I have Aikido training simmering on the back burner. In chef terms, this means it is not a priority. Front burners are for things that require immediate cooking-- quick sears, finishing sauces, or stirring a delicate temperamental custard. Front burners require attention and care. You can’t walk away from them. I have three things in my front burners right now: work, my … [Read more...] about The Life Cycles of Training
Aikido seminars are a lot of fun. It is a very exhausting yet energizing way to spend an entire weekend doing nothing but training. They are hours of techniques, food, drinks, very little sleep, and back on the mat. Rinse and repeat for three days. The amount of information absorbed at a seminar can be limited though. The amount of techniques, exercises, kata, etc. covered in … [Read more...] about The Seminar Experience
The difference between Shuji (習字 penmanship) and Shodo (書道 calligraphy) is that the latter focuses more on self expression than technicality. The best calligraphies are not the ones that are technically superior, but the ones where the spirit of the artist is felt in every stroke. I have to emphasize that mastery of the fundamentals is necessary before experimenting with any … [Read more...] about Personal Expression
I taught my first Japanese Calligraphy workshop in October of 2014. About 12 students joined me in Worcester, MA to learn the basics and fundamentals of Japanese Calligraphy. While the majority of the students were local, there was a few that crossed stateliness to get to the workshop. Special shout out to Nora who came all the way from Argentina! I had a blast that Saturday. … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Teachery
Kanji characters are intriguing. They draw you to them. Those beautiful, complex characters not only look cool, but they also mean something. We are drawn to characters when its meaning resonate with us. Last Sunday, I had the honor to do a calligraphy demonstration at the James Library in Norwell, MA. The library hosted Arthur Golden, author of the bestselling novel Memoirs … [Read more...] about Brushing Calligraphy for Other People
