10th Nov 2008
Reflections on Japan by Suzanne Guy
The celebration of Kobayashi Dojo’s 40th anniversary in September presented an opportunity for me to visit Japan for the first time in the company of three other members of Tenshinkan dojo in Chicago. This extraordinary experience allowed me to not only witness and practice Aikido in new ways, but also to meet Aikidoka of different nationalities and levels of training.
The opportunities for unique training seemed endless and included Meiji University, a seminar with The Doshu and Kobayashi Sensei, a class at Hombu Dojo, a class with Hiroaki Sensei, and a large demonstration that showed each country’s unique style of Aikido. After long training sessions, delicious food (such as octopus balls, beef, salty plums, sake, and beer) was shared as we learned of each person’s experience of Aikido in Japan. The three-day trip to Wakayama Prefecture, O’Sensei’s birthplace, was a highlight of the trip for me, accentuated y the breathtaking Nachi waterfall and O’Sensei’s hometown.
Over the two weeks spent training at unfamiliar dojos, eating celebratory meals after strenuous training sessions, and touring some of Japan’s most breathtaking sites, a sense of camaraderie between all of us grew no matter the language barrier. By the end of our stay, my traveling companions and I (who included Stephen Toyoda Sensei, Jordan McClure, and Chris Steele) felt that we had made some wonderful friends whom we hope to keep in contact with. On the eleven-hour flight home to Chicago, I could not help but reflect on how the philosophy of Aikido had been reflected in the moments between techniques and outside of training when people showed remarkable kindness and positive energy with us. Whether it was people joining in singing “Dancing Queen” for karaoke after a night of touring, eating, and drinking sake, or explaining the differences in dojo etiquette, one could see first-hand the incorporation of Aikido philosophy in everyone’s lives.
Suzanne Guy is a 5th kyu student at Tenshinkan Dojo in Chicago, IL.
