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Quotes/Sayings
If you follow the present-day world, you will turn your back on the Way; if you would not turn your back on the Way, do not follow the world
-- Takuan
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Matsumoto Sensei farewell practice
Posted by : AdminKendo on Monday, October 19, 2009 - 06:26 PM
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| Farewell to Matsumoto sensei at Kodokan 10th October 2009 |
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It was a sunny and pleasant autumn day, but one filled with sadness. After a short address by Budden sensei, Matsumoto sensei made a short speech saying that he did not expect so many people and that he appreciated all who had come such a long way. The clapping from the floor never seemed to end.
A demonstration of Kendo Kata was performed by Matsumoto sensei (Uchidachi) and Budden sensei (Shidachi) and I recalled a visit to Portsmouth where they performed their first demonstration of Kata on his arrival in the UK two years ago.
Some 60 people turned up including members from Kagamishin, Gloucester Uni, Nagamitsu, Kobudokan, Kashi no Ki, Eishin Juku, Mumeishi, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial Uni, Kashiwa, Akai Ryu, New Port, Portsmouth, Ichibyoshi and Kodokan members and a few representing squad members. A former student from Bulgaria (he was National Coach there for 3 years) was also present. Several people also turned up just to say good-bye as they were unable to make the practice.
I still vividly remember his first day at the National Squad training two years ago August when he introduced himself to the members and made a brief speech about one day leaving the country. When meeting a person there will always be a time to say good-bye. This was indeed the day that we all knew would eventually arrive since then, but because of his tireless efforts and the depth of his teaching it made this departure even more emotional. Would we one day know a little bit of what he was trying to teach us? and will we be able to fully appreciate and actually understand the deeper meanings?
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As he didn’t expect anything at all from us there is now a vast amount of time left alone for us to digest the past 2 years and for us to try and continue practice based on this amazing experience. He not only taught us Kendo techniques but also invaluable stories and knowledge and how one should study Kendo for both men & ladies and what Kendo should be similarly for juniors, with a deep understanding of the different cultures here in the West.
It is difficult to list all that was explained and taught by him and I wonder what more was to come if he had stayed another year as the resident Japanese Kendo teacher.
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Everyone was given an opportunity to practice with him for the very last time and as I observed being in the Motodachi position during Shido geiko for the second half of the practice, the standard of Kendo present on the day demonstrated improvement and harmony. I could not think any other influence but Matsumoto sensei’s compassion and deep regard towards his students and now proven that when a teacher and a student meet in real terms that relationship will never break.
There was a speech by Budden sensei about when Matsumoto sensei first came to the UK 25 years ago through Imasato sensei in Kyoto invited by the Thames Valley Kyokai (now the remaining members are Holt sensei and Budden sensei) as they wanted to invite a teacher from Japan, so it was a young Matsumoto sensei 4th Dan at that time who came. He was also the first teacher of Kodokan seminar (for two years) also now known as the Sumi sensei’s seminar. He has come back to the Kodokan seminar on several occasions since with a long term dedication in a very special relationship that the UK has with him. I hope that he will return to the UK next year at Kodokan 25th anniversary Seminar and hopefully will make his visits more often.
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I would like to thank Matsumoto sensei for such high level teaching in the UK for the last 2 years, from which UK Kendoka at all levels, benefited from enormously, including myself. I would also like to thank Budden sensei and the BKA for bringing Matsumoto sensei to the UK and other people including Mr Dominic Crehan and Mr Terry Fujioka for their help without asking anything in return. He will be missed tremendously.
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Programme:
Kata Enbu Matsumoto & Budden sensei
Kata practice all participants
Suburi incorporating warm up
Kirikeashi in groups of 5
Sandan and below Motodachi Keiko and Yondan to Nanadan in Mawari Keiko
5 minute break
Sensei and Godan Motodachi Keiko with all attendees.
Presentations from the GB squad to Matsumoto sensei made by Rob Wix.
Kodokan presentation to Matsumoto sensei made by Adrian Wagstaff
GB squad presentation to Budden sensei made by Alan Thompson & Andy Fisher
After it was to the Scotsbridge Mill pub and then a meal at Tang’s in Rickmansworth where 40 persons attended.
For full document with pictures click here
www.pabudden.com/kodokan/MatsumotaLeavingNew.html
Kazuyo Matsuda
Kodokan Kendo UK
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| Download the PDF version on www.kendouk.net/images/Farewell_Matsumoto.pdf |
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| Matsumoto Sensei farewell practice | Log-in or register a new user account | 12 Comments |
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