今日は、東京・赤羽にある私立小学校から空手道の紹介を依頼され参りました。 小学校1年生から3年生を対象に自作の紙芝居を用いて「正義」「勇気」「武道」について話しました。 気持ちが繋がったので、突きと上段受けを教えました。 一番盛り上がったのは、風船を用いて圧縮と膨張を学ぶ時間。最後に、平和と調和について子供たちと話してお別れしました。 I was here today because I was asked by a private elementary school in Akabane, Tokyo to give an introduction to karate-do. I told students from the first to third grade of elementary school about “justice,” “courage,” and “Budo” using picture stories “KAMISHIBAI” that I created myself. Once we connected, I taught them Tsuki and High Block. The most exciting part was learning about compression and expansion using balloons. Finally, I left the children with a talk about peace and harmony.この学校はカトリック教育を実践しており、校内には美しい聖母マリア像がたくさんあります。その像を眺めていると、1人のシスターが声をかけて下さり、校内にある聖母マリア像を紹介してくれました。「時代が変わっても失ってはいけない尊いもの」について語り合える時間となりました。お互いの自己紹介が最後になり知ったのは、その方は学校の理事長で、とても優しい方でした。素敵な笑顔で、「またお会いし楽しくお話ししましょう」と言って頂き別れました。 This school practices Catholic education, and there are many beautiful statues of the Virgin Mary on campus. As I was gazing at the statue, a nun called out to me and gave me a short tour of the school. We talked about the precious things that we must not lose, even as times change. She was the school’s chairman, and was very kind and gentle. With a gentle smile, she said, “Let’s meet again and have some fun,” and we parted ways.丘の頂にあるとても美しい場所でした。
Thank you so much for watching and supporting us for a year. This year started with a demonstration performance at a big event held in February. In March and September, I held promotion exams for my students, participated in a big competition in June, and in August, I hosted a summer training camp and an international exchange training session, and took part in the 9th International Tournament and the 60th National Tournament, which commemorate the 90th anniversary of Wado-Ryu Karate-do Renmei. I was able to do my best this tournament, which was my biggest goal this year. The last challenge of this year was DAN promotion examination of Wado-Ryu Karate-do Renmei. I tried for the 6th dan, two instructors tried for the 4th dan, and an adult and 4 elementary school students tried for the 1st dan, and all of them passed. I hope to cherish the time I spend with my students and continue to create opportunities for them to have encounters and experiences that will help them develop healthy minds and bodies. Arigatou Gozaimasita Katsuhisa Tomitaka
Every night before going to bed, I think about the Wado-ryu KATA.
“What is the founder of Wado-ryu, Hironori Otsuka Sensei, trying to tell us Wado-ryu students? What should we discover?”
When I continue to do this, one day I suddenly have an idea. The next morning, I try it out on my own body. This is my daily routine.
While practicing Eku’s KATA at the dojo last night, I felt that there were many movements and techniques that could be linked to Kenjutsu and karate-Do.
Just as various Bujutsu are connected, I am sure that we humans can join hands and connect our hearts to create a peaceful world together.
15th summer training camp held at Bumb Tokyo Sports Center for 3 days and 2 nights was a success. I think it took a long time for the 7-year-olds, who were experiencing it for the first time, but I hope it will become a good memory and experience for them and become a summer memory. Today, the students and I who have finished the Summer Training Camp are practicing at our usual dojo.
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!
