Sundays with Soke

Had our first training yesterday morning with Soke. He looks and sounds great. He opened by speaking to the theme of the year, "Saino Konki." Saino is ability, kon (tamashi) is spirit or soul, and ki (utsuwa) is vessel or container. The way these elements blend together refers to each person's capacity for growth both in training and spiritually for our lives. He said no one has ever reached this level in training.

Before class started, he also made vague reference to next year's theme, "Roppo shujin" or something close to it. It refers to the 6 senses or the sixth sense and laughter. It was not clear and said almost in passing.

Training was the usual effortlessness we have come to know and respect of Soke. He moved against swords and sticks and turned them against his opponent with brutal results. He continually talked about not "wanting" to take the sword away from the opponent and spoke about wrapping the opponent up in the "rope" of their own intention. Great to see him in such terrific form.

We also attended Duncan Stewart's class. Duncan is from Australia and teaches a small class at Hombu on Sunday afternoons. We worked Ukemi, Taihenjutsu, and Taisabaki with much form and structure. Very interesting on several levels.

On another note, this morning we ran into one of the guys at yesterday's training. But he was on crutches with his leg wrapped from his toes to his knee. He had blown out his knee last night at dinner; had to be rushed to the hospital and was about to call for flights home. He needs surgery. Yesterday was his first day of training since arriving. It was a good lesson for us.

Today we'll have our first class with Nagato sensei - looking forward to it.

It's overcast and rainy here.