Welcome to Tom Bolling's Guest Book

Tom
Thanks for the e-mail.  I hope that you have a wonderful and prosperous
New Year! 

I'm a red Bowling, Virginia branch. Glad to run into you.  I live
just north of Lynnwood, so I guess we're close. I'm working on a
genealogical database for the web at this time. So far I only have my
regular home page up.  Nice running into you, cousin! Good job on the
page!

Ki Ken Tai Itchi

I was really impressed by the wide range of topics represented on
your web page.  Your approach to kendo is similar to my own.  I hope that
no matter how long I have been doing kendo (even if I never get "good")
that I will always be improving in skill and within myself. 

Tom Bolling has been known to dabble in Jethrow Ryu from time to
time, despite his claims to the contrary.  

I was searching for professional resources when I noticed Bolling's
neat introduction between his work and kendo, Like to know more.  Thank
you! 

Mr. Bolling:  I have seen you at tournaments.  I practice with
Cascade Kendo.  You are doing the regional organizations a great service
with your efforts.

I had a woman ask me to help her find a book about 
resumes--she had trouble understanding how
to use the classification number.  I took her to
the right shelf, and we looked through some books
together.  She was afraid to pick the wrong one.

When I told her that she could check out as many as
she wanted, her eyes got big and she said, "You mean
I can take one home?  For free?!"

She paused; and then, knowing so much more than when
she first approached me, she confided that she would
really like to check out a book of stories, "just
because I'm learning to read English, and I really
like it...."

I didn't pull down any books for her then.  I just 
showed her where the fiction was, and quietly left,
letting her explore--but with the promise that I 
would help her look for something any time she wanted
me to.

And I knew why I liked this job so much; and why I
miss seeing Tom in action.

Tom, 
I'm a distant relative.  My great grandfather dropped the second "L" in
the last name because he was tired of writing it.  Anyway, my dad is an
association member (Benjamin T. Boling)  I haven't had a chance to join
yet.  Am going to though.  Have a great day. 

Hi Mr Tom Bolling. Are You fine?
This is Sekiguchi. Member of Kamei sensei ture.Do you remember? Last day,I
had a very good time. I am sure glad for your kindness.  Oh big news. this
April 24th, we,all menber will have a party. If you have a lot of time,
you should write a letter to me. I will show it Kamei sensei. I think he
will be so happy. take care.  To Masutomo Sekiguchi. 

Very sorry. I mistaked my E-mail add. I send a messege to you by
other way. Do you cutch my message ? I got your message last day. thank
you. My fellow became to be happy for your mail. Are you fine? I sound
like you are very well. take care , Masutomo 

I LEARN KUMDO IN A CITY WAGGA WAGGA IN AUSTRALIA WE HAVE 12 STUDENT
FULL TIME & A FEW BLOW IN`S IF YOU EVER COME DOWN CALL IN AND SAY
G`DAY

Hi Tom;  Popped in on my way around the net, checking out sites for
my all consuming hobby of genealogy.  I'm researching one of my husband's
surnames, Boling.  Came to check you out hoping to find a lead to his
ancestors.  No such luck!  But enjoyed
your site.  :-))  Carolyn G

Thank you for e-mail!  I love KENDO,too! Now I practice KENDO with my
son.On July I will be a KENDO SHIAI.(GAME) I was enjoyed your homepage! 

Sensei Bolling, I am glad to see that there are locals trying to
continue a great tradition. I have practised Kendo for almost ten years
now including living in Japan and studying Kendo there for three years. I
now work as an interpretor at a local college. Ganbatte kudasai.
Drew

Hi,

Have you done the BOLLING  genealogy?

Gladys

Can you believe summer's almost over?!  I haven't been to this page
in awhile...lotsa nifty stuff to look at!

I would like to practice Kendo all over the world (Musho-Shugyo?).
I would like to learn more from and about Kendo.
Please visit the page from our dojo at the Universitδt Hannover:
www.kendo.de.org/hannover/Uni-Hannover/home.htm

And whenever you are near Hannover, you are welcome to join our practice.

And you are of course invited to write me :)

Please visit the homepage of our dojo

hi tom its mike malixi it was fun at the semenar at spokane I hope to
practice with you again.

still wanted deaf and hard of hearing.

Great page Tom, just surfed on from the BFA site.  Dan

Dear Grandfa. ( May I call you that, Mr. Tom Bowling!?) 
I've read very well those Kendo news from you. Thank you
very much for your kindness as one of the Kendo lovers. 
Well, recently I moved my home page into the new one. 
I would be happpy if you vist when a spare time.
I haven't time enough to work on that and college life, and 
stopped Kumdo a while. So I have to say that I'm still a beginner. 
Hope you keep up the good work on your web pages. 
Take care of yourself! 

