My final days in Iwama, were slowed down by a bout of flu like symptoms. I tried to go to all Nemoto Sensei classes, but did not attend evening classes at shibu dojo, not wanting to spread germs and also give my wrist a chance to heal.
It was quite a sad moment to say my final good byes to Nemoto sensei, I am very grateful for all his generosity, kindness and teaching and all the Dame's too. I have learnt so much over the past 11 weeks, not only about Aikido but also about Japanese culture, the Japanese way of thinking and way of life. I have also learned a lot about myself and the way I think about things. It has changed my perceptions about things and think that it has given me a new perspective that will never leave me. I think on the whole the experience has taught lots of valuable lessons that I will take with me into the future. I am grateful to all of the other uchideshi and sotodeshi alike that only offered me kindness and understanding and patience. I look forward to seeing you all again sometime in the future.
This will not be my final post, once I have had some time to reflect upon my experiences then I will most likely say a little more. I am also intending to go on another trip in the not too distant future and will let you know more soon.
Ciao for now
Keith
Tanabe Trip
Myself Chris and Robin accompanied Nemoto Sensei and his wife on a trip to Tanabe, the main aim was so that Nemoto Sensei could pay his respects and ask O Sensei to oversea a successful future for his new dojo. I think it was also a gesture towards Chris and Robin for obtaining their shodan's, and I was fortunate enough to be able to go along too.
The trip itself is around 750km, so quite a long drive, we drove all night to get the early on Tuesday morning. The first stop was to see the statue of O Sensei by the water front. Also saw a pod of whales too !
We then visited Nemoto Sensei's friend (unfortunately his name has escaped me) we had a look around his dojo. He became our tour guide for the day. We visited O Sensei grave site and all made some small offerings of incense. The graveyard was a fantastic place. The buildings and landscape gardening was like something out of a movie set, and naturally the place was immaculate. We then visited the plot of O'Sensei former family home. Another great opportunity to set foot in the places that O'Sensei himself had walked and played as a child. Obviously feel very privileged and grateful to have the opportunity to do this.
We went out that evening and had dinner and then retired to bed in our rather luxurious hotel. Early the next day we headed back to Iwama with a stop of at the largest(?) Shinto shrine complexes in Japan. We didn't stop for long as we had so much further to go. In total it took 14 hours to get home, including the breaks. Three of us in the back was a little squashed but I wouldn't have cared if there was 6 of us.
The trip itself is around 750km, so quite a long drive, we drove all night to get the early on Tuesday morning. The first stop was to see the statue of O Sensei by the water front. Also saw a pod of whales too !
We then visited Nemoto Sensei's friend (unfortunately his name has escaped me) we had a look around his dojo. He became our tour guide for the day. We visited O Sensei grave site and all made some small offerings of incense. The graveyard was a fantastic place. The buildings and landscape gardening was like something out of a movie set, and naturally the place was immaculate. We then visited the plot of O'Sensei former family home. Another great opportunity to set foot in the places that O'Sensei himself had walked and played as a child. Obviously feel very privileged and grateful to have the opportunity to do this.
We went out that evening and had dinner and then retired to bed in our rather luxurious hotel. Early the next day we headed back to Iwama with a stop of at the largest(?) Shinto shrine complexes in Japan. We didn't stop for long as we had so much further to go. In total it took 14 hours to get home, including the breaks. Three of us in the back was a little squashed but I wouldn't have cared if there was 6 of us.
Mirror
Aikido means different things to different people, I have reflected quite hard on this since I first heard it said, trying to pin down what it means to me. This is by no means my final thought but it is something.
I now see my aikido training as a kind of mirror that allows me to see the workings of my mind, how my ego reacts to different situations. Enabling me to see more clearly, how I think, how I react to things and people, external conflict and internal conflicts alike. By understanding how my own mind works, thinks and reacts I can see more clearly how other peoples minds are working too. Enabling me to be more perceptive, more compassionate and hopefully overall a more well rounded individual.
