Winter 2004 Newsletter
Articles in this issue . . .
- Tracing the Line
- New School Aikido Kids' Section
- Wode's Editorial Section
- Interview with Soei Mouri Sensei
The Art of Peace
In your training, do not be in a hurry, for it takes a minimum of ten years to master the basics and advance to the first rung. Never think of yourself as all-knowing, perfected master; you must continue to train daily with your friends and students and progress together in the Art of Peace.
—Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei
Tracing the Line
An Interview with Isaiah Wisdom Sensei
by Chris King
Where have we come from? Who is this teacher, Hikitsuchi Sensei? Why isn't there more written about him if he was one of New School's founding teachers and a prominent student of O-Sensei's. These were some of the initial questions that motivated me to do this interview. Sitting down in New School's office one Monday afternoon in October, Isaiah poured forth to the accompaniment of a small Japanese water fountain trickling in the background.
Where did our school of Aikido originate?
Hikitsuchi Sensei and O-Sensei shared many of the same religious views and O-Sensei loved to train at the Kumano Juku Dojo because it was in the center of the Kumano Triangle which is created by three important Shinto shrines. It is an ancient area in Wakayama Prefecture and is thought of as the home of Japanese spirituality. One of the shrines is the Kamakura Shrine which was considered the birthplace of Japan and then there's the Nachi Waterfall Shrine where O-Sensei did water misogi. Hikitsuchi Sensei has also done water misogi there. They used to go there in search of the "dragon" which was the spirit of the waterfall. Interestingly, O-Sensei was sometimes called the Dragon King.
The third shrine is the Hongu. I might be wrong, but it actually completes the triangle. It's the shrine in Kinabi where O-Sensei's parents would go to pray for a son. Eventually a son was born to them and it was Morihei.
Is their dojo near one of the corners of the Kumano Triangle?
Yes. It's right near Kamakura which is a mountain shrine. It's a huge, giant rock which overlooks the entire city of Shingu.
Hikitsuchi Sensei was the youngest student to ever train with O-Sensei at the time. He was becoming a really prominent martial artist at the age of 14. At the time he held a black belt in both kendo and karate. His grandmother or aunt had originally enrolled him in martial arts to build his strength and character. One day someone gave O-Sensei a letter telling about this amazing boy and O-Sensei invited him to come and train with him. This was before the war and Hikitsuchi Sensei kept training during the war. But O-Sensei didn't come around too much at that time because he was sort of in hiding at the Iwama Dojo. After the war ended O-Sensei came to Hikitsuchi Sensei and told him that, "Everything's changed. We're doing it differently now." That's because in '42 O-Sensei had one of his powerful enlightenment experiences and then around that time they started building the Kumano Dojo.
Did Hikitsuchi Sensei start the Kumano Juku Dojo?
Yeah. He and O-Sensei built it and they called it the World Dojo, like the World Headquarters. John Smartt began training there in the 60's. O-Sensei was still alive but John didn't get to train at Hombu Dojo then because of where he was stationed in the service on the coast, closer to Shingu. He trained from '68 or '69 to '77 with Hikitsuchi Sensei and then in '78 John helped bring Hikitsuchi Sensei here by hosting his tour to the United States. There's even a picture hanging in the Kumano Juku Dojo of them sitting together in Stockton, California of all places. (laughs)
If we look at the "lineage", how was it handed down to you?
Well, I trained with John Smartt and Brandy Lucky. My first teacher was Pete Swingle who was a student of John's. After Pete, I trained with John and then with Brandy. In between there were other teachers from other lineages.
Does New School originate from John Smartt and Hikitsuchi Sensei?
Yeah, the direct lineage is that John trained with Hikitsuchi Sensei and kept an open line of communication and paid his tithe every year, and still does.
Plus, he was given a teaching certificate from Hikitsuchi Sensei and then came back to the U.S. and is teaching what he learned. He's been staying on that clear kind of path that Hikitsuchi Sensei was on.
So was he the one who started New School?
He was the founder of New School but he didn't just sever ties with the Kumano Juku Dojo. So we're still connected and anybody who wants to visit can. We will just write a formal letter of reference and you can go visit. The thing about it is that they're going to want you to stay for a period of time. Not just for one or two days. They're going to want you to stay for at least a month.
You mentioned earlier that Hikitsuchi Sensei and O-Sensei shared religious views. What were some of the views they shared?
As far as the spiritual part goes, Hikitsuchi Sensei truly believed that O-Sensei was the manifestation of the Aiki O-kami, the Great Spirit of Aiki or Aikido. And you know Aiki is the unifying energy but it's also written as the energy of love too. And O-Sensei wrote it both ways in his calligraphy.
