Reflections on the Global Taimyo Community Workshop, August 2021 by Tomi Nagai-Rothe
Over the past year I helped plan and organize – with a team of three others – a virtual international workshop marking the 20th anniversary of H.F. Ito’s founding of the Global Taimyo Community* in 2001. The creation of this community came in the wake of 9/11, and a deep desire to create connection and peace in an increasingly violent, chaotic time.
We scheduled the workshop between Hiroshima Day (August 6) and Nagasaki Day (August 9) and September 11 – a backdrop of war and violence – to highlight the importance of Taimyo Kata as a tool for fostering inner and outer peace.
In conjunction with the workshop we produced a 32 minute video entitled, A Deep Bow Journey to Nanjing: Healing Trauma in Ourselves and Others ** in which H.F. Ito and Masashi Minagawa tell their stories of accepting an invitation from Kazuaki Tanahashi to join 30+ Japanese citizens for a trip to Nanjing, China to apologize for the 1937 Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese military.
From this account the workshop might sound like a grim commemoration of several violent anniversaries but in practice it was so completely different than that. I witnessed playfulness and humor; the joy of reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones; practice with folx who had never encountered Shintaido or Taimyo before; a 90 minute dialogue about Taimyo practice, violence and reparations; and new insights into Taimyo. Several people shared profound insights with the group and a few reported transformational experiences during the week.
For me it was a beautiful manifestation of the unification of self, family/friends/society, Nature (Earth) and Heaven (Ten): Ten-Chi-Jin-Ware Ittai. The two elements that I believe set this gathering apart were:
1) The power of a strong shared intention to foster healing and peace 2) Coming together as a deeply accepting community to meet participants where they were emotionally, spiritually, and physically
I think this is what allowed the group to encompass the space between Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day, September 11 and the Nanjing Massacre. Without deep community I know I cannot survive the trip to difficult places in history or in my own heart. A loving community allows me to shift my consciousness and to grow in challenging circumstances.
Most of us are privileged enough to not live our lives in constant trauma. Yet there is so much we can learn from those who experience life in extremes where our mortality is so clear. As a martial art, Shintaido is by definition about living at the edge of life and death.
Those who have worked in hospice settings or acted as caregivers at the end of life understand this. H.F. Ito recounts the story of his rescue dive training in which his instructor told everyone the importance of descending to where the diver in trouble is and just being there with them: feeling their panic and whatever else they are experiencing. “You cannot save them” was the warning. “You can only be there fully, in the hope that they can save themselves.”
The hope and intention is that the two divers can eventually make their way to the surface – to the light and air.
Going into Um (the meditative space of Nothingness and darkness) with a partner can be the same as the rescue dive. Can we go so deep that it scares us? Go so deep that we are in uncharted territory?
Only by fully embracing the depths of Um and Nothingness in my life can I taste Heaven (Ten, the Universe).
As essential as H.F. Ito and Masashi Minagawa’s examples are to help us see the possibilities of apology and the start of healing trauma, I don’t think what we experienced could be attributed to the presence of any particular person or even our Taimyo practice. I think it could have been any short kata – even Tai Chi or another short movement form – if the two elements of clear intention and community had been present.
Chinkon – “Requiem” calligraphy by Masashi Minagawa Used to set the tone for a Taimyo Peacemaking Workshop in August 2020
I think the transformative aspect, the crucible as it were, was coming together to witness one another. As Masashi Minagawa says in his Personal Journey to Nanjing video***, the purpose is not to teach or show or heal but only to be fully present and loving. I would call this unconditional love.
John and Lee Seaman taught Shintaido (and Tai Chi/Life Exercise) in Bellingham for more than 30 years and Lee continues to teach today. There was a widespread conception that John and Lee taught Shintaido to struggling and broken people. In truth, each one of us is broken and struggling in some way whether personally, in the life of our family, our culture or our nation. The only difference was that in John and Lee’s presence it was brought out of the shadows. The rest of us are just hiding our brokenness so no one can see it.
“There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.” ― Leonard Cohen, Selected Poems, 1956-1968
The taste of deep community we felt was an experience of holding and witnessing one another.
As a Friend (Quaker), we often use queries to help unpack and explore big topics. It may be helpful to carry a query with you, like a smooth polished stone in your pocket.
In the spirit of exploration, I leave you with these queries: • What is the ultimate purpose of my practice? • How deep is my community?
Notes and links
* Taimyo and Peacemaking Several articles on Taimyo by H.F. Ito and research on the etymology of Chinkon (Requiem) by Masashi Minagawa Day Street Dojo
** A Deep Bow Journey to Nanjing: Healing Trauma in Ourselves and Others (32 min.) An account of the 2007 apology trip to Nanjing, China by H.F. Ito and Masashi Minagawa – with English subtitles – with French subtitles – with Japanese subtitles
Covid-19 made its effects felt around the world in 2020 with most gatherings being cancelled, including Shintaido events. As vaccines became available and more adults were able to get vaccinated, small slits began to open in the curtain of isolation. Small groups again talked of gathering and as such the fall SOA gasshuku typically held in Quebec Canada made plans to come together.
