April 10th, 2021 marks the eighteenth anniversary of the passing of Sensei Paul Recchia. Please join me in performing a kata at sunset on this date in memory of Sensei Paul and all whom we have lost. The following Hatsu Bon Poem, together with the above training, are offered to his spirit.
May Sensei’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
Sensei Paul Recchia at age 60 years old. Circa 1975.
HATSU BON POEM
Please don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am Nor am I sleeping for eternity SEE!! I am already part of the breezes numbering a thousand I am part of the light that brightens this world Like a diamond glittering in the snow Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout And in the Fall I become the gentle rain that nurtures all. When you open the window in the morning I am the breeze That causes your hair to flutter; And at night, I am the star That watches over your sleep. So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am. I am not dead. I have been born anew.
The last time Sensei Paul (in wheelchair) was at the Issho Dojo (January, 2000) with (L-R), Sensei Walter Byrne, Sensei Kim Szmitkowski, Sensei John Szmitkowski, Sensei Jimmy DiMicelli, Sensei Bobbie Gumowski. I will never forget that this was the first time in almost eighteen months that Sensei Paul, confined to his in home hospital bed, left the comfort of his home to honor all who were elevated that day in the black belt promotion ceremony.
Sincerity in sweat, you are not forgotten, Sensei.
April 10th, 2020 marks the seventeenth anniversary of the passing of Sensei Paul Recchia. Please join me in performing a kata at sunset on this date in memory of Sensei Paul and all whom we have lost. The following Hatsu Bon Poem, together with the above training, are offered to his spirit.
May Sensei’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
Sensei Paul Recchia at age 60 years old. Circa 1975.
HATSU BON POEM
Please don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am Nor am I sleeping for eternity SEE!! I am already part of the breezes numbering a thousand I am part of the light that brightens this world Like a diamond glittering in the snow Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout And in the Fall I become the gentle rain that nurtures all. When you open the window in the morning I am the breeze That causes your hair to flutter; And at night, I am the star That watches over your sleep. So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am. I am not dead. I have been born anew.
The last time Sensei Paul (in wheelchair) was at the Issho Dojo (January, 2000) with (L-R), Sensei Walter Byrne, Sensei Kim Szmitkowski, Sensei John Szmitkowski, Sensei Jimmy DiMicelli, Sensei Bobbie Gumowski. I will never forget that this was the first time in almost eighteen months that Sensei Paul, confined to his in home hospital bed, left the comfort of his home to honor all who were elevated that day in the black belt promotion ceremony.
Sincerity in sweat, you are not forgotten, Sensei.
May 18, 2011, Shihan Wayne Norlander was taken from us.
Sensei Wayne, Ku-Dan (9th degree black belt) promotion. Photo: Shihan Don Nagle, Sensei Wayne, Shihan Peter Urban)
Each year I post a Hatsu Bon in his honor and dedicate my kata to his eternal spirit. Please join me in dedicating our training on May 18th 2016 to his eternal spirit. May his spirit find our training and poem worthy.
Shihan Wayne Norlander with friend & comrade, Shihan Peter Urban, circa 1970’s, West New York, NJ
HATSU BON POEM
Please don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am Nor am I sleeping for eternity SEE!! I am already part of the breezes numbering a thousand I am part of the light that brightens this world Like a diamond glittering in the snow Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout And in the Fall I become the gentle rain that nurtures all. When you open the window in the morning I am the breeze That causes your hair to flutter; And at night, I am the star That watches over your sleep. So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am. I am not dead. I have been born anew.
With Shihan Norlander, Ku-dan, Menkyo Kaiden, USA Goshin-Ryu Karate-Do, at his Bogota, NJ dojo.
In the years since his passing, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of my friend. Each time I throw a leg over my motorcycle, I think, “Come on Wayne, let’s go for a ride.” Each Wednesday (May 18th, 2018 the day of his passing was a Wednesday) I perform the Kunchaba Kata (a non-Goshin-Do Karate Kata I learned from him) in dedication to his spirit. His spirit remains eternal in the wind in my face and in the kata. A video of the Kata appears at the end of this article.
Ground Zero Motorcycle Run – myself, my wife, Dianne, Sensei Jimmy Dimicelli, Shihan Wayne Norlander, Bergen County Courthouse, circa 2002
My graveside Sanchin memorial to Sensei Wayne:
Sincerity in sweat, Sensei.
Sensei John Szmitkowski
April 10th, 2019 marks the sixteenth anniversary of the passing of Sensei Paul Recchia. Please join me in performing a kata at sunset on this date in memory of Sensei Paul and all whom we have lost. The following Hatsu Bon Poem, together with the above training, are offered to his spirit.
