Military History of Japan - The Origin of the Japanese

Hello Dear Readers! 

As you might know, after the Warrior's Path Course that I started taking end of last year, I took up another course called The Military History of Japan. This time the only presenter was Szabó Balázs and we covered a lot of topics from Japanese warfare. The course started with talking about the origins of the Japanese, which caught my interest so I started researching a bit by myself. Then I thought why not put together a presentation with the information I have gathered and share with everyone. So I turned it into a prezi! The prezi is now here for you to watch. Enjoy and let me know in a comment what you think and whether you found it useful!

The Warrior's Path - Course End Conclusions

Beauty and Aikido ©

When I started the course, I wanted to do a post every week about the topics discussed. In the end the material was so dense that I decided not to do that. However I have learned a lot and have assimilated a lot of information of which you will see future posts. This post is to thank all three remarkable teachers that helped us understand budo better. Szabó Balázs did a great job in talking about the history of aikido, going into great detail. Szemerey Márton approached the topic from a linguistic point of view and helped us understand some of the core martial arts concepts and technique names. Last but not least, Abe Tetsushi Sensei highlighted some of the most important budo terms and tried to convey to us some of the Japanese spirituality. All three presenters are really charismatic and great in the topics they presented. I really hope there will be a second part of this course. Now I am sitting down to finish up my paper which will be the evaluation of what I have learned on this course.

The Warrior's Path

I have been dreaming for a long time to get some theoretical knowledge of the history of martial arts. Half a year ago I found a whole study line and was seriously considering to apply for a 3 year BA program which was focusing on aikido and martial arts. But it has been discontinued. Then this opportunity came. I just saw a post that you can win a 2 month course about martial arts. All I had to do was answer to an easy question:

What is the literal meaning of Sensei?

Answer: "person born before another"

So I just hit the right answer submitted and a few days later, before going to bed, I was checking my e-mail with sleepy eyes. An e-mail came noticing me that I won one of the free admissions to the two month course. I was so happy, just jumping and singing!

So today I am soon heading to the third Seminar. So far we discussed a lot of the historical background and I am hoping we are soon getting to the martial arts part. The main teacher is Szabó Balázs whom I have presented to you in a previous post. I will be getting back with posts that sum up the contents of each course, so if you are interested please stay tuned!

From September on: 4th KYU!

Beauty and Aikido ©

Guess what! I finally took the chance and took the 4th kyu exam. It was not easy, but I felt like I did my best. Sensei's comment was that I did not do my best at all, that I did way better on trainings. Probably the anxiety in the exam situation brought this about. There were parts I liked, and parts I was struggling with, but in the end I made it. After the exam I felt a huge rush of endorphins through my whole body and a huge happiness that I had the guts to do it. I had to...two years passed by since my last exam. Sensei commented on that, too. He also said that I got the 4th kyu, with his indulgence, but he is giving it to me only from September on. Until then I have to correct the mistakes he pointed out and do better and better. He also said that I should be taking the exams more regularly. From now on, I have promised to myself to persevere and never abandon this path. 

Inspiring Quotes- Gina Zarrilli

This is another post from the inspiring quotes cycle.

It is by Gina Zarilli Sensei. She started aikido in 1975 at New York Aikikai under Yamada Sensei. She received her Shodan in 1979 and has taught at New York Aikikai since then. She has also taught at major seminars and camps around the world.

The quote goes as follows:

"Train as hard as you can when you're young. Watch everyone around you, watch the men, watch the women. Find from everyone what it is that speaks to you, that touches you. What classes do you like the best and why? Who speaks the language that you can understand? Who moves in a way that feels good to you? Just watch everybody and everything. And then eventually find your own path--- and have a great time!"

--- Gina Zarrilli Sensei

One should never get tired of observing and trying, making errors and trying again. Even if from time to time you do get tired of it, it is human. You don't need to be concerned. It happens to me also and I am brave enough to admit it. I also shared it with you in this post. All that matters is for you to be able to flip back.
 

In addition I think I do follow the principle from Zarrilli Sensei's quoite. It is not always easy. I wish I were just able to focus on aikido so totally like Zarilli Sensei describes it in this interview. In her youth she had flexible jobs and in the daytime was training each and every day. That is an admirable degree of commitment and perseverance. As much as I would like it to be it is not applicable to me and my lifestyle. Reading the interview I sort of imagined the atmosphere the state of mind one can have when training so hard. Meeting the fellow aikidoka every day, building up a great relationship with them and developing yourself.
Aikido is a martial art, that is a process which you go through. Some call it getting to know yourself better others call it personal development. For me it is now mental and physical learning process. As I am a person who never gets tired of learning, it suits me best.

If you feel like it, please do reflect upon this question: 

What is aikido for you? 

and share it with me in a comment.