Bushido Kenkyukai: Japanese Martial & Cultural Arts

Learning To Be Still

With our fast paced world, being still, calm, focused is a skill many adults as well as children need to work on.  Attending a class or meeting, taking a test, driving, or a medical exam/test are a few examples in everyday life that require being still and focusing.  To be still in the mind is to be calm. To be still of the body requires self discipline.

The structure with which martial arts are taught teaches students to control their mind as well as their body. Karate teaches students to focus and calm their mind so they can improve their skills.  The technique they are learning at that moment are the main concern. They are taught to be aware but ignore what is beyond their immediate space and concentrate on the task at hand. This teaches you to focus.

Etiquette is an important component of martial arts. It has been said that “Karate begins and ends with respect” (Gichen Funakoshi, the father of modern Karate). As part of the respect of others, students are required to be quiet/still while another student or the instructor is demonstrating techniques. Also with the Sempai/Kohai relationship, or order of rank, you must learn to wait your turn which requires you to show respect and self discipline. All these take practice.

Traditional Karate goes beyond punches and kicks teaching students valuable life skills that aid the student in any aspect of life whether they are a child or adult. Learning to be still is one of many benefits of a traditional Karate program.

Bushido Kenkyukai’s head instructor started training in Karate as a teenage and credits the strong traditional training as a having a huge impact on Gallegos Sensei’s career & success in life. “No matter how old I am or what my physical abilities are i will do it forever one way or another. I can’t imagine my life with out Karate,” said Gallegos Sensei

For more information about Bushido Kenkyukai or Gallegos Sensei, email Bushi@BKWoW.com or visit BKWoW.com

Origami Cranes

The Japanese word Origami is a compound of two smaller Japanese words: “ori”, meaning to fold, and “kami”, meaning paper. A crane is the first thing many people think of when they hear the word Origami. According to Japanese legend, if you fold 1,000 origami cranes you will be granted one wish. Origami cranes are often viewed as a sign of hope and peace.

Bushido Kenkyukai host many Origami Workshops, runs Origami booths at events, and teaches on site Origami classes throughout New Mexico. The most requested Origami subject we receive is the Crane. While the crane is not really a simple piece we have taught one on one with students of all ages from little kids to older adults. On Saturday January 25th we will be hosting an Origami Crane workshop at out facility from 10 am to 12 pm. (Supply fee:$12)

In our school, Bushido Kenkyukai, we have numerous origami cranes throughout our facility including 1000 Origami cranes hanging below a large origami crane from the ceiling. The cranes were folded by our students and out head instructor. Gallegos Sensei enjoys folding origami and is often seen folding origami cranes with all kinds of paper in interesting places.

2020 New Decade

New decade, new beginning. Learn from your past and start new. Many start the new year with new fitness goals. Bushido Kenkyukai has options for you

Karate is a great way to get in shape and learn how to defend yourself. Regular core exercises are done with every warm up. Cardio drills are done on a regular basis. It is great for the mind and body. Bushido Kenkyukai has both youth and adult classes. Minimum age 7. No experience necessary.

Taiko Japanese Drumming exercises the body & the brain. We build up Good core strength to play Taiko. While not as intense as a martial arts class basic strengthening exercise is needed for good drumming technique and to insure personal safety while moving drums. Learning rhythms also exercises the brain. It’s also fun. No experience necessary. Youth and adult classes available, minimum age is 7 years old.

Try something new, Bushido Kenkyuaki offers a free week of classes so you can give it a try. No experience is necessary. Contact us for details. Lets get started and do this.

Origami, Japanese the Art of Paper Folding

Origami (from oru meaning “folding”, and kami meaning “paper”) is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. The goal of this art is to create a representation of an object using geometric folds and crease patterns.

Bushido Kenkyukai holds several Origami workshops per year in various subjects from holiday themes to traditional cranes.    Below is a list of some of the poplar workshop themes we have held:

• Cranes (traditional, boxes, book marks, hearts)
• Frogs
• Valentine’s Day
• Mother’s Day
• Halloween
• Christmas
• Flowers
• Dollar bill Origami
• Airplanes

In addition we run Origami booths at numerous booths at events throughout New Mexico.  We recently had an Origami booth at Camille’s Sidewalk café in Gallup.  Below is a list of a few of our upcoming Origami booths:

• New Mexico Natural History Museum for the Bisti Beast event June 22nd.
• Aki Matsuri Japanese Fall Festival at NM Veteran’s Memorial September 22nd. 
• International Festival at NM Veteran’s Memorial September 28th.

