2011 November,
The seminar in the Slovak Republic

From November 16th to the 22nd, I was (teaching) at the seminar in in Bratislava, the Slovak Republic.
This is the fourth time I have been there. When I arrived, the temperature was zero, so I was firm. At night the temperature dropped below 5 degrees.
In this country BUDO is thriving as well as all sports. It happened that at the same time as the seminar, there was an international fencing competition and Ice Hockey trainings being held. Athletes from around the world stayed at same hotel as me, so there was an atmosphere full of excitement.
This seminar was held for the second time at a high school gymnasium. It lasted for 3 days, from Friday to Sunday and we had a total of 10 training sessions. I focused particularly on training weapon's techniques. There were people from 15 countries and new faces, too.
In seminars, when practicing weapon's techniques, I am always very strict on teaching that we should always consider a real fighting situation. If you do not do this you will not have a good form and it will be dangerous.
It is important to learn a stable TAI SABAKI (body movements) and to eliminate wasted movements, irrespective of speed and strength. I taught them about the difference between KEN SABAKI (body movements with Ken) and TAI SABAKI (body movements), and the difference of the body's angle with Jo, by showing (explanatory) drawings.
Lastly, I said, "The current practice is made under the strict thought of the Founder and Morihiro sensei. As there is no shame in it, please try to practice."
During my stay I could feel firsthand the old Slovak culture and its buildings. I am deeply grateful to the people who joined in the seminar, and to Stefan Kurilla sensei and his students, who organized it.
21st, Dec., Early morning at Hotel in Austria
Saitou Hitohira

The movie "Moneyball" starring Brad Pitt has been released.
This film is made based on the life of a real person who re-organized a baseball team utilizing the statistics and analysis data and revived a lowest rank baseball team.
Me too, I always analyze the current techniques and I am always thinking whether this is or that is good, whether it makes sense in a real fighting situation. My questions for my Sensei and Senpai(s) and this film overlapped and it reminds me the struggle and determination when we became independent. This year, the Japan Earthquake and many natural disasters have occurred around the world. Despite all this I hope that next year will bring lots of happiness for everybody.
2011/11/14
Saitou Hitohira