The Origin of Master Hopkick: Lessons

By Jenni Siu

The follow-up novel to the Highly-Rated The Origin of Master Hopkick: Beginnings!

John started training martial arts on his home island with no knowledge of belts, ranks, or styles. Now that he finds himself calling Australia home and has a black belt around his

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whistlekick, LLC
• Release date: Dec 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798869044129

Jenni Siu

Jenni Siu is passionate about teaching kids. She has traveled the world and has had adventures on multiple continents. Jenni is currently living the greatest adventure of all - being married to her best friend and raising the three best kids in the world with him. She loves God, her family, martial arts, reading, writing, music, and growing food.

Book preview

1

Queensland, Australia

The late afternoon sun shone brightly as John Ramo threw multiple kicks and strikes in the air, stepping intentionally across the backyard as he practiced a form he’d learned years before. The familiar movements took his imagination back to a time and place much different than the one he lived in – one where a small boy on a tropical island trained martial arts with a Chinese master, who always seemed to have yet another exciting lesson to teach.

Now, though he had grown and learned many more things, he still appreciated the simple movements and loved pushing himself to perfect them even more.

At last, he stopped, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and sighed contentedly. So much had happened in his short life, he realized. The past held many lessons that had brought him this far, and the future was full of exciting prospects.

Returning to his room in the small house that he shared with his relatives, John sat down at his desk and picked up a pencil.

Dear Mr. Tung,

It has only been a few weeks since you left for China, but in that time, so much has happened! I am still amazed that both you and my mother were able to be here for my shodan test – and honestly, I am still amazed that I have earned a black belt! When I tie on my belt and see the black against my white karategi, it doesn’t seem quite possible. I still remember coming to Australia and not even knowing about belts and uniforms. I like wearing one, and having a special place dedicated to training. But, I also like remembering back to the days when you and I trained in only our regular clothes, and we used every environment to learn. Training both ways has been so valuable to me, I do not know which I would choose if I had to.

I have been training every day. Sensei Bruce has been having us work on throws and falls.

Do you remember when you and I would work on throws and falls? I told the class the other day about how my favorite place to practice was on the beach – the sand was much softer than the hard dirt in your courtyard, and much easier to clean up than the mud in the jungle!

But I also told them how useful it was to learn how to fall and respond in all of those situations. I am grateful for the way you trained me, using all the different types of terrain on the island, and even in the water. Now that I am considering what it will be like to teach my own students someday, I think often of the first lessons you taught me. I think, someday, I would like to teach them both ways – yours, and Sensei Bruce’s. Do you think that is wise? I like the order Sensei Bruce has in the dojo, and I also like that students have a way to measure their progress, with their belt colors. I also like very much how you and I trained. I’m not sure how to do both at once, though. Am I wrong for wanting to?

I remember you studied several different styles, including Western boxing, and taught me what you had learned from all of them – so maybe I could do the same? I would like that.

I will have to remember to not have my students wear their uniforms on days we will train outside, though – white karategi are hard enough to keep clean without mud and grass stains!

I miss you, Mr. Tung. I wish you were here, and I wish I could still come to you for advice. No one has ever helped me in life as much as you have.

Please write when you can.

Your student,

John

John Ramo sat back and grinned as he folded the letter to his friend and mentor, Tung Gee Hsing. Mr. Tung had been the one to first introduce him to martial arts, nearly half his lifetime ago. Sliding the letter into an envelope, John reflected on the journey he’d been on since the day he first saw Mr. Tung and an American boxer, Mr. Trias, sparring back on his home island of Tulagi. Even though he was now living in Australia and had trained in karate with a new teacher for years, John knew Mr. Tung would always have a special place in his heart as the one who first introduced him to the things he now felt most passionately about.

