This year’s New York USAGA event was understandably a somber affair with it being the memorial for Sensei Urban who passed away on April 7th. There was a large turnout for the service which had, along with the CMAC team, representation from Bermuda, Italy, and Okinawa.  Sensei Urban’s daughter Julia spoke first to greet and thank all for the support then several senior people spoke to pay their respects and state their admiration and gratitude for Sensei Urban’s lifetime achievements. The ceremony was highlighted by a tribute to Sensei Urban with the traditional Okinawan fan dance, called “a walk through the pines”, performed by Teiko, a longtime friend. It was simply beautiful.

Historical Perspective

    Looking back at the history of events: post second world war and the evolution of martial arts and Goju Ryu Karate, in particular, coming from Japan via Sensei Urban, establishing his dojo in New York and Sensei Kim establishing the Zen Bei-Butoku Kai in San Francisco for all of North America. What began as a meeting in Yokohama between two men from “countries that were still enemies” became two of the most important figures in the growth of martial arts internationally.  Can you imagine what it would have been like to be an American training in a Japanese dojo at that time. By surviving the constant attacks he endured in the “Asakasa dojo”, Sensei Urban demonstrated one of the most important and his most repeated philosophies in karate, that is to never, never, never quit.  For this and all his efforts over the next forty years he deserves our respect and gratitude.  I know these two great masters are now together again for a well earned rest and a time to catch up on that which had transpired since their first meeting.  Wouldn’t that be an interesting conversation?!

Professor Richard Kim, Maestro Urban's mentor since the age of 18,

and to whom Maestro dedicated his 1st and greatest book: "The Karate Dojo"

11/2/99

"Dear Peter, I saw you on your web site.

Remarkable achievement.

I am proud of you.

You are the best martial artist, among the "Gaijin", The Best.

Sincerely, Sensei Kim

P.S. regards to all your students."