It was always a pleasure and a gift to have Shihan John Damian visit us and give us a workshop on Aikido.  They were always enlightening and entertaining.  Entertaining because I remember Sifu Ricky Miyahara always assisting Shihan.  Inevitably Ricky would end up flying through the air the outcome of Shihan John’s techniques.  I can still hear Shihan’s repeated phrase “you peopo undastan?” as he stared you down.  Aside, from the studio/dojo, he was a gentle giant who loved to sit and talk to people and people loved to talk to him.

In December 1999, I was in Tampa, Fl for a military medical conference.  I called Tokuji Damian (John’s son) at his home and got Shihan, which threw me for a moment.  I introduced myself and told him I was in town.  I asked if I called his number by mistake.  He replied no, he was just baby sitting his granddaughter.  That was an image, a retired undercover narcotics cop and martial arts master baby sitting a little baby girl.

I called Tokuji at a later time and we arranged to meet for lunch.  They were about 30 minutes from my hotel and had insisted on coming for me.  They arrived in a sport utility vehicle and came out to greet me, Shihan in his traditional Hawaiian shirt and shorts with Tokuji.  He gave me a big Hawaiian welcome with that big bradda smile of his.  We decided on a Thai restaurant.  On the way we talked about people in the martial arts.  I asked him about people I have known or met and it turned out he knew very well.  He was a wealth of history as well as technical knowledge.

At the restaurant we had a nice visit and talked about the military, martial arts and Shihan stories from his law enforcement and martial art days.  We also talked about Tokuji’s new career as a sheriff.

We agreed to meet again.  This time Tokuji invited me over to his house watch Monday night football and to meet his wife Denise and new baby daughter Taylor.  It didn’t hit me until he told me what time the game started that I was in the East Coast.  I now appreciate Monday night football on the West Coast because it starts at a reasonable hour.  In Florida, I believe it didn’t start until 9p.m.  I didn’t get back to my hotel until close to midnight.

We got together a third time for breakfast.  This time it was Grandpa (Shihan) Tokuji and granddaughter Taylor.  What a happy grandfather Shihan was.  To see such a formidable man, be so gentle and brimming with joy was heart warming.  I have never seen a man enjoy a child so much.  His face, with that head full of white hair that reminded me of a 60’s beetle’s haircut and that big island grin.  We headed back to Tokuji’s home and took the accompanying photos.  I left there feeling good, like truly visiting family.  Good people.  I left and headed for the airport to catch my flight.  This was the last time I saw Shihan.

I will miss you Shihan.  But I will move forward as in your words, "Imau Ki".  See you later Bra.  See you on the big island in the sky.