Hi, Grandfa! This is Eugene!! 
How are you today? 
I made a link page written in "English"! You can see 
yours(perfect one!^^)in mine. Please check it out!
Well, I've finished the finals at my college. I feel 
veeery ease!!! 
I'll drop in here again! Take care of yourself! 
 

IT IS NICE TO SEE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE SO VERY PROUD OF THERE ART
FORM AND NOT SO MUCH IN THE PHYSICAL WAY BUT ALSO IN THE METAPHYSICAL I
SOLUTE YOU IN THIS

Hi Tom, Many thanks for the WONDERFUL kendo resources page.
Having followed its evolution from version 1 and having seen kendo links go 
up and down and obsolete, your site is a comforting CONSTANT- 
-chushin, in kendo terms!

Your other interests are a nice distraction
when I get tired of science stuff!

HI i have alway's wanted to take up Kendo i think it would be fun see
you some time
         
            Timmy 
                 Winner

Hey, Tom, I finally managed to get the time to slum around the web
and ran across your web site! I finally got to see a face to your emails!
You know, from your emails, I thought you would have looked more like some
big ol' Gentle Ben or Hoss Cartwright, for some reason. Guess I was wrong.
Oh well.

Hope things are alright up there. I just ran into a kid who grad' from our
high school last year, went up to the cold Northwest, got royally messed
over by his first and only girlfriend, the wet weather didn't do him any
good, and he almost committed suicide. Sheesh! Is it that gloomy up there
or what?

Now he's back in town, trying to get his life back together again. Seems
to be recovering. He should be alright as long as his whacko girlfriend
doesn't follow him back.

Wayne M.

Hi!! I am Hideyo Watanabe. Do you remember me?
I visited your university last March as a member of Kazuo Kamei Group.
I practiced Kendo with you.I never forget wonderful experience with you.
Thank you,
I am looking forward to seeing you again.
See you again in near future.

bolling sensei,

  i am about to produce a new run of bogu and shinai bags. since your
address book for kenshi is far more extensive than mine would you please
relay the following information. bogu bags $70, shinai bags $55. colors
available; blue, black, teal, evergreen, purple. everyone is welcome to
order. to do so call or fax brian mccarry at (253)874-1424. thank you,
brian

Dear Bolling Sensei,

   Could I impose upon you to pass along one more message to your Kenshi
e-mail net. I should have digital pictures of the bogu and shinai bags
available to look at by the weekend of the 27th. Also i will be putting in
the order for the bags on April 12th so all orders are due by then. Thank
you, brian

In the void is virtue, and no evil. Wisdom has existence, principle
has existence, the Way has existence, spirit is nothingness. (Myamoto
Musashi)

enjoyed your web site, was looking around and came across it.  My
family is from Wise county VA. and Letcher county KY. my ggg grandmother
Melvina Short was married 2nd to George Washington Bolling of Wise county
Va. Melvina had two daughters who were Hayes but grew up as Bollings.  
Take care,

Hey You, Mosquito at my ear!
Do you think I'm Deaf?
Saigyo 1118-1190 (long time ago)

My opponent is my teacher.

HI(^_^)
I grad to see your hp.
l am playing KENDO from senior high school.
about 32 years ago.
 l am enjoy playing KENDO with junior class.(^_^)

I am interested in finding some of my Bolling ancesters.  My ggg gm
was Lucinda Bowling Sinclair Howard.  She was born about 1814 in kentucky.
I know her father was Daniel Bolling. Her first husband was Alexander
Sinclair; she had two children by him.  Her second and last husband was
Henry F. Howard; she had at least four children by him. Daniel Bolling was
married two times.  The first wife is the mother of my Lucinda.  There
were five children from his first marriage.  Danial's second wife was
Sarah, and she bore him six children. I am at a standstill in my family
tree research.  I would appreciate any help.

Thanks for your Bolling page.  I really liked the Pocohontas tree; I
need something like that for one of my other convoluted southern families!  

Thanks for the nice salmon skin.  Very delicious.  The fritos have
been excellent, too.

I deeply appreciate the delicious chestnuts from the old Bose-Yamane
spread.  There are several varieties... what an elegant gift!  And it's
helped our family through lean times.  I'm nostalgic for those island
barbarian walnuts we sometimes used to get, too... Thanks for
everything!

Can't you do anything about that awful monstrosity surrounding the
old pond? Very amusing tidbits on the cardboard, but how about some fresh
crawdad or something succulent like that? 

Thanks for a great site!I am Kendo 3-dan and practice at Saidaiji
Budokan here in Okayama. If any Kendoists are in the area,drop me a
line.

