INTERVIEW KEIJI SHIHAN NAKADAI

Posted on June 26, 2013 This is an interview with Shihan Keiji Nakadai, currently 15th Dan, in 2007. I do not remember who published it in English but eventually was translated into Castilian and stayed like many other documents in "the drawer". Today the rescue of it because I believe in its validity and its interest to members of the Bujinkan. When put to remember reading it now nearly seven years that interview. Also refer briefly to the data that reflected the original interview, which reported that the interview had been a small restructuring or modification by Hatsumi Sensei expressed desire (obviously where and why). I hope it's of interest. Keiji Nakadai is commonly known as part of the "young blood" of Japanese students Hatsumi Sensei. Now, at 37 years old, has 11 years as an instructor. As with most Japanese instructors in Japan, first impressions can be deceiving. Dj frequently comes to dressing like a distinguished gentleman in a suit and tie. With dignity, class and intelligent smile, who would guess that he is a master of Ninjutsu? Although this is not the essence of Ninjutsu? .... The element of surprise! The Soke often taught that we should not reveal our capabilities to others, so that, if necessary, be impressed by our ability and ensure our survival. And so it is in the dojo of Nakadai: a family atmosphere, with much good humor and laughter. There is an absence of rivalry and ego. But even with all this, a small pupil, hit like a hammer and your opponent will fall male, grimacing, and cover your mouth and laugh nervously that lovely Japanese way. Here I present a look at a Japanese dojo and the man who created it. Shelley: Sensei, how he discovered the Bujinkan? Nakadai Sensei: Well ... I like to read books. One day, when I was ten, I was browsing in a bookstore, and I came across a book by Hatsumi Sensei. It was very interesting, and I wanted to train with Hatsumi Sensei, but his dojo was too far for a ten year old boy just arrived by train. So instead, I trained in several sports clubs in high school and started training, preparing for the day he could get to the dojo of Hatsumi Sensei. At age 19, I was ready to get closer to Hatsumi Sensei. I phoned him. He told me to go to the dojo of the American Embassy, and from that moment, I became a student of Bujinkan Ninjutsu. Shelley: You had studied other martial arts, Sensei? Nakadai Sensei: Yes, he had been studying Kyokushin Karate and amateur wrestling. Shelley: So, what made you decide to study Ninjutsu? Nakadai Sensei: Well ... I realized that these other martial arts residing only on principles of speed and power. That's fine for a young man, but not very effective for a older man. The methods taught in Bujinkan, can be used effectively by anyone, at any age. So, I decided to specialize in Ninjutsu.

Shelley: Sensei, so you began training directly with Hatsumi Sensei? Nakadai Sensei: Yes, I started my training with Hatsumi Sensei, but also trained with Sensei Amagaya and another teacher of the Bujinkan. Shelley: How often trained? Nakadai Sensei: He trained twice a week - once with Hatsumi Sensei, and once with Amagaya or other teachers. Shelley: Where was the dojo? Nakadai Sensei: We train in the dojo of the American Embassy in Roppongi. Shelley: What was the training in those days? Nakadai Sensei: Well ... at that time, Hatsumi Sensei did not focus on any particular ryuha (school). Showed the waza (techniques) of various ryuha. Today, he teaches the techniques from a given ryuha throughout the year, and only shows a waza before asking "let's play". So, now, we can focus on a single waza and practice that. But back then, he showed many waza, one after another, and then we ordered that "we play". It was definitely an inspired man, spreading ideas for waza. At times, it looked like a small child playing excited. He also enjoyed surprising us with projections by air (Kukinage). But beginners, including myself, had a very hard time to stick with it. We watched very closely, really concentrating because he showed every technique only once. We tried to use all our senses to catch every move. It was really tiring, and I think that atmosphere of tension still remains. Students still struggling to capture all her moves and repeat as smoothly, without any effort, as he does. Shelley: Sensei, how many people trained in this dojo? Nakadai sensei: There were only nine members then - Eight Japanese and American Marine. It is very different now - there are so many people! Shelley: Sensei, his teachers have been only Hatsumi Sensei, Sensei of Amagaya and other Sensei? Nakadai Sensei: No. I also studied with Nagato Sensei. For two years, Hatsumi Sensei stopped teaching at the American embassy and returned to the dojo in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture. So Kashiwa traveling by train to train with him. In that period, he recommended also train with Nagato Sensei, so also traveled to Nagato Dojo in Asaka, Saitama Prefecture. Meanwhile, Amagaya Sensei continued to teach at the dojo of the American Embassy, and continued training with him there too, until he finally stopped teaching. Shelley: Sensei, you certainly showed determination and commitment! Please tell me some things that you learned from these teachers.

