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The New Journey for Enson Inoue (Part One)

By Tommy Hackett on October 28, 2013
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The New Journey for Enson Inoue (Part One)

It’s safe to say Enson Inoue has followed his own path in his pioneering MMA career.

It’s been more than 20 years since Inoue journeyed from his native Hawaii to Japan, not to further his martial arts training, but in hopes of advancing a racquetball career. There, Inoue arranged for a try-out with Shooto, a seminal MMA promotion. Inoue had earned the ranking of Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt under Relson Gracie back in Hawaii, and wanted just one taste of combat in the ring, to test his fighting spirit.

Inoue would impress in that tryout, which led to a victory in a professional Shooto bout, against Shigeta Shingo in 1995. The Japanese media would hail his debut as “The Birth of a Japanese Monster,” noting Inoue as the first MMA fighter of Japanese origins to be trained in the Gracie jiu-jitsu style.

Momentum would quickly build, and one fight led to another. Still, he wasn’t thinking of fighting as a career back then.

He would arrange one more fight though… and then, another… and so, the journey began.

Inoue would eventually decide that he had found his calling in the fight game, and stayed in Japan for good. Among his accolades: earning the Shooto Heavyweight Championship against Joe Estes in 1997 and winning a bout at UFC 13 against Royce Alger that same year. Inoue battled Frank Shamrock in one of the greatest fights of the 1990s, handed Randy Couture his first MMA loss in 1998, and became a legend in the PRIDE organization during the heyday of Japanese MMA.

His fighting spirit would earn him the nickname, “Yamato Damashii,” or, the spirit of traditional Japan. Many Japanese fans had come to see Inoue as a man who brought that “samurai spirit” back to their country, and Inoue found fame in both his victories and defeats. Against Igor Vovchanchyn in 2000, Inoue refused to quit despite enduring a frightful beating and sustaining numerous injuries, including a swollen brain, a fractured jaw, and damage to the liver.

He survived that night, and amazingly, would fight again later that year. He continued inspiring MMA fans in years to come.

His last MMA bout was a 2010 victory over Antz Nansen, but today Inoue is fighting a different battle for his adopted home: embarking on a journey to raise awareness for those still suffering and displaced by the 2011 Tsunami and nuclear disaster in northern Japan.

Last month, Inoue left behind the comforts of his Saitama (greater Tokyo area) home to begin a walking pilgrimage across Japan, carrying his own food and water, and staying wherever he can find shelter. Joining Inoue on the spiritual walk are his longtime friends Roman Dela Cruz of Fokai Industries (who began the pilgrimage with Inoue last month), and Mike Fowler of Hawaii’s North Shore Jiu-Jitsu (who joined earlier this month).

As he prepared for the trek, which will span more than 1500 miles in a three month span, Inoue explained: “As far as food and water goes, we’re going to run out of supplies. But these people (in northern Japan) don’t have work, and don’t have a way to purchase what they want. That’s why I’m making that rule, that we only eat what we carry, to put us in the situation where we have to depend on people’s help too.”

“They’re in a situation (in northern Japan) where they need to rely on other people,” he continued. “It’s not possible to make it all the way across Japan only carrying food and water, without help. We’re going to have to sleep outside every day. So it’s kind of like their situation, unstable. They’re in temporary housing and they don’t know how long they’re going to be there. They’re not confident they’ll always have a place to sleep. We might find a good place to sleep one night, and not find anywhere to sleep the next.”

“You’ve got to keep the hope. If you look at the resources, there’s really no way to make it. If you look at the people in temporary housing, it’s the same: some of them end up having to wait until hope comes. I hope it inspires them to continue on.”

Caged Insider caught up with Inoue last week near Kyoto, at around the midway point of his journey. The MMA legend expressed a sense of awe at the response that he is receiving.

“I knew that I’m reaching martial arts fans,” he explained. “But when we walked up north, people were walking up to us and thanking us for what we’re doing. I never really saw it as walking up north and showing people that we care; it was really about letting people know that these people up north need help. We’re affecting way more people than I thought we would. It was very much a surprise. We’re getting people who don’t even who we are, but they’re grateful for what we are doing. It was a whole new level of inspiration for us.”

