I trained here once in 1986 or 7? when it was Sensei Hioki's Dojo! If it's the same dojo in…read moreScarsdale (in Westchester County, NY?) that I'm thinking of.
I am amazed and thrilled to see that it's still operating, and apparently under the capable direction of the now SHIHAN, Sakai, (whom I knew since S. Sakai was a white belt in our Founder, Saiko Shihan Shigeru Oyama's Dojo (School) in Manhattan, and at the time then, I was also just a lowly white or Blue belt myself!)
Shihan Sakai got to where he is now, only through sheer determination and HARD WORK!
I personally recall that he couldn't speak much English. He had no money. He had no one to Sponsor him here in America, and had no one to help him! (It can be a lonely thing for any human being to experience that!)
Yet, in spite of all THAT, (or BECAUSE of it!) this fellow, Sakai, worked very, very, VERY hard to train himself. So much so, that in fact, (once in a while), the Master would have to remind Sakai to keep an extra dogi (uniform) handy, just in case.
But when the Saiko Shihan, saw that Sakai was always at the dojo, and training as hard as he did, the Master said: "You might as well come and live here, and keep the place running smoothly while I'm not here." And so he did! Sakai joined the ranks of the "uchi-deshi," or "inside" students, who would clean and keep up dojo) when the Master wasn't there.
So I liked the fact that the now SHIHAN Sakai had taken over the Scarsdale Dojo. It couldn't have happened to a better person! For, Sakai had progressed through the ranks very, VERY quickly, and earned his 1st Degree Black Belt and on up the ranks; due mostly to his hard work, good character, and relentless Courage! I'm proud to know him! And I wish him every happiness continued success withhis Dojo(s), there in White Plains! From your old Friend, Julie A. Cipolla