Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai

[Brently Keen]

Ditto.

At this time, these three guys are it for Roppokai in the USA - I highly recommend any of these gentlemen as they are all great guys, and are each capable and knowledgable about DRAJJ Roppokai.

Please see my response to Desmonds post in Ana's thread Re: DR for fighting.

Sincerely,

Brently Keen

[MaikeruRogers]

Hello.

Just a note for all the friends of Daito Ryu Roppokai.

At practice tonight, February 12th, there was a small announcement of Okamoto sensei's birthday on February 10th. He has reached the impressive and significant milestone of 80 years old. A small present was given to him by Kiyota san at the end of keiko tonight.

Okamoto sensei made a joke that now that he was 80 his birthdays are a time to pray (he crossed himself in the catholic manner). I was told that sensei met after keiko with some of his shihans for a celebratory party.

Sensei remains vigorous and extremely active traveling throughout Japan and the world teaching his Roppokai method of Daito Ryu.

And for all the friends of Roppokai please plan to attend the large celebration of Roppokai's anniversary on May 3rd in Tokyo.

Michael Rogers

[JimRiviera]

Hi Mike

Good to hear that Okamoto Sensei is still active and has such a great sense of humor. I know I enjoyed his stories and the history behind Roppokai when he lasted visted us in Texas in 2004.

Our group in Houston will not be able to make the celebration in May. However, we heard from Jose that he will be back in Ft. Worth this year. Hope you can make it also. It was great catching up with you.

Thanks again for the update and give our regards and congratulations to Okamoto Sensei from the Houston Study Group.

Best Regards,

Jim Riviera
Houston, Texas

[Howard Popkin]

Hello,

Okamoto Seigo Soshi of the Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai will be in the US in March.

For more information, please contact :

March 9-13, NY - Contact Howard Popkin - howardpopkin@yahoo.com
March 13-16, NC - Contact Tom Cohen - makoto333@iwon.com
March 16-20, TX - Contact Jose Lopez - bushido69@earthlink.net

Thanks,

Howard Popkin
New York Roppokai

[Howard Popkin]

Hello,

For all those interested, we have just finished construction of our new dojo.

We installed a 4 inch foam spring floor under zebra tatami. I HIGHLY recommend it. Firm, yet very forgiving.

Please have a look at the pictures. We are very excited to be hosting Okamoto Sensei at our new dojo next month.

http://www.popkinbrognaselfdefense.com/dojopics.html

Thanks for looking !

Howard Popkin
New York Roppokai

[Arman]

Nice woodwork. Looks like a great place.

Arman Partamian

[Howard Popkin]

Arman,

Thanks for the kind words. How is the training with Kondo Sensei Going ?

Please send Goss Sensei my regards.

Take care,

Howard Popkin

[aikironin]

Howard,

The dojo looks great, I cannot wait to see it in person and begin Roppokai training. See you soon!!!!!


Brandon

[Arman]

Howard,
Training is going well. I will certainly pass on your regards. I know a few of us were considering attending Okamoto Sensei's seminar (I can't make it, unfortunately). I'm sure someone will contact you about it (if they haven't already).

Best,
Arman Partamian

[Howard Popkin]

Arman,

If anyone is interested, please have them contact me at howardpopkin@yahoo.com

Thanks again !

Howard

[Mateo]

We installed a 4 inch foam spring floor under zebra tatami. I HIGHLY recommend it. Firm, yet very forgiving.

Very nice dojo

I'm familiar with sprung floors such as some judo clubs I trained at in Japan have. I'm familiar with zebra tatami but what is a 'foam spring floor'?

I've often wondered how dojos could afford 'sprung' floors unless they were 'sprung' with old tires.

I hope you enjoy many a pain-free landing on them.

[Howard Popkin]

Matthew,

We took two layers for 3/4 inch plywood and interlocked them so there were no seams. Then we put 4 inch squares of polyethelyne foam in a varied pattern every 8 inches. It's firm, but great amounts of give. The zebras are a little hard by themselves, but with this, it's perfect.

If have questions about how we did this, please e-mail.

Take care,

Howard Popkin
NY Roppokai

[Howard Popkin]

Hello,

Okamoto Seigo, Soshi of the Roppokai just finished teaching in New York.

There were 25 members in attendance, including three from Boston, one from Rhode Island, one from Odense, Copenhagen, and one from Kyushu, Japan.

Sensei was in his usual outstanding form, throwing effortlessly for hours.

We would like to thank Sensei publicly for his teaching, support, and wisdom. Everyone had an excellent time and we all appreciate Sensei's untiring dedication to improve our understanding of Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai.

Arrigato Gozaimasu,

Howard Popkin
Jun Dairi Kyoju
Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai

[kimiwane]

Sensei was in his usual outstanding form, throwing effortlessly for hours.

Howard, I've heard of Okamoto sensei for years. Does his "roppokai" have any relation (as far as you can determine) to the "six-direction-contradictory-power" concepts. I read once where he simply said it means up-down, forward-backward, left-right, like a cube. But he didn't say why that was especially important to him.

Thanks.

[Howard Popkin]

Sir,

I'm not familiar with those concepts, sorry.

Take care,

Howard Popkin
Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai
NY