In addition to chronicling his journey on his blog and Facebook page, Inoue and company have been interviewed by Japanese media as well. Word is getting out.

“There was a time we were walking up north and a guy pulled over in his car, to ask what we were doing,” Inoue explained. “When we told him, he said we were some of the few people who haven’t forgotten that the people of the north are still suffering. He burst into tears.”

Video of that encounter is included in a CNN I-Report. Inoue described having mixed feelings about filming that visit, but said, “I think it’s important that we show that — how these people are still hurting.”

Inoue and the friends accompanying him are accepting food or shelter from those who offer, but have often found themselves sleeping outdoors. They’ve braved hundreds of miles on foot, and have been forced to find shelter during typhoons and heavy rain. Several weeks ago, Inoue met an elderly homeless man named Tomio along his walk.

Inoue agreed to a fan’s offering that day — but only if the fan included Tomio.

“I told the guy, we’ll go but we want our friend here to come along,” Inoue recalled. “The guy agreed to take him, too. We fed him, got him a bath, on the way we stopped at Yuniko, which is a clothing store, and got him a new shirt, pants, jacket for the winter. I could tell he still had a sense of pride. He was a year into homelessness. His house burned down and he didn’t have insurance. Nowhere to go.”

“That parting we had was kind of hard,” Inoue admitted. “We knew he didn’t have a home and we were wondering how he was going to make it. I’m planning to make a run again in March, passing all these places, visit the people who are helping us.”

Yes, this journey is to be completed next month, but there will be more to come.

As in years past… one more fight, for “Yamato Damashii.” In times of hardship and in victory, the spirit remains strong.

(Please join us for Part Two, where we will also visit with Inoue’s companions on the trip, Fowler and Dela Cruz.)

Calm Before the Storm:10/25/13

So it seems we’ve made it through Sekigahara okay. Outside of Mike’s temporary sleep paralysis nd a 10:08 check at the SekigaharaMuseum, apparently we were able to pass through safely without any supernatural encounters  with the afterlife…or so we think.

It should be mentioned though, that the 200,000 plus Samurai picked quite a place to stage Japan’s bloodiest and most significant battle. The landscape is pretty amazing– a site fittingly proper for such an epic duel. and an atmosphere hopefully absorbed as glorious for those that venture towards it to pay Respects.

We just finished a 35K walk mostly through the rain, trying to gain as much ground as possible in anticipation of today’s incoming supertyphoon.

All the carry/push/pull carts needed some serious attention. My tires have peeled just about completely off my wheels. 2 of Mike Fowler’s 4tires have popped and the undercarraige of Ensons cart has broken in 3different places.

Thankfully enough for Island Love and the power of facebook that one of Enson’s fans/friends followingthe walk had been so dilligent to track us down…

Special thanks to Guam-rooted James Wolford and Hawaii’s Darren Suzuki. Even in the foreign land of the rising sun, the spirit of Hafa Adai&Aloha shows up to save us from the storm. Darren was kind enough to donate a room and even after driving 4hours to find us, buy us dinner, and give us a ride to the home center in the rain to fix our carts..James even gave us a ride to safe shelter.Thanks fellas, we will never forget it.

Personally, outside of its original purpose to create awareness of Tohoku’s dire straits ,  these acts of kindness are some of the bigest motivators to finish this walk…Its great to see how people have bent over backwards in support of the mission. Honored to bend over backwards with you to help keep these good wheels turning. The support has been so abundant that the mission itself has become so much more than an adventure for the walkers but n epic  journey of generosity, camaraderie, and humanity–we are simply the vehicles.

The talk is getting kind of hokey so im gonna cut it off before i run way off tangent. The reality of it is that the walk has, is, and will surely continue to be achallenge. Hot sun and cold rain have its effects on the brain. and sometimes words just dont come out right…Nonetheless, Its been a long and tremendous conversation with the universe and despite the excitement to get back home into some waves, friends, and family..i’m .more than happy that it isnt quite over just yet…Looking forward to the adventure that lies ahead and hoping to leave a good trail behind.

