Tokyo 2018 – First Encounter with Yamashima Sensei
“He threw me to the mat, and something in my heart stood up — I had found my teacher.”
An unplanned journey became a turning point. It was more than just a keiko — it was the moment I met the teacher I had long been searching for.
The Journey to the Dojo
On November 5th, 2018, an unplanned journey became a turning point. It was more than just a keiko — it was the moment I encountered the teacher I had long been searching for.
Although I had visited Tokyo many times before, this was the first time I came with Aikido at heart—and with the intention of participating in a regular Keiko at Chiyoda-ku Aikikai. That afternoon, I got lost navigating the subway system. After walking over 2 kilometers, I finally hailed a taxi and arrived just in time. I was tired but filled with anticipation.
The First Keiko with Yamashima Sensei
During Keiko, I had the opportunity to practice with Aigo-san and Sakai-san. Then, for the first time, I took Uke for Yamashima Sensei. The moment he threw me — effortlessly and with quiet power — I knew: this was the teacher I had been looking for. His movement spoke directly to the heart, beyond words and technique.
A Connection Beyond the Tatami
After Keiko, we went out for dinner together. It was at that table, over a simple meal, that Sensei agreed to come to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to lead a seminar in 2019. That moment was filled with quiet joy — a sense of connection, trust, and a new chapter beginning.
That night, back at the hotel, I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept drifting back to the training, the quiet intensity of Sensei, and the feeling that something profound had just begun. As I slowly slipped into sleep, a whisper surfaced from within — not spoken aloud, but deeply felt:
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!”