Beginning as humble hopes and dreams to the reality of border restrictions into Canada actually easing, the extraordinary plans of gathering with distant friends again began in earnest. SOA members from CA, FL and Canada arranged to meet Ito Sensei and Nicole in Quebec City, QU, CAN as has happened so easily in the past. But this gathering had the added complication of proof of Covid-19 vaccinations and 72 hour pre-travel testing, hoping for negative results.
But then it all came together and we all were heading to Canada once again. With the first hurdle, travel, met and cleared, new challenges presented themselves. Where could our small group gather to practice? Though Canada’s borders were opening to international travellers, venues, indoors and out, within Quebec were re-imposing strict guidelines on group size and acceptable activities. Questions arose about where we would be able to practice. Then the answer came. Carole and Denis invited the small group to their dojo on the eastern edge of the Gaspésie Peninsula.
With more planning for transportation and lodging, the small group including Ito Sensei, Nicole, Herve, Connie, Rob G, and Sarah gathered in Quebec City and drove to Carole and Denis’. Everyone had their jobs. Connie and Rob took turns piloting the minivan. Sarah provided navigation. Herve filled our time with lively conversation and endless discussion topics. Nicole and Ito lent us strength and stability amid the chaos.
From the moment of arriving at Carole and Denis’, home we entered a dream world. Covid-19 was momentarily put aside. Masks were something to be remembered when leaving the compound much like wallets, jackets, and water bottles might be.
We gathered for communal meals, flowing and washing over each other in a blend of languages from French and English to the occasional Japanese. Subgroups got rowdy with laughter and serious discussions. Everyone felt relaxed and generally happy. But we didn’t forget why this small group came together in the first place, and we had 6 inspiring Shintaido keiko in our host’s amazing dojo.
Melonie who lives just down the street, joined us for 3 of these classes.
Gasshuku are generally special and unique. This gasshuku, dispite the challenges and restrictions was also special and unique.
Rob Gaston impressions from Canada
A unification of the dojo space, nature, Carole and Denis’ personality and character and the local community in a way that seems to flow so you can feel all parts when focused on any one part. The feeling of living in harmony so that the spirits of the first people, the nature spirits are present and surrounding and liking the keiko we did.
The warmth of welcome of the Quebec Shintaido group from the moment of arrival at Herve’s to the endless abundance of cookies that came from Carole and Denis’ freezer in the basement. The feeling was my image of what I want to express in ten position meditation pose number 2, and then going beyond in their warm welcome.
There was a joy I think everyone felt in being able to do keiko in person again.
Connie’s impressions from Canada
Eight people joined in a group to practice Kyukajo, Shintaido and Jissen. We were fortunate to have Carole and Denis offer their private dojo (see picture). The three days moved through uniting our bodies and minds to harmony with others, ultimately expanding to include the community and big nature.
Friday morning, Carole led warmups followed by Connie Borden and Robert teaching Kyukajo. Ito sensei reminded the group of the difference between working with the blade tip/first one-third of the sword in Kyukajo and working with the middle section of the blade as in Jissen.
Saturday morning, Connie taught Taimyo part II and part III. During the deep bow Ito Sensei suggested we fully bow by releasing the hips backwards and having the top of the head/chakra point downward (within each person’s ability). During big dipper, Ito sensei reinforced that a relaxed position without strain would allow each of us to reach further up and down while spiraling our body. Saturday afternoon, Rob taught attack and receiving for Jodan Uchite.
Sunday morning, Connie taught Shoden no kata kumitachi. Everyone practiced Mitori keiko and shared feedback on seeing how a person moved with the bokken. Sunday morning ended with exams for advanced students. Sarah Baker and Denis Bujold became Advanced Students.
Rob Gaston concluded the weekend of study with the sixth keiko. The study was Jissen Kumitachi Dotoh. Ito sensei encouraged students to watch Rob and Connie to notice the management of timing and space.
Ito Sensei provided a memorial evening of Taimyo under the night sky. Big nature provided a sky full of stars and the Milky Way, while the bay waters lapped gently near our feet.
Food and conversation completed the full gasshuku experience. Thank you, Sarah, for navigating our travels. Thank you, Nicole, and Melanie, for your presence. Thank you, Carole, Denis and Herve for organizing. Thank you, Rob, for co-teaching and collaborative travel. Thank you, Ito sensei.
Check out videos from the Gasshuku on Shintaido of America YouTube channel. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and never miss a new video.
This summer of 2021 introduced the opportunity for Shintaido practitioners to take high level exams. Given the COVID pandemic, in-person exams during an international gasshuku were not possible. International Technical and Examination Committee (ITEC) worked with two of the doshu, HF Ito and Masashi Minagawa, to offer video/ZOOM exams. These exams had two parts: a video performance and then participating in a ZOOM Masterclass exam (ZME). For SOA, the video filming was done in the Bay Area on 6 June and on the east coast on the 18/19 of June. The ZME was held 8 August in the Bay Area
Congratulations to the following people who successfully passed their examinations!