All of our students are able to fold Origami but many specialize in certain pieces.  We fold Origami pieces from simple to complicated and cater our booth to the event we are participating in.  Visitors to our booths are all ages and we do not expect them to have any experience.

Bushido Kenkyukai has even hosted Summer Camps students, and various schools to participate in Origami workshops.  Our Instructor has gone to schools and daycares to run Origami workshops. 

Contact us (Bushi@BKWoW.com)  if you are interested in :

• holding an Origami workshop at your school, Summer Camp, or event.
• an Origami booth at your event
• an Origami talk
• our you are interested in being put on our list for Origami workshop annoucements

BK Taiko in Gallup

Thanks to Camille’s Sidewalk Café, BK Taiko Japanese Drumming group will once again be performing in Gallup as part of the Gallup Arts Crawl Saturday June 8th at 7:30pm. FREE to public.  There will be audience hands on participation after each set.   In addition prior to the performance BK Taiko will be folding Origami from 1pm to 4pm inside the patio area at Camille’s Sidewalk Café.

This is the 4th year Camille’s Sidewalk Café has sponsored BK Taiko at the Gallup Arts Crawl.  BK Taiko will be at Camille’s throughout the day available to interviews, autographs, & photos.

Thank you to KGLP radio Gallup for creating a PSA announcing BK Taiko’s performance. 

BK Taiko PSA for Gallup 060819 events

FREE Introduction to Youth Taiko Japanese Drumming

Taiko is a high-energy blend of martial arts choreography and synchronized drumming which dates back over 2,000 years.  Taiko simply means “great drum” in Japanese and has taken on the meaning of the art form.

This FREE  hands on 1 hour “Introduction to Taiko Japanese Drumming” class for kids (7 – 13 yrs.) will be offered on Wednesday January 23rd from 5:30 to 6:30pm pm. No previous music/drumming experience necessary.  The class will give an overview of basic taiko knowledge including taiko history, terminology, and basic drum info as well as introduce basic taiko stances, movement, kata, and kihon. Students will also enjoy hands on experience with the drums.

For more information or to sign up for the class, email Taiko@BKWoW.com or call (505) 294-6993. For more information on BK Taiko, their performance schedule, or their taiko classes go to www.BKTaiko.com or go to www.Facebook.com/BKTaiko .

Upcoming Workshops

Throughout the year we hold a variety of Japanese cultural workshops depending on instructor availability and facility schedule.  Workshops are generally open to the public and usually have a small supply fee.

In January we are hosting a FREE Introduction to Japanese drumming workshop for Youth, January 23rd.  We will be scheduling one for Adults in a few months.

In February we are hosting an Onigiri (Japanese Rice Ball) making workshop (Feb 2nd) and an Origami (Traditional paper folding) workshop (Feb 9th) .

Please check our calendar or our website/social media pages for more information.  You can also email Sensei@BKWoW.com

Happy New Year!

Happy 2019!  At Bushido Kenkyukai we are grateful for another year.  Last year definitely had some ups and downs….a new landlord, new friends & students, building repairs, a fun dojo picnic, our pictures in the press, 2 dojo floodings,  and sadly losses of family and friends.   

We are off to a great start this year with some new students, new equipment, and new workshops being scheduled.  Happy New year everyone!!!

Free Japanese Drumming Classes

Youth ages 7-13 yrs. Wednesday August 29th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Adults Ages 14 yrs. & above Wednesday October 24th from 6:40pm to 8:40pm

This FUN hands on class will teach Taiko History, Drum types, and how to play the drums.  NO music experience necessary.  Please email Taiko@BKWoW.com or message at Facebook.com/BKTaiko to reserve a drum.  Class is FREE

This is a great class for friends, couples, families.

BK Taiko is located at 9911 Southern SE – Unit F in Albuquerque, NM 87123.  (near Eubank & Central)

10 Years of Taiko Japanese Druming

Bushido Kenkyukai Taiko celebrates 10 years this month. Time has flown by.  We have been blessed with wonderful students, families, friends, neighbors, and benefactors.  So much has happened in 10 years.

There have been 2 facilities, multiple landlords, a Van, performance tours throughout NM, school performances. We have suffered a variety of hardships like roof leaks, damaged drums, vandalism to our van and our facility, plumbing issues, air conditioning failures, to health issues, and the toughest part, the passing of friends & family.

I have personally had the pleasure of teaching hundreds of students that have past through our facility. A few were only around for a day or a few weeks for special workshops/training while many others have been with me for years.

I feel very bless and very grateful. I hope for many more years to come.  Thank you to our fans and supporters!

Respectfully,

Anita Gallegos,  BK Taiko Group Leader