02-23-2001, 12:39 PM
Hello,
I just received news that Fred Ishii, a longtime fixture in the Dallas Kendo & Iaido community has passed away. He was I believe 81 years old.
Ishii Sensei had a presence about him that I cannot accurately describe. A certain seriousness covering a slight twinkle of mischief in his eyes. He use to frequently jibe me about the fact that my house and garden were more "Japanese" than his. This of course being said while he. (a native of Japan) was wearing blue jeans, cowboy boots and a bolo tie.
In 1995 he graciously demonstrated Iaido during my new dojo opening ceremonies and then later traded jokes with Don Angier and Makio Nishida.
The last time I saw Ishii Sensei was at a Japanese restaurant during lunch. He asked how my training was going and I responded that I had recently tried to put a shinken through my upper arm. He seemed amused and responded 'Well then training is going well" (I saw that twinkle.) I knew he was undergoing kindney dialysis but he never mentioned it.
My sincere condolences go out to Russell Ichimura and all the members of the Dallas Kendo & Iaido club as well as his charming wife Tei. He will be greatly missed!
Toby Threadgill
I just received news that Fred Ishii, a longtime fixture in the Dallas Kendo & Iaido community has passed away. He was I believe 81 years old.
Ishii Sensei had a presence about him that I cannot accurately describe. A certain seriousness covering a slight twinkle of mischief in his eyes. He use to frequently jibe me about the fact that my house and garden were more "Japanese" than his. This of course being said while he. (a native of Japan) was wearing blue jeans, cowboy boots and a bolo tie.
In 1995 he graciously demonstrated Iaido during my new dojo opening ceremonies and then later traded jokes with Don Angier and Makio Nishida.
The last time I saw Ishii Sensei was at a Japanese restaurant during lunch. He asked how my training was going and I responded that I had recently tried to put a shinken through my upper arm. He seemed amused and responded 'Well then training is going well" (I saw that twinkle.) I knew he was undergoing kindney dialysis but he never mentioned it.
My sincere condolences go out to Russell Ichimura and all the members of the Dallas Kendo & Iaido club as well as his charming wife Tei. He will be greatly missed!
Toby Threadgill