Aikido Newsletter May, 2004
Volume 3, Issue 5
YAMADA SENSEI’S COMMEMORATION OF PROFESSOR
TOMIKI’s 100th BIRTHDAY - part 3
The true meaning of what Dr Kano meant by 'the path to attaining
the right use of energy and co-survival of self and the others',
can be only attained when one reaches the state of 'mushin',
or emptiness of the mind. Furthermore, one can only talk about
the Professor Tomiki's teaching of 'mushin seishin', or empty
mind and sprit, without knowing its true meaning if his or
her knowledge is not based on such an experience. Upon hours
and hours of research, Professor Tomiki tried to make sense
of Japan's budo theoretically. It must have been this state
of mind and sprit that he really wished to convey to the people.
Just before his death, Professor Tomiki visited Ayabe, the
birthplace of Ueshiba Aikido, where he attained the state
of "God-and Human amalgamation". This story is marked
in an article in Aizen Shinbun newspaper.
What is wanted in this world now is not the power of philosophy
or organisations to which we belong but that our minds should
be free to decide how we make best use of them. I enjoy reading
a monthly article in Sankei Shinbun newspaper titled "Nihon
yo (Dear Japan)" by Shintaro Ishihara. In the 2nd of
April issue of the article, the author expressed his anxiety
about modern day society. He argues that the people's worries
and dissatisfactions are rooted in the 'thin fundamental axis'
in the social structure. In other words, the lack of vertical
ethics. He recalls the society before the end of the War,
in which people in their deep sense' had various kinds of
virtue of bushido, moderation, humbleness, self-sacrifice
and responsibility. He then turned his eyes to the present
situation and calls it "disgraceful cultures" (8).
I absolutely agree with his statement. At the same time, as
a professional of budo, I feel the responsibility in finding
what must be done.
The other day, I had an opportunity to attend a Meiji University
Aikido training camp by an invitation from Mr and Mrs Akira
Harada. It was a wonderful camp, in which the training was
well united under the supervision of Mr Harada. What I was
very pleased to see, in particular, is that the training was
given according to Professor Tomiki's teachings including
his Judo Taiso in a precise manner. Furthermore, what should
be learned through practicing of wazas (9) and what the budo
was for in the first place were taught over and over again.
At the end of the training camp, I had a chance to give a
speech. There, I mentioned these points and said that I would
like them to keep up with the good practice according to Sensei
Tomiki's teachings. It was my greatest pleasure to see every
one of about 40 students replied to me with crisp and lively
voice of "Hai! (Yes!)". The voices must have reached
Tomiki Sensei up in the sky.
This "what for" is the key question when judging
a matter whether it is for a good cause or for a bad one.
Having met the Shumpu Editor, Mr Futami, who is always stressing
this point, and Mr Uno in Shikoku, who also practices this
belief in his teachings, I look forward to seeing where the
world is heading in the fixture. In autumn 1948, professor
Tomiki returned from the War. Gradually he then started the
activities based on the Judo Taiso in order to bring his ambition
to the real life, which was mentioned earlier. By then, there
were a great number of his supporters including the seniors
at Waseda University and elsewhere and it was his glorious
time. He published the "Judo Taiso" with the help
of the father of one of his supporters, Mr Tadayuki Sato from
Hamamatsu. There is no doubt that Mr Sato had understood the
importance of his ambition. It was also around that time when
I called on Sensei Tomiki for the first time from Ueshiba
Shihan (10). By that time, I was lucky enough to have had
several years of training given directly by Shihan Ueshiba.
I had also been given three months of an intensive training
at Shihan Ueshiba's birth house in Kishu Tanabe.
Having had precious experiences during the three months,
I was ready to meet with Sensei Tomiki. Before then, when
Sensei Tomiki was teaching at Kenkoku University, I was also
going to Shinbuden everyday but I had never had an opportunity
to meet him. Now, what should we do as the students who have
been taught according to Tomiki Sensei's teachings? I search
for the answer while praying for the repose of the couple.
Gassho (in prayer)
7. What this means here is the Japanese
people in their deep, deep conscious and unconscious mind.
8. Translator's comment: There is no English
expression that can be used to convey the full meaning of
the original Japanese expression, 'haji o shiru bunka'. Even
if I were asked how I would interpret the expression explanatory,
I would loose words because I could not put them in words
even in Japanese. While I was translating this article, Sensei
Yamada himself also contacted several people in search for
a right expression, without a success.
9. Techniques
10. What is meant by the expression "from
Ueshiba Shihan" is that by then, Sensei Yamada belonged
to his Dojo
END
THANET MARTIAL ARTS
Thanet Martial Arts Centre was first established in the mid
60's and started as a Judo club. Since then many generations
of students from the surrounding areas of Margate, Broadstairs
and Ramsgate have been successfully taught the art of Judo.
Aikido was introduced to the Centre at around the start of
1993 and has grown to be very popular.
The Centre is situated in Zion Place, Margate, Kent CT9 1RP.
It has a permanently matted practise area of 146 sq metres.
with changing rooms, toilets and showers. The centre is a
non-profit making trust with a friendly atmosphere and a large
membership where you can pop in for a cup of tea and a chat
if you are not training or watch your children training and
meet other parents and members. With the demise of Joe McEnroe’s
Folkstone Group, Thanet Martial Arts offers BAA members a
viable alternative to practice with high grade fully insured
and approved instructors and coaches.
Club Leader Richard Todd, arranged a very successful course
on Saturday 8th May, 2004. Students enjoyed the technical
aspects of kata but were particularly enthusiastic when it
came to the Randori. It is proposed that another is held on
Saturday 23rd October, 2004.
Richard can be contacted on:
Dojo: 01843 292411
Mobile: 07749 008587
Home: 01843 588497
Email: info@thanetmartialarts.info
|