Return of the Pink Panther...slippers

Last night we had another great training with Soke. As soon as he showed, we got right to it.

He began tossing one of the senior students around - his slight movements concealing a raw power that was difficult for anyone on the receiving end to describe. A good deal of head shaking took place.

After a particularly slippery exchange with a bo staff thrown back on his Uke, Soke said to use the, "inspiration of the moment," when moving against the opponent. Try not to get locked into moving only on a single path, for it becomes difficult to make changes.

When he opened his Uke to a variety of strikes, he commented that concentrating on form allows it to rot. Just like food, rotten form is no longer useful. If one`s spirit is not infused with their Taijutsu, it is no longer fresh and has no life. This was one reason he chose Saino Kon Ki as this year`s theme.

He went on, saying each and every movement need not be effective as long as they are all connected, just like the theory of rope to connect with the opponent and use them as if tying a rope. But actual rope need not be tied into a knot to be useful; the rope`s natural state allows it to bind with or without a completed knot. Such is Taijutsu with an opponent.

Ultimately, this year`s `no theme` theme is one of creation and creativity to work on whatever we would like.

After the bow out and handshakes to training partners, Soke slipped into a pair of Pink Panther slippers and said good night.


We`ve our last training with Nagato sensei tonight and Soke tomorrow.