May Sensei’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
Sensei Paul Recchia at age 60 years old. Circa 1975.
HATSU BON POEM
Please don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am Nor am I sleeping for eternity SEE!! I am already part of the breezes numbering a thousand I am part of the light that brightens this world Like a diamond glittering in the snow Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout And in the Fall I become the gentle rain that nurtures all. When you open the window in the morning I am the breeze That causes your hair to flutter; And at night, I am the star That watches over your sleep. So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am. I am not dead. I have been born anew.
The last time Sensei Paul (in wheelchair) was at the Issho Dojo (January, 2000) with (L-R), Sensei Walter Byrne, Sensei Kim Szmitkowski, Sensei John Szmitkowski, Sensei Jimmy DiMicelli, Sensei Bobbie Gumowski. I will never forget that this was the first time in almost eighteen months that Sensei Paul, confined to his in home hospital bed, left the comfort of his home to honor all who were elevated that day in the black belt promotion ceremony.
Sincerity in sweat, you are not forgotten, Sensei.
April 10th, marks the anniversary of the passing of Sensei Paul Recchia. Please join me in performing a kata at sunset on this date in memory of Sensei Paul and all whom we have lost. The following Hatsu Bon Poem, together with the above training, are offered to his spirit.
May Sensei’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
Sensei Paul, age 60
HATSU BON POEM
Please don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am
Nor am I sleeping for eternity
SEE!!
I am already part of the breezes
numbering a thousand
I am part of the light
that brightens this world
Like a diamond glittering in the snow
Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout
And in the Fall I become the gentle rain
that nurtures all.
When you open the window in the morning
I am the breeze
That causes your hair to flutter;
And at night, I am the star
That watches over your sleep.
So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am.
I am not dead.
I have been born anew.
The last time Sensei Paul (in wheelchair) was at the Issho Dojo (January, 2000) with (L-R), Sensei Walter Byrne, Sensei Kim Szmitkowski, Sensei John Szmitkowski, Sensei Jimmy DiMicelli, Sensei Bobbie Gumowski. I will never forget that this was the first time in almost eighteen months that Sensei Paul, confined to his in home hospital bed, left the comfort of his home to honor all who were elevated that day in the black belt promotion ceremony.
Sincerity in sweat, you are not forgotten, Sensei.
April 10th, 2017 marks the anniversary of the passing of Sensei Paul Recchia. You may review his memorial here https://senseijohn.me/memorial-page/
Sensei Paul Recchia at age 60 years old. Circa 1975.
Please join me in performing a kata at sunset on this date in memory of Sensei Paul and all whom we have lost. The following Hatsu Bon Poem, together with the above training, are offered to his spirit.
May Sensei’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
HATSU BON POEM Please don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am Nor am I sleeping for eternity SEE!! I am already part of the breezes numbering a thousand I am part of the light that brightens this world Like a diamond glittering in the snow Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout And in the Fall I become the gentle rain that nurtures all. When you open the window in the morning I am the breeze That causes your hair to flutter; And at night, I am the star That watches over your sleep. So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am. I am not dead. I have been born anew.
The last time Sensei Paul (in wheelchair) was at the Issho Dojo (January, 2000) with (L-R), Sensei Walter Byrne, Sensei Kim Szmitkowski, Sensei John Szmitkowski, Sensei Jimmy DiMicelli, Sensei Bobbie Gumowski. I will never forget that this was the first time in almost eighteen months that Sensei Paul, confined to his in home hospital bed, left the comfort of his home to honor all who were elevated that day in the black belt promotion ceremony.
Sincerity in sweat, you are not forgotten, Sensei.
Sensei John Szmitkowski
For information on my “no-risk”, kata seminars, please visit the seminar page using this convenient link https://senseijohn.me/seminar-kata/
My seminars are the ONLY seminars that allow you to pay at the conclusion, thus insuring your complete satisfaction! For a refreshing and innovative discourse on kata and bunkai, please feel free to visit Sensei John’s Kata Laboratory and “THINK * SWEAT * EXPERIMENT” using this convenient link: https://senseijohn.me/kata-lab/
Sensei John is now on Facebook, under – FLY FISHING DOJO, you are invited to send a Facebook friend request.
You may wish to view my other blogs – my fishing blog which includes my fishing journals and the interrelationship between martial arts protocol to fishing http://flyfishingdojo.com
and the Goshin-Do Karate blog at http://defeliceryu.com
On September 13th, five years ago, Sensei Nick D’Antuono was taken from us. That days training training and the following Hatsu Bon Poem are offered to his spirit. Should you so desire, please join us and perform a kata of your choice in memory of Sensei Nick and a fallen comrade you may wish to remember on that date. May Sensei’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
Sensei Nick, myself, Shihan Don Nagle, Circa: 1975
HATSU BON POEM
Please don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am
Nor am I sleeping for eternity
SEE!!