I will give one example of how I see this process in action.
Uke does not entirely agree with the way in which nage is doing the technique, he is thinking to himself this is not the best way, if you did it like this instead....blah blah. Uke has been taught a different way, which they hold onto as a superior way. Uke is relaxed, in the way that they are used to for this technique, but nages technique does not take uke balance and it is a struggle to make it work in the way that nage is used to.
Nage thinks uke is being deliberately difficult, not flowing with the technique, perhaps being rigid or deliberately awkward, or blocking the technique. There is both an external and internal conflict going on. This has been derived from where uke and nage perspectives are positioned.
Holding onto the fixed points of view they perceive each others actions from a judgemental frame of mind. It is likely that you will experience both sides of this picture, then by a careful examination of the situations and the interplay between your perceptions as both uke and nage, you come to the realisation that there is no right or wrong person, the perceptions have been built from the individuals previous experience, nothing more nothing less.
By observing my own mind go through these scenarios, I am able to keep my mind more open, less judgemental be more flexible and understanding. On some level Nage and uke must work together. Nage leads uke, and uke should allow themselves to be led. If uke is resistant then the technique simply changes to compensate for the new plain of resistance, and will go in a different direction. Although in practice we are supposed to practice a particular technique and not change to another one. In reality the ability of Nage to be sensitive and react to the subtle changes of uke is what Aikido is all about, ie Takemusu-aiki.
(In practice the end result of this is that if Nage is your sempai, be flexible allow the technique to work, keep your month shut, even if you think its a load of or a little crap. You can decide later to do it another way, but will most likely eventually meet "yourself" but hopefully this time you wont be too awkward or judgmental)
From now on if uke is "awkward" then i wont get frustrated or change the technique, I will just calmly explain that it would be helpful if they could help me out a little and go with the flow. And if Nage wants to show me another way then I think "great - another perspective i can learn something here". (even by seeing how I dont want to do it !!!)
If a blind man lead a blind man, both fall down in the ditch. --Wyclif (Matt. xv. 14.)
I now see my aikido training as a kind of mirror that allows me to see the workings of my mind, how my ego reacts to different situations. Enabling me to see more clearly, how I think, how I react to things and people, external conflict and internal conflicts alike. By understanding how my own mind works, thinks and reacts I can see more clearly how other peoples minds are working too. Enabling me to be more perceptive, more compassionate and hopefully overall a more well rounded individual.
I will give one example of how I see this process in action.
Uke does not entirely agree with the way in which nage is doing the technique, he is thinking to himself this is not the best way, if you did it like this instead....blah blah. Uke has been taught a different way, which they hold onto as a superior way. Uke is relaxed, in the way that they are used to for this technique, but nages technique does not take uke balance and it is a struggle to make it work in the way that nage is used to.
Nage thinks uke is being deliberately difficult, not flowing with the technique, perhaps being rigid or deliberately awkward, or blocking the technique. There is both an external and internal conflict going on. This has been derived from where uke and nage perspectives are positioned.
Holding onto the fixed points of view they perceive each others actions from a judgemental frame of mind. It is likely that you will experience both sides of this picture, then by a careful examination of the situations and the interplay between your perceptions as both uke and nage, you come to the realisation that there is no right or wrong person, the perceptions have been built from the individuals previous experience, nothing more nothing less.
By observing my own mind go through these scenarios, I am able to keep my mind more open, less judgemental be more flexible and understanding. On some level Nage and uke must work together. Nage leads uke, and uke should allow themselves to be led. If uke is resistant then the technique simply changes to compensate for the new plain of resistance, and will go in a different direction. Although in practice we are supposed to practice a particular technique and not change to another one. In reality the ability of Nage to be sensitive and react to the subtle changes of uke is what Aikido is all about, ie Takemusu-aiki.
