Midwest Kendo Federation

Ken Sakamoto, Choyokan Kendo Dojo

I have been trying to come up with the appropriate words to express how much Izui Sensei meant to us all - how to express what and exceptional man he was, but the words fail me.  He always emphasized deeds over words, so perhaps a story...

When Izui Sensei was testing for his Nanadan he had just come off his second surgery (I believe).  We knew his condition was not the best because he still could not sit seiza or do sonkyo at practices, although he would apologize to every student as he bowed in for not being able to do so.  However, in-between the tachi and kodachi katas, Izui Sensei took sonkyo - etiquette dictates for the uchidachi - as he awaited shidachi to trade tachi for kodachi.  Those of us who knew Izui Sensei's condition became immediately worried for we knew how painful and potentially dangerous it might be for him to take sonkyo.  The examining board was also aware of Izui Sensei's condition and, concerned, told him sonkyo would not be asked of him - they gave him permission to stand.  Izui Sensei replied in a clear strong voice, "Daijobu", and did not break his gaze from shidachi.  There was no distress or self-pity in his voice expressing what obviously was quite painful, difficult task.  Also there was no ego or pride in his voice, no bragging about what a brave thing he was doing.  Just a clear, strong statement about what, in his mind, was the correct thing to do.  That will always be one of my fondest memories of him.

Ron Fox, Michigan State University Kendo Club

Izui Sensei, in my opinion, embodied the spirit of kendo.  His humility his a deep understanding of how to teach kendo, especially to beginners.. As with Dave, I 'grew up' in kendo mostly on my own.  Where many kendo sense from established dojos looked at us like we were crazy trying to learn and understand kendo without sensei of our own, Izui Sensei was one of the few kendoists who welcomed our efforts and supported them with his tireless contributions of time and effort.  His passing leaves an irreplaceable hole in the Midwest Kendo.

Steve Voss, Hokkyokusei Kendo Kai

When I became the Wisconsin Kendo Club's president in 1991, the first thing Kiyota Sensei said to me was, "be ready to represent us (Wisconsin) at Izui Sensei's funeral".  That was 11 years ago and luckily for all of us, this premonition did not turn out to be true.  He gave us all 11 more years of wonderful presence in kendo and life.

Izuie Sensei had a way of taking the tension out of practice and yet, keeping our focus on the necessity for sincerity of heart.  I was there along with Sakamoto Sensei for Izui Sensei's 7th Dan exam.  He demonstrated such poise, humility, determination, and strong kendo that I was stunned.  His knees were obviously killing him, yet he wanted no special treatment.  This truly exemplified "gambaremasu".  I remember driving back to Wisconsin with an additionally profound and deeper respect for Sensei.  I felt he was one of the best teachers I have had, not only at kendo but at life in general.

Obviously, being from either the Wisconsin dojo or the Hokkyokusei dojo, mattered not to Izui Sensei.  He always welcomed us at practice and was truly concerned for our safety on the drives home.  He exemplified "Sensei" in that he not only was our teacher in the dojo but, our caretaker and friend outside of practice.

We didn't know him as well as the Chicago Kenshi but we feel for their loss.  Additionally, his presence will be missed by all of us in the Midwest Kendo Federation family.

Yutaro Matsuura, Battle Creek Kendo Kai

I've only been a part of the MWKF for the past 3 years.  Unfortunately, I've only had a chance to meet and speak with Izui Sensei a couple of times.  Perhaps this does not qualify me to write a brief tribute.  I will do so anyway because greatness in a man can be recognized even during a brief encounter.  The thought that prevailed in my mind was that I wanted to be like Izui Sensei someday.  A Sensei who had not learned Kendo in Japan, but still commanded the respect of everyone around him.  I too have learned Kendo only in North America.  I too was raised here in North America.  I aspire to someday be a sensei like Izui Sensei.  I'm hoping the only difference will be that I can't draw nearly as well as he could.  Thank you Izui Sensei.  Even if I am a life you only touched briefly.

Tom Okawara, Choyokan Kendo Dojo

The words to express the loss of our teacher and dear friend, Izui Sensei, also fail me.  For all of my years of studying kendo, Izui Sensei has been in the core.  It was through Izui Sensei's efforts that we had the first Midwest Taikai, summer camps, visits from Japan Kenshi, and numerous seminars.  With his enthusiasm and his insights, we worked on the newsletter for the past 17 years. And thanks to Izui Sensei, I have developed close ties with others of the Midwest Federation, as Dave, Steve, Bob, Ron, as well as from around the country and various parts of the world.

As we all got together last Friday night for special keiko in his honor, attended by people from both Chicago dojos, various parts of the Midwest Federation, Toronto, Seattle, and Tokyo, I realized that Izui Sensei was again bringing us all together.  Our close ties and friendships are all part of Izui Sensei's legacy to us.  For this gift and especially his friendship, I am grateful to Sensei.

Tom Bolling, Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation

I was very sad when Dave Christman let me know that Izui Sensei had died on January 25th.