WORD OF THE DAY: Kamoshirinai=Maybe

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Miyamoto Musashi was a badass

PHOTO OF THE DAY:

 

 

SteppingUpToSekigahara

Its OCtober 20th and were taking a rest from yesterdays 32 Kilo grind and dash  at a place to stay for the night donated by Ensons friend”s friend Hiro Ito (Special and real thanks to the Ito family for their selfless hospitality) …we are preparing for tomorrows walk  which is towards the famous Samurai battleground in Sekigahara.

So much adversity has taken place on this walk since the start…we’ve walked through a typhoon, climbed a few mountains, slept everyday in places unknown. weve walked hungry, tired, and uncertain…many times deaf, dumb, and blind towards a goal that we could best define as a kind gesture for the victims of Tohoku, the country of Japan, and in several ways mankind…but tomorrow morning (or the next day) will mark the dawn of our hardest day yet.

the walk down Sekigahara…an area where unrested spirits roam reported to host one of the greatest battles in Japans history. with over 30,00people killed in 6hours time..on October 21st of 1600. 413 years ago to the date.

A part of me thinks its pure coincidence that we’ll be walking into this area on the anniversary of ( or close to) but considering all the voodoo (divine intervention) weve seem to come across on this journey and adventure–i feel  that there is definitely a purpose for this, itrust that there are much larger things in motion, and i know that this is our destiny.the Spirits have a message for us..its just a matter if we are able hear it.

Im walking with Enson Inoue, Pride, Shooto, and UFC vetran and MMA icon living legend Enson Inoue and World Brazilian Jiujitsu &Submission Grappling Protege and Prodigy Mike Fowler–two fighter athletes proven around the world times over to blend perfectly into this territory of fighting warriors. Though ive trained in martial arts for a few years–i dont have anything really to my resume to put me nearly into this category, i get scared enough walking alone in the dark, and im scared shitless of ghosts..but tomorrow weak in body and hopefully strong enough in Spirit–i will walk with them…or maybe slightly behind(i move slower)

Im hoping that the Spirits that reportedly still walk the land will appreciate our purpose and hoping that they will find us worthy. i wont tell a lie–im scared –a complete coward when it comes to ghost (and a bunch of other things)butmore than a month of walking has passed and weve come across more than half of 1360 miles  with a sincere motive to service Japan and its people. i am carrying the Guam flag, i am the son of Victor and Emelita Dela Cruz..and of course–i represent FokaiInternational.  i will walk with fear.but ill move forward with respect. and hopefully proceed honorably forward with prayers for Japan and its people before, during, and after the tsunami.

Osu

WORD OF ADVICE:

Recovery is essential before and after the Grind….bruh.

NITTY GRITTY:

Nobunaga (bird killer)was the most powerful dude at the time. He saw it best to unify Japan by defeating all other leaders. Hideyoshi was his boy and wanted to take over despite Ieyasu being older (and more senior) He was able to gather enough folks together to support him and eventually defeat Ieyasu. So we Slept in where Ieyasu (wait for the bird..winner)was born yesterday.

Sleeping in the place where Hideyoshi (made them sing)was born today

Heading towards where their people scrapped tomorrow.

and Heading towards where Ieyasu was living the days after

We are walking in the path of the Battle of Sekigahara. Theres a lot that lies in between the lines of coincidence. More thanever in this trip i am convinced that we are meant to be here…hopefully we can prove worthy if push comes to shove.

PHOTO OF THE DAY:

WORD OF THE DAY:

Yowamushi: Weakling

 

October15th…ish,2013

Hafa Adai&Yoroshiku

Its October 15th,2013 and I believe tomorrow will be our 36th day of the walk…currently roughly halfway across Japan from our launching pad in Sapporo to our landing field in northern Kyushuu by or before November 20th.

