Trying to recount the events regarding the Bujin newsletter is difficult. I cannot remember the precise dates of these events, my dan grade or my perception of "Japanese things" at the time. A number of years have past though and many changes have occurred within the Bujinkan Dojo and its membership. I remember an innocent time, a relaxed time, and I had a nice personal relationship growing with Hatsumi Sensei. I was making every effort to follow his directions and also looking for ways to repay this man for his kindness to me. I also believed then, as I do now that I have a role to play in helping others with the art and it's continuation into the next generation.

At that time I was operating a dojo and teaching nightly. Running a dojo requires a bit
of business expertise and I gained most of mine from my Dad, Ned. The quintessential businessman, my father has been involved in marketing since I was a kid. While I was running a dojo he was running a company called Marketing Service Group. MSG brought new products to the public, helped companies create internal marketing systems and provided technical brochures and company newsletters. Desktop publishing was just getting started back then and MSG had a good head start with this new medium.

On one occasion or another Sensei and I were talking about being able to speak to all of the students of the Bujinkan individually. Sensei was quite animated and kept referring to a modern densho that everyone would have to be exposed to for a direct and personal message. It was a time of confusion and miscommunication everywhere in the Bujinkan world and Sensei was looking to sort it out a bit perhaps. It seemed reasonable to assume that for whatever reason, Soke wanted to take the middleman out of the equation as well so everyone could get his words directly from "the source". Sounded like a good idea to me, so we talked on and at some point finally called it a night. It didn't take long for me to deduce that I had a reasonable chance to do something good here. Sensei needed a marketing guy… one that had a feeling for our system…one that could be trusted and unbiased with the message to be delivered no matter how nice or nasty… and I knew the guy. When I returned home I sat down with my Dad and we spoke of a simple newsletter for the Bujinkan, "working" with Hatsumi Sensei and what might lie ahead.

Now rest assured my Mom and Dad have patiently been along "for the ride" since I met Sensei. They've both seen Sensei here in the states, spent time with him and understand my relationship with him and my sense of gratitude to him. They've seen the positive changes that I have made since my training began with him as well so feeling this sense of gratitude for the man naturally extend to them also. My Dad was excited to be able to do this for Sensei and was the right guy for the job. He had a great working knowledge of the art and had a good feeling for Sensei. My job was to get he and Sensei together to see if there would be a connection between them and let matters work naturally.

I called Japan and worked out the details of a return trip and simply mentioned to Sensei that I would be bringing my Dad along to enjoy a vacation. No words of doing any form of business were ever mentioned, Sensei knowing nothing of my father, his history or his background. He was happy with the call and we signed off wishing each other well. So after everything it takes to get to Japan, my Dad and I settle into Noda and the life there. Days are spent showing Dad the country and nights are spent training. This is my Dad's first return to Asia since he left Korea when he was 24 years old and there's a sense about him that he is somehow closer to that time once again. He enjoys the land, the culture, the language and customs and can pretty much read katakana and hiragana by the time he steps foot off the plane. Dad can be a very quick study when he wishes to be.

Sensei had me bring Dad to training each night and seemed happy to spend time with a guy his own age. The two men are 10 days apart in age and have lived through the same times and world events, one on this side of the world and one on the other. In Sensei's typical generous manner he invites us all out for some food and we head off to one of Sensei's retreats. We're having a great time and speaking of many things including my father's profession and personal history when at some point in the proceedings Sensei turns to my Dad and says…"so Eddo san (my Dad's name is Ned) why are you here…? He appears to be looking right through my father and my father replies quite evenly…"Why, you sent for me of course Sensei…". Sensei nods, smiles broadly and returns with a laugh… "Yes!… yes I have in a way!".

The dream began to take shape at this point as Sensei expounded on his vision and said how the newsletter must "reach every student in every country translated into every language"… and I believe it should be named Bujin". My Dad's mind for marketing moves like Sensei's body as he creates taijutsu so there wasn't a big time lag between the "let's do" guy and the "get it done" guy. The project was pretty much formulated by the time dinner ended that night, in my Dad's mind anyway. All he had to do was bring it about with the preferred paper, artwork and typestyle per Sensei… Bujin was born.

There are numerous stories to tell about the Bujin newsletter from this point and they vary in scope, nature and dramatic record. Bujin did come to life and lived for two years and 24 issues. Expressing his gratitude and appreciation Hatsumi Sensei presented my Dad with the Golden Dragon Award medallion at his Daikomyosai gathering in Tokyo for his efforts and contribution to the Bujinkan Dojo. To this day it remains an award my father reveres and a shared moment that I will never forget. Sanmyaku has replaced Bujin and now continues to bring us the precious words and wisdom of Sensei's budo and message of life.

Foot Note: Once again Sensei had "turned the tables" on me and the help I tried to give with Bujin. Looking back now I realize that I continue to be in his debt for his trust and confidence in me, his trust in my father and the time my Dad and I were so lucky to share as a result of the project. There really is no payback for what Hatsumi Sensei has done for us and we all continue to be graced with his instruction and example of living.

Kevin Millis - Ju Godan Ku Happo Biken