We visited Tokyo in October to see our first granddaughter, Cibelle, who was born one week before we arrived. While walking her in the neighbourhood we saw a poster inviting anyone to come to a Tai Chi class at 6:30pm on a Friday evening. The class was organised by the Minato International Association in the sports hall on the 9th floor of the Minato City Hall. Admission was free but the notice asked everyone to bring a snack worth around 200 Yen (less than £1.)We were welcomed with enthusiasm and some surprise that Tai Chi was practised in Scotland. The class members were keen to hear about the style of Tai Chi and the philosophy followed by our Scottish school. Between 30 and 40 attended the class but this would have been more had it in not been for the arrival of a 48-hour typhoon bringing heavy rain. Dress was casual but some had come directly from work in business suits. They just took of their jackets and shoes and went straight to it.
The master, Akira Kishuma, welcomed us in English and gave us a brief introduction. A class member told us that the master would not volunteer any comment to an individual on their Tai Chi but would answer any questions at a group or individual level. Warm-up exercises were followed by repetitions of a 24–posture form. No partner work was practised. We were invited to go to morning Tai Chi, which the master leads every morning at 6:30am, at Hikawa Jinjya Shrine but the typhoon weather and our return to Scotland intervened.
We practised Tai Chi in a local park and were delighted to observe, one day, a Japanese businessman set down his briefcase, jacket and tie and practise his Tai Chi. We were impressed by his balance, slow movement and his sense of calmness.
Photograph: Betty and Jim Bruce with Tai Chi Master, Akira Kishuma, in Tokyo.
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