My favorite summer training camp, where I get to see the smiles of these children, born from the charm of Wado-ryu Karate-Do, from morning to night, is coming to its final day tomorrow.
My karate career is only 37 years old, but I wondered how many times I have repeated the Heian Nidan that I first learned. I practice every day, sometimes 10 to 20 times, but if you count once a day, that comes to more than 10,000 times. “Why am I not bored now, just like I was 37 years ago?” I have practiced on the floor of the dojo, on dirt, sand, grass, pebbles, rocks, slopes, wet roads, and in rivers and oceans. I have practiced holding sticks, swords, driftwood, rocks, dumbbells, barbells, and balloons. Looking back on my life, I have been conscious of not doing repetitive exercises, hoping to make new discoveries every time, and to prevent getting bored or accustomed to them. As I continued to ask myself further, I realized that more than the effects and results of the training, I feel joy and value in the various reactions that my students show, and that this is one of the reasons I continue.
In just 15 days! The Wado-Ryu Karate Renmei’s 90th Anniversary, 9th International Tournament, and 60th National Tournament will be held at Tokyo Budokan.
After Saturday morning practice at the dojo, I visited the shrine. The 15th summer camp I will hold for three days and two nights starting next Friday. I promised God that I will do my best to ensure that the 24 students who will be participating have a fruitful time.
Today is the start of August. It’s been so hot for about a month now but I’m not going to give in to the heat, and in the remaining 23 days, I’m going to face myself more than ever and improve my mind, technique, and body!
There is one month left until the Wado-ryu Karate Renmei 90th Anniversary, the 9th International Tournament, and the 60th National Tournament. For over a month now, I have not done any strength training using barbells or medicine balls, and have instead been practicing using swords, Bo, Eku and Tonfa, focusing on abdominal pressure, center of gravity and axis. I am able to live without injury or fatigue, and my weight and body fat are at their best. This morning I suddenly wondered, “I wonder if my muscle strength and stamina have declined?” and decided to try it for the first time in a while. I once again realized that exercising feels good. Today I will be practicing hard in three classes from now until 9pm.
Suddenly the children asked me, “What does Chichinpuipui mean?” It was more than 40 years ago, but when I was a child and I injured myself, I remember my mother calming me down by saying, “chichinpuipui, go away, pain (chichinpuipui, itaiko itaino tondeike).” One theory about the origin of this phrase is that it means “knowledge, benevolence, and bravery, the treasures of the era (chijin buyu, goyo no ontakara).” No doubt grandmaster, schoolteachers, and parents raised their children with the hope and hope of saying, “You are a treasure of this world. Cultivate wisdom, compassion, martial arts skills, and courage, and live a strong life.” I will never forget that feeling, never lose Budo spirit, and continue to work hard every day.
At 8:10am, I saw my son and daughter off to school and started my research. Rain was forecast for this morning, so I tried out various things about KATA using the training equipment, Bo, and Japanese sword I have at home. I was so focused that I forgot about breakfast and lunch, and before I knew it, it was past 1:00pm. I have two classes this evening, so I would like to review what I learned yesterday and introduce to the students the results of this morning’s training.
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.
