Hello and welcome to the Winter 2016-2017 Issue of Kagami! We have finally returned after a long but unintended hiatus. As such, I want to begin by offering my apologies for our absence and I
want you to know that with this issue, we fully expect to resume a normal, quarterly publication schedule, as originally intended.

This past year marks the tenth year of the publication of Kagami. In that time, I have found that the Holiday/Winter issues tend to be the ones that I most look forward to preparing. Perhaps, coming at the time of year that it does, it is because the Holiday/Winter issues have often served as a year-end retrospective of significant events and moments for the KNBK and its members.
Or perhaps it is simply because of the spirit of the time of year itself, and the feelings that arise with it for so many of us. In any case, I feel a deep sense of wholehearted connection and sharing with all of you as I write, edit, and search for the material that comprises this issue.

I think that it is safe to say that 2016 was yet another banner year for the KNBK, filled with many significant moments shared by many of us, on the training and off. With his rigorous teaching
schedule, we had many opportunities to deepen our practice through training with Long Hanshi to avail ourselves of, and as we all know, participating in such events always serves to strengthen our bonds with our budo family. In this respect, it is no exaggeration to say that every year is a banner year for the KNBK. Based on some of the plans that Sensei has shared with us, it looks like 2017 will be another great year in that regard, so please take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way! That said, for many of us, the KNBK trip to Japan in April to participate in the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai World Butoku Sai in Kyoto was a high point of 2016. I know that I speak for all members of the KNBK Team when I say (in what is certainly an understatement of galactic proportion!) that it was an incredible, unforgettable experience. Although they cannot replace the direct experience itself, we have included a few articles and images in this issue that offer a small look into a few moments of that experience.

Before I tie this up, I want to take the opportunity here to remind everyone that March 1 is just around the corner. As we should all know by now, that is the deadline for dojo and individual  membership renewals. Renewals can be completed online through a very easy and streamlined process via the DMS at http://KNBK.org, so please do not delay in getting it done. If you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to ask your instructor.

In closing, we hope that you enjoy this issue of Kagami, and while much of the content may no longer be news, it certainly offers a small glimpse of many of the important moments that we, the KNBK family, have shared together over the past year. I am sure that we all look forward to creating more memories together in 2017. And with that, I send wishes to all of you for blessings, joy, and prosperity in the New Year!

Welcome to the Fall 2015 Issue of Kagami! Here in the Northeast, we are experiencing a glorious autumn, with bright sunny days and brilliant colours as the leaves put on yet another incredible display! But those days go fast at this time of year, and while we’ve already had a hint of snow here, it will be flying (for some of us!) in earnest before we know it.

Speaking of things coming up quickly, the 2015 KNBK Gasshuku, to be held at Split Rock Lodge & Resort in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania is right around the corner! The Gasshuku will be from November 20 through the 22nd, but it’s not too late to register, so if you have not yet done so, please register at knbk.org! Please remember that this is not a Koshukai(instructor training) event, but rather is an event that offers training for all practitioners at all levels of experience, in all disciplines represented by the KNBK, including Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu, Jojutsu, and Karate-do. Participants may train in all arts, or a few, or even focus on one if they so desire!

Please also remember to register for the celebratory banquet, to be held on Saturday evening, November 21st! Also, rooms had been reserved at Split Rock Lodge & Resort for a reduced rate, but at this point in time, we recommend that you check with them for availability.

This is sure to be a great weekend of Budo training and camaraderie! We look forward to seeing you next month!

As for this issue of Kagami, you will notice that this time, most articles specifically pertain to KNBK-related events and seminars that were held in various locations, dating from last spring until very recently. As such, they have been arranged in chronological order. We thank everyone who contributed their time and effort in preparing articles for this issue. As ever, each one of you is invited to contribute your thoughts and experiences regarding training and events associated with the KNBK and look forward to including them in upcoming issues.