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| Hito/Person What does this kanji look like to you? You already know that it stands for person, a human being because I wrote it underneath the character. Such a nice Sensei, yes? (^^) Well the hard part follows. I want all of you to think about how this Kanji came about to mean person. What do you see? Perhaps some one walking? But then the core Kanji for walking is 歩, run is 走。Hmmm. Getting confusing? Join the crowd. To me Kanji is a fascinating world. Calligraphy is an art in itself which like karate takes many years to get to the starting gate. How one "symbol", if you will, can evoke myriads of emotion and messages. This Kanji became "famous" through a TV drama series called "Kinpachi Sensei". It was a drama revolving around a typical Japanese Middle School or Junior High. It was aired during a period when Japanese education and society in general was facing dramatic changes. In one of the episodes Kinpachi Sensei talks about the Kanji 人。 「人は人によって支えられ、人の間で人間として磨かれていく」A person is supported by another person and is polished by others as a human being. Now, there is some debate as to the origins of this thought and there are academics that have problems with this interpretation of the Kanji. But let's put those thoughts aside and concentrate on the saying itself. With Kinpachi Sensei words in mind, how do you see the Kanji now? Can you see someone being supported by another person? In Budo it is the same. No one can master the path on his own. The student has his Sensei. The Sensei has his student. They both support each other in their pursuit of the way. The family is the same. The children are supported by their parents and in return the parents are supported by their children in the form of responsibility and having a purpose in life. Let's put two live bodies in the form of the Kanji 人. If you take away the support of shorter limb, what happens to the longer one? Naturally it falls without the support. Whether it is our pursuit of Budo, studying, or working we must always remember that our own success is supported by others. |
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
漢字の時間ですよー。It's Kanji time!
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I love that story a Roushiichi, from the first time you told it to me!! I never knew of the Kinpachi Sensei. So much to learn, I have such a hard time remembering Kanji...but Hito is not one of them. Important message for "children" of all ages...smile.
ReplyDeleteKinpachi Sensei is on youtube..seems the problems of the Sakura Middle School, are not all that much different from problems that we have here in New York..
ReplyDeleteおはようございます。トニー（＾＾）
ReplyDeleteハワイは今日も晴れです。
The Kinpachi series was run almost three decades ago in 1979! I was still in my twenties!
Each generation has its problems, with technical advancements we now have problems that we could not have imagined back then. But if we are to fix and heal then we all need to get back to the core structure of the family. Problems may have taken a different identity but the cure remains the same, the family.
As Budo instructors we can assist in strengthening the family by sharing the concepts of Budo; Respect, Tolerance, Self esteem, Confidence, Caring and Spirit.
Hopefully, as our students come to understand the spirit of Jita Kyoei, then they will in return strengthen their family ties while also becoming a positive addition to Society.
Konbanwa Roushiichi.
ReplyDeleteNew York is sunny to and hot..its is 10:06pm and still 84 degrees at the house. Sorry to be missing from the blog for a few days. Jen is home from sister's. Her sister is doing much better after surgery.
So Kinpachi Sensei would be retired from teaching..smile. I am thinking in 1979, I was in 7th grade...smile. i was one of the kids he was teaching...smile. Wonder how my budo would be now, IF i started to study and practice, like you, at such a young age?? Since Jita Kyoei comes from Kano, Sensei...where you taught in that spirit at the Kodokan??
(^^) Need to take care of priorities! Did you give her a big hug and a "Okaerinasai. Hime"?
ReplyDeleteGahahahaha.
Tony, you know something? Jita Kyoei wasn't something that wasn't taught, it just grew with me as I practiced Judo at Kodokan. Just like kids growing up watching their parents. As you know you need a partner that is willing to take falls for you inorder for you to learn a throw.
Just multiply that with the number of falls it would require to master a throw! Of course when you're the one falling, you gain a lot as well, for you feel the timing, off balancing and the angles which make the throw effective. Without words, you learn Jita Kyoei.
This in turn becomes part of your life pattern.