Shohei Juku Aikido Canada

Monthly Newsletter June, 2008. Number 42

The 80th Anniversary of Japan-Canada Relations and Suganuma Shihan's Aikido Seminar 2008

Suganuma Shihan's Aikido Seminar will be held here for the 11th time. We would like to celebrate more than in the past as we will also commemorate 80 years of friendship relations between Japan and Canada. The seminar will be held at the Vancouver Shomonkai Dojo in the National Nikkei Heritage Centre. Most of the preparations are done by the members of Shomonkai. However I would also appreciate it if Shoheijuku members would help out.

The other day I received a pamphlet from Suganuma Sensei for this year's Enbu-kai. He mentions “Keikoshoukon” in the greeting part of the pamphlet and describes “keiko” as to think about things from the past. He also reminds us to think again about the messages from our founder.

The important lessons about Aikido left by our founder: “Aikido is to grow spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically and to acquire common sense.” “Aikido is to discipline one's mind and body, and to help develop sincerity in a person.”

We should remember our founder's important teachings and continue with our daily training. I look forward to the time I will be spending with Suganuma Shihan. Once again I welcome and appreciate everyone's help and cooperation.

Tamami Nakashimada

"日加友好８０周年記念、菅沼師範合気道講習会 ２００８"

菅沼師範合気道講習会も今年で１１回目を迎えました。 今年は日本とカナダの友好記念として、盛大いに行われる予定です。 会場は、バンクーバー祥門会さんの道場、ナショナル日系ヘリテージセンターで行われます。 準備の全般は祥門会の皆さんでやっていただいておりますが、私たち、祥平塾会員も積極的にご協力のほど宜し くお願いします。

先日、菅沼先生より、四月に行われました、演武大会のリーフレットを頂戴いたしました。 先生のごあいさつ文の中に"稽古照今"、稽古とは古の事物を考える意、開祖は私たちにどういうことを伝えた かったのだろうか？と見つめ直すことを言われてあります。

開祖が述べられた合気道の要諦： "合気道は気育、智育、徳育、体育、そして常識の函養であります。" "合気道は心身を鍛錬し、至誠の人を作るを目的とす。"

私たちは、この開祖のお言葉を忘れず、日々の稽古に精進していきたいと思います。 今年の講習会もまた、師範を中心に大変有意義なものにしたいと願っております。 全会員の皆様のご協力を再度お願い申し上げます。

中嶋田玉美 Shohei Juku Dayori (May, 2008) えながら練磨していく事、又その教えを今の私達 の生き方に照らし合わせどう活かせばいいのか、 The 22nd Shohei Juku Enbu-Kai ということを考えながら日々の稽古をしていく事 On April 29th, the 22nd Shohei Juku Enbu-kai was が大切だと思います。この”” 稽古 という意味を忘 held at Fukuoka Sunpalace. There were 104 れて、技だけを追い求めるようになってはいけな group participants including a group from いと思います。 Beijing, China. いつもの事ながら”” 花の合気道 の美しさ、七十才 I wrote “Keikoshoukon” as the title of this year's 以上の方達による”” 実年演武 の重厚さと、気力の pamphlet. In Aikido, we use the word “keiko” 充実した演武は観ている人達にも元気とやる気を more than “renshu”. The dictionary defines 与えたのではないでしょうか。 “keiko” as to think about things from the past. 演武会終了後の祝賀会は３００人を超す人達が参 加、日本舞踊あり、太極拳あり、はては、よさこ When we practice, we should all think about what い踊りまでとび出し、賑やかな笑い声につつまれ kind of messages our founder Morihei Ueshiba ながら散会。ご協力頂きました皆さまお一人お一 Sensei wanted to tell us through Aikido and to 人に心より感謝申しあげます。なお来年も四月二 think about how we can apply his teachings to 十九日行います。ありがとうございました。 our lives. We do not want to forget the meaning of “keiko” and only focus on techniques. 菅沼守人

As always, the demonstration by the participants over seventy years old was the best of the whole Zen's Life Lessons event as their performances were profound and beautiful. I am sure their solid and energetic Learning by Making Mistakes Nana korobi ya performances have inspired many audiences. okii, a Zen expression that means “Fall seven times, get up eight times,” is attributed to the After the Enbu-kai was over, over three hundred fifteenth-century monk Bokuden. Translation: it's people joined in the celebration. There was a okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from Japanese dance, Tai Chi, and we even had them. Yosakoi dancing at the end. We had a great time filled with a lot of laughter. I would like to thank Forging Ahead Seishin tanren means to “forge” everyone who helped with this event. The Enbu- or “fortify” your spirit. When repeated 1000 or kai will be held on the same day again next year. 10000 times, correctly performed martial Thank you very much. movements, like the strikes of a blacksmith's hammer, forge your body, fortify your mind and Morito Suganuma strengthen your sprit. This exterior and interior strength is not limited to the martial arts classroom, but can benefit other aspects of your 祥平塾だより（平成 20 年 5 月） personal and professional life.