Hi. Thank you for using my Go board applet :)
Well, I also played Kendo for a while when I was a kid.
See you!

H-E-L-L-O!!

Great site.

I WAS HERE!
KOOL PAGE!
Tom

(don't miss the Czech Kedno on http://geocities.com/kendo_cz 

We just go back to Tacoma and tried visiting your Web site.  It's
very nice.  It was good seeing you today.  We're gonna explore your site a
little more.  See ya soon!

Anyone who reads uncle Walt, studies the way of the sword and watches
Zena can't be all that bad. 

Great website

Bolling Sensei,
It's been a long time since I've had a chance to talk with you.  Hope
everything's going great and hopefully I'll see you again soon.

Take care,
Mike Mihata
mmihata@hotmail.com

Hi Sensei! 
It's me! Jen (Zee) from the Bellevue Dojo! ^_^ Just thought I'd drop by
and tell you that you've got a great site ^^! See you next practice! Oh,
by the way, I found my way here by a link from Kat's site ^_^. Domou
Arigatou Gozaimashita!^_~

-Jen-  

Hi Tom,
I just found your extremely extensive web site and it will take some time
to find my way through it.
All the best from WingTsun Vancouver ... Ralph

Hello, how are you ?
We have practice kendo together during the Dan examination in Santa
Clara.

Hello my name is Naoko Hiwada.I'm a 19 years old Japanses girl.I have
Kendo 3rd dan, Iaido 3rd dan, Jodo 3rd dan. I'd like to study English in
Bellevue. But I don't have much mony. In stead of teaching them, I want to
support me with living expences. Please give me some information, if you
have good idias.

i believe that tom b. is yoda reincarnate
we can only gain by his presence

I am descended from Darcus Levisa Bolling b. 8 June 1798, m. James
Washington Fisher, Jr.  trying to locate her ancestors.

I am descended from Darcus Levisa Bolling b. 8 June 1798, m. James
Washington Fisher, Jr.  trying to locate her ancestors.  
RHa7836465@aol.com

Hi, I've found your message at the EKF-site. Just this to say that
you're always welcome in Belgium. Just send a message before...

Like your site Tom - it's sooooo BIG!
Thought you would like to know about this new UK Kendo site, has a
threaded message board for discussing kendo and meeting kendo friends.
Say hi!

I am just learning about what kendo is and your web site has provided
me with a lot of information that I want to know.  

sir,

you are a good man. good fortune i meet you.

thank you

jun carino

HELLO,TOM!
How are you? We are fine.
We have match this Sunday.
So I am very nervus.But We want to win this match.
Now,I add your web page our link files.
If you want to check,accses to our page!
Thanks.

Hello Sensei Bolling!
Here is my favorite quote:

"A government should not mobilize an army out of anger,
military leaders should not provoke war out of wrath.
Act when it is beneficial, desist if it is not. Anger
can revert to joy, wrath can revert to delight, but a
nation destroyed cannot be restored to existence, and
the dead cannot be restored to life."
 - Sun Tzu : Chapter 12, the Art of War

A spark of humanity in a book about organized conflict.

Hi Tom,
You refer to yourself as "Old Man", and other's call you Grandpa or
"Grandfa". I never think of you as old. You will always be a young uncle.
Your web site is wonderful!!  Wish I had more time to explore today, but
will be back for sure. Thanks for the link.
Dina

I was truly impressed with the professionalism at the 11th WKC.
I've been involved with martial arts for 33 years and kenjutsu
for 7 and this was the first non-circus tournament I have ever 
attended. Then I went to Bob Elder's Iaido Tournament in Fla.
and Russell McCartney's tournament in Renton and was equally impressed
thought both were on a smaller scale. 

 £¬ΔϊΊΓ£‘

Dear President and Master ;
Currently I am working as professor in Guangdong, China. The university is
called Guangdong Light Industries Higher Professional Technical Training
College.  I am a world famous master of Kungfu and Qigong. I am listed in
the list of famous Chinese person and also in the list of world famous
person. I am Shaolin Lanshou Wushu master (WO SHI ZHONGGUO SHAOLIN LANSHOU
MENPAI WUSHU DIJIU DAI ZHENZONG CHUANREN.)
I am member of Wushu Association of Guangzhou. I am well versed in all 
kinds of Kungfu and Qigong styles. I am champion of the national Shaolin 
Lanshou Wushu.
I want to become good friend with you . 
I would like to teach Kungfu and Qigong in your country .I am certain an
exchange would beneficent for your people and would also represent the
friendship between our countries .
Could you help me ?
Yours sincerely,

Gu Ping

People's Republic of China
Guangdong Province
Guangzhou City 510300
160, Xin Gang West Road
Guangdong  Light Industries  Higher Professional Technical Training college 
[GUANGDONG PROVINCE LIGHT INDUSTRIES HIGHER TECHNICAL COLLEGE]



                    ΦΒ
ΐρ£‘

            guping
            guping65@21cn.com

HI! 