Nakadai Sensei: First, Amagaya Sensei Sensei and the other taught me the basics of the Kihon Happo. Later, Nagato Sensei taught me many variations in Taijutsu and knife fight. One thing I remember is saying Nagato Sensei how to evade or avoid the enemy by becoming "an insect", and simply escaping in mushin (like a bug). Shelley: Can you explain more about this, please Sensei? Nakadai Sensei: Yes Nagato Sensei taught me about this particular way of thinking, this philosophy of disappearing without a trace. He said that we should live naturally. Like an insect, we should not reveal our presence to the world, so that people can not detect us. If we reveal our presence, our energy, our mood - we attract really the enemy - and attract bad things into our lives. If we make clear that we have this spirit and fighting skills, then we attract really struggles! Yes, this seems invisible philosophy took its toll on me - better to be visible and aggressive. Shelley: So maybe that's one reason why a Shihan seems so impersonal. Sensei, an important moment in the life of a member of the Bujinkan, is proof of the 5th Dan. Can you describe your experience, please? Nakadai-sensei: Yes, it was in 1986. He was 21 years old at the time, and trained with Hatsumi Sensei in his dojo in Kashiwa. One night, a TV crew came to film an American Marine was presented to the 5th dan test. However, he failed! So, Hatsumi Sensei invited me to try and luckily I passed the test at the first opportunity. At that time, I was only 3 . Dan. So, I was promoted to 5th Dan, just 2 years and 10 months after starting in the Bujinkan! Shelley: Sensei, that's a great story! Can you now recall another turning point in his life within the Bujinkan? the moment you decided to become an instructor Nakadai Sensei: It was when I was 26 - 11 years ago. He trained with Hatsumi Sensei then. One day, he announced that I was ready to teach. So after that day, I became a teacher too. Shelley: At first, what kind of things did he teach? He continued his own training? Nakadai Sensei: Well, I taught a mixture of techniques Hatsumi Sensei and my own ideas. Actually, I still use this method. So first, I started in the dojo of Aoyama. Taught 3 times a week, and continued training with Hatsumi Sensei once a week, and with another Sensei, once a week. Shelley: That was a full agenda! And you still have a full agenda! Sensei, what is your specialty? In what aspects of Ninjutsu you have tried to be a teacher? Nakadai Sensei: Everything! I have worked at all and I tried to be master of all! But my favorite is the Hanbo. Shelley: Sensei, tell me about your teaching methods in the dojo. Nakadai Sensei: As you know, my students arrive very early before the greeting. It is important to stretch the body first and train him to become flexible. So, make approximately 15 to 20

minutes of stretching. After the greeting, several techniques show bearings and students copied. Always show first and then explained, and students look at and copy. We practice some falls. And then gymnastics-only in my dojo. All students should be able to do the vertical and flip back and forth. Then do some muscle training exercises where students must maintain certain postures for 1 minute. After this, we make several different types kicks. Then there is the Kihon Happo, where students practice with a partner, slowly at first, then more naturally. Change partners after each technique and give them time to study the technique while working with new students. The Kihon Happo followed a practice of kicks and punches. In this exercise, lower level students can experiment with the techniques taught that day, and advanced students are free to pursue any hand or foot technique they learned. At the end of this part, students are really exhausted, so I leave you to have a 1 minute break. Then I teach skills you learned this week of Hatsumi Sensei. Start with a simple, and I'm working on it until it becomes more complicated and involves various weapons. Finally, sometimes I ask each of the black belts that show a technique I choose - one that we have made that class. And then, of course, do some stretching before the final salute. Shelley: Sensei, what variety! Some instructors focus primarily on fighting techniques - in Taijutsu only. Why have you taken this approach? Nakadai Sensei: Well, my students are of mixed levels. I have beginners as well as advanced students, so I try to meet the needs of both. Shelley: What weaknesses or errors common with beginners see, for example, the use of excessive force? Nakadai Sensei: Footwork! No use pretty feet! They step and stop! They rely on their torso and physical strength. And their movements are as straight and rigid, rather than flow and be natural. Yes, rely too much on the power, strength and the grips. Shelley: What's in terms of more advanced students? What common weaknesses found? Nakadai Sensei: Overconfidence! They have a tendency to be conceited! They think they are good because they are at an advanced level, and their thoughts are on how to appear to be good in the eyes of others. Hatsumi Sensei once told me: "If a student tells you you're great, remember that you start training well before that student" Shelley: Ok Sensei, then how can a student prevent this feeling overconfident? How can one remove his own ego of this feeling? Nakadai Sensei: For me, every time I see Hatsumi Sensei movements - the genius of their movements - I feel I'm still a beginner. Seeing Hatsumi Sensei, you become humble. And then Hatsumi Sensei hear talk about his teacher, Takamatsu Sensei, who was even cooler than Hatsumi Sensei-well ... how one can be considered good? There is always more to learn. Shelley: Sensei, what advice would you give beginning students - inside or outside the dojo?

Nakadai Sensei: Well, I think we should study the videos of the Bujinkan - especially the feeling and movement of Hatsumi Sensei. If you have problems with a particular technique, I tell them watch the video again and to practice more at home. However, not only in the dojo, but also in daily life, the student must continue to think of self defense. Workout display! Imagine if someone had hidden nearby that might attack you ... what would you do? Do you have that you could use as a weapon? Your purse or umbrella? Stay tuned and think well in many situations that could occur. Shelley: And what advice would you give advanced students? Nakadai Sensei: I'll tell you a little story. Once Hatsumi Sensei was at a party with one of his students. The student could not drink alcohol as it went immediately to his head. Therefore, drank iced tea. At one point, they were invited to two drinks ... after a quick glance, Hatsumi Sensei warned his students: "Do not drink that! Not tea. There are alcohol mixed in it! ... How did you know? Both vessels looked the same! Well, he just knew. Hatsumi Sensei has that great sense of danger. And if it was poison? you never know, so you have to be alert and as part of your training, think about the potential dangers, and what would you do to avoid them. Continue to develop your sense of danger with daily practice. Shelley: Sensei, thank you very much for your time. Nakadai Sensei: You're welcome. Shelley Spencer Nakadai is a member of the dojo, and Nagato Dojo, and also regularly trains with Hatsumi Sensei. She is from Australia, where he was an officer in the Australian Army Reserve. She went to live in Japan for 3 years. Currently is 2nd Dan. In Japan teaching English at a high school just men. Thanks also to Robert Neal for reviewing the first translation, and Sensei's wife for checking translations thereof