第二十二回祥平塾演武会 Adapted from Idiot's Guide to Martial Arts 四月二十九日、福岡サンパレスに於て二十二回目 の祥平塾演武会が開催されました。今年も又、中 国北京からの参加も合わせ、一〇四団体の方々に よって演武がくりひろげられました。

今年のリーフレットの表題には”” 稽古照今 と書き ました。合気道では練習とはあまり言わず、稽古 という方が多いようです。”” 稽古 とは「古の事物 を考える意」と辞書に載っています。

開祖植芝盛平先生は合気道を通じて私達にどうい うことを伝えたかったのだろうかということを考 Messages From Members through Aikido.

When I practice, I would like to be cooperative and caring for others instead of showing off. What appeals to me about Aikido is that there is a strength within the softness but that strength is not to be used to show off but to keep it within yourself.

I still have a lot to practice and learn but Aikido became a part of my life now and I can not quit. That in itself also appeals to me.

Shinobu

Excerpts from “Ima Koko o Iki Iki to Hi Tamami, Ikiru” ( 今ここをいきいきと生きる ) by How are you? I am back home in Taiwan. Morito Suganuma (page 82-83) Recently I have been very busy with possible schools and works. Tomorrow I will go to Taipei 饒舌を悔いるひとりの炉燵かな to meet a professor from Royal Holloway College. But I miss our class and you. You always 良寛（江戸時代の禅僧、歌人）さんは、他人に make me feel peaceful and happy. I want to go 法を説いたり、道徳を口にすることをあまり好 back to Vancouver when I have the chance. まなかったようです。しかし、言葉の使い方に Meanwhile, please take care, and I will always ついては、とてもきびしかったようで、ひとか think of you and all of my wonderful classmates. ら頼まれれば、「言葉についての戒め」を書い て与えたそうです。その中のいくつかを、、、。 Angela 一、ことばの多き。一、はなしの長き。 Dear Tama-Sensei: 一、口のはやき。一、あわただしくものを言う。 Good morning! what a great class, full of 一、てがらばなし。一、人のもの言いきらぬう surprises and learning experiences...learning the ちにものを言う。一、たやすく約束する。一、 techniques is one step,the second is to keep doing 人にものくれぬうちに何々やろう。一、くれて it consistently, the third is to do them well, the のち、人に語る。一、よくものの講釈をしたが fourth is to apply them accordingly the fifth is to る。一、人のかくすことを、あからさまに言う。 understand them in an harmonious way with your 一、口を耳につけてささやく。一、このんで唐 partner and with the great divine... the path is long 言葉（外国語）をつかう。 , fun, hard but full rewards for your body and spirit... the proof of that is our Sempais and our 一、悟りくさき話。一、あやまちを飾る。、、、 Tama Sensei and her teachers... などなど。 have a great day, peace and harmony, “I sit in Kotatsu* alone regretting how I talked too P.R. much.”

