Enacting Ito Sensei’s Legacy
“Enacting . . . to put something into action.”
Cambridge Dictionary
by Tomi Nagai-Rothe
During the July 2025 Global Taimyo Community’s (GTC) gathering, I asked “Which part of Ito Sensei’s legacy will you carry on?” and “How will we share it — individually and collectively?”
It feels like a daunting challenge, in light of Ito Sensei’s life and work, yet I like to frame it as creating ripples on a quiet body of water.
Many of us had the experience of listening to a story, having a conversation, or receiving feedback from Ito-Sensei that we remember to this day. Something resonated and stuck with us. We each don’t need to emulate Ito Sensei’s biggest and most ambitious accomplishments: we can carry his spirit in many small yet significant ways.
I experienced Ito this way for more than 10 years when he lived with my family. So much of the impression he made on me was through his acts of kindness: driving dozens of Japanese friends to visit Yosemite National Park in his pick-up truck, checking in on friends who were sick or injured, teaching my son Kai Golf-do (kenko taiso with golf clubs) as an independent physical education class, cooking for us, sharing detailed feedback on my exams, keeping in touch with dozens of people he knew across the world. Answering email promptly was like kumite for him, I think. Each of those acts – whether directed toward me and my family or others – created a ripple.
In keiko Ito spoke about our ability to extend our senses out to feel how our friends were doing – at a distance. Did they just land at the airport? Are they doing OK? Simply thinking about a friend, and sending a connected, kind thought their way can create a connection, and a ripple. Many ripples can create a splash.
When I think of Ito’s multiple ripples, I remember the relationship mandala that I drew to show the connections within which we interacted. You can see it as a ripple map or a constellation.
Shintaido of America’s 2026 50th Anniversary theme is “Kumite Across Time and Space.” I think Ito embodied this in his life mandala, comprised of so many of our relationship constellations.
The ripple metaphor reminds me of Lao Tsu (Taoism) and also Ito’s Tai Chi practice.
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu
Eight
The highest good is like water.
Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men (people*) reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In business, be competent.
In action, watch the timing.
No fight; No blame.
Translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English
Vintage Books Edition. © 1972 by Feng and English
*Alternate language added by Tomi
Lao Tzu’s philosophy of being like water is also echoed in Sengcan’s poem Shinshinming, “Trust in Mind,” the theme for our 2026 GTC gatherings.
The Great Way is not difficult
for those who do not pick and choose.
When preferences are cast aside
the Way stands clear and undisguised.
By Sengcan – third Ch’an Patriarch
Our Ripples
On several occasions Ito reminded me that I could teach Shintaido with what is innate and deep – not the surface stuff – using my intention, experience, and imagination in a quiet way. A reminder to cast aside “preferences” as Sengcan says. So I hope you will consider how the quiet ripples you already make in the world can be part of carrying on Ito’s legacy.
Here are some ways that I experienced Ito making ripples in my life and others’ lives that are accessible to all of us:
A. Be helpful and supportive of others (i.e. show up):
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- Make time to check-in with a friend
- Share a meal out, or cook for someone
- Share useful information
- Listen to or support a friend who is making a difference in the world
- Build a trusting relationship by following through on communications and commitments
- Help someone who isn’t a friend yet, but could become one
- Encourage others in their life explorations
B. Build connections among people you know
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- Connect your friends that share an interest or experience, but don’t know each other yet
- Connect groups you know that share a common goal
C. Share what you know
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- Coach someone on a skill you have
- Teach/share something you enjoy
D. Be aware of fairness, stand up for justice
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- Notice injustice as it unfolds before you – or in the news. Talk about it with friends
- Inform yourself on a social issue
- Connect to others who share your values about fairness and justice
- Find and connect to an individual or a group who is active in seeking justice
E. Continue something you have done that was directly or indirectly related to Ito
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- Help curate his writing or videos
- Bring forward Ito’s work to share with others
- Share your experience of Shintaido with others – through a story or through practice
We never know how big our ripple can be. That ripple may very well resemble an ocean swell . . .
