speak what you want- you are always frustrated.
It is a balance to have focus working and be flexible. But Hare was rigid and older than most of us, he was stubborn with a sense of know-it-all. But anyone with real education knows the more you know, the more you don't know. As you get older, you listen more!
Anyway, after he got his Shodan, he immediately traveled overseas. He was treated well and it got to his head, all of a sudden his attitude changed from a techy to "rep". Some tasks were delegated but who knew? Had I known he was suffering from sociopathy, I would have ignored him!
His cover soon blew over and little monster in him spilled out. To me, it was more like a male version of menopausal symptoms but people really tried to help this fella. He started to terrorize responsible people, searching through internet, like community sites, to count off member's in uploaded photo's which he believed was hidden from him!
Another senior Shihan tried to speak to him about his attitude but nothing got thru to him because he was marching to his own imaginary band. Then he went on to challenge others, when there was nothing to really argue about! I guess the big problem with him was, he believed he was smart.
The mental dialogue we have is so important and watching this elder man freak out was just so strange to us. To top this off, he was infringing software rights and now it is a big ol'mess with the owner. I tip toed out of his circumference asap. One must learn to rid of negative thinkers. They pollute even the good workers.
Soon enough, he stepped over the boundary and hung himself. And that was that.... but because I also tried to like the dude, which was my mistake, I earlier on gave him my account information to manage the website. A big mistake really. Now not only is he taken hostage of the site, the virus and hacking to my personal email account happened! A good price for an education.... never trust someone that says they can be trusted! Better knowing now than never.
Stepping back from him and looking into the life the Hare had, I listed off what may attribute to his behavior. He is a man in his mid-life crisis stage, he was fired from his former job and can't land another, his spouse supports him which is never good (I guess) from a male stand point and it does not seem he had real accomplishments that he earned on his own. Even his grading was taken easy b/c of his age- and he asked for it to be so. That should have told us about his character and it turned out even this software system was not his!
All he has is to sit in front of his computer. Having ample time in his hands, he's taken hostage of the materials which belonged to us. He now has the audacity to ask for "his pay" in return for our material. The man is unbelievable. Then again, the software owner was his teacher so I should not be surprised by his behavior.
It is a lesson- we must listen to our gut-feeling. Ignoring it is, in some sense a severe form of self-neglect. No wonder I ended having this guy.
Evaluating the quality of your team is never easy- it is an ongoing process. At some point, you have to get rid of your weakest link. Weakest is the one least loyal because they don't have the capacity to care about anyone, even themselves in a truthful way.
I thought about this with a bit of self-reflection. Because I ignored mine in regards to this.
As my computer shut-down from some killer virus, then got an alert my blog account was attempted to get hacked, my domain account got changed without my knowledge and only one person had access to it- it dawned on me like a sack of potatoes- I should have listened to my "gut" !!!
I knew who this was.
I will refer to this person as the "Hare". No matter how good he sounded, I did not like the dude. I did like some parts about him but not the whole package. I liked that he was tenacious. But the downfall with him was he did not know how to listen. Hare was so rigid. And like many of us, he liked to pretend to be good. I see this more in women usually but he could not say what he wanted because he was so puritanical! He could not stand anything that might taint his "good" image. Unfortunately this causes trauma to the personality because you can't honestly speak what you want- you are always frustrated.
It is a balance to have focus working and be flexible. But Hare was rigid and older than most of us, he was stubborn with a sense of know-it-all. But anyone with real education knows the more you know, the more you don't know. As you get older, you listen more!
Anyway, after he got his Shodan, he immediately traveled overseas. He was treated well and it got to his head, all of a sudden his attitude changed from a techy to "rep". Some tasks were delegated but who knew? Had I known he was suffering from sociopathy, I would have ignored him!
His cover soon blew over and little monster in him spilled out. To me, it was more like a male version of menopausal symptoms but people really tried to help this fella. He started to terrorize responsible people, searching through internet, like community sites, to count off member's in uploaded photo's which he believed was hidden from him!
Another senior Shihan tried to speak to him about his attitude but nothing got thru to him because he was marching to his own imaginary band. Then he went on to challenge others, when there was nothing to really argue about! I guess the big problem with him was, he believed he was smart.
The mental dialogue we have is so important and watching this elder man freak out was just so strange to us. To top this off, he was infringing software rights and now it is a big ol'mess with the owner. I tip toed out of his circumference asap. One must learn to rid of negative thinkers. They pollute even the good workers.
Soon enough, he stepped over the boundary and hung himself. And that was that.... but because I also tried to like the dude, which was my mistake, I earlier on gave him my account information to manage the website. A big mistake really. Now not only is he taken hostage of the site, the virus and hacking to my personal email account happened! A good price for an education.... never trust someone that says they can be trusted! Better knowing now than never.
Stepping back from him and looking into the life the Hare had, I listed off what may attribute to his behavior. He is a man in his mid-life crisis stage, he was fired from his former job and can't land another, his spouse supports him which is never good (I guess) from a male stand point and it does not seem he had real accomplishments that he earned on his own. Even his grading was taken easy b/c of his age- and he asked for it to be so. That should have told us about his character and it turned out even this software system was not his!
All he has is to sit in front of his computer. Having ample time in his hands, he's taken hostage of the materials which belonged to us. He now has the audacity to ask for "his pay" in return for our material. The man is unbelievable. Then again, the software owner was his teacher so I should not be surprised by his behavior.
It is a lesson- we must listen to our gut-feeling. Ignoring it is, in some sense a severe form of self-neglect. No wonder I ended having this guy.
Evaluating the quality of your team is never easy- it is an ongoing process. At some point, you have to get rid of your weakest link. Weakest is the one least loyal because they don't have the capacity to care about anyone, even themselves in a truthful way.
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