Id originally planned to maintain a frequent and steady blog entry on www.fokai.tv via  my new phone but i never really put enough effort into learning how to use my phone better…  no qualifiable excuses. Since Enson has been more than frequent enough posting on facebook, his blog, and instagram–it almost feels that anything i might post would be redundant. but after realizing that though we have are walking down the same roads, meeting the same people, and relatively doing the same things…in more ways than one–we are all having a different experience. IT is something that im not yet quite able to put down in words but have tried to highlight via instagram…since a picture tells athousand words, a daily entry at 36 days can sure say alot but yet fails to offer the path to what lies in between the lines.

There efintiely is a lot to say–in between the horros of what happened through the tsunami and the kindness that lies deep inside the people and heart of Japan–we have been lucky enough to exhaust, proceed, and cultivate in the land of the Rising Sun.

So to simplify things and to spare any readers of unnecessary drama, bells, and whistles i thought to try and highlight some key aspects that have started our walks in the day and put us to sleep at night.

OCTOBER 15,2013

OFFERING OF THE DAY:

BondsSecurity:

PHOTO OF THE DAY:

http://instagram.com/thefokaieffect#

WORD OF ADVICE FOR THE DAY:

Learn to embrace  sacrifices

JAPANESE WORD OF THE DAY:

Daihyoo:Represent

NITTY GRITTY:

The walk has been more than amazing so far. and there really is  a whole lot to talk about…beautiful places, beautiful people, and hundreds and hundreds if years of romantics, martial arts, hard work, and  insane architecture supported and sustained by utmost effort.

Crazy Mike Fowler has joined the batch and that’s definitely stimulated the chemistry. Mike is going through some powerful things in life and its real cool to see him walk here to come back to center. Enson and Mike have proven themselves worthy among the best in the world and its an honor to walk with them and hopefully honorably  through a personal rite of passage.

A Whole lot of crazy coincidences have had a large part in guiding us through some impressive adventures since our last blog entry …Totally stoked to receive the Guam and Hawaii flags from Ensons cousin Jared–unbelievably honored to carry the Fly the Spirit of Hafa Adai, Aloha, and Yoroshiku across Japan…we finally got to stand up paddle surf, caught up with an old friend Rumina Sato, Pulled our bags up this really huge mountain, feast with the gods, walked the streets like ghosts, and those kinds of things.  We learned a lot about Dignity and manhood  from a homeless man named Tomio,  Enson almost got arrested, we didnt get to sleep to sleep  next day and it was really hot walking ..but at least we got to meet a lot of police officers, ride inside a police car, and get interviewed and photographed  see inside of the police station!

The next day…We walked right into the middle of a village festival and small parade after watching the sunset one night this bridge in a small village  i lost my passport and found it in this really cool village aaaaaand…met a reeally pretty girl! didnt get her name or picture or number but it was a brief yet great vibe.

We walked the beach and saw a whole bunch of surfspots. Got more respect for Jaonese surfing now…its an amazing subculture here as well. Meeting all kinds of good people and really seeing the goodness in humanity.

so thats the entry..it isnt poetry, not even sure if its understandable.Thats about it for now–todays typhoon has passed and i will be missing out again on tons of waves and good times on Guam the next few days. but still and again—the Adventure continues.

 

 

Face to Face:Enson&Tohoku

Powerful video depicting the mission of Enson Inoue’s Walk Across Japan and the pain, suffering, and gratitude of a forgotten and overlooked  reality

A local man was moved to tears after finding out what Enson and Roman were walking for. At one point he asked Enson if he was a ghost… a moving moment between two men with nothing but love and support for the people of Tohoku.

innerview.PLAY FOR JAPAN:NIKONIKO SUBMISSION GRAPPLNG

March 11,201′tsunami thattt hitt northern Japan in 201 is sttill shaking tttheLand of heRisingSun. hte horrors oif tthe tsunami have left thousands of cittizens afraid to go closeto the water as well as mothter natture and has forced them into tthe safety of their homes and computters…nfor lifetime purposes, not necessariy ttthe best place to be.
TThe organizers of tthe NikoNiko Submission Grapplinig event thoughtt to use the srengths given tothem in fight training and sought outt to create an atmosphere byy the beah cthat would bring its participants and spectattors ino better terms and memory witth motther nature…

come join tthe Cause and letts how our suppor for the People of Japan

 

here is an intterview witth Jin Hirano as ttranslated by Enson Inoue

September 27,2012

Hafa Adai,

Due to tecnicalities with m PDA devices, not able to post adequately on the blog. tthis is actuallyy myy firsttt ttime at a desktop and itts onlyy brief so want to defintitelyy make the mostt of it.

if you can,click intto our    youtube links on the ight column for a first perspecttive look intto Enson’s Walk Across Japan.

