Shoheijuku Newsletter May 2022

Uji Shoheijuku

On Saturday, April 2^nd, the dan/kyu examination and seminar for Uji Shoheijuku (Mr. Taizo Ochi, Dojo Rep) were held at Fushimi Ward Youth Sports Center. To avoid the three C’s, the events were held only with the Uji Shoheijuku members again this time. With over twenty members as well as their families and observers, there were a lot of questions one after another, and I felt it was a lively event. In a usual year, we would have a drinking party as watching cherry blossoms by the Uji River but it was cancelled this year. I returned home looking forward to it next year. 

Kumamoto Dojo

On Sunday, April 10^th, the seminar and examination for Kumamoto Dojo (Mr. Hirokazu Honda, Dojo Rep) were held at Kumamoto General Gymnasium Martial Art Room. We had some participants from nearby dojos as well. Kumamoto Dojo has many female members and they practice passionately. This time, I met a new female member who is one year older than I am. She was physically flexible, and told me that she was enjoying Aikido a lot.

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, who was working energetically until 105 years old, wrote the following in his book, excerpted here:

“If we do not forget to try something new, we can stay young forever.” This is a word by an Austrian religious philosopher, Martin Buber. Learning an unknown world, having a new hobby can stir and wake up a gene sleeping within our body, and provide a chance to make an unexpected talent bloom. Age does not matter. As far as we have an inquisitive mind, there will be plenty of chances to create a wonderful path.

We should say “Imakara (from now)” instead of “Imasara (too late)”, shouldn’t we?