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[Editor’s note: Mike Mamura was one of the early practitioners of Aikido in the United States. For over 35 years he devoted much of his time and energy to the development of Aikido, especially in the Midwest. We at Aikido Online offer our condolences to his family and students.]
Mamura Sensei, surrounded by love, died on Sunday, July 30, 2000 at 6:43 a.m., in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was born on June 1, 1918, in Koolau, Kauai, Hawaii. His father, Tokutaro and mother, Owari, had moved to Hawaii from Kumamoto, Japan, prior to his birth. While Mamura Sensei had many interests including raising orchids and gardening, his greatest passion and joy was that for Aikido. He was first introduced to Aikido in Hawaii by his family. In 1965, he began studying Aikido in Chicago, Illinois. In 1967, he became one of the founders of the Milwaukee Aikido Club Inc. where he trained with C. Sasaki, Sensei, Y. Hirata Sensei, C. Takeguchi, Sensei, 1. Takahashi, Sensei, and K. Tohei, Sensei and A. Tohei, Sensei. His life was dedicated to the study of Aikido and he took every opportunity he could to learn from others and continue to grow in his Aikido practice. Mamura Sensei was the Chief Instructor of the Milwaukee Aikido Club Inc. He held the rank of 6th dan and Shidoin with the Aikikai. Mamura Sensei was beloved by many Aikidoists throughout the years. He was known to have a profound influence on both the practice and lives of many of his students. He taught his students to use Aikido practice as a means to strive to become better persons. With this philosophy, he had a far reaching extended family of practitioners who would "stop in to catch a class" with him from across the country. He is survived by his wife, sisters, daughter, son-in-law, two grandsons and his dear Aikido family.
"Nothing is stronger than love!"
[Editor’s note: Victoria was one of Mamura Sensei’s oldest students. The following piece has been adapted from the sermon given at Sensei's memorial service.] Sensei often spoke of the power of love. Once he said to me, "Love is the greatest power on earth. Nothing is stronger than love!" And Sensei showed that power in action. I remember the first time I saw Sensei. It was a long time ago. I was interested in Aikido, and I came along to the old Milwaukee dojo just to see what there was to see. The mat almost completely filled the store-front club, and in the middle of the mat was a small gentleman with snowy white hair--Sensei. Two very large young men were hurling themselves at him, as if to tackle him. They would come at him, and he would reach out to them with open arms and turn with them, and they would go flying across the mat. They would hit the mat and bounce up smiling and then come at him again, for the sheer joy of being thrown by Sensei. Sensei was smiling, too. In fact he was radiant with joy. Joy and light filled the room. As I saw Sensei practice for the first time, he gave me a glimpse of the power of God's love in action. I joined the Milwaukee Aikido Club immediately. In the club, with my fellow students, I was privileged to share Sensei's practice. Sensei trained day and night. He would teach us on the mat, and then he wold stay late with his senior student and practice for a few hours more. Then, at home he would study Aikido books and videos, he would innovate, and he would continue to hone his technique. For Sensei practice only began on the mat. Real practice was constant practice. Sensei's practice was his life. He trained himself constantly, not only in body but also in mind and spirit. He strove to be what he called "a good conductor" of positive energy and of the transforming power of divine love. He once said, "I use Aikido as a vehicle to make good connections with other people." Those connections were powerful, and those connections were loving. And now I remember the last time I saw Sensei on the mat. Sensei was very weak. He was very pale. He was in pain. He had difficulty breathing. But he was dressed in his hakama, and he taught class for two hours. Sensei did astonishing things on the mat that night. Some would have to be seen to be believed, unless you knew Sensei. For Sensei had become a perfected instrument of the love of God, and the love of God can overcome all our limitations of body, mind, and spirit. The love of God even overcomes death. Not long before he died Sensei smiled and said, "I'll be back!" And so he will, for Sensei has always kept his promises. And God has promised in Jesus Christ that all will rise from death. God keeps God's promises, too. In the meantime, until we see Sensei again, let us continue to grow in all that Sensei has given us. Let us be grateful for all he has taught us. Thank you, Sensei, for teaching us how to practice Aikido. Thank you, Sensei, for teaching us how to live. Thank you, Sensei, for teaching us how to love. So Passes Light: In memory of Norio (Mike) Mamura
[Editor’s note: Larry D. Graham was a long time friend and associate of Mike Mamura.] He came into my life, unclouded Sun |
