COLLECTING ZEN JUDO MEMORIES

As we mentioned in our last issue, we continue to collect Zen Judo memories for the Wadokan News. Most families have family albums and stories that they share. Together the memories help new members learn important things about family life, about what it was like in the beginning and to discover the virtues, values and gifts from the past. For this issue I asked Sensei Brian Bagot to share with us his own memories of Zen Judo gradings in Petersfield. I found Brian's story funny and touching. If only all of us had had the chance to participate in a grading with Mac! Thank you Brian, for sharing it with us! Should you have some memories to share, please send them to us. We'll spread the good word to the Zen Judo community.

GRADINGS AT LOVE LANE
By Brian Bagot, 6th Dan, BBagot@aol.com.

It was a stifling hot day in July 1985 as I hurried towards the Community Centre at Love Lane, my kit bag in my trembling hand and the butterflies making a feast of my stomach lining. I had waited months for this day, training religiously each week on two evenings and studying my sheets of throws to learn the names by heart. Now as I arrived at the doors I had an overpowering urge to turn and go home, saying I was not well and would try again next time. Parents and family of two juniors players arrived behind me and I reluctantly opened the doors and was carried into the centre with them.

The eyes of the two juniors were round and nervous as they looked about them at the sea of faces, mostly unfamiliar. I hoped my nervousness wasn't as apparent as I pushed my way through the crowd and booked in with Peg. Peg was always there to welcome us, a life raft in the stormy sea of players between gradings. A cup of coffee or tea and one of her exquisite cakes being the highlight of the whole thing for me. Changing into my gi was probably the worst moment of the day, wearing my colored belt with trepidation as I made my way back to the reception room. The place was, if at all possible, even more crowded, and I settled back against a wall to wait for the session to commence.

There seemed to be nobody there I knew, the majority bigger than me and of higher grades, with a smattering of Black belts grinning at us as if we were to be their next meal! Ten minutes later Mac appeared from the inner door like a benign uncle, smiling at everyone and avoiding their attempts at pinning him down as he searched the crowd for specific personnel. His eyes met mine and he beckoned. "Come along young Brian, let's get this show on the road," he said with a smile.

"Here's your partner." He indicated a shaven-headed lad some twenty years my junior. The lad looked big and mean and my heart sank as I saw his muscles rippling under his gi. My end was in sight and I knew I'd be carried off from the dojo within a few minutes. "Get on in there and enjoy yourselves" he muttered into my ear as he called over the bearded Alan, our grader for the next 2 - 3 hours.

The dojo, in stark relief from the reception room, was a haven of peace. Windows open to admit wafts of warm air, the place was hot and sultry, but ultimately preferable to the babble of the entrance and reception area. Alan was kind and understanding in his attempts at putting us at ease, and the pounding in my chest lessened as we warmed up. The shaven-headed youth suddenly seemed more normal as I began to realize he was even more nervous than I was. We started, Kubi Nage, Tai Otoshi, Kata Seoi and we were into it before I realized my nerves had settled down and I was concentrating. To my surprise the youth (Kevin) was less familiar with the Japanese nomenclature than I was, my studies paying off now. By the halfway point we were both tired but I felt I had done all right as I hadn't forgotten any throws. Kevin's grading was inter spaced with embarrassing bouts of inactivity as he mentally searched for the movements to match Alan's orders. Ko Soto gake produced much hesitation, and Seoi Nage resulted in three failed attempts at Kata Seoi and a sigh from Alan as we passed on to the next technique. Kevin was having a bad day I guess.

Two hours later we sat cross legged awaiting the finish. I felt reasonably confident that if I hadn't passed, at least I had made a valiant attempt. I hadn't let myself down. Suddenly we were thrown into Randori and what euphemistically passed for Shiai under the eagle eyes of Mac. "Get in there and give it all you've got" he exhorted as we attempted to put on a good show against a couple of fresh and hefty black belts. I landed on the mat again and again, realizing just how much more I had to learn. I struggled up for what seemed like the hundredth time and tried to make some impression on George Underwood who stood like a block of concrete before me, only to be picked up and dumped again. "Matte" we bowed at one another and I fell down in my place, exhausted. Mac came over and looked at me. I shook me head sadly and he smiled. "There's always next time" he murmured as he walked away. Moments later we were lined up and only then did I notice that Kevin was no longer among the group. I waited for the sword of Damocles, but instead a brand new green belt was placed before me. I had passed.

What I didn't realize at that moment was what would be in store for me in the forthcoming months. Perhaps I should have taken up embroidery or crochet?? As I left the dojo all I wanted to do was to get back on the mat with my new belt and start the learning process over again. Like any fish, I was well and truly hooked. Thank you Mac.

FUTURE TRAINING EVENTS Sunday, 1st October 2000.

Kenshindoryu will be hosting a Judo Kata course, covering Ju No Kata at the PETERSFIELD COMMUNITY CENTRE, the home of Zen Judo, from 1pm - 5pm. Ju No Kata is considered one of the "superior" kata and is more usually performed in slow motion, however, this seminar will also examine the efficacy of the techniques at a faster, more realistic pace, giving the form more relevance to the modern traditional Judoka (apart from which it's more FUN !!) while still imparting important insights into, both, the "yielding" and martial principles contained in Kodokan Judo. Course instructor: Jim Dart (4th Dan ISTJ, 3rd Dan Zen). Course fee £5. ALL ARE WELCOME - Contact Jim for more details on Kenshindoryu@aol.com or on Tel: 01189 623 623

The Asageiko is the annual international training sponsored by the American Zen Judo family. Every year we've had the pleasure of having high ranking Zen Judoka Sensei from England to provide us with a full day or two of training for all the Zen Judo clubs in America. This year we're delighted to have Jo Winslow as our guest Sensei. All Zen Judo families are invited to the event. It will take place in Richmond, Virginia (we're hoping to hold it at the Wadokan dojo), on Saturday, 14th October. It will be an all-day event.