This post is about my experience with Aikido as part of my life in Japan. Aikido is a Japanese budo that was introduced to the world in the later half of the 20th century. Though its history is not very long compared to many other Japanese budo, it spread across the world rather quickly, with a population in the millions today that practice or have practiced the art to varying degrees across the globe.
After getting accepted into the Japan Exchange Teaching Program (JET Program) in 2012 for the Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) position and starting my contract job teaching English at a middle school in Osaka, I felt as if I’ve lost sight of my goals and dreams for the future after just one year in Japan.
I centered my life around work and went home after exhausting ways I could keep busy, such as spending hours every day studying Japanese, and feel useful at school. The job demanded next to nothing from me. I felt grossly underemployed needing a bachelor’s degree to come into Japan and teach English through the program. A native English speaking high school student with some training could more than readily handle the task of being a CD player if they’re able to work summer internships.
Lacking any sense of accomplishment and not feeling fulfilled by my job teaching English, I considered giving up and going home. Perhaps the sense of wonder I felt when I studied abroad in Tokyo was merely because I was a student and was surrounded by people my age who shared the idea of wanting to learn and also have fun.
I understood the reality of work not being fun or or necessarily what I wanted to do the rest of my life, but I knew I needed to do more than just save money and study Japanese. There was still so much more growing to do as a person, I felt that I should be training to better myself.
It was then that I considered picking up Aikido, a Japanese budo I learned for a while as a kid for self defense after getting bullied in elementary school. I had a little experience with Taekwondo and Karate as well, but for some reason Aikido called out to me again and I didn’t feel much interest in learning other Japanese budo that were probably accessible nearby as well.
To be continued.
This is a series about my experience learning Aikido in Japan. I took up Aikido again as an adult in 2013 after coming to Japan in 2012 on the JET Program.
One Chance Works 