Solara, Kendall and Elaine Key with Shigeru, Machiko, Kaori,
Reiko, and Hiromi Kimoto
“They say Japan was made by a sword. They say the old gods dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when
they pulled it out, four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I
say Japan was made by a handful of brave men…warriors, willing to give their lives for what seems to have
become a forgotten word….HONOR.”- The Last Samurai
Whatever Japan was made of, I, for one, love being caught up in the history and
customs there. Everything is done so meticulously; from their arts and crafts, to the presentation of their
food. After scrambling to get my passport up to date, off we went. This time, we wanted to see if we could
make it all by ourselves for a while, without the help of our great friends, the Kimotos.
First stop, Tokyo, then on to Shibuya Square. There is always someone willing to help when you have that
confused look on your face. That must have been our case, as a very nice policeman walked us from the train
station to our hotel. The mounting excitement of seeing where one of my favorite movies, Fast and Furious:
Tokyo Drift, was filmed gave me such an adrenaline rush that I forgot I hadn’t slept in over 20 hours. Next stop….Fujisawa, and to the home of our friends, Shigeru, Machiko, Kaori,
Reiko, and Hiromi Kimoto. Over the years, I have seen pictures of my “sisters” going through their Coming of
Age Ceremony. In conversation one evening, I mentioned that when I turn 20, I, too, want to don their kimono
and do a Coming of Age Ceremony. Reiko went into action, as she so often does, and the next thing I knew, I
was scheduled at a salon to have hair, make-up, and kimono done for my very own ceremony. Since I was only 16
at the time, we decided to call it my “Sweet 16” ceremony. Little did I know at the time, what a sacred event
this really is. Sobo Michiko was on the train from Yokohama to help with the kimono, as was Mrs. Kimoto’s
sister. Let me tell you, I have a new respect for all Japanese women. After being in the salon all day, I
emerged… Japanese Solara. I am sure it is unusual to see a blonde haired, blue eyed girl in full Japanese garb
walking down the street, but I met with so many people who stopped to compliment me and give me their sign of
approval. After parading around the streets of Fujisawa, it was on to the photographer. I never wanted that
night to end. I felt like a princess. Thank you to everyone who helped me that wonderful day.
The next morning, I awoke to a familiar sound..the sound of karate coming from a dojo. It had me so
intrigued, that I had to investigate. Reiko, my mom, and I decided to walk the family dog, Sedy up the hill
until we discovered where the dojo was. We happened upon an all boys’ school, with the students in their
traditional Japanese uniforms doing a tea ceremony. They had arisen early to do their karate workout, then it
was on to another tradition. How the three of us ended up at an all boys’ school in the middle of a tea
ceremony I will never know, but it was so much fun. Even though I missed seeing their karate workout, the tea
ceremony was a very beautiful tradition to be a part of. After seeing many wonderful sights, and spending
quality time with close friends, it is a teary sayonara, and off to our other friends, Osamu and Michiko Ohmori
in beautiful Matsuyama. I’ll be back for my real Coming of Age Ceremony in 3 more years!
If I ever needed to know anything about the history of Japan, I would ask Mr. Ohmori. He always has the most
wonderful week of sightseeing planned for us. The first day, we toured around Matsuyama. We went to a teahouse
that was used by the Samurai when doing their tea ceremony. That was one of those sacred moments that pull on
your heartstrings. We had to sit inside and soak up the history that must have happened there. Japan is
known for its beautiful bridges and temples, another just as beautiful as the last. I wish there was room to
show all of our pictures. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Ohmori for a great time in Japan.
Spring break was fantastic. We flew to Tubac, Arizona to work on the film Drifter TKD with Ron and Charl
Anne Pohnel. I met so many new friends. By the way, it is now available on DVD. Check out the movie trailer
and pictures on the website: http://www.driftertkd.com
Later on in the spring, I attended the Nashville Film Festival. What a great time I had meeting people like
William H. Macy, Trace Adkins, and Jason Marsden, but the icing on the cake was when we met Titans Football
kicker Rob Bironas. My dad was in hog heaven.
Summer and early fall, I worked out hard. First of all, I had been studying with Da Shi Steven Alsup at his
Academy of Chinese Energy Boxing, at which time he hosted Ms. Victoria Windholtz from France to do a seminar. I
attended and received my certificate in Chen Tai Chi Chuan. To read about the seminar go to: http://www.truechineseenergyboxing.com
During the hot summer days, I attended classes given by Guardian Mixed Martial Arts trainer, Susan Wade.
That was a workout! In the evenings it was back to Guardian for Muay Thai and coach Warren Grace, then boxing
with coach Jonathan “Reiddawg” Reid. Check out Guardian’s website at http://www.guardianmma.com and Jonathan’s
at http://www.reiddawg.com
Fall found us at the Boston Tea Party in Brentwood, Tennessee. That is an organization that was founded for
rescued Boston Terriers. Dad thought we were taking our Boston Terrier’s Heidi, age 13, and Taka, age 3, to
socialize with other Bostons…..HA! Standing with 4 year old rescued Spike in her arms, my dad barks, “NO, NO,
NO, NO” at mom. Now it only took me a few years out of my 17 years to realize you don’t tell my mom no. It
seems like my dad would realize after knowing my mom for almost 20 years, that when she wants something, NO is
not an option! Introducing….Spike, our new adopted Boston Terrier. Spike was kept in a cage at a puppy mill
all of his life, without so much as a human touch. He has now learned how to use his legs, and is responding
more to the call of his name. He realizes he is part of a family now, and will find a lap to lie in and soak
up a little love.
Also, I would like to report that Chris Canning’s legacy is still living on. Chris’s dad, Art Canning and I
talk from time to time about all the awards that Chris is still being honored with. On August 16, 2008, Chris
was honored at the United Nations in New York. I am so proud to write about your life Chris, even if I didn’t
know you while you were on earth. Your spirit will always live on.
The Christmas holidays were spent in San Diego with my brother Todd, sister-in-law Lindy, and nephews Eric
and Dane. What a great time we had walking along the beach at Del Mar in December! We wanted to see Eric in
the basketball playoffs for Francis Parker, but the day before we arrived he broke his wrist.
2008 ended on a sad note for my family with the passing of two of my beloved aunts. My soon to be 98 years
young Aunt Opal passed away. She was a trooper. She raised 6 children by herself. Every time the church
doors were open, you could find Aunt Opal walking with her children to church. I don’t think she ever owned a
car. When I was a toddler, I would lie upon Aunt Opal’s starched and ironed sheets in bed with her and watch
television. “Why does Solara love being around us old women?” Aunt Opal would ask my mom. I really did love
being around older people.
Aunt Mettie raised 7 children, and worked on a farm most of her life. She was also a trooper. Mom stayed
with her most every summer while she was growing up. That is where all the funny adventures took place. You
two must have been tired. We will surely miss you, but we carry in our hearts all of the love and fun southern
history we have learned from you both, plus the memory of those wonderful homemade biscuits.
World Black Belt really does go into other countries. This summer I received an email from Alexey Leschov,
who had read some of my stories.. Alexey is 16 years old, lives in Russia, and studies Martial Arts. I am
sure he would like to hear from anyone wanting a penpal. His email is:alexeyleschov@worldblackbelt.com
Here is to a great 2009. Have a happy and prosperous new year ya’ll.