I am already part of the breezes
numbering a thousand
I am part of the light
that brightens this world
Like a diamond glittering in the snow
Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout
And in the Fall I become the gentle rain
that nurtures all.
When you open the window in the morning
I am the breeze
That causes your hair to flutter;
And at night, I am the star
That watches over your sleep.
So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am.
I am not dead.
I have been born anew.
Sincerity in sweat, rest in peace, Sensei.
Sensei John Szmitkowski
You may wish to view my other blogs – my fishing blog which includes my fishing journals and the interrelationship between martial arts protocol & ideology to fishing http://flyfishingdojo.com
and the Goshin-Do Karate blog at http://defeliceryu.com
Four years ago today, Shihan Wayne Norlander was taken from us. Today’s training and the following Hatsu Bon Poem are offered to his spirit.
Should today’s readers so desire, please join us and perform a kata of your choice in memory of Shihan Norlander and a fallen comrade you may wish to remember. May Shihan’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
Shihan Wayne Norlander with friend & comrade, Shihan Peter Urban, circa 1970’s, West New York, NJ
Hatsu Bon Poem
Please don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am Nor am I sleeping for eternity SEE!! I am already part of the breezes numbering a thousand I am part of the light that brightens this world Like a diamond glittering in the snow Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout And in the Fall I become the gentle rain that nurtures all. When you open the window in the morning I am the breeze That causes your hair to flutter; And at night, I am the star That watches over your sleep. So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am. I am not dead. I have been born anew.
Four years ago today, Sensei Nick D’Antuono was taken from us. Today’s training and the following Hatsu Bon Poem are offered to his spirit. Should today’s readers so desire, please join us and perform a kata of your choice in memory of Sensei Nick and a fallen comrade you may wish to remember. May Sensei’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
Sensei Nick – Myself (age 14) – Shihan Don Nagle (Isshin-Ryu Karate) (Circa 1975)
HATSU BON POEM
Please don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am
Nor am I sleeping for eternity
SEE!!
I am already part of the breezes
numbering a thousand
I am part of the light
that brightens this world
Like a diamond glittering in the snow
Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout
And in the Fall I become the gentle rain
that nurtures all.
When you open the window in the morning
I am the breeze
That causes your hair to flutter;
And at night, I am the star
That watches over your sleep.
So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am.
I am not dead.
I have been born anew.
Sincerity in sweat, rest in peace, Sensei.
Sensei John Szmitkowski
You may wish to view my other blogs – my fishing blog which includes my fishing journals and the interrelationship between martial arts protocol & ideology to fishing http://flyfishingdojo.com
and the Goshin-Do Karate blog at http://defeliceryu.com
Because of my Shibumi Kata project I am privileged to meet many unique and brave people who fight an ongoing battle against debilitating illness. It is to them that I dedicate this week’s “. . . That’s OK” (Online Kata) session.
These valiant people sometimes find themselves confined to a wheel chair or are bed-ridden. This state is not a prohibition to their practicing the physical movements and psychological concepts of my Shibumi Kata (or Sanchin Kata for that matter).
I would like all of us to join in and experience first hand their valiant kata practice.
To this end we can practice any of the following kata while seated or bed-ridden:
Sanchin Kata,
Shibumi Kata,
or for karate-ka, any kata (the Kata Sommelier, has a challenging kata recommendation).
So, you are confined to a chair or bed-ridden, “. . . That’s OK.” (Online Kata)
Remember, the group dynamic is not fulfilled by all of us being geographically present, rather, it is fulfilled by each of us performing our Kata in the proscribed manner.
Session Parameters:
Date: starting Monday, February 3rd 2014
Time: anytime
Location: a bed or chair
Salient Points:
Perform your kata using mostly the hand movements of the kata;
If seated, not withstanding the above, you may shuffle one foot in front of the other to represent the stance called for in the kata;
Movements should be performed exactly as called for in the kata, using all applicable body tension, breathing, focus, et cetera;
Kata Sommelier: For karate-ka, I would recommend you perform the highest ranked, most difficult kata in your syllabus. In my kata syllabus, this would involve either the Hakutsuru or Suparunpei Kata. You are either in bed or seated anyway, so perform the most difficult kata – if you can. If you can’t then try a basic kata. With a bit of creativity, you can also perform kicks that may be within the kata.
