Thought for the Week - Shorin-Ryu Karate U.S.A. 07/27/98

"Kyoshi"

By Judith T. Scaglione, Shihan - Okinawan Karate Dojo

Recently we had a visitor from one of our family of Dojo and he had no idea that Kyoshi was a retired NYC Police Officer. I thought to myself that if he didn't have that information he probably didn't know a lot of other important things that Kyoshi does. At that time I got the idea to make Kyoshi the thought for the week!

Most but not all of the following information can be found on page 87 of the Red book.

Kyoshi Robert Scaglione currently holds the rank of 7th degree Blackbelt in Shorin-Ryu Karate USA under the direction of Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro. He is Hanshi Ueshiro's right hand man, meaning his representative throughout the world. Years ago he had the opportunity to travel extensively with Master Ueshiro and sometimes with no more than a day's notice! He just said, "Arigato, Sensei." and put his job and life on hold and went. Today those are priceless memories. More recently, within the last 10 years, he has been to Okinawa, Hawaii, Israel, NYC, Naples, and Florida. This year he will make a trip to Mass., Denver and the newest location in California. It is his responsibility to insure that our style stay as it is taught in Okinawa and more importantly, taught according to Hanshi Ansei Ueshiro, and that it remain a pure and unadulterated style. To this day he is in close contact with Hanshi Ueshiro, both on the phone, and in person, during his trips to NY.

Kyoshi was born in Brooklyn, NY, October 14th, 1938. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in the early 60's then he worked for 20 years on the streets of NYC as a Police Officer and Detective. Kyoshi went into battle every day that he went to work. He has used his karate in many life and death situations on the streets of New York City. He also knows how to defuse the "fight" before it begins by using the proper tone of voice and attitude.

He and Sensei Judy originally started our family of Dojo in NYC in March of 1977. Kyoshi is Baker Sensei's Sensei and Seeger Sensei's Sensei and all of the "Old timer's", Sensei.

Kyoshi has written two books on Karate, edited the '92 Shorin-Ryu USA Journal, all the current Newsletters, Thought's for the Week, writes the Technique of the Week, and edits all official Shorin-Ryu Karate USA publications including the Website.

Kyoshi has 4 sons, who are all Ni-Dan's. Kyoshi has recently remarried and lives in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He continues to travel and stay very active in the propagation of our Art. He also conducts classes twice a week at the Okinawan Karate Dojo in Merritt Island, Florida. I Arigato, Sensei Judy