Oriental, Sintra, Olivais and Rato Branches, Portugal /April 2009 - Contributor: Sintra Branch Master Jose Araujo

TAHARA SENSEI: A GREAT MASTER VISITS PORTUGAL

Sometimes in life we have the privilege to meet, and even more, to be taught by Great Masters, whether in Shorinji Kempo, or in any other activity, physical or mental. This was the time for Portugal to have the privilege of receiving one of the great Shorinji Kempo teachers of our time: Masaharu Tahara Sensei (8th Dan Daihanshi, 70 years of age).

Tahara Sensei (branch master in Okayama) come along with his wife Haruko Tahara, and his students Kazuaki Yamamoto (6th Dan and also branch master in Okayama) and his wife Mariko Yamamoto (5th Dan Daikenshi) from Okayama prefecture (Japan) for a private touristic visit to Portugal from March the 8th to 18th, 2009.

This visit was the direct result of the friendship that became stronger and stronger since 1993 International Taikai and its home stay program, when Fausto Carrico Sensei (5th Dan Daikenshi and Oriental branch master) and other Portuguese kenshi stayed at kenshi's homes in Okayama city. From then on also Jose Araujo Sensei (5th Dan and Sintra branch master) strengthened the ties between Portugal and Okayama's kenshi, resulting in another (not the first) visit to our country from some of this friends. Yet, for Tahara Sensei was the first time in Portugal, and it seems he loved it very much. Along with their home stay hosts F. Carrico Sensei and J. Araujo Sensei, the four guests visited the cities of Porto (home of one of Europe's biggest football team FC Porto), Fatima (for its world famous Catholic Sanctuary), beautiful and centuries old village of Obidos, and Cabo da Roca (cape of Roca, Europe's most western point), among other particularly important and beautiful places our great country has.

In terms of Shorinji Kempo, we asked Great Master Tahara Sensei if it was all right for him (for the three in fact) to give us the pleasure and honour of some training session. The response was a great desire of training with the Portuguese kenshi in some how private trainings (since these teachers were not in official representation) but which made us smile of happiness: four sessions were realized in the branches of Olivais, Rato, Oriental and Lisboa branch. Due to the small time available and the training characteristics most of the time (but not exclusively) these Sensei were teaching only to Yudansha (black belt kenshi), and the sessions saw the kenshi applied at their best and great determination, where the basis of the techniques was particularly studied, and the doubts promptly and happily responded.

One special note for Tahara Sensei's performance, knowledge and history in Shorinji Kempo: as sad in the beginning, we were in the presence of one of the last Great Masters, those who had the now rare privilege of learning and being taught by Kaiso So Doshin Sensei from the beginning of their Way and for many years, some that only the living 9th Dan Sensei and very few living 8th Dan Sensei had the honour. Tahara Sensei explained, in some private moments, that he started Shorinji Kempo in 1955 (!) i.e. 54 years ago and when Shorinji Kempo was only 8 years old... And with 70 years old he shows himself a great physical performance for his age. He's the one who started our art in Okayama City, Kaiso's hometown and one of the most important ones in Japan, and where the All-Japan Taikai was organized in 2008. And due to his love and life (professional and family) he was going and coming to Hombu, in Tadotsu city, everyday for some years, to train and learn from Kaiso, never wanting to establish in Hombu due to his family (the importance of the family was underlined by Tahara Sensei). When asked about Kaiso and how he was the response was mostly physical and vocal: "Ah...(with his arms up), he was magnificent"...

When doing the techniques, Goho Waza or Juho Waza, one had the impression of being in the presence of Kaiso, for the "body language" presented (remembering some old photos we've seen of Kaiso), the accuracy and precision of each and every technique, resulting of them all to make great sense, in a perfect and harmonious movement.

Also the difficult social and economical moment lived in our world was the subject during these 10 days of visit between the guests and their hosts, and the direct consequences it has on the people, and the difficulties many of them are presenting to face the problems.

In some moment of reflections for the kenshi, Tahara Sensei understated the importance of Today: "Not yesterday, who has all ready passed, not tomorrow who is to come (and we don't know if we're going to live it), but Today, this moment, now. Live the present now", referred Tahara Sensei, leaving to us the task of conclude more and future reflect on his words.

We now present you the opinions of two of the kenshi who were in the four training sessions.

Mrs. Silvia Costa, 1st Dan, 29 years old:

"The four sessions I had with the three Sensei were spectacular, and we wanted to absorb all possible information. The movements, details on important points, and what we should not do in order no to harm our partner, among others, all was very important and the time always seemed little for our doubts and curiosity.

We learned Shorinji Kempo sharing the knowledge among all of us who believe it's possible, having a greater strength to surpass obstacles, and having a higher self-esteem. We were able to communicate, learn, enjoy the moment, laugh, appreciate and respect. I think all of this was possible in these fantastic four sessions.

In Shorinji Kempo communication isn't hard, all over the world we all work together for the same Way! (or at least we try).

Thank you very much Tahara Sensei, Yamamoto Sensei and Mariko Yamamoto Sensei for sharing with the Portuguese kenshi your knowledge."

Mr. Joao Catarino, 1st Dan, 20 years old:

I start this comment by saying thank you very much to the Tahara Sensei, Yamamoto Sensei and Mariko Sensei for giving a little of their holidays to teach Shorinji Kempo. And I have a lot to remember. Not only the basic training, or the "secret points" of the techniques, but also Tahara Sensei's speech and the joy of Yamamoto Sensei when was doing or receiving the technique.

I liked the structure of the training; we learnt that it's very important do it right since the beginning, therefore the importance of the basics.

In other sessions we had a higher difficulty (which I liked) where the attention for the little things was a key point; because it showed me different ways of doing the techniques without much strength, difficult techniques become easy by applying basic principles. Besides the knowledge of these Sensei, I thing the "inter-change" of Japanese-Portuguese cultures and ways of training was very important. I thing that these are the things that make us grow as persons. I liked the visit very much, I like this way of learn Shorinji Kempo, and I love this way of live Shorinji Kempo... Arigato Gozaimasu!!

 

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