Izui Sensei practiced kendo with me on his frequent visits to friends and family in Seattle.  When he saw me at national events, he made me feel important by encouraging my efforts and praising my progress every time.

Inspired by the SEMPO, I started the PNKF newsletter, the KENYU.  Izui Sensei continually sent me letters and money to support it.

Izui Sensei always made it seem like I was somebody great.  There was no way I could stop working hard with him counting on me.  I feel that he is still looking over my shoulder and pulling for me right now.  I hope that I never let him down.

Thank you, Izui Sensei, and see you later...

Mike Murphy, Michigan State University Kendo Club

I am very sad to hear about Izui Sensei's passing.  I can say, however, that I am a better person for having had the honor and pleasure to have known him.  He was truly a great man.  I've never met anyone like him before or since.  It makes me sad that his gone but the sadness is tempered by what he gave me as a teacher and a person.

Eric Abbey, Eastern Kendo Club

The Eastern Kendo Club, with myself included, would like to express our sympathies to the Izui family.  Along with being one of the most influential teachers I have ever met, Izui Sensei allowed me to see the path of Kendo and how it relates to everything through life.  His guidance through example has led me to a better understanding of myself and of how important Kendo is to everyday life.  He will be remembered most for his ease of communicating with Americans interested in kendo.  Without his instruction and guidance the MWKF would have not come to fruition.  We are all sadly affected by the loss of Izui Sensei, but take comfort in the fact that his spirit will continue through each and every one of us forever.

Hyonggun Choi, U of Chicago Kendo Club

Long time ago when I was implementing the UC Kendo Club on campus, Izui Sensei gave a drawing (more cartoon like, which shows his talent for drawing and love for young kendoists) for the UC Kendo Club.

J. Mark Kenoyer, U of Wisconsin

On behalf of the University of Wisconsin Kendo Dojo, I want to express our condolences to the Izui family and to his friends at the Chicago Kendo Dojo.  Those of us who were fortunate to have met Izui Sensei remember his wonderful sense of humor and his strong teaching with great fondness.  We will all treasure his artistic contributions to kendo and will pass on his memory through the wonderful illustrations that he made.

Charles Ham, Eastern Michigan Kendo Club

Sensei was always the quiet force in the dojo that commanded respect.  Others have mentioned his humor, but even as a know-it-all teenager, it was his patience that impressed me almost 20 years ago. As the one who volunteered to teach the beginners at the first Midwest Kendo Summer Camp, he showed no irritation at our spectacular ignorance.

David Cooper, President, Dallas/Fort Worth Kendo & Iaido Kyokai

Upon my lone visit to Chicago, I arrived at the dojo a bit early.  There, sensei was, broom in hand, and no one else around.  I immediately removed my shoes, dropped my bags, and went to help.  Izui Sensei said, "No, no.  Sometimes this is the best part of kendo".  Since then, on the occasions I found a broom in my hand, I always thought of him.  Now it will be even more so.  A fleeting moment for  a lifetime.

John Chu, Ottawa

I started at Chicago Kendo Dojo in the spring of 1993, having completed all of my winter exams and feeling that I needed to get out of the Northwestern environment for a change.  A Japanese-American professor had passed Izui Sensei's phone number to me when he heard that I had practiced kendo in the past and was looking for a new dojo in Chicago.  I called the number and was greeted by a friendly fellow who called himself simply "George".  I asked George about the club, its location and practice times and promptly made it out there the following nigh (a Tuesday).  I showed up directly after school in a shirt and tie and asked the elderly gentleman by the stage if he knew if George was around, to which he replied that it was he!  How embarrassed I was minutes later when I realized he was the sensei.  I started of planning to just observe but by the end of the evening my shirt and tire were drenched in perspiration as he made me do suburi and shomen with the class!  He drove me home that night, and thanked me for coming along with the comment, "I hope you will be able to make it out regularly, if it doesn't get in the way of your studies".  So began my relationship with the gentleman who became a surrogate father to me for the following 4 years and beyond when I moved away from Chicago.

I have so many great memories of this great man that I cannot recount them to any satisfactory degree, but I can tell you that he was the most humble, pure of heart and genuine of people I have ever come across, and I believe ever will.  I always think of how lucky I was to have been able to count Izui Sensei as one of the guiding influences in my life, and the teachings I received from him (as I'm sure many others will attest) goes way beyond the sanctuary of the dojo walls.  The example he gave all of us, of how to act, react, care for others and of ourselves and loved ones, are lessons we can all carry with us for the rest of our lives.  His humility and self depreciating humor (how many of us had heard of a comment from Izui Sensei starting with the word, "Mr. ____, if I may make a suggestion...") underscored a code of behavior which I think would solve many of the world's conflicts if we can all follow suit.

The last time I spoke to the Sensei was last fall when I called to see how he was doing after receiving a card from his wife Ruby.  his voice was so weak, but he said he was fine, and expressed how time consuming his hospital visits had become.  He said he just wanted to get better because he was tired of being sick and wanted to return to the dojo.  I'll bet he's swinging away right now...