 

firsttof al–sapporo was magnificentt. we startted off byy meettting someof Ensons friends for dinner immediatttely when we landed. tthtteyy tthought itt was amusing ttto watch us eatt alot so in antticipation of tttthe massive ttask in front of us, i paid httem tthe respect byy having tthree dinner meals..in one sitttting. afttter a good nighttts rest at a real nice hottel donated b Mashiko-san, one of ensons oldest friends in Japan,  we followed up y a breakfast almost as hearty—about 6000grams of Carbs thte body and hydrated like humpback whales it was safe ttto say that we were locked and loaded for our steps towards tthte otther side of  thte country.

As they say–tthe journe of a tthousand miles begins wittth a single sttep..itt sure does. on tthis particular case , our first step started in Sapporo city next tto  ahuge tv tower…enson and i knew thoughtt we had a good idea of what was in front of us. we are prepared to walk tttil latte november…but despittte tttthe joking and awefacttor of tthte discoveries ahead.. carryying around 40lbs on ur bhack and tttthe realittty of ensons crazy rules on ttthe tttrip of nott being able to purchase food or lodge was a bittt insane…or so i thoughtt at the time. aftter all–why face a giant witth one hand tied behind our back? shouldn we be grabbing machine guns and creatting alliances becasue we are alreadyyy att a huge disadvantage… bu going back to why we would have our hands ttied behind our back…i can see more clearly now is ttthat we are doing so because ttthe vicims ofTohoku ,after the tsunami, have both thteir hands and their fee ttied behind thteir back. thtey are gagged and blindfolded without shade in the sun nor warmth inthe cold..but tthey sttill have ttheir minds and the still have their spirit and thats sometthing were here to help mottivate…

sadlyy–itt seems that the world Has forgoten asbout March 11ths tsunami in Japan…people tthink tttheyy are recovered and hta all things are well…her ealityyy of it ishatt overall they are nottt…ever watttch a UFC? yyou know how i is aftter abloodyy fightt and a the end ttheres this dramtttic and super heavyy headkick that knocks a competitor out cold..tthe doctor comes in butt htey guy is outt way longer than fans are enterained witth…afer ttthe oohs, awws, and sttanding ovattion. tthe guy is still down and things sttarttt gettting pretttty scary…well, in a way, is like tthatt butt aboutt amillion ttimes worse. butt in thtte case of Tohoku…tthe docttors haventt stepped intto the octtagon…the knockout has been forgotten and tthte fans are already screaming “we want more”..

a 9.1 Richter-scaled eartthquake shook a countryy for 6minutes. waves omaxing outt at over 40meters in heightt DEVASATED tens of thousands of homes…and tthen camethe fire and then tthe cold….afer destructtion so massive and death so sudden

Spirits walk the streetts not even knowing theyy are dead butt sadlyy, tthe real haunting is witth manyy of survivors of March 11th,s ttsunami inTohoku.

TThis walk is an incredibly powerful and overwhelming experience. and thttis isnt justt tthe walk…ttthe people of Japan, though imperfect, have done trmemdous thtings for the world community. Far deep behind the tattoos ttthat we think are cool, thte food we deem so awesome, and he women we marvel at so beauiful–tthere is the Soul of Japan tthat we connect witth at ll differentt kinds of levels ttthtatt has made ttthe world a bettter plac