Shintaido Kenjutsu: 3-Dan Lee Ordeman
Shintaido Kenjutsu: 4-Dan Connie Borden Shin Aoki Robert Gaston
Shintaido Senior Instructor Lee Ordeman
Watch the video of the Zoom Master Class on YouTube below and for more details take a look here.
“Wonderful information, wonderful video.” “I was deeply touched.” “Moving, beautiful presentation.” “Somuch power in the desire to heal – almost as much as the healing itself.” “Deeply moved . . . by the transforming power of Shintaido teachings and movements.”
These are a few of the responses to A Deep Bow Journey to Nanjing presentation on July 6, 2021 attended by more than 77 people on Zoom of a joint partnership of Shintaido of America and Reimagine.
Connie Borden introduced herself as the moderator (and Shintaido instructor) and shared the purpose of the presentation: “Our hope is to show ways that body movements support healing and reconciliation from past traumas. We intend to show how body movement can help to prepare for the end of life as well as how to live well in this moment.”
She then acknowledged that the land of the San Francisco Bay Area meeting hosts is occupied indigenous land of the Ohlone People – in eight distinct tribal groups.
Tomi Nagai-Rothe, Shintaido instructor and video co-producer, talked about wanting to bring this story of healing and repair to more people, through the video project. She mentioned the martial arts philosophy of living at the edge of life and death. She believes that healing body movement like Shintaido is a powerful tool for coming into alignment with our own deeper rhythms which, in turn, allows us to connect more deeply to others.
After the video showing, H.F. Ito, Master Shintaido Instructor, talked about his trip to Nanjing as an important part of addressing his negative cultural inheritance. He described the concept of our bodies as a mudra (Sanskrit: “gesture, seal or sign”) or whole body antennae that allows us to receive energy from the universe as well as sending energy.
H.F. Ito also talked about sword movement – in the post-Samurai era – as a spiritual cleansing technique to clear away unneeded thoughts or energy.
Masashi Minagawa, Master Shintaido Instructor, spoke about “wordless transmission” through body movement (kata in Japanese). He recounted a Shintaido performance at the first anniversary of 9/11 at London’s Royal Opera House during which he experienced sword movement becoming an act of spreading peace. The sword movement was transformed into his master HIroyuki Aoki’s wish to spread flowers over the bombed out buildings of Tokyo after Aoki had lost so many family members and friends to the violence. Masashi Minagawa saw white petals falling from the ceiling of the Opera House, covering the audience.
Some reminders from our Master instructors regarding Shintaido healing movement:
Use healing movement practice in daily life for all types of situations
Avoid expecting a specific or immediate result
Be non-judgmental
Practice gratitude
If you are interested in going further, please join Master H.F. Ito and Master Masashi Minagawa for a virtual workshop August 22-28 – the 20th Anniversary of the Global Taimyo Peace Community.
Registration includes:
2 – 90 minute virtual classes with H.F. Ito (8/22 and 8/28)
Up to 7 weekday classes with regional instructors (optional)
Second showing of the video featuring Master H.F. Ito and Master Masashi Minagawa (subtitled in English, French and Japanese): A Deep Bow Journey to Nanjing
A facilitated conversation about the video and workshop theme (with French, Japanese and English subgroups)
Taimyo Kata instructional materials – demonstration video and written sequence
Nominations for Shintaido of America Board members are now open. A Shintaido of America Board member works with other board members and SOA officers to help fulfill the mission of supporting keiko and instructors in the US and Canada.
Joining the SOA Board is a way to give back and support the people who teach and practice Shintaido. We are looking for folks who want to express their appreciation for Shintaido and dedicate a few hours a month to help the organization keep moving forward.
Being on the Board of Directors of a non-profit corporation is an important position that should be included on a resume or job application.
What are some of the things a board members have done?
A sub-committee of the Shintaido of America Board worked with an amazing marketing/branding professional, Robert Friedman. They devised a fresh and inventive way to describe Shintaido.
With this revitalized way to think of Shintaido as “Opening to Life”, the Teachers’ group led by Lee Seaman and Nancy Billias designed a five-week ‘soft hand’ curriculum for beginners which is designed to be conducted over Zoom.
Board members contributed to articles and worked with Body Dialogue editor Jim Sterling for our Body Dialogue.
The Shintaido of America YouTube Channel now offers new videos every few weeks led by Sarah Baker, who works with the SOA Board and officers.
Shintaido of America board members set the strategy for Shintaido of America, establish the annual budget to accomplish these strategies while also maintaining the infrastructure of a national nonprofit organization.
How to answer this call? It is quite easy.
Write us a short letter or shoot a video where you introduce yourself. We are keen to know more about your motivation to become a board member and if you already have an idea of what we can do together, let us know!
A board member serves a term of 2 years. The term is from September 2021 to September 2023. A board member attends 4 board meetings each year and participates in committee work throughout the year.
The nominations close on the 24th of July and the elections will happen from 1 August to 14 August 2021.
A person may self-nominate themselves. If nominating another person, please have their agreement before making the nomination.
Are you wondering who is in the Shintaido of America Board now?
The members from September 2019 to 2021 are Nancy Billias Connie Borden David Franklin Herve Hofstetter Brad Larson, all elected voting members
