Last evening, 40 young kids, ranging in age fron 5 to 14, gathered at Delaware Park to practice karate next to our Ultimate Frisbee field. They were students from the Meibukan GoJu-Ryu Karate-Do Academy on Bailey Avenue. Their sensei (instructor), Timothy Baldon, a 5th degree black belt in karate, shouted commands over the rolling Delaware Fields as his underlings jumped and kicked in unison while emulating his voice in reply. Karate is a fascinating sport, and when a vast contingent of kohai (junior students) exhibit their junbi undo (practice exercises) in a place other than a dojo, it is a sight to behold.
The parents of the kohai, many of which were looking on, explained to me that the student’s dojo on Bailey was currently undergoing a rather large renovation and Delaware Park was chosen as a temporary practice spot. What made the visual experience so interesting for me was this rare opportunity to see a large class performing the rituals of karate in a public arena rather than a dojo. I didn’t even know that so many different color belts were issued in the martial art of karate. I also didn’t realize how intimidating even the youngest kohai could be. These guys and girls meant business, as did their sensei who ran from one student to the next projecting his arm outward while expecting the students to block the maneuver and shout back. Each time, the student would turn around and shake off the sting of his or her attacker. As the older kids practiced, the younger students quietly looked on, legs crossed and eyes focused on the lesson before them.
Delaware Park is one of those recreational areas in Buffalo that is always offering new experiences for visitors. Every time I arrive I continue to discover different clubs practicing all sorts of activities, whether that club is the Inner City Golf Club, or the city’s rugby team. Even meeting new ultimate players, or witnessing the casual stroller circling ring road is cool. We are truly lucky to have such a place for people to congregate. Thanks to the Meibukan GoJu-Ryu Karate-Do Academy for letting me into their secret world if even for an instance.
The academy practices twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. For more information, call 716-570-3572.