A Gaijin in Japan
By Dave Robbins, Katsujin
Ryu Budokai
Dave
Robbins, a student of Walt Bushey sensei, President of KIAI, recently traveled
to Japan for a month. Daves hosts were friends of Bushey sensei who live in
Kunitachi . Dave was able to see the Gishi-sai, many katanakaji and the highlight
was an introduction to Sekiguchi Komei sensei, 21st grandmaster of Muso Jikiden
Eishin Ryu Iai-jutsu. The following are excerpts from Daves experiences with
Sekiguchi sensei.
My first Japanese dojo adventure!
I opened the large double doors, and allowed Naomi`s mother to enter first (forgive me - I still cannot keep track of her name). She was the one to set up this appointment, and is good friends with the sensei. Bowing deeply, I stepped into the waiting area to remove my shoes and jacket. This room opened up into the main practise floor. The ceiling was a good 25` tall by my estimation, and the practise floor was divided into two equal squares, each about 50`x 50` square. To the right side was a karate class in session. All but a few of the participants wore black belts. There were perhaps 30 karateka`s; male and female. As I shifted my gaze to the left side, the sensei approached. He looked to be in his early fifties, but I have learned over the course of my trip to not trust my eyes when it comes to determining the ages of the japanese people. Perhaps it is all the exercise they get walking to an fro in the course of a day. I know that their diets are much healthier than ours in the states. Very rarely, if at all, do you see anyone overweight. He stood at about 5`4", was lithe and cat-like in his movement, and when he shook my hand, I could sense his strength and vitality.
At the sensei`s arrival, I bowed ever more deeply and assumed a `seiza` position directly in front of him. Keiko introduced us. His name is Komei Sekiguchi, and he is the President General of the Komei - Jyuku Iai-do Association, President of the International Association of Iai-do, President of the Japanese Association of Classical Martial Art Iai-do, and 21st Grand-Master of Musojikiden Eishin Ryu Iai-Jyutsu Double Woah!!!! He produced his card to me, which I have for you, a brochure, and some newspaper clippings of events he has participated in. Reaching into my pocket, I produced a Carlos Nakai CD (an Native American Indian instrumentalist) I had picked up for him in the states as a gift, and your business card. He thanked me and intently studied your card. Since my language skills are not advanced enough, I could not tell him of my training lineage, but Keiko did the best she could.
He then led us across the floor, where a chair had been arranged for each guest. Mako, Naomi and her mother, Keiko and her mother, and myself. On the floor, replete in hakama and jacket, practising, were six women. At Sensei Sekiguchi`s command, they each introduced themselves, then sat opposite us, as sensei produced a katana for my inspection. This sword had the widest blade I have ever seen! The tsuka itself was at least 14" in length. The blade looked to be two and a half inches deep. When I lifted it, it was very hefty. I marveled at it`s shimmering edge! Once I handed it back to him (properly, of course, as you taught me!), he called to two of the women, and they produced rice paper. The women held each corner, and he deftly proceeded to slice the paper in half, using shinchokugiri. Then, he demonstrated a variety of the Eishin ryu techniques from seiza. They were all very similar to our Gendai Goshin, with minor differences. Then, he told Keiko that if I wanted to, I could participate in his class! I began to squirm a little in my seat (LOL), complaining to Keiko that I had no uniform to wear, but she said that it was all right. The sensei noted my consternation and said to join in anyway, and to enjoy myself. This class was a master class, so he did not expect perfection from me. When he told me this, I was floored (and relieved)! All of these women were his ushi-deshi senpai! Wow!!!! He handed me a bokuto, complete with plastic saya (which I`ve been looking to find for us ever since that night. They work great!), and extended his arm towards the ushi-deshi, signaling me to rise and join them. I thrust the saya through my belt, adjusted the heavy, black sweater I was wearing (I nearly sweated to death too, by the way), and stepped onto the floor. Keiko interjected at that moment to ask him if I could demonstrate some of our dojo`s techniques. Gulp! Now, I must tell you, to be in a true japanese dojo can be an unnerving experience for any gaijin who is a practising martial artist (ie: white belt!). I hadn`t had a decent training schedule since moving to Ruidoso, and I knew I`d be rusty at best. I began to assume seiza, but he asked me to demonstrate standing. I performed Mae for him, almost perfectly, except my timing at the end could have been better. He stopped me and proceeded to do the same technique, explaining (in japanese - drats!) to the other guests that `noto` was the most important thing in any japanese sword technique. I then demonstrated Kamae, and Happo-giri kata`s for him. His head moved in approval and I thought I caught the glint of a smile! Thank you Sensei Bushey!!!!!!!
He proceeded to demonstrate three kata, all involving multiple attacks against three and four opponents, then asked us to repeat the techniques for him. The women all performed beautifully, and I followed as best I could. The more times we did them, the easier it became for me to perform the techniques. Whew! Not since watching you, Walt, have I seen such good technique. You would have been right at home there! I hope I can remember what I was shown! I noticed many things which you have instructed us in, namely the Parting Grass method, which was a featured section of one of the kata`s. The thing that was most different was `Uke-nagashi`. He would do a small, offline jump, stamping down his left foot first, then his right, as he completed the movement. Also, now that I`m relating these things to you, they would first complete their footwork, then bring the sword to a finish. What suprised me the most though, was the lack of offline movement in most of the techniques. Only a few times did the sensei ever move offline, and when he did, it was very slight.
Then we took a small break for tea, and I rejoined my comrades, whom were full of compliments for my quick learning. Keiko`s mother commented on my strong technique, and that I looked just as good as the ushi-deshi! Imagine my relief at hearing those words coming from a japanese `local`! She said I was like Mt. Fugi-san. While we refreshed ourselves on the hot, green tea, each one of the ushi-deshi performed their favorite techniques.
The most impressive demonstration came from the oldest ushi-deshi. She could have stared down a pissed-off grizzly bear! Yowza! She was armed with Naginata, sickle and chain. Her technique was astonishing! She and the sensei had a mock fight, and she defeated each one of his attacks. I`m positive it was to show Naginata technique. Then, she dropped the weapon, and produced the sickle and chain. Wow! I don`t ever want to be on her bad side! At one point, she wrapped up sensei`s katana with the chain, chopped down with sickle, trapping his sword at the tsuba, and yanked the weapon out of his hands and across the room! Sensei laughed and apologized to us! What a character! You would have loved it!
Then, I got the courage to ask if I could demonstrate 'Toyama Nidan' for them. His eyes lit up and he said "Dozo!" I performed the technique, and at the close, everyone of the ushi-deshi stood up and cheered for me. Man, what a feeling!
At the close of our class, we took pictures together. I sat next to sensei on his left. He then told Keiko that I could return and train with his class anytime I wanted! You make me so proud, Walt! Sensei Sekiguchi was very impressed with my abilities and wanted me to relay to you that you are a very good teacher! I was so proud to be a representative of your dojo! Thank you sensei! Thank you!
As we left the budokan that night, I determined that I would return as soon as I could. And over the course of these last few days (which I have yet to tell you about), I have secured a beautiful silk hakama, jacket, and bokuto to use. The hakama is not the most practical, but wait til you see it!
So, was this story worth waiting for? I was flying the whole way back on the train (Train? What train?) to Kunitachi. Mako and I stopped at a little bar for a victory nightcap, and then proceeded home, where I promptly passed out, dreaming samurai dreams.
(Please, visit the website of Bushey sensei at http://katsujin.org/ )