Memorial Aikido class commemorating Furuya Sensei

Our dojo's shomen with photo of Furuya Sensei, O-Sensei, and fresh nandina (nanten) branches

Yesterday, our dojo had a special aikido class, commemorating the late Rev. Kensho Furuya Sensei, who passed away five years ago in his dojo, during an aikido class, on March 6th 2007. The Aikido class was intensive, and we decided to practice without any words. Only the sound of our feet moving over the tatami, and the sound of us taking ukemi. 
At the end of class, I spoke about Furuya Sensei, and we all had Sensei's favorites: Cakes, wine and snacks... 
This anual memorial keiko has become a tradition of our dojo - Masatake Dojo - ISRAEL.

Reverend Kensho Furuya Sensei1948-2007http://www.aikidocenterla.com/memorial/sensei.html

A Great Teacher And a Friend

In 2001 one of my students lent me a book. It was "Kodo Ancient Ways: Lessons in the Spiritual Life of the Warrior/Martial Artist". After reading this amazing book, I became curious about the author. A quick search on the internet, and yeah, I found Sensei's web site. To my surprise, he replied to my e-mail on that day. I thanked him for the interesting book and exchanged some greetings with him. Later on, in 2002, Sensei gave my Aikido Magazine in Hebrew an interview, Several years later, in 2005 Sensei agreed to be interviewed gain. His answers were so interesting...  

Little by little we got to know each other, and he always cared about my dojo and about me. I really don't know why. Some kind of friendship which is beyond distances and cultural gap. Sensei gave my dojo several calligraphy scrolls with wise and beautiful Zen sayings. From time to time we used to talk over the telephone and I used to send him a good tea from Japan when I went there. Sensei also loved Israeli wine and Israeli dried fruit I used to send him for his birthday and for new year.  

The last time we spoke, it was on new years day 2007. I know how lonely one can feel on such a day so it was important for me to call him and to talk for a long time. Sensei invited me to LA to participate in the memorial seminar this April. He told me that when I arrive to LA, he will pay my air-ticket and my stay there... He promised me that we will talk and talk all day and all night. 

Unfortunately I missed this precious chance. During thos years of friendship, Sensei was the only teacher who really personally cared about me. I always knew that I can ask him anything and I always did so... I just never ever thought that he will pass away so young...  There were so many tears in my eyes for many days after he passed away.
originally published by Aikido Center of Los Angeles on their monthly newsletter: http://www.aikidocenterla.com/newsletters/acla-newsletter-4-2007-small.pdf


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