Bolling-Sensei, I stumbled upon your web site.  I am curious about the history of Kendo, and reading about your personal experiences is a very enjoyable way to learn.  I look forward to visiting again and reading more.

I also want to say "thank you" for taking the time to teach Eric and me about shinai preparation and maintenance.  It has encouraged us to dig further on the Internet as well as textbooks.

Regards,
epp

Focusing on the issues of Zen and Taoism and how they relate to martial arts.  Features FREE Instructional Techniques and MPEGS!

Hi, Bolling Sensei.  Came back to read more of your Kendo resoures.  Enjoyed the link to Ryomo, and the Kendo glossary resource is very helpful.

Dear kendo friends, 
it is great pleasure for us to inform you that you can inform yourselves about news and going in for kendo in our country, in address www.kendo.org.yu. We wish to all of you a lot of success in further work and chance for all of us to meet each other on the cyber-road, too.
webmaster@kendo.org.yu

 

Greeting Tom, I checked out the AUSKF study guide and I would recommend it to all interested and serious kenshi especially the points on 'invisible seme'. Great advice! 

Dear Tom

I'm going to the European Champs in Bolognia in a weeks time and will also be grading for Shodan. Kendo has become one of the pillars of my life and gives me more than I can articulate. I really enjoyed all your pics and am slowly working through your site. Kendo is growing in South Africa and we welcome anybody who wants to pop by and train with us. (training Tues/Thurs evenings and Saturday noon.

best regards

Llewelyn

Cool site. Especially the Jefferson quote at the bottom of the home page.

Useful links Tom.	

Your site was extremely interesting. I felt like you have done a great job on the kendo section. researching for Tillich and thank you for the information

heaven is on earth!

I got first place at the Renton Taikai Decmeber 1st 2001!!! yay for
me!! ^.~

years back my great uncel Jessie Bolling,and my grand father went to
washington Baxter my grand father came back to pound va.  my geat uncle stad
do you have eney famley in va?

Nice Page!! I love the "anime" section.

Hi Tom... nice to meet you finally!

Dear Tom--This is a long shot. Was at a conference this last week and
on of the speakers used Tillich as an unattractive example . . . . story
about a speech he made discounting the crucifixion, etc. (and other faith
issues) and an old man eating an apple and asking PT, "Dr. T., do you know
if this apple is sweet or bitter?" "No, sir. There is no way that I can know
that since I have not eaten that apple." "Well, Dr. T., then you have not
tasted my Jesus."  A very troubling story to be told in a faith environment
. . . and I am wondering, since your name is connected to a website that I
found about Paul Tillich . . . . does this anecdote ring a bell? I believe I
have heard it before but am note sure that PT's name was connected to it.
Any help would be appreciated as I try to track this down. Thanks.
Rev. PJW    

Listen with your heart; You will have a clear understanding of the
universe. Look with your heart; And see all the beauty that nature and the
universe has to offer. No matter the differences

Our website and our project is new.  We are seeking funds and memorabilia.  Check us out
at www.macarthurmemorial.com.au if you can assist. Kind regards John Dwyer Executive
Officer

Hi Tom, remember me?! What a coincidence. I'm doing a research paper on japanese
martial arts and I fell into your page by accident. So I decided to leave a message and
say hi and how are you. Well, have to return to my homework, bye. Anna P.S. If you don't
remember me, I was at the Kamei-sensei practice.

Great site, keep up the good work.

a great site. but my sites are much more engaging. I am studying  allthings.go . Nothing is as easy and
difficult as to let go.

for a shamatuer with goals unattained, i can at least live of the dust and shadows of
those who persevered, pased and progressed.

hello Sensei, i am African American and new to kendo and was curious how others are
enjoying the sport like I do. To me its a spiritual sport and very enlightening... beginners
mind. Warriors Kendo Club of S. Florida, Sensei Mike Meade 7 Dan . Ki o tsukete. Philos

Looking for parents of Ada Lena Harriett Bolling, b. 1810-1815 in Virginia. Married ca. 1833 to Wm. D. Partlow. Died 1851 in Greenwood, SC. Any help will be appreciated.

HEY SENSAI, 
IM ONE OF YOUR STUDENTS AT THE BELLEVUE CLUB AND THINK YOU THE BEST TEACHER EVER!!!!!!

