The other day, I attended a performance by Kensaku Sato, who also serves as an instructor at WANOMORI.
The venue was the dojo “Koreirokan” in Togakushi.

It had been a long time since I last attended a live performance.
As someone who generally isn’t fond of ballet or musicals, this was my first experience watching ballet.
(To be honest, I had never really liked it—my apologies.)
Naturally, I have no deep knowledge of ballet, so I can only offer impressions based purely on my emotions.

The performance began slowly, with a warm-up, and then transitioned into the main act.
And then, the stage truly came alive.

Ah.
Leaping high before my eyes, then retreating with steps swift as the wind,
the figure of Haruo Futayama was the very embodiment of someone destined for greatness.
He was the Usain Bolt of running,
the Lionel Messi of reaching the goal.

Equally mesmerizing were Mimosa Koike, Fumiko Takase, and Maho Higashi, who displayed astonishing control over their bodies.
Their mastery made me reflect on one of Wa no Mori’s seminar themes:
“When the mind changes, the body changes; when the body changes, the mind changes.”
I found myself wanting to speak with these performers about their journey to achieving such complete mastery of their physical forms.

And then, a phrase came to mind:
“Making the most of what you’re born with.”
This thought, written in simple hiragana in my mind, seemed to branch into two interpretations:
“活かしきる” (fully utilizing one’s abilities)
and “生かしきる” (fully embracing one’s nature).

As an ordinary person, I feel I belong to the former category:
using my modest abilities just to make a living, struggling as I go.

But “fully embracing” feels like the essence of those chosen for their calling.
It is a natural state of being, where one sits simply for the sake of sitting, as effortlessly as breathing.


To be born in a region blessed with excellent ballet instructors.
To have one’s natural gifts dynamically nurtured and connected by the surrounding environment.

These performers truly seemed chosen for their path.
Just like Sato-san and his taiko drumming.
(Of course, I’m sure their accomplishments are also backed by extraordinary effort.)

The thunderous rhythm of the taiko drums swelled, bringing the performance to a climactic finale, leaving the audience deeply moved.

This profound sense of awe can only be fully appreciated by witnessing it live.
Though the current social circumstances may not always allow such experiences,
I urge everyone to attend in person, taking all possible safety measures, to truly feel the power of this art.

The Drum of the Lotus Sutra
In Nichiren Buddhism, the phrase “The Drum of the Lotus Sutra” is used to describe the gradual and steady improvement of circumstances.
Kensaku Sato’s taiko drumming has a remarkable ability to uplift spirits and guide people toward a brighter, more positive place.
The essence of that atmosphere can only be truly appreciated in a live performance.

That’s all for this time.

閉じる ▲