After seeing Pedro the first time at the UK Taikai 1995 I was really impressed. His taijutsu was flowing really clear and beautiful, it reminded me of Nuguchi Sensei. Sveneric has always been my main teacher, and the one I always looked up to. I only consider a handful of instructors at the same level as Sveneric (I think we all can agree that Hatsumi Soke is on another level, maybe even another dimension), and Pedro is defenitely one of them. At the UK Taikai I decided that I wanted to him to come to Sweden for a seminar. Then he contacted me, because he wanted to advertise his videos on Internet and he needed my help. I was really glad I could help him, and I did. In spring '86 I asked him if he could come to Sweden, and he said that he was booked the whole year, and he gave me two dates to choose in 97. He and Arnaud came for a wonderful two day seminar last year. At this seminar I also found out that he would come to Helsinki next year (1998), and I was so glad.

I remember two things Pedro said at the seminar that is so true... “self trainning, sooo important!”. I agree totally, what we study is a very difficult art. When you see the movements and techniques, they look so easy. But they aren’t! You only fool yourself if you think you can walk, can you really honestly say that you can do something as simple as walk correctly. Who taught you to walk and how? As a child, you observed the elders and tryed to copy their movements. Before you really could walk, you where probably running. And when you did not loose your balance and fell, you thought that you could walk and run. This applies to all Taijutsu training, take the time to learn “how to walk” before you run.

Cut up the basic movemet into small pieces and examine them thoroughly, why is that knee pointing at that direction when I do a gedan-uke, does it feel good. Can I adjust the angle of the foot at the same time I’m moving my arm and twisting my spine, how much should I twist the spine, etc. I think that this is what Pedro meant. That you should find out that for yourself, and then repeat it until it becomes a habit. Then you can forget it because it becomes natural. Hatsumi said to Moti Nativ at the Swedish Taikai when he commented him that he moved better than ever. And Hatsumi Soke replyed that the more he does the techniques, the easyer they are to do.

The other thing Pedro Sensei said was “we should never put ourselves in front of Hatsumi Soke or Bujinkan”. This is important. When a teacher thinks that he knows a better way to teach than Soke he starts to go in his own direction. And when he realise (if he ever does) that he has lost the way and looks back, Hatsumi Soke has gone in another direction. Running back may be very difficult. There are also teachers that never looks back, and think that Hatsumi Soke is right behind them. There are also those who constantly run around in circles around Soke. I think that if you follow right behind Hatsumi Soke you will learn a lot more. This is not easy if you don’t live in Japan and can train with Hatsumi Soke constantly. That is why we all should train with those who recently trained with Hatsumi Soke, not with someone that trained with him years ago.

All the other years have been like a preparation for this years theme, Shindenfudo-ryu. Hatsumi Soke has jumped on the rocket destination unknown, and he will not wait for late passengers. I want to be on that rocket, and I’m doing my best.

I hope I got my point through, I wrote this on a short notice. I know in my heart that I should SHUT UP AND TRAIN instead. Now I must run away, I don’t want to be late for dinner with my girlfriend. Ohh, almost forgot another important thing Pedro said. “family sooo important!”.

Keep up the good work in Finland. And don’t forget to inform us when you have seminars. I think a lot more people from Sweden will come the next time.

Contributed by Shidoshi Mats Hjelm, Sweden. Mats has been practicing ninpo taijutsu for the past ten years, has founded several Martial Arts BBSes, and has his own ninpo newsletter. He is accepting articles for his NinZine and may be contacted via E-mail: helmet@algonet.se.