So here I am a year later still waiting for copies of the Tou’on-ryu article I wrote and the interview I conducted with Kanzaki sensei and Ikeda sensei for CFA. To date I received one copy of the article, but not the interview and it had already arrived far too late to present to Kanzaki sensei last June as part of his 60th anniversary demonstration. To say that I was disappointed and upset would have been an understatement. When I inquired about why I hadn’t received a copy, instead of just sending the copies (let alone an apology), I got a litany of excuses.
The Tou’on-kai is a very closed group in many respects, and to request an interview, especially with the new chief instructor, Ikeda sensei, is no mean feat. It took a lot of time to arrange and get permission for the interview, conduct it, and translate it into English. At the very least, a few copies to present to the these teachers of such a rare and important Okinawan Karatedo tradition were in order, but it appears I was wrong. The disrespect shown to them for taking the time to be interviewed and share their insights and the subsequent damage it has caused with my relationship to them has given me a great deal of pain.
Hi Mario,
I sympathise with you greatly here, I’ve found my self in a similar situation a number of times over the years. It’s the kind of thing that happens because the martial arts media is not, for the most part, in the hands martial artists, but instead, hangers-on who leech of others to make their living.
The owner of CFA puts me in mind of the Dicken’s character, Uriah Heep, sulking around Mr. Wickfield’s office in “David Copperfield”. I hope this episode has not caused you any lasting problems Mario; I guess there is nothing that can be done now: except remember..!
Mike
Thank you for the comment. It was/is a frustrating and depressing experience. But on the bright side I have learned my lesson well and will not repeat my mistake. I hope all is well with you.
Wow, this is very disturbing. It reminds me of the book I pre-ordered via CFA group. It has been almost two years since the date it was promised and I keep getting excuses as well.
Bummer and bullshit, sorry about the strong language but I feel your pain.
Very sorry for that on both accounts. First, it has damaged your relationship with very special people in your life. Second, it has damaged your professional interaction with CFA. I always enjoyed reading your articles.
Yes, it has been a rather unpleasant experience, but at the same time it has taught me a good lesson.
I’m sorry and surprised, I thought C.F.A. better than the the run-of-the-mill comics / martial arts magazines.
Perhaps it will continue to be a good periodical, but I will never contribute to it again.
Sorry to hear about this Mario. I can fully understand the effort involved in conducting the interviews in the first place. You know my feelings on issues such as this. I will be in touch. Take care.
You’re not the first (or even the 3rd) person I’ve heard having problems of this sort with this periodical…spread the word.
Yes, it certainly looks that way. Hope everything is well with you.
Thanks for contributing the article Mario, anything on Tou’on Ryu by Tou’un Ryu practitioners is of interest to me and most traditional karate-ka. You know my feelings about CFA and Chambers so I won’t go into my rant here. Fortunately there is another venue in the Asian Journal of Martial Arts that you can continue contributing to should you decide to do so. Fortunately Kanazaki and Ikeda Sensei’s know you and hopefully will understand that you are not in control of what the publication does or does not do. Funny how people publishing martial arts material did not extend basic courtesy and apologize to you with sincerity. Oh well, speaks for their character or lack of. Again, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comment. It’s been a frustrating experience but as you said there are other venues to publish articles and the like.