Sushi Deshi, 1 year in Japan

And Hajimemasho!

First Senshusei class is starting, Nakao Sensei, Kanazawa Sensei and Takashima Sensei spoke about the essence of the senshusei course, how I should behave and what I should keep in mind at all time. It was quite intense. To mention some exemples, as a senshusei, what ever is being asked by the Sensei, even if unreasonable, you should accept it and stay neutral, don`t judge, stay pure (Suno Kokoro?), you have to be always aware of your surroundings, in case of potential threats against Sensei`s or Students, always be ready for war, war is everywhere.

And some other Japanese proverbs:

• Ichi Go Ichi He, this moment could be the last

• Jo zen sai Jo, to be always ready and alert

• Tatsu tori Ato wo Nigo Sazu (When Bird leaves, everything must be clean), to express the Zanshin

After that I could enjoy some boot camp training, Kiritz!! Seiza!! Seiritz!! Ichideske!!!! Migihanmi Kamae!!! Kamae Nori !! Seiza Ho!! which are all the basic commands (Gore) for standing up, sitting down, on the line, come face to partner...etc I know them very well now.

In the following days, I had to start learning my japanese introduction speech that I have to give for the demonstration on the 20th of April. As a first Senshusei, Takashima Sensei wanted me to open the demonstration with this speech, and give some explanations on the principles of Aikido as well. In Japanese of course.

So it was something like that:

"Sengenkan Dojo Dai itchiki Senshusei Francois Laharrague to moushimasu,

1981 nen, Kugatsu jyuu ichi nichi umare

Furansu Koku, LaRochelle shi shushin

Chichi wa Jean Michel Laharrague, haha wa Sylvie to moushimasu

Senshusei wo tsuji Nihon no kokoro de aru, wa no seishin aikido no waza, so shite Nihon no bunkao manubitai to omoimasu. "Shonen Oyiasuku, Gaku Narigatashi. Issun no koin Karonzu Bekarazu"

Isshokemme Gambarimasu no de goshido gobentatsu no hodo, Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu."

And then some explanations about Aikido 

"Aikido wa Ken no Riai wo tai ni arawashita budo desu. Sengenkan Dojo de wamazu Kihon no shisei zukuri wo Saiyu no kamae to roppon non kihon dosa de shuren shimasu.

Subete no waza wa kono kamae wo kihon to shite hodokosare.

Mata subete no ugoki wa kono roppon no dosa ni shuyaku saremasu."

Voila...

In addition I have to lead the Kihon Dosa Renzoku, basic movements performed in a sequence, with the kids of the dojo, and take Uke for several Sensei, quite a busy demonstration!

So this month was very much focused on the preparation of the demo, and many aikido classes had to be skipped to make sure everything was ready for the arrival of the guests. I also started to learn some Ushi deshi beaviors, along with Japanese manners, etiquette, and cleaning Senshusei tasks.

I had my first teaching experiences in Kawagoe with Kinder garden kids and Junior High kids. Totally terrifying. I`m not the "Kid" kind of guy, I really feel naked when a kid is looking at me, I can feel his scanning process happenning, his instant and accurate judgement, his thoughts "Hmmm this is an easy one...How am I gonna annoy him?". They are just a very good mirror of your inside. That`s why it`s scary, if you are not confident. I`ll do better next times. I will have time to improve since the lessons are 3 afternoon in the week from 2 to 6pm. Exhausting. 

To summarize, This month was very very very busy, and I`m stuffed with many new information and concepts to remember, and a new language to listen to all the time. About the dojo, I have a bit the same feeling than the city Dojo in Melbourne, where I come from. This dojo might not be high in numbers of students yet, but with what I could see so far, they compensate with a very strong spirit and dedication. I have been moved by the kindness, generosity and respect that they are demonstrating everyday.