Takeda-Sensei on Grading
By Ralph Pettman
TAKEDA-SENSEI ON GRADING
Takeda sensei sent me the following in response to a question about what syllabus we should be using. He wrote in English, which I have edited a little:
“Frankly, I think grading criteria must be very simple. The examiner should be requested to observe the qualities (inner possibilities) of the candidate. It is not a test.Optional techniques should be requested, but may differ depending on the situation in each country. Which means we are not making robots but are looking for something great – individually and collectively. I hope all teachers find their best way and that many types of flowers bloom in each country. No parallel view may result but Osensei’s spiritual resonance will be admired in the process.
I know my suggestion will feel like a cold wind. Since the beginning of our relationship in Australia 25 years ago, however, I was not interested in giving a concrete idea for everybody, even for myself. You are a 5th dan already. I am willing to support your practice, but only as a friend of yours, on your journey in Aikido.
Please be like the wind and follow your intuition.”
I would paraphrase what he says as follows: The purpose of training, both individually and collectively, is to
. further O-sensei’s spiritual example
. foster the great
. eschew the robotic, and
. find one’s own best way
Gradings should therefore be simple
. part of assessing a student’s inner possibilities
. other than a mere test, and
. relevant to, and expressive of, people and place.
I append a little poem he sent earlier, where he discussed his way of training:
“Be as a baby,
Take our head away,
Mother will take us to somewhere~~~~~~~.
Enjoy ‘being’ here,
enjoy Surfing, without Force,
Forget Yamaguchi sensei, Osensei sensei~~~~~~.
Many Sensei are dancing in Our Universe,
asking to dance individually,
and together.”