How I became 50% Japanese
Wojciech Korwin-Piotrowski
You have choice: nice life with TV and four-pack of
greedy beer, or destroy your body with The Kobayashi's.
Choice is yours. I enjoyed no TV way.
Three years ago, when my aikido was so "powerful",
so "beautiful" and so "easy" to do, I asked myself: How toteach the same person smaller than me? Answer wassimple: impossible! I decided to change my techniques
completely. I join other aikido groups in Poland forseminars and camps to understand what's wrong with me. Itaught morning class called "Sensei, it doesn't work" to observe with students
my errors and wrong angles (many many).
Then obvious step for me – go to Japan and see some details and spirit.
That was really hard step to do. Family, work, and some other things wereagainst my plan. Earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima didn't help. Everybody
said don't go! Anyway I was ready to die for my trip to Japan. Thanking for
support from some friends, my wife (thank you for waiting again) and finally
Kobayashi sensei I'm here. Now I'm counting hours to go home, but I'm justready to start to miss natto and many many other things and people.
Three years ago I was in Japan for traveling and celebrating and somepeople still remember me different way. I hope most of you now understandme proper way and I hope nobody is disappointed. Yes, I like karaoke! But
only after something great. Without, it's hard to sing.
Yasuko san, Miyoko san, Yasuo san and Hiroaki san (sumimasen, polishway, ladies first) – all the best I keep in my heart. It's never essays or facebook
part. Arigato gozaimasu (Yes, I'm still in Japan and I didn't finish my aikidojob) for everything you do for me.
Masuda, Mikio, Koyanagi, Uchino sensei I would like to say THANK
YOU. You show me Japanese way which I like by my heart, but it's maybe
impossible to do in Poland anymore. I will do it anyway.
I would like to thank you all the ladies practicing during Suizen-Kai andThursdays practicing – you show me completely new way of having fun during
a class. I hope I could start same “noisy” class in my country. It was really a
lot of fun for me. Also teaching one of the class in Kodaira.
Hanaoka san, Akiba san and Usa san thank you for all delicate pins andnice sounds, and feeding too. Hanaoka san I hope you enjoy my T-shirt.
I celebrated tea ceremony by Mrs. Morita in her house. She has greatskills in making party better. Yes, and tea too. I hope she help me with myaikido party making job. Kasahara san too.
I met Mr. Kobayashi (that's right, ladies and gentlemen, another niceKobayashi here) who is Frank Zappa fan. We spent whole day talking aboutand listening to his music. Not only his – huge
Kobayashi's collection has many surprises.
Ono Yoko was singing to me this afternoon!!!
Matsuyuki san only you did vodka before
your yondan test and you're only one who
passed it. I'm so happy, you know!!!
It's nice to meet myself limits sometimes.
Comparing to week number 11 and 12 weeks
before were a piece of cake. Week number 11 was one of the worst times in mylife. Fortunately doctor said I'm healthy, but just very tired. I'm very glad that I
didn't miss any class that time.
Making Fridays breakfasts for sensei's was good challenge for me -cutting meat and vegetables, making kanapki (sandwiches), salads and desserts
and first of all logistics, logistics, logistics. Remember -- overtime makes senseis
hungry and angry. Hiromi you great kitchen help (and, of course, thank you for
all ken and jo trainings)! And finally… my last miso soup… “Wojtek, you are50% Japanese”. All three months was worth of it!
For those uchideshi who has problem with cleaning... If you don't clean,
you live in dirt. Kasahara san without your help my life in dojo could be moredifficult. Thank you for raising my cleaning and Dojocho's towels handlingskills.
Sweet Dreams’ crew – thank you for the last night in Japan.
Big thank you all again for the sweat and fun even in the train.
Następny polski uchideshi – mocno się staraj, bo poprzeczkę ustawiłem
wysoko!
Watashi wa Voy-teck desu. Arigato gozaimashita!