It’s hard to believe that Yaguchi Sensei is retiring after all these years!  He is very much like a father to his many students.  His wisdom has guided many of us in our lives outside Karate as well as on the dojo floor.

My favorite story about Yaguchi Sensei:  I started a kids’ class while I was still training at the Denver dojo about two years before I left for Alaska.  One day we were talking with the kids about testing, and I told the whole group that they would not be able to test at the exam we were holding the next Friday. . . it was just for adults.  As it happened, ALL of the kids except one little girl showed up that night anyway, and Sensei said, “ok, let them take their exams.”

So guess what . . . they passed!

The following class, the little girl who had missed the exam (because I told her she couldn’t test) saw all of her friends with their new belts.  Her eyes got wide, and then she looked down at the ground, and I could tell she was telling herself that she must not be good enough.  She was about 7 years old, mind you.

So I took her aside, and I said, “Natalie, it’s my fault. The all showed up and Sensei said they could test. But you are just as good, and we’re going to have a special test for you on Wednesday!”

As I said this, my heart was in my mouth because I didn’t know whether Sensei would even do that.

She gave me a big hug (maybe the best hug I’ve ever had), and ran off to practice.

So I went downstairs where Sensei was sitting and I explained what happened. He looked at me so kindly that day. He said, “Ok, we have a special test.”

And two days later, the great Yaguchi Sensei came out, we set up a table and chairs, and he did a full kyu exam for one little 7-year old girl. And she passed!

Can I say how humbled I am every time I think of that story?  It’s been over 12 years since that happened, and I still am so thankful that Sensei allowed me to keep a promise to a little girl that day.