Planetary Martial Arts
I am in Berlin and recently decided to practice at the Aikido dojo next door. A French Sensei teaches this gorgeous Japanese martial art in a mix of Deutsch, Français, and to help me, English. A Turkish, Peruvian, Spanish and Japanese student join me as fellow diasporics, all speaking Budo.
Seeing me move comfortably, the teacher asked what sport I played.
“Kung Fu”
“Ah, Kung Fu. Wonderful.”
We practiced Yonkyo, Sankyo and Shihonage, Japanese names I’m intimately familiar with through training in two Chinese dojos. Corrections, encouragement and details spoke through merging centers, turned wrists and flying hakamas.
In this sacred space, through this global art, for a brief moment, harmony.