He had finished high school, earned his black belt, and been given a job assisting Sensei Bruce, all in the span of only a few months. John had spent his years living in Australia assuming that when he graduated school, he would have to stop training in martial arts and get a job back home on the island so that he could take care of his mother. He felt mixed emotions about that, as he loved his mother very much, and appreciated how hard she had worked for so many years to take care of her sons and made sure they had everything they needed – including sending him all the way to a new country to receive an education that wasn’t possible on Tulagi. He was honored to know he’d be able to get a good-paying job because he’d finished high school and spoke English fluently. When his mother had surprised him by accepting his aunt’s invitation to move to Australia, the opportunity to stay and continue training in karate with Sensei Bruce, as well as assist him in teaching had become a reality John still couldn’t believe was his.

John wasn’t sure what exactly the future would look like, but he knew without a doubt that martial arts would be a very significant part of it.

2

Where are you going? Annie asked as she came into the living room and saw John and Adam preparing to leave.

John said I get to begin karate lessons today! He is taking me to the dojo to train with him and Sensei Bruce! Adam responded excitedly.

Oh. Annie’s voice showed her disappointment, and John frowned, set down his bag, and dropped to one knee in front of her.

What’s wrong, Annie? he asked.

His youngest cousin shrugged and looked out the window as she answered. I wish I could do karate, too. I love watching you practice and do all your forms.

John raised his eyebrows in surprise.

You want to train as well? I didn’t know!

Annie shrugged again, but John could see how strongly she felt about it.

Annie, listen. I would be happy to teach you, but…well, I have never seen girls train before. It’s not really something I’ve ever thought of, and I’m not sure what Sensei would think.

It was Sensei Bruce’s dojo, not John’s, and though he had given permission for Adam to begin training, John knew he couldn’t just invite anyone he pleased.

I’ve thought about it for a long time now. I want to know how to do all the things we saw you do when you got your black belt, she responded.

John grinned. It takes a lot of training to be able to do all of that, he said with a chuckle.

She stood a bit taller and stuck out her chin. I could do it, John! I know I could.

I’ll ask Sensei Bruce what he thinks. I have never seen girls train before, but then, Mr. Tung had never trained an islander boy before teaching me, so… he grinned and shrugged hopefully.

Annie gave him a smile. I promise I’d work hard, John, harder than Adam even!

Adam’s eyebrows shot up and he shook his head. I don’t think so!

John chuckled and stood, once again picking up his bag and swinging it over his shoulder.

Alright, nothing has been decided yet. I know that if both of you begin training, you will both work equally hard. Trust me, I live here – I will make you! He said with a wink.

Annie jumped up and down in excitement.

Thank you for asking Sensei Bruce, John! I hope he says yes!

~

You did well leading the green belts today, John. I knew I could count on you, Sensei Bruce said as he folded his black belt and hung up his uniform jacket.

Thank you, Sensei. It’s very different to be the one to lead, and correct them, John responded.

Sensei Bruce nodded. Indeed. You did a good job, he began, but next time, remember to be very direct with your words of correction. Don’t suggest. You’re the instructor now, you know how the techniques are to be executed.

John nodded as he thought about this advice.

It’s hard for me to do that, Sensei, he said honestly.

Sure, it’s hard now – but you’ll get the hang of it. Trust me John, you have a sharp eye for detail, you always have. You’re very unforgiving of yourself. Use some of that to help others perfect their art.

Yes, sir. I guess it just feels mean to point out every detail as someone is working, John responded.

Sensei Bruce sat down on one of the benches and began to put on his shoes.

Your Mr. Tung, was he the gentle sort?

John chuckled at this and shook his head.

I see what you mean, Sensei.

Look, John – your goal is to help people become better martial artists. If they’re going to be better, they have to know the difference between good enough, and better. That’s where you must focus. They know you care for them, they know you’re not doing it to be mean. You’ve earned every stitch of the black belt you wear. Now help them do the same.

John nodded thoughtfully as he hung up his own jacket, then suddenly remembered Annie.

"Sensei, I have a question