“In Shogen-ryu there is no unnecessary movement. Everything is connected to the next move. And there is speed in that movement. I’m slow, but Taba Sensei’s karate was so fast, it was too quick to see with your eyes. I work hard to follow my teacher’s example, but it is very difficult.” (End quote) – Maeda Kiyomasa 10th dan Shogen-ryu
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A humble man, showing high regard and a deep respect for his sensei, Taba Kensei 10th dan Shogen-ryu (1933-2012)
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“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great sensei.” – Japanese Proverb
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“…..one day with a great sensei”. Teachers are more than vessels for transferring knowledge to students, they should encourage students to think for themselves.
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When students are repetitively practicing the same content over and over again with the same results in mind, their interest in learning and understanding the content diminishes over time. These students will become more interested in getting nothing more than the next belt, and their practice eventually morphs into a routine of rote learning.
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Great teachers reignite this passion for learning new concepts and stimulate students to broaden their horizons.
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Teaching isn’t ALL about the content. It’s about how the content is delivered and how readily the students comprehend and implement it. This is something good teachers understand from the get-go, as they’re expected to be something more than purveyors of information.
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However, a balance of both is required. It’s the teacher’s responsibility to convey their syllabus content in a manner that eases the student’s mind and reduces the effort they have to put in on their own. It’s also their responsibility to keep the flame of their motivation lit. To complement all this, it’s the student’s duty to study religiously, and make sure they’re preparing themselves to apply the knowledge taught to them, in any walk of life and in a positive manner.
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Students need to be kept motivated to perform at peak levels. And similar to the way “a picture paints a thousand words”, a single day with a great teacher equates to “a thousand days of diligent study”.
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Stay humble. Keep learning. 
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