Kendo is the best!! For those of you who are looking at this that don't particiapte in Kendo, Kendo is the most exciting, fun-filled sport in the world!! And you get to meet so many new people from all over the world!! WOO HOO!! Hehehe!!
~Taryn Imanishi ^_~(Experienced Kenshi)*

Old Man Bolling, I like the beard but where the heck do you get your information?  I'm one of those writers listed on your site, and I never went to schools in Pearl City nor attended any private schools, esp. not an all girl school such as St. Andrew's Priory.  I like Ferlinghetti.  I moved to Seattle for a month and wrote all kinds of poems and visited the grave of Hendrix.  Such a pleasure to meet you.  Aloha a hui hou.

Kathy, are you still there?  You didn't leave me a way to reach you!  Please give me an email address or a postal address.  I want to write to you!  Tom

Tom,
I love your website.  
your friend,
Mio

Hi!  Thanks for your Tomihiro Hoshino links...I am making a page myself...

Nice name!

Surfed on, looking at Bolling's on the web.

Surfed on, looking at Bolling's on the web.

Hi,I'm a huge fan of Mishima Yukio 
and I want to know,have the BEAUTIFUL STAR been translated in english? 
many thx!

I was looking for Bolling's and I found you.

Hello, I'm a senior in high school. I am from Washington, and I am mailing you in hopes that you will reply. I am looking for a mentor for my senior project. I have chosen sword fighting, more specifically, training with a Bokken. I've called many dojos, but have not had any luck. This project decides whether i graduate with my class, and If you could help me with this, I would be most appreciative. If you are interested even a little bit please reply, and add a phone number where I might be able to contact you better. You may be out of state, or even out of country, but that's no matter, as long as I can talk to you. Please reply, thank you.
                                            
                                              Jake Cleaver

A Quote that is the unofficial motto of the school that I attend ( www.digipen.edu ):
"on of the most difficult tasks men can perform, however much others may despise it, is the invention of good gamesand it cannot be done by men out of touch with their instinctive selves" - Carl Jung

pleased do listed Your page

I was out looking for advice on improving my Kata and found so much more.

Just thought I'd say hi.  I'm a student here at UW, and just thought I'd let you know I love Michelle Kwan too!  Visit my website.  I actually found your page while looking for some photos of her...

Tom, I ran across you web site looking for a copy of Tales of a Texas Ranch. Aunt Ruth is my Great Great Aunt. 

Bolling Sensei,
Thanks fer being one of the many teachers that teaches me! >^ ^<

I don't see any relation between you and michelle kwan.

From your pictures we could be related.  You look like my brother Joe.

Tom, in these perilous times I often turn to the heroes of our past for guidance & inspiration. As I sit here watching the movie 'Patton' I wonder what they would do in this time of the winds of war.

meow

Can you please ad our dojo website to your extensive 
list of lnks. Thank you Frank

Shidogakuin Miami Kendo & Iaido Club
http://angelfire.com/ne2/shidogakuinmiami
ShidogakuinMiami@Lycos.com

my sword is my destiny

Let us cultivate kendo friendship that breeds happiness and desecrate strife that leads to adversity.

Hello,

I'm writing from KarateDepot.com and would like to exchange links with your website. We will post your link at http://www.KarateDepot.com/links and http://www.KarateDepot.net
  
Our information is:

URL:         http://www.karatedepot.com
Title:       Martial Arts Supplies
Description: Martial arts equipment at the best prices on the web. $2.95 shipping

and if you'd like to include a link to KarateDepot.net as well, the
information is

URL:         http://www.karatedepot.net
Title:       Martial Arts Information
Description: A comprehensive martial arts information resource with
information on Karate, Kung Fu, Judo, Taekwondo, Aikido and more.

If you would like to exchange links, please reply with the description
of your site that you'd prefer us to use and the URL of the link to us.

Thank you very much.

Hi! I found a link to my homepage on your link list.

Heya Bolling Sensei,I have a question about some rare book(about kendo?) U Dub and a few univerisities have. Do you know what i'm talking about, sensei?

I've enjoyed visiting your Home Page on my search for descendants of Pocahontas ('Red'Bollings.  I'm planning a documentary for television about this beautiful foundation story for America, and thinking of tracing America's history through the children of Pocahontas.  Can you help?

I've enjoyed visiting your Home Page on my search for descendants of Pocahontas ('Red'Bollings.  I'm planning a documentary for television about this beautiful foundation story for America, and thinking of tracing America's history through the children of Pocahontas.  Can you help?

Supporting musicians, artists, and forward thinkers is what we do...You've got a great site, keep up the good work

It was a pleasure to find your web page while I was browsing the Internet on Francsco 'Pancho' Villa. Robert Bolling Jr. is my 8th g-grandfather and while I cannot see any relationship, finding a Bolling in Nogales at any time was fun. thanks, Barbara

hello! It's been awhile!

sweet kisses

great site, well done

Poet Martνn Espada will be at UW Nov 20 and 21, 2003:

Thursday, November 20:  Reading by award-winning Nuyorican poet Martνn Espada (in English). 7:30 PM.  120 Smith Hall.  University of Washington campus. Reception to follow.

