Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Honne and tatemae

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honne_and_tatemae

Honne and tatemae are Japanese words that describe recognized social phenomena.

Honne (本音) refers to a person's true feelings and desires. These may be contrary to what is expected by society or what is required according to one's position and circumstances, and they are often kept hidden, except with one's closest friends.

Tatemae (建前), literally "façade," is the behavior and opinions one displays in public. Tatemae is what is expected by society and required according to one's position and circumstances, and these may or may not match one's honne.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Beginner's Mind

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
-T.S. Eliot

Saturday, August 14, 2010

CAA Spotlight: Mateel Aikido

Forest Kan Sensei

Russel Wisby Sensei

Friday, July 23, 2010

Interview with Nishio Sensei, 1984

Interview with Shoji Nishio (1984), Part 1

Aiki News #60 (March 1984)

Aiki News: "The following is [extracted from] a two-part interview of Shoji Nishio Sensei, a well-known 8th dan sensei instructing in the Tokyo area. The interview was held on May 22, 1983 in Tokyo."

AN: We understand that you first practiced Judo and Karate. What made you begin to train in Aikido?

Nishio Sensei:

"When I first came to Tokyo, I was rather frail. I didn’t do anything. In 1942, after the war broke out, I used to go to the city Judo dojo. I was working for a public office then. In 1944, after the air raids, I started working the night shift so I was unable to continue my training. The war ended on August 15, 1945 and I went to the Kodokan on the 1st of September of the same year. There wasn’t anybody. There wasn’t even any glass in the windows. It must have been melted by the heat during the air raids. There was only half the number of tatami. The only person there was the old caretaker. There were no application forms. I just used plain paper and left it there. Then, I was contacted by the Kodokan and received a certificate of approval to begin training. ...

It was Sodeyama Sensei who told Mr. Nakajima and me to go to see O-Sensei and so we went. It was around 1951. Anyway, I went to see Aikido and immediately joined the dojo. I was told to go and see but I never went back. (Laughter). ...

Mr. Tohei went to Hawaii in 1953. On his return, he brought back a leather coat which was impossible to obtain at that time in Japan. It had fringes like the ones you see in western movies. He had a leather coat when it was impossible even to obtain leather shoes… I really thought it was amazing. Then, that coat was skillfully stolen. That was what had happened when I turned up for training. I saw that all of the uchideshi had been made to sit in seiza and Mr. Tohei was shouting something. Then I heard that Tohei Sensei’s coat had been stolen. At that time Mr. Noguchi, Mr. Genta Okumura and Mr. Sunadomari were some of the uchideshi. Then O-Sensei appeared asking, “What’s up?” When Mr. Sunadomari explained what had happened O-Sensei responded: “Oh, it was stolen, was it?” (Laughter) Then he came into the dojo. Tohei Sensei also sat in seiza because O-Sensei entered. O-Sensei started to walk around them. We were really wondering what he was going to say. What he said was: “You’re the one to blame, Tohei.” Then, he disappeared. Tohei sat silently for a while. Then he, too, disappeared. Everybody was relieved and started training. (Laughter) After practice, I was leaving for home and ran into O-Sensei who was on his way to the bathroom. I went up to him and said, “O-Sensei!”. He said, “Ooh!” I asked, “A few minutes ago when Tohei Sensei had his coat stolen, you said he was the one at fault. Why did you say that?” He answered, “Don’t you understand why? Those who practice budo shouldn’t have that kind of spirit (kokoro). One shouldn’t show off things which people desire to have. You can show off things you can give, but otherwise you shouldn’t. Poor man, he took the coat because he wanted it. However, by taking it, he became a thief. It’s all right to have the coat stolen, but he was made a thief. Stealing is a bad thing, but the man whose coat was stolen committed the original sin. He created the occasion for an opening (suki) in the man. As a budoka (martial artist), that’s bad.” I was really amazed and I learned the depth of Aikido. To tell the truth, when I was practicing Judo, Mifune Sensei’s house was robbed twice in his absence. Those incidents were written up in a monthly magazine entitled “Judo” published by the Kodokan. Mifune Sensei was quoted as saying, “The next time he robs my house in my presence, I will catch him no matter what happens, even if I am killed!” An old man, nearly seventy was saying he would catch him even if he was killed… I was really impressed by Mifune Sensei’s reaction at that time. However, there was a big difference between O-Sensei’s and Mifune Sensei’s words. One was saying he would catch him even if he was killed and take him to the police. The other was saying that the thief took it because he wanted it and that he should be let to have it, that it was the person who was robbed that was at fault. There was a world of difference between the two spirits. I thought that even though one practiced Judo all of his life, he could only reach this staqe. On the other hand, I thought that the depth of Aikido as budo was great. It was that incident which caused me to stop my Judo training. O-Sensei’s way of thinking appeared in practice itself. He said, “It’s wrong to use the words ‘winning and losing’. You shouldn’t think in those terms.” His words were great. As we continue to live I think it’s important to digest all of his words."

Shoji Nishio Sensei

Shoji Nishio Sensei
Rank: 8th dan, Shihan, Aikikai
December 5, 1927 - March 15, 2005
Dojo: Tokyo-Yokohama area, Japan

Nishio Sensei: shihonage

Nishio Sensei demonstrates shihonage. This point about the basic problem of the entry is something I have been thinking about lately.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Tom Gambell Sensei, Feb 1987

Sensei Tom Gambell San Dan demonstration with Sensei Pat Hendrick at the Aikido West dojo in February 1987.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Gozo Shioda at Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration c. 1980

Yamashima Sensei - Open and Close - Manchester 2008

Monday, June 14, 2010

Traditional Aikido of Santa Rosa on the "levels of training."

Training Levels

There are three basic levels of practice that can be applied to almost every technique. Through familiarization of these categories, one can grasp the stages of development most aikidokas go through. The first is the solid or rigid type. It is the fundamental level of practice, in which the partner is allowed to get a firm grasp or hold before the technique is started. The subsequent movement permits one to practice stable hip movements, "ki" extension, coordinated body movements, breathing, and other basics. The solid practice lets one move slowly against strength and power in order to feel the proper movement. The second level is the flexible approach. This intermediate step allows one to add timing and movement to the previously mentioned basics. This level is practiced by having the aggressor get close enough to almost grab or hold the aikidoka. This practice has the defender moving slowly, yet deliberately just before a complete grip is established. The third level is the flowing approach. The attacker is led even before actual physical contact is made. The attacker's intentions are drawn in and led to a throw or a hold down technique. Rhythm and timing are very important as is reading the attacker's intentions. It is at this level that one can practice "free wheeling" technique. The ability to perform flowing movements and to efficiently respond to attacks is quickly developed. When one trains and studies these fundamental parts of Aikido, one can progress to the art of "Takemusu Aiki" described later.

I offer my take on some of these ideas on my friend Janet's training blog.