Page 21 - Hiroshi Kato Shihan

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will always remain for me a role model of humility and commitment to training. For
decades after he reached Shihan level he could be seen training regularly in the
Doshu’s class at Hombu. For some reason, it took me 20 years to get up the courage to
bow in and train for an hour with him. When I finally did It was one of the highlights of my
life. I join Mr. Rodriguez in mourning the loss of a great man."
Tom Collins, 5th dan - Northwest Aikido, New York, New York
"I wanted to express my deepest sympathies in the passing of Kato Sensei. In the name
of the Mexico Aikikai, I and all my studnets send our deepest regrets."
Martha Fernandez, 5th dan, Director - the Mexico Aikikai Dojos
"I have been deeply impacted by this news. In the short times I had to train and receive
the teachings of Kato Shihan, I came to appreciate him for his sincerity, his kindness, his
child-like soul and his selflessness. He always gave something significant to those of us
who were able to learn from him. It was always my impression that here was a man who
was truly living the Aikido life. This is a tremendous loss. Rest in peace Kato Sensei.
Carlos Cordero, 5th dan, The Aiki Cali dojos of Mexico City
My condolences to you and all your students in this great loss. I know what it is to like to
lose a mentor and a teacher and I and all the students at Houston Ki Aikido wish you
and your whole school all the best. May you take some small comfort in his memory of
time spent with you and in his efforts in spreading Aikido around the world will continue
to live on through your teaching and practice in the months and years to come. I will
keep you in my thoughts at this time of sadness.
Craig Hocker, 4th dan, Houston Ki Aikido
I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Kato-sensei. I remember first
getting to experience his aikido back in 2004 when he came to Corpus Christi. Thinking
back, I've been extremely lucky to have the opportunity train with him multiple times
throughout the years. I've was even luckier that he personally supervised my 5th kyu, 4th
kyu, and my sho-dan test. The last time I trained with Kato-sensei was in November of
2010 at the seminar in Houston. I remember seeing his techniques as if I was seeing