One of the things I really liked about Hikitsuchi Sensei when I was there training was that he did the old Shinto rites and you would begin by sitting. If you were at a class you could actually sit there for a half hour. Hikitsuchi Sensei didn't teach, but he'd come out and do all the prayers to the Kami Sama so he would chant the Kotodama, the spirit sounds of the Kami. I'm afraid that some of this will be lost because the young guys just want to practice martial arts and they don't really want to keep the spirit alive.
I think it's crucial that we see it as Hikitsuchi Sensei and O-Sensei who felt that it was a form of misogi, the actual practice was a form of purification which makes us better. And that's why Onisaburo Deguchi, O-Sensei's spiritual teacher, suggested that O-Sensei call his art Aikido instead of Aikijujitsu; it really was because Onisaburo saw it as the way - as a way to get to heart, as a way to get to the path of enlightenment. And Hikitsuchi Sensei believed it too, that it truly was the way.
Kids Section
Year of the Monkey 2004
Monkeys are fun and loving persons who are always cheerful and energetic. They are very clever. Give a monkey a boring book to read and he'll turn it into a Musical. Better yet, he'll invite everyone to see it free! That's how talented, creative and generous monkeys usually are.
If you were born in the year: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, you are a monkey!
And those who are born in 2004 and 2016 will also be monkeys!
Girls Festival
March 3 is Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girls' Festival), when people pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls. Families with young daughters mark this day by setting up a display of dolls inside the house.
The dolls wear costumes of the imperial court during the Heian period (794-1192) and are placed on a tiered platform covered with red felt. The size of the dolls and number of steps vary, but usually the displays are of five or seven layers; single-tiered decorations with one male and one female doll are also common.
The top tier is reserved for the emperor and the empress. A miniature gilded folding screen is placed behind them, just like the real Imperial throne of the ancient court.
On the second tier are three ladies-in-waiting, and on the third are five male court musicians. Ministers sit on either side of trays of food on the fourth step, and the fifth row features guards flanked by an orange tree to the left and a cherry tree to the right.
The practice of displaying these dolls on the third day of the third month on the traditional Japanese calendar began during the Edo period (1603-1868). It started as a way of warding off evil spirits, with the dolls acting as a charm. Even today, people in some parts of the country release paper dolls into rivers after the festival, praying that the dolls take people's place in carrying away sickness and bad fortune.
Most families take their beautiful collection of dolls out of the closet around mid-February and put it away again as soon as Hina Matsuri is over. This is because of an old superstition that families that are slow in putting back the dolls have trouble marrying off their daughters.
Wode’s Editorial Page ……… ’cuz I’m the editor, that’s why!
Huge Winter Edition
OK everybody, we got a big winter edition, (‘cuz why, Wode?) I got too giddy on eggnog and put everything in this issue. Besides, if you run out of wood, you can use this edition as a log substitute!
Holiday Potluck Huge Success!
If you didn’t make it to the Holiday Potluck at the dojo on Friday December 20th, you missed a wonderful evening. Wisdom Sensei and Katie decorated the dojo beautifully. It was a wonderful warm beginning of the holiday season. I hope more of you can can attend next year. We had an incredible evening of food, festivities and genuine friendship and community!
The Order of the Red Stripe
I have a red duct tape stripe I wear on the right shoulder of my gi when training on the mat. Some people have asked me what it means. I jokingly say it is because I am incredible aikidoka, but the truth is I have a shoulder injury and the red duct tape means to take it easy on that part of my anatomy. It also reminds me, if I forget, that my doctor told me to keep my right elbow next to my body. So if you see me with my right elbow away from my body, let me know, ok?
Now, others are trying to copy my “fashion statement.” Uve wears a red electrical tape stripe around his upper right arm. His arm is broken. I was fortunate to see the pain and disbelief in his eyes when I forgot to pay attention to the red stripe on his arm. It was incredible! I’m really sorry, Uve! Tricia Lewis is wearing a green stripe on her right shoulder. She prefers the green to red. Is there some kind of mystical healing with color going on there, Tricia?
Japanese Culture
In continuing to bring you Japanese culture, I was asked (hmmm…I need a letters to the editor section…hmmm) why I have all this Japanese culture stuff in an Aikido newsletter. Well, Aikido was formed from many of the great martial arts in Japan. It was steeped in Japanese culture from the beginning. It is always good to know where your roots are planted.
