Trinity School Field Trip Demonstration

Seventh Grade Students at the Trinity School of Frederick, Maryland visited Bushikai Japanese Martial Arts for a lesson on the Samurai and their role in Japanese History. The students are currently studying medieval Japan in their Social Studies class and the field trip was planned as a fun, supplemental educational experience by their teacher, Mrs. Stacy Ukishima. They heard about famous warriors and events of the Samurai era and were treated to a special demonstration of swordsmanship from the Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu tradition, a system that was founded in the early 1500s.

Harry Mackenzie, head instructor at Bushikai, and a member of the Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu, said the purpose of this special lesson was to teach the students about the values and lifestyle of the famous warriors of Japan and show how these values have translated into modern Japanese life. Special permission for this demonstration was granted by Grandmaster Ueno Doushin and Chief Instructor Ueno Kagenori, from Saitama, Japan.

A special message was sent to the Trinity students from Sensei Sugiyama Keitaro who acts as the translator for the Grandmaster in Japan. “I wish you to know that Budo (warrior path) and martial arts are a little bit different. Although they have many things in common, the meaning of the word "Bu 武" is not "to fight" but "to stop fighting". If you take the kanji 武 apart, 戈 means "a weapon". 止　means "to stop". And "Do 道" is not an "art" but “a path" that everyone can walk together for the same destination, regardless of age, gender, nationality, knowledge, or skill.” Mr. Mackenzie further explained that “Long ago warriors disciplined themselves and trained in the ways of killing. Now we train in these ways to help us become better people through self-discipline and to promote world peace and understanding.”

After the demonstration the students of Trinity School enjoyed a delicious lunch of Japanese food at the TJ Asian Bistro and got to sit on the mats of a traditional “tatami” dining room. The children then signed their greetings and well-wishes to the people of Japan on traditional rice paper, which will then be forwarded to the Grandmaster of Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu to share with his students and community in Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan.

Dr. THOMAS MALONE, SR.

With great regret we report the passing of Dr. Thomas Malone Sr., on March 7, 2011, after a protracted illness.

Bornin Henderson North Carolina in 1926, he was a resident of Potomac Maryland for the last 42 years

He was the second to last surviving sibling of five brothers and sisters, three boys and two girls. Only the younger sister remains.

A graduate of North Carolina Central University, he continued his education at Harvard University, obtaining a PhD in Biology.

'T', as he was known by all, began his career as an educator at the University level, both stateside and abroad. He and his family enjoyed three and a half years in the middle East, where he ran the Department of Biology at the AUB -.American University of Beirut. Upon his return, he was called into government service at the National Institutes of Health. It was not long before he was named the Deputy Director for the entire NIH, serving under five Presidents! He was named to numerous appointments on the U.S. delegation to the World Health Organization. After his retirement for the NIH, he continued working at the American Association of Medical Colleges, until he retired for good in 1996.

T had several passions in life. He was a black belt Judo instructor for over half his life, establishing a club, which bears his name, on the NIH campus. He was an avid aviation Pilot, and loved to fly . But he had no greater passion than to be in the service of others! There, he was at his best, helping others solve their problems.

He is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Dolores and two children, Shana and Thomas., Jr.

Memorial services will be held in Durham North Carolina in early April. Condolences and further information request may be sent to tmalono@comcast.net

Published in The Washington Post on March 10, 2011