(In practice the end result of this is that if Nage is your sempai, be flexible allow the technique to work, keep your month shut, even if you think its a load of or a little crap. You can decide later to do it another way, but will most likely eventually meet "yourself" but hopefully this time you wont be too awkward or judgmental)
From now on if uke is "awkward" then i wont get frustrated or change the technique, I will just calmly explain that it would be helpful if they could help me out a little and go with the flow. And if Nage wants to show me another way then I think "great - another perspective i can learn something here". (even by seeing how I dont want to do it !!!)
If a blind man lead a blind man, both fall down in the ditch. --Wyclif (Matt. xv. 14.)
Shodan tests
Today was the big day for many my fellow deshi (soshite kino wa san ju sai deshita demo kyo wa san ju ichi sai desu).
In total there were 5 students of Nemoto sensei, four shodan and one yondan. I was the uke for soto deshi Robin Jinx-san. The test comprised of suwariwaza yokomen ikkyo-gokyo, tachiwaza 3 techniques for: shihonage, kyokunage, irimnage, koshinage, ushiro waza, hanmihandachi, jo dori, tachi dori, tanken dori, and 1.5 mins jiyuwaza ni-nin.
The final preparation class took place last night, I resorted to asking Robin to punch me in the guts repeatedly to prove to him that he would not hurt me and to put a bit of grrrr into it. For the test I taped my wrist up real tight and tried my best to be a good uke. The guts punching seemed to work and his test performance had better energy than all the previous attempts. He was understandably a little nervous, and there were a couple of moments of hesitation, but I am very very happy that he kept his nerve and passed !!!! (As did everybody). Congratulations to all.
This video starts with Chris and should lead to Robin and Robin:
In total there were 5 students of Nemoto sensei, four shodan and one yondan. I was the uke for soto deshi Robin Jinx-san. The test comprised of suwariwaza yokomen ikkyo-gokyo, tachiwaza 3 techniques for: shihonage, kyokunage, irimnage, koshinage, ushiro waza, hanmihandachi, jo dori, tachi dori, tanken dori, and 1.5 mins jiyuwaza ni-nin.
The final preparation class took place last night, I resorted to asking Robin to punch me in the guts repeatedly to prove to him that he would not hurt me and to put a bit of grrrr into it. For the test I taped my wrist up real tight and tried my best to be a good uke. The guts punching seemed to work and his test performance had better energy than all the previous attempts. He was understandably a little nervous, and there were a couple of moments of hesitation, but I am very very happy that he kept his nerve and passed !!!! (As did everybody). Congratulations to all.
This video starts with Chris and should lead to Robin and Robin:
Attack
Here is a link to an interesting article which is along the same lines of thinking as to what I was getting at in the last post. (not saying anything about the individual situation)
href="http://martial.com.au/info_pages.php/pages_id/32">
href="http://martial.com.au/info_pages.php/pages_id/32">
Sore Wrist
Yesterday during Jiyuwaza as uke I was injured. The nage, wont mention names. Threw me with a shihonage which I could not high fall out of, and prob needed to as it ended up with an instantly numb forearm, wrist and sore elbow. Such that I cannot fully straighten my arm or bend my wrist without it hurting. This has prob something to do with the fact that my wrist was boarderline recovered from previous injury. It seems to be feeling a lot better today - so hopefully it wont take three months like it did last time. Although the wrist bone feels real tender, so its prob aggrivated the not quite fully healed injury.
It was not a deliberate attempt to injure me, although I think it was a little bit over zealous. We have been training together for 3 months now so I kinda expected that he would know my limitations. We had a conversation previously, where I had politely pointed out that, his technique was very strong and he should be a little bit careful that he didnt hurt his ukes. Which he admitted he had done previously.
As far as I am concerned, taking care of your ukes is more important than doing it hard. My future in Aikido would like to see me be able to take the strongest attack and accept it without injury to uke. After all if we wanted to learn how to beat the crap out of each other we would, (or at least i would) do another "art".
