“Your mind should always be composed, quiet and without any sort of restlessness. It should be at peace. Your words, especially, should be calm and few in number. You should not talk things of no use. This is, indeed, an excellent method of nurturing your chi”. Ekiken
Ms. Yoko Tanabe’s credentials are impressive. Her Judo career spans two decades. Among her competitive accomplishments are two time Olympic Silver Medalist and six times All Japan Judo Champion. When she entered Pacific Rim Martial Arts Academy it was obvious that Ms. Tanabe was a special person. Her demeanor was confident, humble and she displayed a sense of dignity that comes from a true understanding of traditional martial arts training.
While her techniques were flawless, her skill in communicating the essence of Judo was what was especially impressive. True martial art training has a language that is universal. That language is available to any sincere student. The only requirement is that a student has patience and compassion for all individuals.
Watching Ms. Tanabe teach younger students was a lesson in understanding dedication to teaching and especially dedication to Judo. Not only did she flow and blend comfortably with beginners, her communication of advanced Olympic techniques struck a special note to those who have experienced international competition.
When I first met Professor Walter Todd he had just returned from testing for his 5th DAN Judo promotion at the Kodokan in Tokyo, Japan where I had taken my 1st DAN Judo test two years earlier. My test consisted of what seemed like hours of demonstration of falling. From the falling demonstration there was a demonstration of Nage No Kata where I was briefly tori but mostly uke with an advanced Black Belt. As uke, I took more falls. The rest of the test is a blur. What I remember is being thrown very hard by several Black Belt spectators. It is possible that even the custodian took his turn at throwing me. When I asked Professor Todd about his experience he smiled. He went on to explain that he had experienced a similar test. It is important to note that Professor Todd was personally trained by Mifune Shihan. He stayed at his house and they had a strong teacher/student relationship. In addition his wife and her family were personal friends with Ms. Fukuda, the first woman Judo 10th DAN.
Even with his Judo history and political connections he was still required to formally test. His test consisted of demonstrating falling, in a variety of situations, and he had to randori with 7 much younger Black Belts, whom he dispatched with ease. Even though he was acquainted with, and personal friends of, the examiners he was expected to demonstrate not only the technical requirements, but also how to properly teach the techniques that the Kodokan instructors were teaching.
Ms. Tanabe was very complimentary about the students at Pacific Rim. She stated that their techniques were strong but what she was most complimentary about was their willingness to have an “open heart to learning”. The other compliment she gave was regarding the Pacific Rim student’s ukemi. She explained that the quality of ukemi is not just in the technique, but more importantly quality ukemi means that the student has made a commitment.
When Mrs. G. and I were on the seminar circuit we were scheduled to give a seminar on the east coast. We met with the promoter who seemed like a nice enough person. As is my usual custom I asked the promoter, a high ranking Hapkido instructor, what portion of the seminar he would like to teach. My seminar custom is to have the promoter teach their specialty in order for them to feel a part of the training. His first response was that he did want to do any techniques that required throwing or falling. He owned and operated 4 schools. None of his assistant instructors knew how to fall nor did they teach any techniques that would normally require throwing or falling. All of his assistant instructors were 3rd DAN and 4th DAN Hapkido Black Belts. Can you learn proper technique without learning ukemi? Is there true commitment without ukemi?
“Martial arts should be studied with the goal in mind of perfection: perfection of form in movement, perfection of mind in activity, perfection of principle within the system. Therefore to achieve true mastery, study the art to its roots. The sage recognizes that there is always more to learn. Learning in martial arts is a step-wise process, advancing through the proper order. But learning is infinite, ceaseless throughout life.” A Simpkins, PhD.
What is encouraging is that an instructor, the caliber of Ms. Tanabe, is willing to share her vast knowledge with a small school. Not only did she share her knowledge with us, she also conveyed the true essence of martial arts.
Throughout history there are instructors who defy the mass production and emphasis on monetary gains for the purity of the art. Instructors with that deduction are difficult to find. Their focus is on the art they love and nothing could ever compromise that belief. Ms. Tanabe is one of those rare and dedicated master instructors.
“The great learning takes root in clarifying the way where in the intelligence increases through the process of looking straight into one’s own heart and acting on the results.” Pound
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