Chris King has done a wonderful interview with Wisdom Sensei giving us a look back to where our Aikido roots and lineage lie. We have an un-broken link from O-Sensei to Hikitsuchi Sensei to John Smartt Sensei to our own Wisdom Sensei. Kathleen Silver has done an outstanding interview with Soei Mouri Sensei of the Omotesenke Cha-no-yu or Chado (Way of Tea). For the past few years Mouri Sensei has held a memorial tea ceremony for O-Sensei here at the dojo. It was last year’s tea at the dojo when I asked Mouri Sensei if I could become her student. In May I began my training in the Omotesenke Chado. Being in the teahouse every week gives me a feeling that is beyond words. It is also helping me learn Japanese faster.
Aikido and the Chado are so close to each other that, in my opinion, they go hand in hand. In the Chado, the spiritual aspect is most important. The basic principles of Chado are expressed in the words harmony, respect, purity, and tranquillity. Harmony can be created between persons, between objects, between a person and an object... among all matters of the world. In Chado, we should respect everyone and everything without distinction of status or rank. In Chado, spiritual purity is essential. We can embody tranquillity only when we make harmony, respect and purity our own. By learning Chado, we seek to obtain an ultimate peace of mind. The Grand Tea Master (Sen Soushitsu XV) teaches the thought of: "Peacefulness through a Bowl of Tea."
The Way of Tea is also deeply influenced by Zen thought. In a sense, the ideal spirit of Chado is a kind of spiritual mind. The essence of Chado can be understood as the guiding principle for life for each person. The spirit of Chado is universal.
Call for Spring Quarterly Articles
Now that I’ve used up all the articles I have, I need more! My folder is empty. So please contribute to your New School Aikido Spring Quarterly. I’m looking for articles about aikido, Japanese culture, Japanese language, recipes, games, puzzles, riddles, dojo gossip, movie reviews, letters to the editor, photos, whatever! This is your newsletter; I’m only the editor!
Final deadline for articles, etc. for the Spring Quarterly is March 2, 2004.
Uchi Deshi of the Month: Carlos Gomez!
Interview with Soei Mouri Sensei
Omotesenke Japanese Tea Ceremony
By Kathleen Silver
Kathleen--So Sensei, for a number of years now you have been coming to the New School Aikido dojo and helping us commemorate Morihei Ueshiba’s memorial day. We always really appreciate it a lot.
Mouri Sensei–Ah, same to me too.
K–The tea ceremony is a major influence on the culture of Japan.
Sensei–Today, not major. This time, not major.
K–But it use to be?
Sensei–Oh, yes. Starting was Samurai and Monk, that kind of person. Ruling persons, but common person, no.
K–How did you get involved with the tea?
Sensei–Do you mean me or somebody?
K–You, personally.
Sensei–Ah....I miss Japanese culture. That’s why I started.
K–You mean here in America.
Sensei–Hai (yes.)
K–How long have you been in America?
Sensei–About 30 or 35 years.
K–Had you taken lessons before you came?
Sensei–Not seriously.
K–But you had been to tea before?
Sensei–Yes, with my uncle–he was monk. It was a family tradition.
K–Will you tell us the O-Kashi (a sweet eaten before drinking the tea) story?
Sensei–Oh, yes, (giggles) I didn’t like tea ceremony when I was little girl, but during that time not much sweets available. (During end of WWII). I go to temple with uncle and they give me the sweets. And after eat sweets, we must drink green tea.
K–How old were you then?
Sensei–I was, ah, maybe 5 year old.
K–You missed Japan when you came to the states. Were there other reasons you started tea?
Sensei–I moved from Japan. At that time my first child was a couple of months old. And I needed break. You know, 24 hour, 365 days take care of baby and meal–too
much for me. I need break time. At that time, tea ceremony teacher asked me to come and take lesson. Its good excuse, so once a week I have break time and have tea lesson. It’s peaceful and visit new friends.
K–So how does the tea affect your life today?
Sensei–Its very important for my life, tea ceremony is very important for me.
K–Can you tell us how it’s important?
Sensei–Right now my children they are grown up and I have business (booking American entertainment into Japan) and of course housewife, which is a whole life time business (giggle), but Tea Ceremony is peaceful for me.
K–You’ve been a teacher for quite a long time now?
Sensei–Yes, twenty some years..
K–Why do you teach?
Sensei–I like to share Japanese culture and I am teaching tea ceremony but I also learn from my students.
K–Is there a difference between Western and Japanese student for you?
Sensei–Students are the same in one way. In my experience, Japanese student is in one way easy–Japanese student from Japan I mean, easy because it is natural for them to move this way and that way. American people are a completely different kind of student, everyone starting brand new. How do you say “mu”– empty. So that’s why it is very important–if I make a little mistake, American student take in everything...(giggles). That’s why I must be very exact and careful.