There is also the flip side to this - that as uke I should be more flexible, and that did definately have a part to play, as a group we have talked about this and I have been trying my best. Although I would still maintain that it is sempai's responsibilty to take care of kohai, and understand thier limitations.
I am not one to complain and this is not meant in that way, although I understand that it could come across that way. There is always a chance of injury, and a sense that if you dont want to get burned, dont stand to close to the fire, and we are free to decide where we stand. Hopefully I will be able to be uke for Sotodeshi Robin in his shodan test. Although I wont risk further damage, if i dont feel like it is ok. Today I trained in the morning (but skipped evening class) but no nikkyo or sankyo or any wrist twisting on that side at all. As I dont have long left here, it doesnt really matter. Time heals all wounds (unless fatal or leaves you perm immobile !!).
It was not a deliberate attempt to injure me, although I think it was a little bit over zealous. We have been training together for 3 months now so I kinda expected that he would know my limitations. We had a conversation previously, where I had politely pointed out that, his technique was very strong and he should be a little bit careful that he didnt hurt his ukes. Which he admitted he had done previously.
As far as I am concerned, taking care of your ukes is more important than doing it hard. My future in Aikido would like to see me be able to take the strongest attack and accept it without injury to uke. After all if we wanted to learn how to beat the crap out of each other we would, (or at least i would) do another "art".
There is also the flip side to this - that as uke I should be more flexible, and that did definately have a part to play, as a group we have talked about this and I have been trying my best. Although I would still maintain that it is sempai's responsibilty to take care of kohai, and understand thier limitations.
I am not one to complain and this is not meant in that way, although I understand that it could come across that way. There is always a chance of injury, and a sense that if you dont want to get burned, dont stand to close to the fire, and we are free to decide where we stand. Hopefully I will be able to be uke for Sotodeshi Robin in his shodan test. Although I wont risk further damage, if i dont feel like it is ok. Today I trained in the morning (but skipped evening class) but no nikkyo or sankyo or any wrist twisting on that side at all. As I dont have long left here, it doesnt really matter. Time heals all wounds (unless fatal or leaves you perm immobile !!).
Jiyuwaza
This morning class was attended by myself, Uchideshi Chris and Robin and sotodeshi Kelly from Australia. The first hour focused on ukemi practice, following by 3 minutes of san-nin jiyuwaza. The second hour we covered the 12 Jo-dori.
The ukemi practice went ok, although the mental block i have on my left side is still causing me problems, and obviously now there is some fixation on it. Something that attention probably wont help to fix, I am not going to worry about it, and sure that time will do its work.
As uke for the first three jiyuwaza I felt that my attacks were more coherent than on previous occasions, although I need to be careful that I do not become inflexible and stubborn refusing to let nage throw me easily (ego acting up). Sure that there is a time for such practice although it would probably result in getting a hard smack in the face, a bloody nose or a split lip.
As the kohai of the group I was the last to be nage. I was quite surprised that it went as well as it did. I did not Kiai as I should until the end, although the actual techniques seemed to flow quite well. Obviously being inexperienced I did resort to using the same techniques over and over again, seem to prefer yokomen shihonage, shomenuchi iriminage and tsuki kotegaishi, *attempting* to use kyokunage for ryotedori, ryokata and katatedori. I tried to keep all three opponents in my sight as much as possible, looking to the next person as I was taking care of the one at hand, and making a concerted effort to move forwards and be proactive initating as much as possible. I tried to maintain Metski throughout, I felt that on this point I did quite well, it was the best part of the performance. I did not turn my back on them for long, too many times. It would have been nice to use a few more techniques, Kaiten nage and Tenchi nage in particular. I guess that any attempt for a 5th kyu doing san-nin jiyuwaza is prob not a bad effort.
