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Reflections on Soke Takayoshi Nagamine
From Night Memorial addressing all of Matsubayashi-Ryu deishi.
Osensei to Soke: "you must learn to be able to teach in this way: for a teacher to be able to take something simple to explain and make it more complicated is one thing, but to take a more complex concept or technique and make it simple is another. To give an easy explanation is preferrable and more difficult to accomplish".
Soke also said his father would not repeat himself, but that maybe ten years would pass and he would then finally repeat exactly as he expressed years ago. (consistent)
Soke Takayoshi was determined to tame my zenkutsu stance, but once one correction was in control, three more problems would appear. He persisted, however. He knew my frustration, but he wanted me to learn to respect kata, not yourself. He has many lessons if you pay attention.
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After Osensei passed away I knew it was his biggest wish that I give my loyalty to Soke Nagamine, his son. I knew inside this was what I would do even without him mentioning it. However I was again to learn what I thought I had already learned.
Through my stays with Makishi Sensei and his family's home, and over the course of time, I have often witnessed Makishi Sensei making decisions, making choices, giving advice, as he is highly respected by Okinawan sensei in general. In each and every occasion he without fail considered Soke Takayoshi first, he never considered his own self interest, only Soke's best interest.
I once asked him about this and he said that is the true way of Matsubayashi, the only way. This was when I truly took it to a deeper place in my heart that I will always support Soke unconditionally.
I remember Soke once mentioning to me after his fathers passing that I really adored his father, demonstrated by my faithful attendence to keiko. It was at this moment that Soke was also telling me he appreciated my support to his father... and in this silent moment I told him without words that yes, Soke, it is a yes! I will give you the same support, I learned my lesson!
I believe from this moment that is the reason he is so gracious towards me, he never has to spend a minute worrying about my loyalty.
Lara Wendy Preston
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