When translated into English, the Japanese word KEIKO 稽古'' is expressed as practice,” but KEIKO 稽古'' means thinking about ancient times.” I like that KEIKO 稽古 because thinking about ancient times allows me to face myself deeply. Learn from ancient times, apply it to modern times, and make the future better.
I also like to imagine and create. When I go to sleep I imagine forms, and in my dreams I am able to meet and learn from warriors and masters whom I would never meet in the real world, and then when I wake up I spend my days putting them into practice. When I want to actually join hands and conduct research or experiments, I get the help of a training partner at home. I made this using the wooden man Tsubaki, a training tool used in the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun, as a reference. I first made the first one in 2000, and improved it so that the arms and legs could move. The one I have at home now is the third generation, and has been improved upon many times. He is a reliable partner who helps me turn my imagination into reality.
A famous karateka was asked by an interviewer. ” What is KATA?” The karateka answered. ” KATA is a blueprint.” What is KATA to me? I pondered. The answer I had in my heart was this. ” KATA is telepathic.” I expand my imagination about KATA every night at bedtime. I will practice what I imagined when I wake up and practice KATA. Then, at a certain time, words arrive in my head and flash. A few years ago, I met the founder of Wado-ryu in my dream, and I was able to receive his guidance. It’s in a dream, but I heard his voice and he touch me. By practicing KATA, we can touch the spirit, wishes and prayers of our Grandmasters, and their kindness.
I practice in 3 classes every Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. There are a lot of beginners today, so I thought about how to tell them about Ping An 3 Dan at home until departure. It was the same yesterday, but it’s still important to go back to the basics. I realize that I’m the one who makes simple things difficult. Like making soft and stretchy things hard.
I also had a good sweat this morning. Or rather, I sweated a lot. Tokyo was also hot from the morning, but I was able to do a good exercise. I decided to abandon my daily routines and habits at the end of May. By changing my consciousness and way of exercising, I started to lose unnecessary power from my body.
I received a question from a student who studied Kendo during his school days. “What is the difference between Kendo and Kenjutsu?” Rather than me telling the students “about the differences,” I hoped that the students themselves would be able to touch the sword and have the sword speak to them. I have considered that Sword Defense No. 2, Knife Defense No. 1, and Basic Kumite No. 3 have techniques that can be applied to each other. and used them in free kumite.