K–You still have a teacher, don’t you?
Sensei–Yes.
K–So you think it’s important even though you’re a teacher yourself?
Sensei–Of course, of course. Must be student a whole life time.
K–And what is your teacher’s name?
Sensei–Kudibiashi Sensei. She lives in Tokyo. She is, I believe, 87.
K–She is in Tokyo, do you call her if you have questions?
Sensei–Oh, of course, if I do not understand, I must ask. That is why I am lucky. I can talk to her even though she’s in Japan. Like example, someone ask me some kind of higher level question. No one in this area has answer but my teacher very advanced and can answer question for us. She is student 60 years.
K–She’s been your teacher since you started serious lessons?
Sensei–No, first Oishi Sensei in bay area then about 15 years ago switched to Kudibiashi Sensei. Kudibiashi Sensei has been doing tea her whole life time. She has been teaching maybe over 50 years.
K–You’re an Omotesenke teacher. Can you tell me something about the linage of the Omotesenke School?
Sensei-Yes. Rikyu was first tea master (over 400 years ago.) Always in Japanese culture, father is master and then son will be master too. Omotesenke comes from first son. Other son cannot use Omote name. Right now we have 14 generation Omotesenke master, Jimyosai
K–In aikido there are different schools too. Can you say something about the style of learning in Omotesenke?
Sensei–I believe lesson is part by part. You don’t want a mistake. This we call “kata”–means “shape”. This one comes first, this one second, like that. Why we do like that has to do with mind and heart. In that kind of training.
K–Tell me about the mind and heart.
Sensei–Mind quiet, heart open. How to say? Try to be patient. Qualities of tea... harmony,
appreciation.....wa, kei, sei, and jaku. Wa–harmony. Kei–respect. Sei–purity. Jaku–tranquility. This is most important. You grow inside.
K–When doing a lesson or being at a tea gathering these are qualities that come up at that time?
Sensei–Hai....
K–What do you learn first in tea lessons?
Sensei–You start with usucha (thin tea) then koicha (thick tea) then many other parts. Starting usucha then ending usucha too. Zen monk does this too–like starting at one and then going to ten and then coming back to one again. Ichigo ichie–means each time new, never come back again to same place. One time–one meeting or experience.
K–In Aikido there are basic techniques–you learn these first. When you get to a different level you find yourself starting all over again with these same techniques but you are learning them from a different understanding.
Sensei–That’s right, that’s right. I am sure Aikido teacher too, of course basic training, but it is not only technique, he (Wisdom Sensei) is teaching also mind and patience, like open heart--not fighting....so different style but I think same as tea ceremony.
K–You often go to Japan on business but you always try to take a lesson when you are there?
Sensei–Of course. I am very lucky. I am able to go to tea at Omotesenke headquarters and can watch Iemoto (head master) do tea because I come from America. I try to do that at least once a year because I want to study, to watch, because if I am not sure, then I can not teach exactly. I want exactly.
K–You have watched Aikido at our dojo. Do you see any thing in Aikido that relates to tea?
Sensei–Many of the feelings there are the same. Some movements, flow. I don’t know Aikido, but my feelings match. I think Aikido means cleaning your mind, practicing patience and having peace.
K–You give lessons every week.
Sensei–Yes, but I must say, you know I give lessons twenty years. But what kind of 20 years is it? Iemoto (head master) sends us a teacher from Kyoto once a year. That kind of teacher everyday teaching, everyday drinking tea, but I have been teaching only twice a week. Everyday lesson, twenty years and once a week lesson, twenty years–it is very different. That is why we cannot say “how long do you take lessons”....each person different. This is a key too.
K–So if your are taking something like tea or Aikido the more you are able to take lessons and practice the better?
Sensei–Right, so you don’t have to go to Aikido class or tea class everyday if you don’t have time but you can practice in your house or in the garden or any place–it’s up to you. Some people want to know when lessons are done–its is not like that...you will grow inside...it is up to you....
K–Mouri Sensei, thank you so much. Taihen arigatou gozaimashita.
Sensei–Arigatou gozaimashita.
If you are interested in Omotesenke Tea Ceremony lessons, contact Mouri Sensei in Santa Rosa:
4319 Fistor Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-2616
TEL&FAX (707) 539-4707
TEL (707) 539-9202
Santa Rosa, California
880 Piner Road, #55
(between Range & Airway)
email Sensei Wisdom
phone 707.571.2013