Seminar Success

Congratulations, People!   There is much to Celebrate! having
successfully conducted this weekend Seminar!   Many tasks and
gestures were completed in great fashion, and, of course, those few
things that fall through the cracks at every Seminar that we will
file for next time.
AND Thank You so much for the the absolutely gorgeous bottle of
Gekkeikan Sake!  

We received $136 for shirts, $100 donation from WAAI (our parent
Federation) and $50 from Grand Marais dojo.  I am working with
the officers to take care of expenses. I will prepare thank yous for
these donations.
Shihan and WAAI also gave us a lovely art piece, written kanji
(Japanese characters) of the word “migoto” which means “splendid.”
Ally, Bill’s wife, was able to read the “fine print” that accompanied
this, basically noting our Anniversary, the dates,
and we believe, Shihan’s signature. As we are able to store and display
O-Sensei’s portrait for classes, I will get this framed for
our enjoyment, as well.
We gave Shihan a framed photo which I took in the Como Conservatory
Japanese Garden, showing the water fall, partially submerged rock,
reflected sky and two koi.  
We will live in the after glow of this event for a certain period of
time, and eventually, it will fade.  We will have our storied, memories
& Pong’s photos to remind us.  Other details and stories of what
happened behind the scenes will emerge and bring a
smile, hearty laugh, or rolling of the eyes, shaking of the head.
But our “ordinary” routine will continue.  Weekly practice is what we
do in between such events.  Making room for the benefits and
enjoyment of Aikido practice is a very good choice, and I hope you will
continue  to join me for the “ordinary” events we can share.
Please know that I understand that your academics and real life can &
will take precedence at times.  Just let me know if you will
be absent, out of courtesy, for any lengthy periods, and then I can
refrain from over concern for you.  Thank you.
Thank you all, again.
Yours,
Patrick, aka Sensei

Etiquette at the seminar from Patrick Sensei: Seminar time.

Dear Members,Well, here we go.Every Seminar is an event fraught
with planning, expectations met or unmet, but ultimately, we
are rewarded with a very pleasant experience.  I have to say, Okimura
Shihan has proven to be the most amiable Chief Instructor I’ve
ever been associated with.  Part of what a Shihan is hoping to impart
to us is a goodly dose of what the Japanese cultural experience is
inside of the Aikido.

We are hosting the equivalent of a visiting professor and amidst all
formalities and cordialities, we are destined to learn much (sometimes
in spite of ourselves) if we just pay attention.

And it may seem like we’re paying a large amount of attention to
Shihan, and that’s true.  This is by no means just massaging his ego.
We are attending to Shihan as the representative of Aikido, who has
gained instruction along with the current Doshu (grandson of
O-Sensei) at our main Hombu (home) dojo in Tokyo.  This is the way they
do this sort of thing.  We poor Westerners require lessons
in etiquette.

Most of this requires common sense courtesy. Whenever Shihan or Zohreh
Sensei enter a room or pass by, you should face them and acknowledge
them.  When practicing on the mat during a class, try to always have an
eye towards Shihan as he will start to show stuff to a group near him.
If you stop to watch, you should be in seiza, and never with your back
to the Shomen (shrine).  If you have a question for Shihan, wait for
him to be nearby, politely excuse yourself, explain on what you’d like
clarification. Bow and thank him after he’s done.  Also when he changes
technique, there typically is no clap, but you must be attentive and
fall in line quickly.  The same is true at the end of class.  Try your
best to sit quickly, neatly, and to the left of someone who out-ranks
you.  This is our way of saying, “Yes Shihan, we are ready.”

Also in Japanese style, there are times and places for everything.  It
is not supposed to be all serious, all the time.  Saturday nights
potluck (at Pete & Marla’s, maps to be provided) is our opportunity to
mingle, meet Shihan if you’ve never met, and have casual
conversation.  You’ll find him very approachable, and really a fun guy.

You may ask questions about Aikido, his past experience, etc.
But you’ll find he talks about anything.  And has a good time.  So
should we.