Teaching to make mistakes

Tuesday was a big night of training and Soke covered an awful lot.

Before Soke arrived, Noguchi sensei got us started with some subtle and slippery moves. Once Soke showed, it was all business.

He first moved against a strike, sliding just outside the attacker's arm, keeping very close. He talked about using the elbow to assist in control. When his Uke tried to describe the feeling, it was "kanji nashi," without feeling. "Don't try to make a copy (of my movement)," he said. If copies aren't made of the right stuff, they're garbage. Instead, use the connection of the opponent to tie them up like a rope.

When folks got up to demonstrate, he commented on Taijutsu's SHU-HA-RI, the beats of its movement. The RI signifying the aspect of space or leeway in one's technique.

What I found most interesting was when he described actually moving in the kukan, "I am teaching you to make mistakes," he said with a smile. "You are not simply moving against the arms and legs of the opponent, but something else..." Often it is the 'perception of control' that is enough to actually control the opponent - "Sometimes one finger is enough." To move like this takes "yuki," courage, or to be like yuki, snow - it was unclear, even for the translators.

Soke commented he wanted everyone to be able to take ukemi with weapons, not simply fall down wearing them. He also said to make certain you train safely, caring for the well being of your partner/opponent.

Soke mentioned an aspect of his upcoming book and how the samurai and their Budo came from regular people. The samurai were the bodyguards of the wealthy landowners, whereas in England, the landowners were actually the knights.

A student of ten years also took the Godan test; Noguchi sensei administered. After he was hit the first time, Soke said, "You must forget yourself. Wait for Noguchi to give you the sign. He will send it." After the second hit, he said, "You still have some aspect left of yourself. You are trying to pass. Don't try to pass." He was given a third chance, but was struck again.

We'll be training with Nagato sensei and Noguchi sensei today.