Ive been with Enson for about 15yyears…i ve always ttthoughtt that the priniciples of YamatoDamashii were awesome. i wasn unil years afer i mettt him however that i realied the strange look foreigners rrceive from Japanese descendans is bbecasue its stttangefor ttthem that non-Japanese are taking such pride in ttte Japanese Spirit…kind of like seeing a foreigner ttto AMErica wearing a shirt ttthatttt says “proud ttto be an American”…buttt alittle more tthan ttthat. tthe principles of bushido, ttthe etttiquette of budoka, the imporance of community, ice andtthe value of hospitalitty…this is tthe gold in tthe many nooks and crannies thattt hide between the lines of tteh beautiful kanji ofYamato DAmashii. and tthis is thte flag that we walk wittth and beyond and inside of all tthe ghost stories tthatt are abundant int tthe wake of tthe sunami–this is tthte Spirit ttha we are trying to help ressurect.

tto Japnese descendan…tthe internattional campaign of Yamattto Damashii is somehing you should be veryy proud of…it is of great honor tto your ancestorst that tttheir effort forward tto the source has been a beacon to tthe path of warrirorship, brotherhood, and phyysical, mental, and Spiritual Enlightenment.

YAMATO DAMASHII IS A WAY OF LIFE.

NEVER GIVE UP TOHOKU

 

 

COOOL! EnsonInoue&TheFightNation

Heres a really good write up on Enson’s Walk Across Japan in service of Tohoku, Japan, and mankind.

http://www.thefightnation.com/tfn-exclusive-enson-inoue-takes-on-japan/

 

Two words, Enson Inoue. Enson is a man of many traits. Many know him as the Pride fighter who won over the hearts of millions with his “kill or be killed” spirit. “Yamato Damashii” or “The spirit of the Samurai” AKA “The spirit of never giving up” is a way of life for Enson. In and out of the ring Enson has faced many challenges in his life. From the ring to recent world troubles, Enson has made it a point to face himself with daily challenges.

Most recently he has taken on the difficult task of helping the dolphins in Taiji. His passion for life and helping others has landed him his most recent mission. Enson will walk from the north part of Japan to the south end of Japan. This journey is based around the tsunami that hit Tohoku in 2011. It devastated the whole area wiping out everything, killing thousands and leaving tons of people without homes and jobs.

Ever since the tragedy occured, Enson has made it a point to help out and make sure people can continue a stable way of life. He has visited Tohoku multiple times bringing supplies such as food, clothing, water and other necessities. This particular mission will place Enson in the shoes of those who lived through the devastation. He will walk from one end of Japan to the other with only the help from others to keep him alive. Since the people of Tohoku had to rely on the help of others to survive, Enson will place himself in the same situation. The walk is a mission many have deemed impossible. But if one man can do it, it’s Enson Inoue.

TFN had the opportunity to speak to Enson on this mission.

*****************************

TFN: Tell us a little about the journey you will be starting next week.

Enson: Its a journey from the North side of Japan to the South. We are going to walk from Sapporo to Fukuoka and we are going to do it all by foot. The reason I’m doing this walk is to raise money for people in the north who were devastated by the earthquake and tsunami back in March of 2011. I’m having people promise pledges to my email destinyforeverorders@gmail.com Say they pledge a penny a mile, approximately we are walking 1,360 miles so a penny a mile would entitle them to donate $13.

The next reason why I am doing the walk is for inspiration to the people of Tohoku. I want them to know that they’re not forgotten. We’re trying to put ourselves in their situation. They are in an impossible task but they need to rely on help from others to continue. The third reason I’m doing this is to bring awareness that the people of the north are still in a dire situation and need help.

TFN: Why did you choose this particular journey?

Enson: I chose this particular journey because there was this one day I was sitting at my computer and I was checking the map of Japan and this wild idea came upon me to walk the length of Japan. What attracted me to it a lot more was when I saw the route and saw the distance, it literally seemed impossible. That turned on a little spark of a challenge in me. Also what attracted me to this walk is most people don’t think its possible. My ultimate goal is of course the reasons I listed before but also for a big Christmas mission I’m doing on December 28th. It has become a personal challenge for me to complete something that seems merely impossible for a human being to do.

TFN: Will there be anyone joining you on this journey or will you be going solo?

