Yoshino / Ninjutsu Memories 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / Ninjutsu Dojo Links

I rarely have photos of myself, but the other day I discovered a few that others had taken of me, so I thought I'd add them in. I wish I had photos of all of the important events in my life over the 12+ years that I studied Ninjutsu, but it's not to be.

Above is myself in 1986 (far right...oh how young I look then!) at my very first ninjutsu event, a Warrior Quest Level I. It was quite a challenge for a largely-inactive 47-year old. An overturned train car and chemical smoke had caused the evacuation of all of the motels nearest the "Barn" where the seminar was held. After the third move of the night and virtually no sleep, we spent some of our early-morning time stretching out on the grounds of the last school we'd been moved to.

First a train derails and then another surprise! Imagine...I'd been studying Ninjutsu for just 3 days and Grandmaster Hatsumi showed up with several of his advanced students and a Japanese television crew to film "Ninjutsu in America". Needless to say, the level of the training rose considerably for the rest of the Warrior Quest. Grandmaster Hatsumi front left, and Koichi Oguri behind him. Then Toshiro Nagato, Rumiko Hayes and Stephen K. Hayes.

Here it is, New Year's evening of 1987. We're in the Barn celebrating the Year of the Dragon with a ninjutsu seminar. I'm the one in the lower right corner with the cup raised (no, it was not saké). Behind and to my left is Stephen K. Hayes, just past him is Brian Stein talking to Stephen's wife, Rumiko.

I don't recall when this was taken. Sometime early on, I think. IF you're wondering about the purple gi and red belt, this is a combination Mrs. Hatsumi liked for the women training.

Yoshino / Ninjutsu Memories 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / Ninjutsu Dojo Links