East meets West & the Teachable Moment

The original Rembukan Dojo was my first true introduction to the fact that the Japanese taught and learned differently from how I had been taught growing up in an American styled karate dojo and within the American educational system.[1]

Lessons in Japan and at the Rembukan in particular were mostly non-verbal and aside from commands little dialogue was offered.  It might not have mattered anyway as my Japanese language skills were virtually nonexistent!  I admit that the lack of positive reinforcement was/is frustrating, especially in Jodo.  But it was obvious that when Shimizu Sensei was present that the senior instructors had to intuit his intentions as he made almost inaudible sighs and grunts to communicate.[2]

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