A new review has been posted in the AikiWeb Book database:
============================ Book Title: Angry White Pyjamas Book Author: Twigger, Robert Review author: Matt Wake Rating given: 5 (out of 5) Review: I think Robert Twigger has done a superb job of creating an enjoyable and insightful narrative from a year of intensive Aikido study. It works brilliantly as a novel and as a credible introduction to a Japanese dojo. Having practised kendo intensively in Japan, I can understand his paranoia towards certain teachers, and others who he obviously respected. He also effectively describes the torture and occasional humour of budo practice, while sparing time to explore modern Japanese society. Personally I would like aspiring martial artists to read this book before setting foot in any dojo. They might be more realistic about what budo means -- repetitive practice, some pain, occasional breakthroughs -- rather than a romanticised image gleaned from the latest self-help manual. |
Although I dont know Robert Twigger and even never met him, after reading Mike Kimedas and Nic Mills reviews, and talking to Nic Mills about Twigger I have no aspirations or intentions in reading the book. I believe Twigger didnt train in Aikido before going through the senshusei course. It seems as though he had no desire to become an Aikidoka and this is evident in the responses given by by both Mike and Nic.
Twigger is a writer who travels around the world in search of new adventures and writes about his experiences. By no means is he an Anthropologist. It seems as though he went into the course with a frame of mind focusing on survival and not focusing on learning and self discovery. Im told there is a difference between those who get through the senshusei course and those who "complete" it. Apparently they will not kick you out of the senshusei course, it is just expected that you leave if you can not handle it. Many westerners dont seem to understand this and get through the course and feel like they have accomplished something. Those who complete it are those who actually care about what they are doing, trying to get the most out of it, and trying their best. I dont feel that anyone that hasnt "completed" the course would have anything valuable to say towards Yoshinkan Aikido. Im just going by what I have read about the senshusei course and Robert Twigger, and what I have learned through those that have known him. I have absolutely no intention of reading the book. The only suggestion I could make is for the Yoshinkan Honbu dojo to have a better screening policy for the senshusei course so they can weed out those Westerners who know nothing of the culture and have no affinity for Aikido. Have a Great Day! :D |
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All in all I liked the book. I read it understanding that it was written by someone who took the course looking for something difficult to challenge himself with, not neccessarily to learn aikido. Bronson |
I found that book boring.
Couldn't make myself read more than a fourth of it. A regretful purchase. |
I bought and read the book and quite enjoyed it, but not because I necessarily agreed with or even liked the author as portrayed.
I felt that he wanted to be a published author and did the senshusei course so he would have an experience to write about. I trained for a year under Paul Stephens and Eva Stauffer, who are both mentioned in the book. I have a hard time reconciling the Paul of the book with Paul Sensei, whom I found to be a patient and generous teacher with considerable sense of humour. Worth a read though, if only so you can disagree with the man. :-) I guess it wasn't written with the Aikidoka audience in mind. |
It took me just a few hours to finish the book, and I found it quite entertaining. It is not a serious book, but rather something like those B class movies about some mischievous people enlisting in the army. I think only aikidoka will be able to understand what the author is trying to tell, and there are a few interesting anecdotes. I didn't take this author's opinions about yoshinkan aikido and its practitioners too seriously because to judge by the kind of marginal life he was himself leading as he describes it in the book, he doesn't really earn neither my respect nor my trust, but the book is intertaining and funny, so why not read it?
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Hi Edward;
I was of the same mind for pretty much the same reasons until Mike (in the book) Kimeda suggested I should read it anyway. Glad I did - my review is already posted. Even read it a second time. I was watching a film the other day where one lady was protesting a book she hadn't read. While I think that not reading a book you have no interest in is perfectly acceptable, condeming the same based on heresay is - well the character in the film came across a bit shrill. Spring Gashko this week-end. Beer, Onsen, and maybe just maybe aq bit of Aikido. |
I read Twigger's book as an example of the "Foreigner-'doing'-Japan-for-a-year-or- two-and-then-writing-a-novel" type. I certainly did not read it for the aikido or for the picture of the dojo he presents, which does not bear much resemblance to the many I have practised in here.
I found Christopher Bates' "The Wave Man" much more satisfying. Peter, have a good gasshuku and give my best regards to Prof Shishida, should you meet him. Best regards, |
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If the stories about him are true,(ex. jumping for joy upon hearing of Gozo Shiodas death) then I have absolutely no respect for him or anyone that shows this kind indignity. |
Relax Bryan;
First I am sure your senseis are all you describe and secondly, if you read my post, I also did not read the book initially because of reports I heard. Of course I also only commented on the book after I read it. The Christopher Ross review (just look under Books) is a very interesting one written by a man who was there. His descriptions of the whys and wherefors of Twigger basically agreed with my impressions - including the Kancho death dance. Have you read his review? A lot of what Twigger describes resonated with my experience (more in my review - did you read that?). In this respect I differ from Peter Goldsbury in that I got more out of the book then just a golly gee look at Japan. He writes well, offers a perspective on something unusual, and considering at the time I was suffering from considerable pain and frustration from over-training gave me something that I easily relate to. By the by - I found it very refreshing that he did let it all hang out. So many martial art journey books read like the author is some sort of monk. If you ever get to train in Japan be prepared for a few surprises. Quote:
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Another "What I've heard" thing (from a sempai at my dojo)...
He basically bitched about having to work hard, and complained about "Yoshinkai brainwashing". ... okay, he should have expected as much from such an intensive program, but I suppose I might be irritable too after so much work. The bit where he says he was happy Shioda-sensei died because he got a week off of training is just /atrocious/. I don't care if he's "joking". It's horrible to say something like that about /anyone/, and especially about someone who by most accounts was a good person. It just makes this guy sound scummy. |
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I then went to buy the book from a local bookshop, and read it. I forgot to mention to the friar that time that my Christian faith was gone long time before I read the book. Anyhow, I found the book quite boaring, except for a few remarquable statements about religion and women. I certainly couldn't find anything that would make me loose my faith.... |
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Anyway, you should plan to come to Japan at an early date and come especially to western Japan, where Peter R and myself live. I am sure we could arrange a very good training schedule for you, one that Fukakusa Shihan would be very happy with. Best, |
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As for the Jesuits, I'm afraid they really weren't very successful in my education, even though they are quite notorious for their disciplinary system. Glad to hear that you too passed through the same ordeals, Dr. Goldsbury :) |
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You get a day off from getting your ass kicked! You never met the guy, you had no emotional connection with him, you, in fact, have closer ties to your landlord. You just got a day off from busting your butt, going home dirty and getting worn out physically. Hell yes you might feel a bit of elation. You just got a reprieve. Cmon guys, he didn't dance on his grave. He just related his feelings honestly. |
I found the book amusing, fun, if not a little campy. I had my mother read it so she could understand that what I do isn't "as crazy" as it looks. (she couldn't believe the physical and psychological "torture" depicted in the book).
I'm very sure it would have much more boring if he didn't use the artistic license he did. I find it interesting that almost all people that are offended by book the study Yoshinkan (or an offshoot). Come on lighten up, have a thicker skin, and don't get riled up over the remarks of a person who just wanted to survive the course, then write half-fiction about it All the Best, |
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