Friday, November 21:  Poets for Peace:  A Presentation and Discussion. 12:30.  Thomson 125

(Sponsored by the Departments of Spanish and Portuguese, American Ethnic Studies, English, Latin American Studies, Ethnic Cultural Center and Theater Complex, Center for the Humanities, the Center for Spanish Studies,  Campus for Peace and Justice, and the University Book Store)

There is no one with a single essence.  So many threads, but one line is made from them all, your life.  You offer so much.  Thanks.

klasse seite

I've been making the internet rounds looking for local poets.  Your poetry link sparked the site-grabber.  Thanks for all of the great info.  Your involvement with kendo is inspiring.  Only recently have I tried to integrate Bushido with my studies into Native American and Druidic/Faery traditions.  If you could suggest a book on kendo, such an act would be much appreciated.  I'll pick up Sir Richard Francis Burton's book on swords as a supplement/comparison piece.  As a gift to you, I heartily suggest that you pick up a book by Wendell Berry.  Perhaps A Timbered Choir would be closer to your taste (I saw WS Merwin in your poetry link list).  Berry lives a life close to his land and community that integrates much of where our spiritual traditions should go.  Tacoma is my next destination point, I'll show up in one of your classes someday.  May peace be with you.  

great site,well done

nice page

just surfed in...

Thanks for your web presence!

Durch Zufall bin ich hier auf dieser Seite gelandet und bin
wirklich begeistert. Dabei habe ich laengst nicht alles gesehen. Aber
was ich sah, gefaellt mir ausnahmslos. Ein dickes Lob an den Webmaster!
Weiter so... Liebe Gruesse, Dagmar (die sich jetzt noch ein wenig
umsieht...)

you are an fantastic old man. 

i just wanted to say hi to a very interesting man..

Updating your link to the Terry's Texas Rangers historical reenactors:  http://www.terrysrangers.us

I have a 15 year old son who would desperately like to take Kendo lessons.  The closest community
program is an hour and a half away.  Do you know anyone in the Poulsbo, Bremerton, Silverdale, Bainbridge
Island area that might give private lessons? Thanks for your helf.

Paula Cook

I enjoyed your web site.  I wassearching for info on my BOWLINGS, but can't find.  My 2nd granf. b.
Wash. DC late 1700's in Md., then his fam came to KY, then MO. Have always been told we're related to
pocahontas, so will have to study. My grandm. was Polly Bowling of Monroe Co. MO Have much info on
them.

Life is fleeting and its presence on others is like the gust of wind on your face, soon gone.  All that
remains is the memory.  Thanks for honoring my father's name on your website.  Son of James Shiuso Oka

Hi Tom, thank you so much for your page on le thi diem thuy, who is one of my favorite authors.  I read
an her autobiographical essay in the book "Half and Half" and fell in love with her crisp, sensory-rich
descriptions and delightful sense of humor.  She looks at everyday things with a very objective, yet
imaginative lens, and I loved that!  I am halfway through her novel "The Gangster We Are All Looking For"
and it is like a dessert of books.  I have been looking forward to this title for a long time.  How did you
become familiar with le, and why did you create such a great resource page on her?

Thanks so much,
Edward

Hello Bolling Sensei~!!

Just wanted to drop by and say hello, since I havn't done so for years (I do frequent your website often,
but I just don't sign the guestbook each time!)... Thanks again for your time at the Iai Seminar... You are
truly a Kendo/Iaido-ka to look up to and aspire to be like! Hope to see you soon (probably at the Women's
Taikai this week)!

Regards,
Jen Zee

Ridgeback Press is pleased to announce the release of SAMURAI HISTORY PAPERS, an innovative quarterly
newsletter from Romulus Hillsborough (author of RYOMA and SAMURAI SKETCHCES). SHP will focus on the history
and culture of the great men of the Meiji Restoration.

The Meiji Restoration was one of the most important events in Asian history, and one of the greatest
revolutions in the history of the world. It centered around the overthrow of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1868,
and the restoration of political power to the emperor.

Mid-19th-century Japan was a caldron of political upheaval and intrigue, bloody inner-fighting among
samurai, and the end of three centuries of feudalism under shogunal rule. This most enthralling age in the
annals of Japan brought forth some of the most fascinating men in that nation's history. These samurai
modernized Japan. They also laid the foundation for the militarism of WWII and the economic powerhouse of
today. Close scrutiny of these two-sworded men provides insight into the political, cultural and
psychological roots of modern Japan. Just as the Meiji Restoration is considered "the dawn of modern Japan,"
knowledge of this history is essential for understanding how and why Japan has evolved into the nation that
it is today.



