それは「いつまでも師匠のそばについて教わるだけでは最良とは言えません。師匠のそばにいて”先生”、”先生”と言われるうちに失うものが少なくないからです。小さくても構わないから自ら教える場所を作ること。少なくても構わないから自分の言葉を伝える相手を持ち、相手の言葉にも耳を傾けて共に研究すること。そして、自分の出来る方法で構わないから良いものを分かち合おうとする努力を怠らないこと。それが誠の普及と発展に繋がります。」
その言葉を胸に、私は2007年5月に自らの道場を開設し、18年間、週７日7ヶ所16クラスで100名以上の生徒たちと毎日稽古と研究に努めています。
I moved to the United States in May 2000, and lived and practiced karate in Salt Lake City, Utah for three and a half years until returning to Japan in 2003. I was given the opportunity to meet and interact with wonderful athletes and instructors while competing in tournaments held in Utah, California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New York, and Hawaii. I also had the opportunity to meet pioneers who came to the United States in the 1960s and 1970s and worked hard to spread and develop karate. Here are some words I received from one of those great teachers:
This is because, “It is not optimal to simply stay close to your teacher and learn from them forever. There is much to lose while being called “sensei” (teacher) and staying close to your teacher. It doesn’t matter if it’s small, but create a place to teach yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s small, but find someone to share your thoughts with, listen to what they have to say, and study together. And never give up on the effort to share what is good, even if it’s in your own way. This will lead to the spread and development of sincerity.”
With these words in mind, I opened my own dojo in May 2007, and for the past 18 years, I have been practicing and studying every day, 7 days a week, in 16 classes at 7 locations, with over 100 students.