Enshin Blog

Philosophy, News, and Resources

Uchideshi Induction Ceremony

by | Enshin Lifestyle

On auspicious day of January 29th, 2018 two students were inducted as official uchideshi.  This is a long journey of three years of training countless hours a day 7 days a week.  The two inductees are David Silva III and Rex Alexander Newell, pictured below:

Rex Alexander Newell and Ryochou “dorm chief” David Silva III on the right

The ceremony started with introductions and then shaving their heads to symbolize cutting their worldly attachments and focus their minds into training.

Kancho Joko Ninomiya then explained how Sosai Mas Oyama went into the mountains to train alone and when he felt like returning to society cut his eyebrow that would take 6 months to grow back.  This was an obvious training device that encouraged him to remain committed.

Fuku Kancho Mike then read a speech:

I will share with you a quote that inspires me every morning when I wake up from the shogun who initiated 300 years of peace and prosperity in Japan. If you understand these words and train wholeheartedly, the level of depth in Tokugawa’s words will change your life and make the world a better place.

“Life is like a long journey with a heavy burden. Let the step be slow and steady then you will not stumble.
Persuade oneself that imperfection and inconvenience are natural and there will be no room for discontent neither for despair.
When ambitious desires arise in your heart, recall the days of extremity that you have passed through.
Forbearance is the root of quietness and assurance forever.
Look upon the wrath of the enemy. If you know what it is to conquer and know not what is like to be defeated, woe will come to you.
Find fault with yourself rather than with others. The strong ones in life are those who understand the meaning of the word patience.”
-Tokugawa Ieyasu

1. Life is like a long journey with a heavy burden. Let the step be slow and steady then you will not stumble. 

I believe we are spiritual immigrants taking residence in a human body. Our journey is one of hardship because everything we can touch with our senses will one day fade. What we can hold onto is in the heart and is the source of unconditional love. Authentic dreams reside in the heart and give you a universal passport to happiness. This is passport is proof to you that you are light and no one can take that from you. Dreams without small goals will lead to failure.

Dream big but make small manageable goals my father told me. Make 10 year goals, 5 year goals, yearly goals, weekly goals, daily goals, hourly goals, minute by minute goals. Get a journal to track your goals. Goals cannot be achieved without discipline and consistency. Even when things get hard, you still have your good habits to rely on and a powerful community that connects you to your heart and you will not stumble.

2. Persuade oneself that imperfection and inconvenience are natural and there will be no room for discontent neither for despair. 

The concept of sabaki teaches us how to work with the opponent rather than fight them with force. We train ourselves to rise above conflict and I challenge you to use sabaki with yourself as the biggest opponent you will ever face. The great Miyamoto Musashi said when you go to battle, you need to make use of all your tools, if you carry two swords, you must not go to your death carrying only one and leaving the other one in it’s sheath. As you learn how to work with yourself and train hard you may win or lose but you will never get defeated and have no regrets.

3. When ambitious desires arise in your heart, recall the days of extremity that you have passed through. 

Remember you are the product of survivors; all of your ancestors survived long enough for your spirit to immigrate into this body. As you honor your purpose and why you chose to be an uchideshi you honor all those who came before you. Search not for fame or money but to follow your heart. When you feel unsure remember you know all along and keep training hard to honor those who gave you this gift called life.

4. Patience is the root of quietness and assurance forever.

Remember when you say Osu from your gut, you connect to the concept of patiently moving foreword. As you do what you love and follow your heart, you enter timelessness and follow your dreams through practical goals. Every morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up early and chase them steadily. If you wake up early you’ve already made one step in the right direction to having no regrets. As my grandfather said; you can rest when you’re dead so do something meaningful while you are here.

5. Look upon the wrath of the enemy. If you know what it is to conquer and know not what is like to be defeated, woe will come to you.

Enshin uses a key principle known as Kyushu. Kyushu means to absorb the leading edge of the opponents attack. As you Kyushu properly, you become one with the opponent and can choose how to redirect their force. In life this means, try and put yourself in another’s shoes.

6. Find fault with yourself rather than with others. The strong ones in life are those who understand the meaning of the word patience.

As we understand the meaning of Enshin; “heart of the circle” and train wholeheartedly we aim to polish ourself like a mirror and see ourselves in another person. The ultimate realization of martial arts is that there are no opponents; they just are a reflection of the blockages inside of us. Train to polish our mirror, this is a lifetime of work that requires patience and efficiency.  

These were messages from past uchideshi whose picture and words will be in their dormitory:


Shihan Dai Yuji Yato:

「円心会館の内弟子とは、世界最高峰の武道家、二宮城光館長の空手を体得するべく努力できることに感謝し、充実した稽古の日々を
過ごして下さい。」

Appreciate for that you can learn directly from Kancho Ninomiya at the Enshin Denver honbu,
who is one of the “best” of the best karate masters in the history. You got no time to waste. Make the time you spend precious!

Uchideshi 1999-2002

Shihan Tetsushi Hayashi:

現内弟子諸君へ

毎日、稽古に明け暮れている事でしょう。
内弟子は、大変な事ばかりですが、
自分自身を鍛える大変貴重な時間です。
今の時間を無駄にしない様に、自分自身に挑戦して下さい。
是非、サバキチャレンジでチャンピオンを目指し稽古に励んで下さい。
今後内弟子修行を終えた後で、良い思い出になるか、否かは、
自分が頑張れたか、どうかに掛かります。

押忍 林

“Dear Uchideshis,

I assume you all have been training hard every day!
Uchideshi life is not easy, but it’s very special time for you to grow.
Don’t waste any time and keep challenging yourself. Try hard to be
one of the Sabaki Challenge champions! It’s all up to you,
the time you spent as uchideshi will be a great part of
your life or not for your future.

Osu,

Hayashi
Uchideshi ’92-95

「毎日空手の稽古ができるなんて最高だ!
空手を楽しみ、人生を楽しみ、そして笑顔を忘れるな。励め!!」

(Practice karate every day?!, that’s wonderful!!!
Enjoy Karate, enjoy your life, and don’t forget smile. Work haaard !!!! Osu )
Osu!
Naohiro Tomiyama
Uchideshi 1992

  

Congratulations on being inducted!

Follow their journey on the official Uchideshi Facebook page here.