Interview with Yamano Sensei
In May of 1994, Koho Yamano Shihan from Osaka visited the U.S. On this, his second stateside trip, he conducted workshops is Ventura, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Four of his friends and students accompanied him adding greatly to the learning experience. While in Las Vegas, he spoke with Jim Noriega about his background, style and impressions of America.
* Sensei, welcome to the U.S.
Thank you very much.
* Tell us about your dojo in Osaka.
It's called Wagokan Aikido Suren Dojo. Wago means harmony, kan is a training place which is what suren means- training. Together, this means "This is a place for people to train in a spirit of cooperation and harmony"
* I understand that your father was a student of O Sensei and you learned your Aikido from him.
Yes, that's right.
* Did you also have the opportunity to meet or learn from o Sensei?
Yes. During his training with O Sensei, my father took me to meet him, so I took some training under O Sensei himself. But most of my training was with my father.
* What martial arts did your father train in?
He was skilled in karate, judo and Daito-ryu ju-jutsu the original root of Aikido. After that, he went to O Sensei's style of Aikido.
* I understand that he made exceptional progress with O Sensei.
Yes, that's right. He studied with him for three and a half years and received a special certificate as well as his shihan diploma. Also, this name, Wagokan, was given by O Sensei himself.
* O Sensei told your father to call his dojo Wagokan?
Yes, that's right.
* Did you also learn the other arts from your father, karate etc.
Yes, also the judo and Daito ryu. But my desire is to understand and emulate O Sensei's highest level of techniques. I've studied Aikido now for 36 years
* You have referred to your Aikido as "Kata no nai". Can you explain this?
This means free of pattern or form. Moving only within learned kata is like being on railroad tracks. You can't cope with the unexpected.
* In your own dojo, how do you teach without kata?
At first, the student must learn basic footwork and set form or kata. Then they can advance beyond.
* When watching your demonstrations, I see that you are very gentle and use very little force. I think that many people would say that you are doing "Ki Aikido". Is this the same?
No. Every year, I participate in the Zen Nihon Aikido embutaikai- the All Japan Aikido Demonstration. Many onlookers say the same thing. "Mr. Yamano, is your style based on Ki?" I say "No".
* What is your style based on?
Keep moving! O Sensei said "Ugokeba sorega waza to naru." This means that technique is created out of movement.
* Proper movement?
Yes, proper movement. Not looking at any of your opponents' movement during the technique and not being attached to form. I do not think of ki at all, just movement. This method is in one of O Sensei's doka. "A host of Enemies encircle and attack me Regarding them as a single foe I wage the battle" You must cope with one person at a time- moving, moving, moving.
* You came here in 1991 and are now back for another visit. What is your impression of America?
America is a very nice country. Here, a broader mind is required not contested. Daily life in Japan is very congested with lots of people and an open mind is not appreciated but here it is required.
* How do American and Japanese students compare?
Japanese people can be skeptical. Americans learn with more sincerity. I felt it during the practice here. Japanese students doubt more.
* They don't think the technique works?
Yes. Americans are more willing to give it a sincere effort.
* During the workshop, you always urged us to loosen our power.
Yes, as I said in the seminar, the most important thing is to loosen your muscle power and not use brutal force. It's very important for one's progress. If you want to move like O Sensei you must loosen your power completely. Repetition and practice are very important.
* Is this the same as relaxing?
That's it.
* When students are learning your techniques and they don't know the movement well, it feels as if the technique is not really working and so they fall back to pushing or pulling with muscle. If you don't trust the movement, you won't really be relaxed with it enough to do it correctly. So it doesn't work and you don't trust it. How do you help the student overcome this hurdle and experience the real technique? What should the spirit, attitude or thoughts of the student be when practicing?
First, I demonstrate the technique so they can experience it that way. You must be able to show that it works. If the student is really trying, then I can say "Your movement is alright but to improve your skill try more like this." Then I can help them gradually. The student needs encouragement to get through the difficulties. I've been here for four days and in that time you've noticed an improvement in the students' talents in many areas. Even though it is difficult, we should realize that we are still improving and not be discouraged.
So I try to put the students in a comfortable position. I make them laugh. If, during practice, they are frightened or worried, they can't progress as well! During my visit here in 1991 to Las Vegas, California and Arizona, many students said that my way was easy to understand because I made them laugh.
* In your style, your stance, such as sankakutai, is very narrow- feet very close together. Can you explain?
Well, this narrow stance can cope easily with any attack. You can turn in a circle easily. If your stance is wide, your turns become oval shaped. It's not the same. Circles are better. You are more mobile for quicker movement. This lets you be the center of the movement just as the trunk is the center of a tree. This turning is the key to engulfing your opponent's force with centripetal force and then repelling him with centrifugal force.
* We found your aiki-taiso to be very different also. Did this come from your father or did you develop this style?
My father learned it from O Sensei. So, I inherited it. O Sensei made many shihan at different times in his career and so their aiki-taiso may be different. My father studied with O Sensei when he was in his seventies and his style was most advanced.
* Sensei, your style uses what you call mudra can you explain what this is?
It has a religious origin. If you go to Kyoto, there is a famous temple called Sanjusan gen do. Inside, there are many images of the Buddha with his hands in various positions. These positions are mudra. It is an Indian word.
* How are the mudra used in Aikido?
Each hand position can be applied to an Aikido technique. You have noticed that my hand and finger positions are different for different techniques. These are the various mudra. O Sensei used mudra in his highest techniques. My father learned them and I learned from him. It is a hard task to master this method. In my years of demonstrating and watching others, I have not seen others use these mudra.
* Do you have any final words for Aikido students here in America?
When you are practicing and you make a mistake, don't stop moving or your ki stream will stop. This is called aiteni o sareru, being overcome by your opponent. Aiki means 50/50 balance. So if you are attacked violently, you can cope by using soft movement and if you are attacked softly, you can use hard movement. You don't think of ki, you think of moving. If you loosen your muscle power and keep moving, your movements will become free and fast.