A Message from Yamada Sensei

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Spring has finally arrived. That means it is time for seminars in many cities all over the country. Among these spring time seminars is one of largest, the Black Belt seminar in Chicago. It is always a meaningful and successful seminar, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Midwest Aikido Center for their kindness in letting the USAF use their beautiful dojo. One of the things I really appreciate is their attitude and their understanding that this seminar is not theirs alone, but it also belongs to the USAF. They are happy to share the profits from the seminar between the USAF and the MAC.

Just like other big seminars, we had a test for black belt and I must say it was a strict one because there were other Shihan beside myself sitting at the table. Believe me, they are tougher than I am. I wasn't joking when I said the same thing before. However, I think it is good to have more than one judge at the table for many reasons.

When I give a test, I want to pass everybody but it is not always possible. I want to be a nice guy, but when there is a reason for me to be a tough guy, I am. It is my responsibility to pay respect to the value of Black Belt, and to keep a standard of good quality for Black Belt. Please understand this. When I fail you, I don't fail you alone but your teacher as well. When tests are bad, you cannot find me after the test because I hide myself in my dressing room. I feel sorry to see the people who failed their test and, more than that, I don't want to hear the complaints from their teacher, which happens occasionally, although I understand that most parents love their kids and think they are the best.

It sounds like I'm asking too much if I say this but let me tell you what I'd like to hear from both students and teachers after their unsuccessful test. From the student's side, I would feel good if they say "Sorry I embarrassed my teacher. I'll do better next time if you give me another chance," and from the teacher I'd like to hear "Sorry I have embarrassed myself. I clearly see what my student needs to do to improve."

Let us try our best to make the USAF Dan level the best in the world.

I once said that my motto for running the USAF is 4 F's: Friendly, Flexibility, Fairness and Freedom. We all know that you can get freedom for nothing, that you have to pay for freedom. As for fairness, I try my best to be fair to everybody, although it is very difficult to do so in every situation. If I try to make somebody happy, then that always makes somebody else unhappy. The sun gives everybody sunshine. If you are standing outside you can enjoy it and appreciate it. On the other hand, for those who stand in the shade, they may not feel the warmth or have the same opportunity to appreciate it. No matter what you do or no matter how great you are, it is almost impossible to make everybody happy or to perfectly satisfy everyone's desires. The only solution to making harmony between people is for you to give in yourself from time to time.

I'd like to speak about some difficulties I face in my dojo. At NY Aikikai we have many classes, and besides Sugano sensei and myself there are about 20 students involved in teaching. Although we have many classes, still there are only a limited number of classes to be covered. I have many students capable of teaching, other than the ones who have a class to teach presently. I would like to give an opportunity to those people as well. However, believe me, I will get so many complaints if I ask someone to give up their position to give a chance to next person. He or she will take it as an insult. I just hope people realize that during the time you have been teaching, for those 20 years, many students who were beginners now also have 20 years experience and have reached the same level as you when you were given a chance to teach. Lets take a turn. Now you know how difficult it is to make everybody happy.

I hope many people like Sinatra's song as much as I do. "You got give (in) a little to get a little." He is a great singer, but I wonder if Sinatra has the word "Give in" in his dictionary.

That's all for now folks.

Yoshimitsu Yamada