Giri = Obligation in Japanese

Paul Maloney is quite a bit older than I and was around as a junior student under Shimizu Takaji.  Shimizu Shihan passed away back in 1978 and anyone who’s anyone in the Jodo game will be in utter awe of him.  Anyway, Paul was aware Klara and I were heading off on holiday for two weeks so handed me two Letters of Introduction to some Sensei in Japan.  My knowledge of the Japanese language is quite small but I am aware there are strict social customs which prevent me just turning up unannounced.   Things have to be performed properly and protocols observed.

Initially I was quite pleased with him going to the trouble, with this warm fuzzy feeling lasting until I got to the car. It then quickly evaporated as it dawned on me the introductions were also a burden of responsibility.  We're expected to attend.  Not only that but we're also expected to not disgrace Australian Jodo by being technically incompetent or, worse still, ignorant, stupid and bad mannered.  OK, this is do-able.  We can pull this off with a bit of concentration. 

Since then I’ve carried out a bit more research and discovered some disturbing facts about these Sensei.  Notice I used a capital ‘S’ just then - Times New Roman 12 Font Size.  It should really be at least a 32.   One of them is so influential he’s on the small panel of people who run martial arts in Japan. 

And here he is.   Kaminoda Tsunemori Sensei (and who also trained under Shimizu Takaji Shihan in his youth).  He’s head of the 4^th Division of the Japanese Riot Police: the people who have responsibility for guarding the Japanese Imperial Family.  Not a pushover.

Control your breathing.  Be introduced to Sensei.  Bring biscuits (apparently the done thing when turning up anywhere).  Perform out of your skin.  Don’t disgrace yourselves.  Be allowed to live. Go
home.  No pressure!

On top of that Klara and I will train with Igarashi San (our swordmaker) in Seki City, Nagayama Sensei (our Seitei Jodo Sensei) in ravaged Sendai and also Shimizu Yuji Sensei in Tokyo.  The dance-card is filling up for what was supposed to be a holiday.

And then there is the little matter of climbing Mount Fuji overnight on August 29th.