Aikido of Rehovot - Masatake Dojo - Israel Aikikai

Congratulations to Miho on a wonderful 4th Dan (4th degree black belt)Aikido exam. This video shows a small glimpse of the grading event, featuring Miho throwing Utar using a Jo (wooden staff).

Alongside congratulating Miho, I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to all of our dojo members. Thank you for your teaching, your support, your presence, and for being such great training partners for Miho during the exam. From this moment on, in our dojo, she is Miho Sensei.

The title “Sensei” comes with radiant benevolence and humility. In Japan, a martial arts Sensei would never refer to themselves as “Sensei.” Our teacher, the late Shimamoto Sensei, used to say: “I am an instructor (Kyōshi).” Similarly, after my 4th Dan exam, my first teacher, Koyama Sensei, took me to a cafe and said: “Now, people may sometimes call you ‘Sensei.’ You must not show any pride. Stay as humble as you are - even more so.”

I have tried to live by this... and I often tell our dojo members: “The belt should be tied around our hips, not around our ego.”

I always feel incredibly fortunate to see that, in reality, my dojo members teach me this very lesson every day through their own wonderful and natural example.

So once again, congratulations, Miho Sensei. Thank you for your dedication over the past 17 years, through both the enjoyable times and the obstacles. Joy is just as important as those challenges. Please enjoy your journey, keep training, and keep discovering both the seen and the hidden.

Gassho 🙏🏼

Congratulations Yuval and Nissim on a wonderful 4th Dan (4th level black belt) exam. Both Yuval and Nissim are long-time Aikido practitioners - Nissim for over 20 years, and Yuval for just under 20. Yuval brings his unique passion for creativity, while Nissim showcases his gentle and fluid Aikido.

Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful ukemi and for being such great training partners during the exam. I could truly feel that the image of the Founder hanging on the wall was glowing with a pleased smile.

Yuval Sensei, Nissim Sensei, congratulations.

Congratulations to Miho on a wonderful 4th Dan (4th degree black belt)Aikido exam. This video shows a small glimpse of the grading event, featuring Miho throwing Utar using a Jo (wooden staff).

Alongside congratulating Miho, I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to all of our dojo members. Thank you for your teaching, your support, your presence, and for being such great training partners for Miho during the exam. From this moment on, in our dojo, she is Miho Sensei.

The title "Sensei" comes with radiant benevolence and humility. In Japan, a martial arts Sensei would never refer to themselves as "Sensei." Our teacher, the late Shimamoto Sensei, used to say: "I am an instructor (Kyōshi)." Similarly, after my 4th Dan exam, my first teacher, Koyama Sensei, took me to a cafe and said: "Now, people may sometimes call you 'Sensei.' You must not show any pride. Stay as humble as you are - even more so."

I have tried to live by this... and I often tell our dojo members: "The belt should be tied around our hips, not around our ego."

I always feel incredibly fortunate to see that, in reality, my dojo members teach me this very lesson every day through their own wonderful and natural example.

So once again, congratulations, Miho Sensei. Thank you for your dedication over the past 17 years, through both the enjoyable times and the obstacles. Joy is just as important as those challenges. Please enjoy your journey, keep training, and keep discovering both the seen and the hidden.

Gssho 🙏🏼