His generosity was also apparent when Sensei freely provided the opportunity for his students to make Aikido connections throughout the world, never selfishly guarding his students from other teachings but rather exposing us to Shihan from North America, Hombu dojo, and throughout Japan and the world.
Without an instructor as generous as Sensei, we would never understand the importance and feeling behind events such as Kagami Biraki, O-Sensei Memorial, Summer Camp, or Kangeiko, yet theses are second nature to us now. For so much that Sensei gave freely to us, we can only hope to become as wealthy as he was in the important things in life: family, students, friends, and the spirit of Aikido.
Sensei was clear form the beginning and throughout his time in the United States that he wanted an Aikido dojo and not just a school. For many of us Americans, it was hard to appreciate the difference, though Sensei, of course, knew quite well. The idea of a lot of members just for the sake of having members paying dues never was considered by Sensei, for he was concerned only with having members that were working to become better human beings and tying to understand Aikido feelings.
Trying to build an Aikido dojo from nothing, and cultivating its growth to almost 50 individual dojos, Sensei had many opportunities to express endless restraint and mercy.
No matter how severe the breach of etiquette or lack of common sense shown in our actions, Sensei was patient, understanding, and showed abundant mercy allowing us to try and try again with his guidance. Sensei always tried to understand the feelings behind our mistakes and help us along toward Aikido feelings and a true dojo system. Each of us gained courage to make mistakes and try again from Sensei’s mercy and guidance.”
