With the sacred Japanese mountain Fujiyama in the background on a sunny morning, SAS taxied the plane to land at Tokyo's airport, Narita. I was going to my 30th training camp in Japan with Soke Sensei Tonegawa and my 51st visit to Japan.
A training camp I had looked forward to with great joy, since my focus for the last four or five years had mainly been on the change and expansion of Jokokan into the organization that exists today.
However, during the period I had still trained every day, as I have done for the past 19 years under Soke Sensei's guidance and instruction, but now the last year's intensive work and training was to be put to the test during this training camp number 30 in Japan - a training camp where I had to live myself 100 % out on all levels and dimensions without any safety net, considerations, jantelaw or anything else.
Only Yashin Mon. Yakami-ryu Taijutsu and 27 years of combined martial arts training. I rejoiced like a little boy.
I experienced the great honor and trust, to become the first of Soke Sensei's Tonegawa's Grandmaster students above Menkyo Kaiden level, who succeeded in being taught the martial arts and Yakami-ryu's "Main source of knowledge and techniques - the inner essence and secrets of the martial arts" .
Mindset techniques such as Hiden Nuki-ai (Batto Jutsu, Ishun)- the beyond ancient source techniques from which all ken- and Iai-jutsu originate, the four levels of Hiden Kokyu-ho (breathing techniques) where the kiai's inner being is level 2, Hiden Omote and Hiden Ura meditation levels and Hiden kotodama (“Pulse of the Universe”) insight, techniques and mindset, as well as Hiden kumite and Hiden kihon insight, techniques and mindset.
During Soke Sensei's demonstrations, I often stood with tears in my eyes at the ease, grace and expressive way in which the "origin of life" was shown to me, as well as the humility and gratitude that spread within me.
It is incredible to see one of the world's ultimate most skilled martial arts Grandmasters at the age of 68, performing martial arts that touch one so deeply on all levels, as a beautiful recognition, tribute and confirmation of life's beauty and infinity.
During dinner with Jokokan Tokyo's instructors; Matsuda-san, Maeda-san, Inoue-san, Kondo-san and of course Soke Sensei Tonegawa, I received the ultimate Koryo Bujutsu and Budo recognition, as the first of Soke Sensei's Grandmaster students above Menkyo Kaiden level, to be awarded the Yashin Mon's over 1,000-year-old Shinto Kamon (Crest), which until now only Soke Sensei Tonegawa has worn.
My Yashin Mon Kamon with almost 300 years behind it now marks a completely new chapter in my 27 intensive years in martial arts, - everything has been reset and a new chapter has just begun.