Purpose of Samurai History Papers - the only serial publication in English focusing on the history and
culture of the great men of the Meiji Restoration

The Meiji Restoration has often been neglected and/or misrepresented by writers of the English language.
When this history has been represented seriously and accurately, it has generally been in a dry academic
format. Since the publication of his first book, RYOMA – Life of a Renaissance Samurai, it has been the
objective of Romulus Hillsborough to present this most fascinating period in Japanese history, and the
humanity of the men who made this history, accurately and realistically, in a vivid literary format which
will at once educate and entertain. Hillsborough continues this objective in Samurai History Papers.


Targeted Readership Enthusiasts of Japanese history and culture, military history enthusiasts, students and
teachers of these subjects, patrons of public, university and high school libraries - and anyone interested
in history depicted as human drama.


First Issue to Be Published: September 2004

Frequency: Quarterly (delivered by email)

Yearly subscription: $25


More information about Samurai History Papers, including summary of contents and ordering, is available at
www.ridgebackpress.com.


Sincerely,

The Staff 
Ridgeback Press
Specializing in historical biography from the final years of the samurai era!
2335 Collins Ave.
Pinole, CA  94564
Ph: (510) 758-4940
Fax: (510) 758-4939
ridgebackpress@mindspring.com
www.ridgebackpress.com

Great site - kendo pictures make me want to go and get some Zatoichi films!

Kendo Helps Discover Real I
(Hossein Karamyar)

You are not what you assume to be. If you stand in front of a mirror and break down your “I” or self into
its component elements, what will ultimately remain? Nothing! You are what others make you. Detach yourself
from all relationships as spouse, relative, beloved, enemy, boss, subordinate, neighbor and other bonds.
What remains is a representation of nothingness- a colorless, shapeless and meaningless “I”. What we assumed
to be “I” is an aggregate of the rays reflected by others in this mirror of “nothingness” – that is “I”.  
This is the world we have built. Everything in this world is apparition, delusion, visionary and relative.
It is unstable, a world of agitation and disturbance. This world is ephemeral, not stable as the sea but as
wave and bubble, constantly in a state of flux, creation and decomposition, birth and death. You are
entangled in an empty existence, in a gyrating orbit. How can we achieve release from this emptiness, this
futile rotation? How can we reach the true “I” that brings equanimity, beauty and absolute unity and
eternity?  To put it in a nutshell, the key is kendo way, which helps one annihilate the gross self by going
through the process of its physical and mental asceticism and by enlightening us on the true knowledge of
the real self. But how? By right knowledge and practice. But knowledge and practice of what? Recognition of
the prison and the way out from this prison. But what is this prison? The unreal self. Self-realization can
help us achieve the truth and secrets of creation. To achieve one’s true self, one should discover that
“self” is nothing! All discourses on egoism set forth in Shinto, Zen, Confucianism and Sufism can be
summarized in the fact that one should free oneself from one’s self and reach Him Who is the truth of Being,
the real and inherent Being. You are a clean mirror, but have been enmeshed by black images reflected on the
surface of your existence. Unless these unreal images and apparitions are removed, one cannot realize one’s
true self. You should remove these false bonds and break their relationships with this mirror so that its
surface would be clear and you can achieve liberation from all natural, human and social factors that have
engulfed you, barring you to become yourself. If the door of your house is closed for one day and you are
confined to a corner alone, you will be frightened, because you see your nothingness. Loneliness is the
biggest factor disclosing nothingness. A void man always conceals himself in the crowd of population; his
life lies in the existence of others. If others are not there, he will not be there as well, because his “I”
is attached to others’. If his seat of office, which he had done anything to achieve, is taken and he is
retired, he falls into a fit of apoplexy. These people have no true “self”. One who achieves liberation
through kendo mysticism and looks into his innermost self, one will suddenly perceive a strange, wonderful
and unpredictable truth. You will perceive the truth that is appearing within you like the rising sun and
find your real image and the truth that is concealed within you.  Now that you have broken your outward
relationship, “I” transmigrates in all human individuals and humankind. All the walls have crumbled, walls
that confined you like a castle to its tall ramparts and thick fortifications, separating you from other
houses, lands and castles.  You see that in this great inward transition, you transmigrate to real self and
develop such self-consciousness that the self does not want anything for himself any longer. The self that
devoured anything voraciously and stood against others has now assumed a kinship and inherent love for all
human beings, races and colors. Through kendo asceticism, the individual self recognizes the unreal “I” and
approaches the coast of the true “I”. The individual commands a wonderful power. The man who was disturbed
by experiencing the least harm to his physical constitution, life, salary and the like has now gained a
capacity that surprises one, because no longer the unreal “I” but the true “I” dominates him. The sun of
truth, absolute infinity and eternity rises in his existence. In his ultimate spiritual ascension, the
kendoka elevates to a station that has no frontier and enters a place that is indefinable.  He attains the
absolute truth, conscience of the world and eternal spirit of existence, entering the boundless ocean of an
integrated entity, mingling with the entire beings and associating with the spirit of the world. An
inclusive unity governs all one’s existence. There is no longer any “I”.