(Lara for your info, as I know you wont know what Jiyuwaza is - it is where, in this case, for three minutes three people attack you as they please, trying to punch, strike or grab you, and you have to throw them using aikido techniques, or at least evade their attacks without freezing up or resorting to brute strength or nasty tactics, they do not use jab punches or try to kick and generally are fairly compliant going with the flow of any technique you attempt to use, provided that it done in such a way that it will work)
The ukemi practice went ok, although the mental block i have on my left side is still causing me problems, and obviously now there is some fixation on it. Something that attention probably wont help to fix, I am not going to worry about it, and sure that time will do its work.
As uke for the first three jiyuwaza I felt that my attacks were more coherent than on previous occasions, although I need to be careful that I do not become inflexible and stubborn refusing to let nage throw me easily (ego acting up). Sure that there is a time for such practice although it would probably result in getting a hard smack in the face, a bloody nose or a split lip.
As the kohai of the group I was the last to be nage. I was quite surprised that it went as well as it did. I did not Kiai as I should until the end, although the actual techniques seemed to flow quite well. Obviously being inexperienced I did resort to using the same techniques over and over again, seem to prefer yokomen shihonage, shomenuchi iriminage and tsuki kotegaishi, *attempting* to use kyokunage for ryotedori, ryokata and katatedori. I tried to keep all three opponents in my sight as much as possible, looking to the next person as I was taking care of the one at hand, and making a concerted effort to move forwards and be proactive initating as much as possible. I tried to maintain Metski throughout, I felt that on this point I did quite well, it was the best part of the performance. I did not turn my back on them for long, too many times. It would have been nice to use a few more techniques, Kaiten nage and Tenchi nage in particular. I guess that any attempt for a 5th kyu doing san-nin jiyuwaza is prob not a bad effort.
(Lara for your info, as I know you wont know what Jiyuwaza is - it is where, in this case, for three minutes three people attack you as they please, trying to punch, strike or grab you, and you have to throw them using aikido techniques, or at least evade their attacks without freezing up or resorting to brute strength or nasty tactics, they do not use jab punches or try to kick and generally are fairly compliant going with the flow of any technique you attempt to use, provided that it done in such a way that it will work)
Pre shodan test training
Last week I was training with uchideshi Robin, we went through the entire test for a couple of consectative mornings. It was good as it gave me the chance to practice as uke, and also was able to practice all the techniques too. A great experience, enabling me to see a little more of where I am headed and what techniques I really strugle with. He has spent a lot of time alone with Nemoto Sensei and has a strong technique.
Last night I practiced and again tonight I will practice with sotodeshi Robin, he has improved a fair amount, but there were still a few moments of hessitation, and needed help with a couple of techniques. He wont be able to ask for help in the real test so he had better get it all set in his mind quick sharp. I am being told to be a good uke and go with the techniques and try to make him look good, or not look bad? On this I will endevour to do my best but if he frezzes then obviously I wont be able to help him. As sotodeshi tonight will be his last chance to train, unless he comes to Iwama for morning classes. I dont know if he could get to work in time, after, sure that he could, if he only stayed for the first hour, and left at 6.30am. Will be interesting to see if he does come, I wont be suprised if he doesn't, but then again I wont be too suprised if he fails the test. It depends how badly he wants it, but then again there is always next time around.
Last night I practiced and again tonight I will practice with sotodeshi Robin, he has improved a fair amount, but there were still a few moments of hessitation, and needed help with a couple of techniques. He wont be able to ask for help in the real test so he had better get it all set in his mind quick sharp. I am being told to be a good uke and go with the techniques and try to make him look good, or not look bad? On this I will endevour to do my best but if he frezzes then obviously I wont be able to help him. As sotodeshi tonight will be his last chance to train, unless he comes to Iwama for morning classes. I dont know if he could get to work in time, after, sure that he could, if he only stayed for the first hour, and left at 6.30am. Will be interesting to see if he does come, I wont be suprised if he doesn't, but then again I wont be too suprised if he fails the test. It depends how badly he wants it, but then again there is always next time around.
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