“My First Visit Home to Japan”
When I arrived in Australia and was working hard toward my goals, one of my students asked me, “Aren’t you going back to Japan for a holiday?”
At the time, I was so focused on my goal of establishing a S.A.W Australian branch and spreading S.A.W throughout Australia that the thought of returning to Japan never crossed my mind.
Before I knew it, three years had passed since I arrived in Australia.
At first, I only thought, “Oh, I haven’t been back to Japan for three years..” but for some reason, my students kept telling me to going back to Japan for a holiday.
When I asked them why they wanted me to go to Japan, they told me that they had seen me working so hard for three years away from my home country without a break, teaching at the dojo, giving private lessons, seminars, demonstrations, preparing for and holding tournaments, and it seemed to them that I had been missing Japan recently and that I was a little tired, so they wanted me to go back to Japan and take some time to relax.
I wasn’t particularly tired or in need of a break, but the S.A.W Australian branch had taken shape, I’d held a S.A.W tournament, and with the cooperation of Shihan Aso, Kyokushin Australia, and Judo Queensland, I’d just received a working visa as a sports instructor.
Also my students had grown so much that I began to think that they would be able to manage on their own if I took a break from teaching.
When I started thinking like that, I began to miss my family and friends in Japan.
I also wanted to give Shihan Aso a personal update on the S.A.W Australian branch.
So, in the spring of 1996, about three years after coming to Australia, I made my first visit to Japan.
While I was there, I of course greeted Shihan Aso.
He was really happy about the opening of the Australian branch and praised me, saying, “Well done!!”
I then trained at the S.A.W dojo for the first time in a long time.
I remember being happy to see my “Kohai” junior students improving.
It really feels like time flies, to think that it was 30 years ago from now.
When I think back, I came to Australia alone in 1993 with no money, no acquaintances, and no English, recklessly planning to open a S.A.W dojo.
On the second day after arriving, I happened to meet Judo coach Phil in front of the UQ Martial Arts Gym, and joined judo training where I did “Randori (sparring)” for over an hour.
That moment, I felt like my destiny in Australia was sealed.
My abilities were recognised by everyone, and from there, I had many wonderful encounters with wonderful people, which has led me to where I am today.
From these experiences, I learned that taking on challenges can lead to good coincidences, and that by using those coincidences and continuing to work hard, you can meet wonderful people and create a good life.