Enson: On the journey we were planning to have 3 guys. Two other students from Purebred Guam were going to join us but had to pull out due to obligations so now it is going to be me and Roman De LaCruz. I’ve known Roman for about 15 years and he’s like my little brother. When I decided to do the walk, Roman did a bunch of phone calls inquiring about it and I was wondering why. The final phone call he said just two words to me, “I’m in.” I was like whoa! It is going to help because doing it alone you will have to battle a lot of emotional distress but we’re gonna battle physical together and probably mental stress but emotional will be easier with someone to walk with.

TFN: Your other missions have been mostly solo. Why do you choose to do your journeys alone?

Enson: I personally want to see where every penny goes. I want to be the one to bring the money and supplies to the people personally so I can see where it’s helping. I guess a part of that is selfishness. I want to be the one collecting all the appreciation and gratitude. As I said before, I believe in two types of happiness; the happiness of giving and the happiness of receiving. I believe true happiness is the happiness of giving. Doing solo missions, I thrive to feel the happiness of giving.

TFN: Exactly how do you plan on surviving this mission?

Enson: I have two terms of rules. 1- We can only eat and drink what we carry or what is offered to us. Also, we can’t spend any money for sleeping quarters. I brought a few water purifiers with me and dry food where you just add water and it turns into a meal. I am bringing two pairs of shoes, a sleeping bag, just things I learned on the 850 mile pilgrimage I did before this.

We’re bringing minimal baggage, clothing, two pairs of shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of socks and were just going to wash clothes everyday somewhere. Other than that, we’re just going to try and keep hydrated with water. With food, maybe thinking of one meal a day. Depending on the rations maybe one meal every three days. We’re just going to go by feel on that.

TFN: Do you hope that this trip will inspire others to help?

Enson: I am not going to do anything out of the ordinary especially to inspire people. I am just hoping that the journey itself and the rules that I have set will inspire people in itself. It interests me to think that when you look at the journey right now, even with the help that we’ve been committed to so far form others, it is impossible to finish it. It is simply impossible to finish it with the amount of help we have right now. It’s exciting for me to start an adventure that at this present time is impossible to do.

The only way it will be possible is ultimately with the help of others. It’s the same situation the people in north Japan are in. For some of the people it’s impossible to continue if it weren’t for supplies from volunteers and inspiration that they haven’t been forgotten.

TFN: Ultimately, how do you think others can help?

Enson: I’ve heard that you and the Groundslam team have been making annual trips up north. Hats off to you guys. I’ve met Jin Hirano of GRAACA MMA. About a month after the tsunami hit we brought some shirts and supplies and stuff to them. I hear you guys are doing missions and stuff to help him. This year I’m pretty booked but next year I’d definitely like to do a mission with you guys.

What can we do to help? Exactly what Groundslam is doing. Bringing out supplies and talking with the people. I’ve done 26 missions up north. I’ve brought supplies to make their living a little easier but as I have done the missions I have realized its not necessarily the materials that we bring but what we bring emotionally. I’ve had ladies cry to me thanking me for not forgetting them. I’ve had an old lady hold my hand and not let go just thanking me that we haven’t forgotten them. The suicide rate is high and I’m sure that just letting these people know that they’re not forgotten is probably the biggest thing we can do. My feelings about Groundslam and Katsumura is 100% respect. I want to let you guys know that if there’s anything I can do to help by all means I will do anything I can.

Ways you can help!

Make a pledge to destinyforever@gmail.com

Check out his website destinyforever.com and purchase a bracelet or necklace -All bracelets are handmade by Enson himself and all proceeds help fund his missions.