How did you know Iris Chang? or did you? 

Excellent page on General MacArthur.  Warmest thanks!

Mishima Yukio was also a shodan in Shotokan Karate through the Japan Karate Association.

Guess who?  You may not recognize this name!  It's is you're sister in-law Eda. I thot I would give you
my native name.  I was looking for the Bolling family in Virginia to see what was what and found you site as
well. Good going Tom!  What a way to talk to you.

Dear Vivian:  Thanks for leaving a note in my guestbook.  Wish I knew your address so I could thank you
directly...  It was wonderful talking with you yesterday.  Ciao!  Tom

Best kendo resource site ever. :)

Love you, Tom!

Greetings from Tempe

I saw a Smoosh page on your site, thought I would say hi nad invite anyone to check out my fan site for Smoosh www.smoosh-online.com

Tom, I am wondering if you have any information on a recently deceased Northwest artist by the name of Frank Okada?  I was directed to your URL on my google search but I can't seem to see anything related to Okada on your site.  Thanks much.

We would like to invite you to our website www.pmasupplies.com Home of one of the strongest natural hardwood bokkens on the planet

Hey! Yesterday I wrote a short piece based on one of the stories I recalled out of Tales of a Texas Ranch for the second issue of a new magazine here in Ashland. This morning I was in one of those random mind flows connecting the Texas Bolling place with other events happening in Texas, so I was going to try to look up the place on a map, but your guestbook was the fourth thing that showed up on the Google search. That took me off track, especially finding Dina's website too, but it was just one of those random mind flows anyway, so it was just great to see some of what you've been up to, and to catch some more family stories between your stuff and Dina's. I posted the piece, or at least a draft of it, on my Myspace blog.

I found something interesting on your page about your great grandfather: It says Dr. Bolling was born in 1875, which I assume is accurate. One of Gram's stories that I recall from when she stayed with us in Tacoma, though, gave me the impression that Dr. Bolling was born before the Civil War, and then came of age after, which is what I recount in my piece. Gram's story was about the two of them traveling in the South, Dr. Bolling keeping some surprise from her. I think she said it was at a train station, but she didn't recall where, Dr. Bolling runs up to this big black woman and they are giving each other this big ol' hug. Gram said she was a bit nervous at the scene - that being the South in the days when such things weren't done. But Dr. Bolling introduced the two women, and it turns out that this black woman was his "mammy." I suppose some of such practices continued after the Emancipation Proclamation. I will have to rewrite that part of my piece, I guess.

I hope you all are doing well. Great pictures of you on your site. I'm doing well. New laptop here opening up new adventures....
Peace and love,
Tom

I found your D. MacArthur page quite by
accident - very, very interesting!  My grandfather, Col. L.L. Manly, served as
one of Gen. MacArthur's assistants for a time, and I was looking for anything
about him - ever heard of him in your research's? Anyway, the pix and
narrations are very interesting, and you seem to be, as well! Happy New Year to
you. - Sincerely, E.C. Manly

Hi Tom--I found your page when doing a bit of research on Lois-Ann
Yamanaka.  I thought you might like to know that she'll be at the Beacon Hill
Branch of the Seattle Public Library on Feb 8, 2006 at 7 pm to read from her
latest book, "Behold the Many." Best wishes and thanks for your website.
Karen

Hello,
 
While searching about Lois-Ann Yamanaka , I came across this webpage
http://faculty.washington.edu/kendo/yamanaka.html and so I decided to contact you.
 
I am looking for Yamanaka Madam's contact address and specifically her email. If you could provide me the
same, I would be extremely grateful.
 
I am a research scholar pursuing my PhD on Dr. Bharati Mukherjee and I would like to enquire some related
details with Yamanaka Madam but despite my efforts I have not been able to procure it. So, please help me.
 
I understand that I am troubling you but I certainly apologize for the same.
 
Awaiting a favorable response at the earliest.
 

Nice collection with many many links...

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the nice piece about me and Dialog I found at:
http://faculty.washington.edu/kendo/rogersummit.html

My best wishes to you,
Roger

Greetings from Prague! The beautiful art of Way of Sword is well known here too....