No. 09

 

Thanks my John.

This story was translated by John Uchikura of my student from Aikinews-magazine vol.140

 

So, why aikido now?

 

They say that from long ago, Japanese had an ability to read each other’s feelings. We’re not talking about telepathy or ESP, but the ability to sense what a person feels or desires without having to give a lengthy explanation. For example, there’s the famous story of Saigo Takamori and Katsu Kaishu when Edo Castle was handed over to the new imperial army. The negotiations between the two enemies in the last days of the Meiji Revolution managed to avoid a final bloody battle, but there were surprisingly few words exchanged during these crucial negotiations. Both men realized that they were both trying to do what was best for the nation, and that aside from the fact that fate had put them on opposing sides, they really were quite similar in their thinking and their values. Things have changed completely between the Meiji period, and the Showa bubble years. People have changed from living based on philosophy and principle to living for the sake of profit and economic gain. We’ve lost something very important along the way, and someone has to sound a warning about these changes.

 

One of the characteristics of the Japanese is a permissive attitude towards other viewpoints, while suppressing individual desires in favor of living peacefully with others. This is the principle of harmony. We’re basically a nation of moderate people who believe that alls well that ends well. European society tries to live in peace while stressing individuality. As a result, there have been frequent wars. It’s a “winner takes all” philosophy.

 

Of all the martial arts, it is aikido that most clearly advocates the path of harmony. Although kendo and judo originally had such qualities as well, once they became a sport, winning and losing became important. One’s self worth becomes tied up with whether they win or not, and that becomes an obstacle towards the path of harmony.

 

So what’s wrong with the idea that being strong is good? For example, in the national high school baseball tournament, out of 2,000 or so high schools, there can only be one final winner. In that case, all the other players in the other schools have to experience the bitter taste of defeat. In judo, you see the winner jump for joy, and the loser striking the tatami in bitterness. Why can’t the winner praise his opponent? And why can’t the loser show more respect towards the victor? That’s what you get once something has been turned into a sport.

         

When it’s time for testing and grading the children, I tell the parents that I don’t care about whether their child is better than one child or another. I’m not worried about whether they are skilled or not. I want to recognize them for the effort they have put in and the improvements they have made since the last testing. I ask the parents, why can’t they praise their children for that, rather than comparing them to the other children around them?

         

As human beings, we are bound to have conflicts; however, there is also reconciliation. If you’re fighting with a lion, there’s no reconciliation: it’s eat or be eaten. But between people, we can make peace. After a conflict, we can agree to move forward peacefully. This is true wisdom, not knowledge. Having the courage to move forward peacefully is at the heart of budo. Making the first move towards peace is so important. This is the hanpo or half-step that Nishio Sensei always talks about. Even a half-step is enough, so make the first move.

         

Even if you undertake ascetic training like the yamabushi monks to discipline your spirit, it’s nothing more than self-satisfaction, or at worst, empty pride, if you don’t put that experience to use somehow. One needs to come down to earth from their ivory towers, feel the ground and share their knowledge and labor with everyday people. Sharing in the resulting bountiful harvest and helping to create a vigorous nation should be the ultimate goal of these pursuits.

         

I believe that hanpo or taking the first half-step is like coming down to earth. Aikido only comes to life when you put its philosophy to use in everyday life.

 

In Search of Identity

 

 

To be continued next……..