The Appealing Part of Aikido Ryoukan (a Zen priest and a poet during the Edo Aikido changed my life. It sounds exaggerated but period) didn't like to preach the law to others and that's true. Even when I am working on the same talk about morals. However he was very strict technique I don't get tired of it. In fact, I become when it came to the usage of language. If he was motivated to get better at it and when I make a asked by others he would write “A lesson of small improvement on a technique I had trouble language” and give it to them. A few of those are with, it's a great feeling. I learn a lot of things as follows. Excerpts from “Ima Koko o Iki Iki to Ikiru” ( 今ここをいきいきと生きる ) by At Coal Harbour Community Centre: Morito Suganuma (page 82-83) Kids Class (5-7 yrs) Mon & Fri, 3:45-4:45pm 1.Talking too much. 2. Talking too long. 3. April 14 – June 20 Talking too fast. 4. Talking in a hurry. 5. $105/20 sessions Bragging about one's own deeds. 6. Cutting others off when they are still talking. 7. Making a Kids Class (8-12 yrs) promise easily. 8. Telling others what you will Mon & Fri, 4:45–5:45pm give them before actually giving it to them. 9. April 14 – June 20 Repeating what you have done for others. 10. $105/20 sessions Wanting to give a lecture. 11. Talking bluntly about things that others don't talk about. 12. Womens Only Class (16 yrs+) Whispering into other people's ear. 13. Wanting Monday, 6:00–7:30pm to use a foreign language. 14. Giving a spiritual April 14 – June 16 talk. 15. Smoothing over your faults, and etc.. $70/10 sessions ($8/drop ins) *Kotatsu – A square wooden frame with a heater underneath and a covered blanket on top. In the At Brentwood Park Elementary School winter people in Japan sit under this, to warm (N.Burnaby): their hands and feet. Adults & Kids (+12 yrs) Wednesday, 6:30 - 7:30pm Spring 2008 Aikido Program April 16 - June 11 $63/9sessions At Trout Lake Community Centre: ($8/drop ins)

Kids (5-7yrs) Tuesday, 4:30-5:15pm ”Morito Suganuma Sensei Aikido Seminar April 8 – June 17 2008" $60/11 sessions Date: June 20 - 22, 2008 Kids (8-12yrs) Thursday, 4:30-5:15pm Place: National Nikkei Heritage Centre April 10 – June 19 (Nikkei Place) $60/11 sessions Registration deadline for member price: June 9, Kids Coloured Belt 2008 Saturday, 10:00-11:00am April 5 – June 14 Hosted by Shoheijuku Aikido Canada and $77/11 sessions Vancouver Shomonkai Aikido Association.

Parents & Kids (5 -12 yrs) *This year's sensei seminar will be one of the Saturday, 9:15-10:00am special events for Canada and Japan's 80th year of April 5 – June 14 Friendship Anniversary.* $70/11 sessions *For more information please check our dojo's Womens class notice board.* Tuesday, 6:00-7:00pm April 8 – June 17 $77/11 sessions Shohei Juku Aikido Canada Goods For Sale! The drop-in fees are as follows: Adult class $10/class • Face Towel with Suganuma Shihan “合気道” Coloured Belt Kids Class $7/class Aikido Calligraphy and Dojo Logo: $6.00 Thank you for your attention in this matter. • T-Shirts are also available: $18 and $15 Tamami Nakashimada Please ask Tama if you are interested. Notice Adult Class Teaching Schedule 1. Please pay the monthly fee in the first week of Mon: Tamami Nakashimada the month at the front desk of the Trout Lake Centre. If you are going to drop-in, please Tue: Tamami Nakashimada show your receipt to the instructor each time you drop-in before the class begins. Wed: Mike Boyle 2. If you arrive late to the class please do the Thu: Tamami Nakashimada stretching exercises before starting keiko. Please make sure you do this, especially Fri: Siamak Riazi during cold weather days.

Sat: Tamami Nakashimada & Mike Boyle 3. If you are planning to miss classes for a long period of time due to sickness, trip, moving, transfer etc., please let us know in advance. Upcoming Events 4. We are always looking for various articles. June 20-22 Suganuma Sensei Annual The topics can be anything including Aikido, (Fri - Sun) Seminar at Nikkei National friends, work, and hobbies. Our dojo Heritage Centre Hosted by newsletter welcomes everyone's input. Shoheijuku & Shomonkai Contact Information: July Shoheijuku Summer Party & E-mail: [email protected] Yard Sale Annual Membership Fee Aug 2 – 3 Powell Street Japanese Festival (Sat - Sun) Public Demonstration The Annual Membership Fee is required to be paid by all members who practice in our dojo. This fee covers the expenses for operating the Notice to Drop-In Members Regarding The dojo as well as insurance expenses. Paid members Drop-In Fee will also be permitted to take a test twice a year. They will also have the benefit of receiving a Please pay the drop-in fee at the front desk discount for the seminars. Please make the downstairs before the class starts. Lately more payment ($60/yr) to either Mike Boyle or myself. members pay the drop-in fee after the class is over Thank you. and in some cases forget to pay the fee. Please make sure to pay before the class starts. I would also like to ask drop-in members to write your name on the back of the receipt you receive from the front desk and to present it to the class instructor.