The last requirement of this “. . . That’s OK” online kata session is to remain in a positive physical and mental state by way of the concept of Zanshin (the “remaining mind”). For information on the Zanshin state-of-mind, please use this LINK: https://senseijohn.me/2014/02/23/zanshin-remaining-mind-shibumi-project/
Once again, you may wish to not only perform this “. . . That’s OK” session as scheduled, but may also revisit it as part of your overall practice regime.
To illustrate the concept of seated kata, here is one example of a seated Sanchin Kata performed at the gravesite of my friend and comrade, Shihan Wayne Norlander (R.I.P. 05-18-11).
Sensei John Szmitkowski
For information on my “no-risk”, kata seminars, please visit the seminar page using this convenient link https://senseijohn.me/seminar-kata/
For a refreshing and innovative discourse on kata and bunkai, please feel free to visit Sensei John’s Kata Laboratory and “THINK * SWEAT * EXPERIMENT” using this convenient link: https://senseijohn.me/category/kata-laboratory/
Today marks the three year anniversary of the passing of Hanshi Frank Van Lenten, the founder of the Goshin-Do Karate-Do Kyokai and style of karate-do. Today’s training and the following Hatsu Bon Poem are offered to his spirit. Should today’s readers so desire, please join us and perform a kata of your choice in his memory. May Hanshi’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
I have reconstructed several of Hanshi Van Lenten’s Goshin-Do Karate-Do Kyokai kata which were lost after he disbanded the kyokai in 1983; links to these kata follow the poem.
HATSU BON POEM
Please don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am Nor am I sleeping for eternity SEE!! I am already part of the breezes numbering a thousand I am part of the light that brightens this world Like a diamond glittering in the snow Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout And in the Fall I become the gentle rain that nurtures all. When you open the window in the morning I am the breeze That causes your hair to flutter; And at night, I am the star That watches over your sleep. So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave That’s not where I am. I am not dead. I have been born anew.
Here videos of several of Goshin-Do Karate-Do Kyokai kata unique to Hanshi Van Lenten.
Kanto Kata – created by Hanshi Van Lenten at the request of his various Okinawa Sensei to symbolize his Goshin-Do Karate-Do style. The kata and style were approved by Hanshi’s several Okinawa Sensei as being Okinawa-based.
The following are Goshin-Do Karate-Do Kyokai kata (abandoned when the kyokai was disbanded in 1983) which I recreated using archival text, notes, photos and film also featured in the videos: (See Endnote # 2)
Sunsu Kata; Not only does this video feature footage of Hanshi Van Lenten performing his version of this hallmark kata of Isshin-Ryu Krate-Do, it also shows Shimaboku, Tatsuo Sensei’s recognition of Hanshi Van Lenten as a Ju-Dan, 1oth degree black belt. (See Endnote # 1)
Jion Kata: A very rare version of the traditional kata recreated at Goldfield Ghost Town, Arizona
Jitte Kata: A very rare version of the traditional kata recreated at Goldfield Ghost Town, Arizona
Respectfully submitted,
Sensei John Szmitkowski
For a refreshing and innovative discourse on kata and bunkai, please feel free to visit Sensei John’s Kata Laboratory using this convenient link:https://senseijohn.me/category/kata-laboratory/
1. Copy of Shimaboku, Tatsuo-Sensei’s letter to Hanshi Van Lenten as featured in the Sunsu Kata video (link is above).
2. My sincerest thanks to Shihan Thomas DeFelice (Ku-Dan Goshin-Do Karate-Do) for providing the text and photographs of Jion and Jitte Kata, and Hanshi Jerry Thompson (Arts Of Self-Defense), Shihan Ed DiNardo (Hachi-dan, Arts Of Self-Defense, New Jersey and Arizona) and Kyoshi Tom Van Tassel (Nana-Dan, American Center For Martial Arts, New Jersey) for providing the films of Hanshi Van Lenten.
Nine years ago today, Sensei Paul Recchia was taken from us. Today’s training and the following Hatsu Bon Poem (used in the traditional memorial training ceremony) are offered to his spirit. Should today’s readers so desire, please join us and perform a kata of your choice in memory of Sensei Paul and a fallen comrade you may wish to remember. May Sensei’s spirit find our training and poem worthy.
HATSU BON POEM
Please don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am
Nor am I sleeping for eternity
SEE!!
I am already part of the breezes numbering a thousand
I am part of the light that brightens this world
Like a diamond glittering in the snow
Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout
And in the Fall I become the gentle rain that nurtures all.
When you open the window in the morning / I am the breeze / That causes your hair to flutter;
And at night, / I am the star / That watches over your sleep.
So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am.
I am not dead. I have been born anew.
Kata-RX For wellness 
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