Another Good Week

This weekend I had a really great time participating in a meeting of Teatro Kanto, a theater organization run by members of the Filipino community in Tokyo.  This community has been so welcoming of Bryn and me!  I had a wonderful time doing acting exercises with them because I haven't really had an opportunity to do any acting since I've been in Japan.  If I can, I'd really like to audition for a community theater production while I'm here.  I really start to miss acting if I don't find an outlet one way or another.


Last night I also had a great time with James and Matsuzaki.  We went out for a night on the town in Shibuya that included eating, drinking, darts, dancing, and more drinking.  It was great because James was able to translate between Matsuzaki and me so we got to talk more in depth about things than is usually possible.  Those guys are terrific, and I'm sure we will be hanging out a lot in the future.


Getting back to Aikido, immediately following the test that was held on July 27th we began learning new techniques including:


-Hanmi Handachi (One sitting one standing) Katate Mochi (One hand grasp) Shihonage (4-directional throw) I, II  (In version 1 uke is pulling.  In version 2 he is pushing)
-Hanmi Handachi Katate Ryote Mochi Shihonage I
-Suwari Waza Yokomenuchi Ikkajo Osae I, II  (Kneeling technique/ side strike to the head attack/ First control I and II)
-Suwari Waza Shomenuchi Nikajo Osae I, II
-Suwari Waza Shomenuchi Sankajo Osael I, II
-Katate Mochi Ikkajo Osae I, II
-Ushiro Waza Katate Ryote Mochi Ikkajo Osae I, II


Click on the following link to see an amazing demonstration by an Australian Aikido teacher.  (The first thing he does in the demo is a bunch of kneeling techniques like we are practicing now):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEmpmHBMgsA


And here is an excerpt from one of Gozo Shioda's books that I came across.  Spend a little time with this thought!


It is said that aikido is the Way of Harmony. I think it is simple to explain this saying. If you face someone, and you can make that person’s animosity disappear, by your own true character, this is the Harmony of Becoming One. This is not a compromise. Harmony is a matter of having strength yourself, and then making the other your ally. He becomes your partner. This is “making harmony in opposition.” But, unless you accumulate virtue, it is impossible. To sum up, the foundation is your own inner strength.