17th of Heisei Era, 2 665th year of the traditional calendar, March.
More than a year has passed since the inauguration ceremony of Shinshin Aiki Shurenkai , held in February last year, and I now feel regenerated. This year has run incredibly quickly for me.
I have recently been remembering and reflecting upon my father’s emphasis on a correct hanmi. Currently I am focusing strongly on the importance of keeping a correct hanmi whilst doing aikido. This is especially important for keeping one’s balance during techniques.
Some university students came over in March for an uchideshi stay and I was keenly made aware of the importance of kihon training. I am currently recognizing the profound significance of “static” training (1). Even now, in my training, I am constantly correcting my balance and hanmi while practicing Ken and Jo suburi.
I am waiting with great impatience for the next seminars to be held in Mexico and Brazil with Gaku Homma-Sensei ( Denver ), Vince Salvatore-Sensei ( Reno ) and Stefanie Yap-Sensei ( Florida ). I feel guilty to leave my Iwama students alone for two weeks, but, should it enable more people to feel closer to the Founder’s spirituality, needless to say, I will resist the pain in my hips to do my best. My sincere wish is to share with as many people as possible what I have named Shinshin-Aiki.
Recently, as my mother and I were having tea, we were speaking about the Founder’s religious devotion and she was telling me the Founder used to start and end each day with prayers. In fact, I can remember O-Sensei praying to the four directions in the early morning. My parents were so close to the Founder and his wife that it is impossible to tell my parent’s story without mentioning the Founder and his wife.
Every morning , I, as the Founder did, join my hands and pray to the Fudô divinity in the Tanrenkan. I offer these prayers on behalf of the Founder and my father.
I will come back for this after the workshops in South America.
Hitohiro.
17th year of Heisei Era, March (2005 March).
(1) In japanese : katai keiko . Katai means “tough” and keiko “training”. Katai keiko refers to a “static” practice of techniques (as opposed to the dynamic ki-no-nagare ), and aims at correcting angles and positions. When practicing katai keiko the uke should be resistant, strong and realistic in every moment of his attack. It is a key training to develop the technical precision and the body stability required in order to perform the dynamic ki-no-nagare techniques.