“One thousand times upu to downu. One thousand times lefto to righto.”
For a second, I thought I was Daniel-san in the movie “The Karate Kid”. Instead I was living my dream in Okinawa, Japan practicing Karate, eating sushi, and learning Shodou. Only since March 2009, have I been practicing Shodou with Shimada Mitsutoshi, a Hanshi in his family style of Budo which includes Kendo and Shodou. You can tell that he is proud of his heritage when he shares his lineage going back to the real story of the last samurai. Yes – the the last samurai and no – I am still not in a movie. Both Shimada Sensei and I come to Okinawa, to learn Karate from Master YAGI Meitetsu of the Hombu Dojo. In Meibukan Karate, I have a senior rank but Shimada-san’s feet are rooted well in the island sands of Budo. He is eager to coach me in the art of Shodou. Today’s lesson – At least one thousand strokes are required of me to become one with the brush.
“Maybe for talented ones.” I think to myself. “For me, maybe ten thousand.”
“Muzukashi,” says Shimada-san – difficult.
I continue to practice back here in Canada – in solitude. No guidance. Muzukashi. It has been more than one thousand strokes and I have learned that I must free my spirit, focus my intent, and allow the brush to harmonize both. “WA” or harmony. Muzukashi.
Kokoro tadashikereba sunawachi fude tadashi – “Should the Heart/Mind be Correct, the Brush shall be Correct.”
I am beginning to understand.
This Month Work
October-2009-Shodou
September 2009 Shodou
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