Request for support to Embassy of Japan
Letter sent on March 23rd:
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Embassy of Japan
5 Hayes St., St Clair, POS
Trinidad & Tobago
SUBJECT: KENDO IN PORT OF SPAIN
Mr. Baba,
I am a Canadian citizen recently arrived to Trinidad & Tobago (with
my Trinidadian wife) to take care of her ailing parents living in
Port of Spain. We intend on staying here for many years. For 15 years
I have practiced Kendo and am now a 3rd dan instructor (I lived for
more than 5 years in Japan where I worked for NTT and practiced Kendo
as well). Since arriving in Trinidad, I have started a Kendo class in
St-Augustine and teach there twice a week. I am now looking at
opportunities to launch a Kendo class in Port of Spain, where there
are more students and facilities. I seek the help of the Embassy of
Japan for the following matters:
1) I would like to promote this activity to Japanese Nationals
living/working in Trinidad. Some Japanese might have learned Kendo
and would like to practice, or some might want their kids to learn
Kendo. Is there a newsletter or a forum where Japanese living in
Trinidad exchange, where I could advertise? Do you know if there are
Japanese living here familiar with Kendo willing to get in touch with
me?
2) As you might know, practice of Kendo requires equipment (shinai,
bogu, gi/hakama) that is quite expensive. Unfortunately most
Trinidadians don't have the budget to afford this equipment, costing
about $500~$700 USD per person. Does the Embassy provide grants for
purchase of such equipment and if so, what is the process to apply
for such grant?
3) The All-Japan Kendo Federation (Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei) started
a "Bogu Donation" program a few years ago, to send used Kendo Bogu to
countries where it is "difficult to buy Kendo equipment or where
Kendo is newly introduced". Can the Embassy help get in contact with
the people in charge of that program? Please find details at
http://www.kendo.or.jp/english-page/english-page2/kendo-gu-
presentation.htm.
4) In order to launch a formal Kendo class in Port of Spain, I will
need to rent a facility that is central, appropriate and safe. The
rental for most facilities is between $50TT and $100TT; for the first
few months, when student turnout is uncertain, I will need some
financial help to cover these costs. Is this something the Embassy
can help me with?
Please note that my purpose in establishing a Kendo class in Port of
Spain is non-commercial and non-profit. I intend to invite many high-
profile Senseis from Japan, USA and Canada over the years, so I
believe Kendo can grow significantly here. Already, Kendo is quite
popular across the Caribbean and South America so I see no reason why
it would not be as popular here.
Would it be possible to meet with you so I can give you more details
and background on my plan? Please feel free to contact me for further
details at the telephone number or email below.
Respectfully yours,
posted by Eddy @ 1:33 PM
