Highlights from 2025 July Taimyo week – The Space of Love: Aikukan

by Connie Borden

Taimyo practitioners from around the globe gathered via ZOOM  from 20 to 26 of July 2025. The week began on Sunday 20 July with Masashi Minagawa, Doshu giving a talk on Aikukan. Here is one part of the message from Minagawa Sensei:

“Our theme this time is aikūkan. It means “a space of love.” This concept dates back to when I first began practicing Shintaido. Back then it wasn’t even called “Shintaido” yet, but “aikūkan” was something Master Aoki often spoke about.

He often said that we live wrapped in the great life force at the root of the universe — embraced within a space of love. Through practice, when we cast off everything unnecessary within ourselves, our true human nature is revealed. A space of love opens up within us, and we become one with the fundamental energy of the universe. This was the spiritual world he sought to explore — and it was from that vision that he founded Shintaido, a path that unites the sacred and the martial, religion and budō.”

Minagawa Sensei concluded with

“By practicing Taimyo again and again, we unite with the message of the universe that lives within us — within our own small universes. Returning to our true selves, we can walk a life that is peaceful, free of conflict, bright, healthy, and filled with happiness. That was Master Aoki’s wish. Inspired by that vision, I hope to continue sharing this message — a message that has run through the web of life since ancient times, a message from the universe — together with all of you.”

Itō-sensei often told us it’s enough just to practice the Taimyo form. “Even if you can’t do the whole sequence, it’s okay to just enjoy it — like enjoying a painting or a piece of music. If you stand within the vibration of its sound, its light, your body will naturally show you the way. You only need to move as you are, let yourself move with that natural flow.”

This activity can become a small light to illuminate the darkness within and around us. Let’s share our light and joy. And finally, let’s return to our own beginnings — to shoshin, beginner’s mind.”

During the week, 8 sessions were offered to deepen the study of Taimyo. Soichiro Iida, Laurent Lacroix, Nicole Beauvois, Rob Gaston, Jean Marc Otto Bruc, Connie Borden, and Nagako Cooper led the sessions. Here are a few comments:

Rob Gaston: “I noticed this morning that the Taimyo sequence has 5 movements in part I, 7 movements in part II, and 5 movements in part III. This made me think of a haiku.

The Moon is still up
Let’s do Taimyo together
A Circle of Light

Tomi Nagai-Rothe and Nicole Beauvois had this exchange about not getting things perfect:
“Navajo (Diné) artists always include a flaw in their pieces because they believe that only the Creator is perfect.”

“I read that this can be seen as ‘honoring oneself with less stress in daily life by striving for excellence, but not perfection.’ “

Antigone Trimis: “I was blessed to be facing a bright sun today. One with nature.”

Sarah Baker and Jean Marc Otto Bruc had this exchange:
“I struck by the number of people from around the globe having joined these community practices this week. . . . We share across our different languages some words. . .. each of the separate people sharing the ZOOM space become physically connected.”

“It really felt like we were in the same dojo.”

On the last day, Saturday 26 of July, the gathering included a talk by Tomi, practice with Masashi Minagawa, small group conversation, practice of Taimyo part II with Tomi and a large group conversation. Tomi Nagai-Rothe recounted Ito-sensei’s journey leading the growth of the Global Taimyo Community. Her presentation was titled: Making Peace: H.F. Ito’s Peacemaking Legacy. Tomi included slides, photographs and graphic record to visually review Ito’s legacy. Hiroshima and 9/11 (USA) were two key events that influenced Ito sensei. His legacy includes teaching shintaido to hospice caregivers, deepening the Yokitai curriculum while teaching at the Day Street Dojo, peacemaking events in Washington D. C., and his 2007 Deep Bow Journey to Nanjing. Tomi asked the group to reflect on two questions:

Which part of Ito’s peacemaking legacy will you carry on?

How will you share it – individually and collectively?

Masashi Minagawa led the group with the practice of Diamond 8 Sei, Diamond 8 Dai and Diamond 8 Heart Sutra. Minagawa sensei suggested we read “The Diamond Eight Cut & Life Reflections” by H.F. Ito. Tomi led the group with practice of Taimyo part II- Yokitai version. The focus was soft, round and included pauses after each movement.

Find the 2025 readings and movement videos here.

Tomi suggested her article in Body Dialogue H.F. Ito: A Personal Remembrance. The weeklong practice ended with everyone’s desire for continued connection and eagerness for 2026. Hope to see you then!