Emily Busch, Nippon Kan Vice President “Checks in” in Japan

April 26th-May 5th, 2007

In front of the Aiki shrine with Hitohiro Saito Jukucho, Iwama, Japan.

In late April and early May, I flew to Japan to attend a series of meetings with AHAN Nippon Kan Japan Branch Coordinator Chrys Kikuchi, Japan Branch Assistant Coordinator Yoshi Shishikura and Senior Advisor Mr. Taka Suzuki.

On this trip, I was able to travel to Iwama to attend the Ibaraki Tai Sai Festival (annual ceremony honoring the Founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba) and a ceremony honoring the late Morihiro Saito Shihan. I had the honor of staying at the dojo of Hitohiro Saito Sensei, Founder of Dento Iwama Ryu, Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai where everyone treated me with gracious hospitality. My sincere thanks to everyone for the experience!

: Dinner with Japan Branch Coordinators Kikuchi and Shishikura.

: Japan Branch Coordinator Chrys Kikuchi and family.

: In front of Aiki Jinja dojo.

: With the widow of the late Shigeru Kawabe Shihan

The day after the Tai Sai Festival in Iwama, I made my way north to Higashi Naruse Village, home to AHAN Nippon Kan’s Japan Cross Cultural Exchange Program since 1990. This was my seventh visit to Higashi Naruse, but my first visit in seven years. I had a chance to meet with many village leaders and old friends who had come to Denver as part of this long-standing cultural exchange program in the early 90’s. It was wonderful to meet again and see how they had grown into positions of responsibility within their own community and now had children of their own.

: Village government office staff. Thank you very much!

: Homestay with the Tanifuji family.

Mr. Takeo Sasaki , Nippon Kan Japan Project Founder and his wife.

About 100 people have participated in Nippon Kan’s cross-cultural exchange program with Higashi Naruse Village, either on tours to the village in Japan or from the village to Denver. Many have participated in the Japan internship program on a long-term basis with the Village Office Education Department. During this brief but memorable visit we were able to confirm plans for future cross-cultural activities. I was received with a wonderful welcome and want to thank Mayor Sasaki and everyone for their generous hospitality!

Written by
Emily Busch
Nippon Kan Vice President
AHAN Director of International Projects