Tashiro sensei visit January 2009

Rush to train with Tashiro sensei

Four StAKC members (Noemi, Andy, Mark and Michael) went down to Edinburgh on
20th January to train at EKC with Tashiro sensei, Matsumoto sensei and Honda
sensei. The dojo was packed with kendoka in armour and, after a short
presentation of the armour designed by Tashiro sensei, we went to kendo
business. Sensei watched our warm-up, suburi, wazageiko and kirikaeshi.
Occasionally he interrupted procedings and gave valuable advice regarding
cutting technique.

The main part of the session was an hour of mawarigeiko which was a challenge in
itself, as we hardly get the opportunity to fight continuing bouts for such a
long time. After a little while, Matsumoto sensei and Honda sensei joined in,
whilst Tashiro sensei picked individuals from the line-up. Most of us had a
chance to train with at least one sensei.

I was lucky enough to get time with all three of them. Although I had faced
them all before, there was a real sense of occasion to it. Facing Tashiro
sensei I thought ‘this is a hachidan fighter’ and felt in awe. Obviously this
distraction meant that sensei hit me even more effortlessly. I pulled myself
together and concentrated on cutting and moving at the best of my abilities.

The main teaching point Tashiro sensei made in Glasgow and Edinburgh was that it
does not matter at which level you are in your kendo. Anyone can start kendo at
any time in their life taking the first step on the way of the sword. All that
really matters is your spirit. This spirit shows itself in the way you train
and fight but - crucially - also in your attitude towards other kendoka. Have a
positive attitude (a good heart) and show respect to all kendoka as human
beings.

Michael Gratzke, StAKC dojo leader