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Bill Danosky wrote:
Goldsburysan,
That was very interesting- I wondered how much the differences between American Aikido culture and Japanese Aikido culture impacted the original events we're discussing. Given the unpopular opinion about Americans worldwide, I try on purpose to be overly-respectful of other cultures. Good manners are never a mistake, so if I'm going to be wrong, I'll err on the side of formality. I'm thankful to be at a dojo where ettiquette is stressed, so if I'm training abroad someday, I'll well represent my dojo and sensei.
To the original point- Since my only intention here is to support a person I know is good, I have no attachment to winning. Therefore, I can not lose.
I think it's interesting how this thread is turning out. I'm a recent convert to Aikido and very new to Forumjutsu. What's my next move here- blend and turn? (now where's that smiley face button?)
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Well, I have lived in the US only for two years and this was way back in the early 70s. I met Mr Furuya a few years later, at the house of Mr K Chiba in San Diego. (After training, we spent half the night discussing a whole range of very interesting issues, such as aikido enlightenment, aikido organizations, aikido anarchy etc.)
Thus I cannot really pass judgment on whether the dispute related to specifically American culture. Nevertheless, Mr Furuya is a Japanese, whose academic training has been in the US, and who teaches a Japanese martial art, probably in a 'Japanese' way, in the US. I am an Englishman, whose academic training has also been in the US\(in part and at the same institution)\and who teaches a Japanese martial art, probably in a 'western' way, in Japan. So I am acutely aware of the cultural issues he faces and I think I am also able to empathize to some extent.
I understand your desire to support him, but to do this effectively in the context of the issues that were raised, I think you would need to go through these issues. I do not think you need to worry about winning or losing: your support is not in question and I am sure Mr Furuya would appreciate it.
As for Forum-jutsu, are you sure it is not Forum-dou?
Best regards,
