Chosei Motobu Sensei Visits Omaha

On Saturday October 23, 2004, Nick Cerio's Kenpo was privileged to have the great Chosei Motobu Sensei as a guest.  Motobu Sensei was accompanied by his longtime friend and Chief Instructor Takeji Inaba Sensei and their esteemed student Masashi Hyodo Sensei.  The day was one for the history books as this was one of the very few times that Motobu Sensei held a private demonstration of his art for a private school outside of Japan.

The Seminar/Demonstration went into high gear as Motobu Sensei with the help of Inaba and Hyodo Sensei really put on a seminar that was truly breathtaking.  After introductions were given, Nick Cerio's Kenpo and Motobu Sensei exchanged gifts.  Afterwards Motobu Sensei give an introduction of the history and evolution of Motobu Ryu Kempo and Motobu Ryu Udonde.  After that Hyodo Sensei demonstrated several weapon katas of the Motobu Ryu system.  After which explaining the intricacies of each weapon and it's origins.  As if that wasn't awe inspiring enough, Motobu and Inaba Sensei's both used Hyodo Sensei to demonstrate the effectiveness of Motobu Ryu techniques.  First Inaba Sensei demonstrated a wide variety of weapon attack counters then Motobu Sensei demonstrated unarmed attack counters.  It was truly amazing to see Sensei's 76 and 80 years old defend against an attacker more than half their age.  And NO, Hyodo Sensei wasn't holding back his attack speed or power.  I had first hand experience of this when Motobu Sensei had me attack him with a straight punch to demonstrate a technique.  Fearing that I would insult him with a slower punch, I opted to attack him with full power and speed.  His block was fast and effective and left my arm numb from the forearm down to my fingers.  I was absolutely astonished that a man of 80 years old could still move with such effectiveness.  At the end of the seminar, Motobu Sensei answered many questions about his system and his father, the great Choki Motobu Sensei.  Also, the relationship between his father and Kempo GM James Mitose was also revealed.  Afterwards, Nick Cerio's Kenpo bestowed a plaque of appreciation to Motobu Sensei to commemorate the historic occasion.  Nick Cerio's Kenpo wishes to thank Motobu Sensei, Inaba Sensei, and Hyodo Sensei for the privilege witnessing and training in their art.  It will not be taken for granted.  We are very humbled that we were only the third dojo to date that Motobu Sensei has ever visited in the USA.   Lastly, we cannot forget Sensei Tom Scott.  His attention to the smallest detail made Motobu Sensei and our esteemed guests feel truly at home as all their needs were met and then some.  We wish our new friends a safe journey home and hope that we may see them again in the future.