ProloguetotheWalk:9-9-13

September 7th, 2013

Hafa Adai,

So it seems that things have shifted just a bit for the walk. Orignally the walk was to start with three but Enson Inoue, Patrick, Ayuyu, and myself. But since Pat is came across more important priorities (Pat just moved back to Japan after a 2 and a half year break from the fight life, pursuing his roots and culture in Guam) and has decided to join in for a few days segment of the walk.(still a task in itself)

Destiny has it that the walk will start and hopefully end with at least two. Truthfully, I’m abit hesitant for the full duration of the walk mostly due to recent world news about the radiation in Japan.
Beginning to write this entry In the middle of A long drive from Saitama to Osaka at about 85miles per hour..were about 4hours in and not even nearly there…We’re riding in Enson’s hummer with aircon, wi-fi, and music, and in some ways—growing slightly impatient. Weak! If anything,this is just offering a concrete reminder of just how long and difficult this trip is gonna be.
As history tells and the future will surely echo however—virtually ANYTHING is possible through Spiritdn the power of positive thinking a. Absolutely easier said than done but human achievement and perseverance have done much more difficult things. More than a handful of people have spent 4years walking around the world. People without legs have climbed mountains, Deaf people have created music, and blind people have painted magnificent pictures.
As impossible as the walk might seem..at least there is a light at the end of our tunnel. But honestly, this hardly makes things seem easier.  Still having confidence in this forbidden fruit and hoping be of service to Enson, the People of Japan, and always and imminent—the people of Guam.

We’re less than 2days away from beginning this walk..Ive been working with FokaiIndustries now for 15years and counting and Enson has been doing the same with the YamatoDamashii brand just a little bit longer. For us, i think Enson would agree that it Fokai and Yamato Damashii are much more to us than work&play…altogether–they are a Way of Life. they are a pursuit. they are to be of community service.

Both preach the path of perseverance and fortitude. We’re close to the helm of finding out (in my case possibly more than ever) what that really is about.

Talk is cheap abut experience is valuable.

to the best of my ability, I will be drafting Enson and following in his footsteps. Again easiersaidthandone.

Safety.Fun.Performance:Before.During.After.
Exhaust the Body. Proceed the Mind. Cultivate the Spirit.

Prologue to the Walk:Powering Up in Pattaya

Hafa Adai,

Just finished the first segment of the Prologue to theWalk. Understanding that the journey would be a massive test for the body, I wanted to start things proper and charge things up with the Spirit. Since flights were cheap and Cambodia was a hop skip and a jump away I thought I’d power up with some voodoo magic on a trip visit Anker Wat. It turned out that a 2day excursion set aside for Cambodia wouldn’t be enough time (take note:A first time trip to Cambodia without an escort or detailed gameplan is inadvisable) I decided to make the most of my Thailand trip and visit the beautiful beaches of Pattaya..the same place as the lovely scenery that millions have seen on the Movie ‘TheBeach”. ..or so I thought. Well, I was absolutely mistaken because that was actually Phuket(or am i still mistaken?). But hotel arrangements were made so I was locked and loaded on Pattaya and thought to make the best out of the situation.

First…if you get a chance to go to Pattaya and your goal is not necessarily a drunken stroll and romp throughout the nooks and crannies of Walking Street—drop a visit to either the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya and/or to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not observatory…you can likely find that with eyes wide open—these places on their own can be worth the trip to Thailand in itself.

What do the the oddities, exhibits, and amazing facts displayed at Ripleys; the beautiful gardens at the Botanical Garden, and the soccer playing, basketball shooting, hula hoop swinging, accurate dart throwing, dancing elephants have in common?

They are concrete evidence that in this world of achievement and creativity— with beauty and/or beast absolutely anything is possible. AMAZING!

Fast forward to the nightlife in Pattaya—if the dudes who look like fit versions of Kim Kardashian, Fergie, and Jenny MacCarthy don’t blow your mind (let’s hope that’s all they blow) then if you stick around and enjoy the ride long enough—the street talent absolutely will.

Another chapter in the prologue to what can be the Adventure of a lifetime…with the multitude of impossible things made possible in Pattaya–completely grateful for the eye openers and motivation to make the upcoming 1,360mile walk look to be a bit more manageable…even with a bum left knee, a scarred right knee..and a sore rightside daggan muscle that has been bothersome for months..

Finish or Fail—this trip to Thailand is definitely a motivator to make it to the starting line..Looking forward to rising with the sun in the land of the rising sun tomorrow.

May theForce be with you.
Thanks for dropping by.

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