This is a translation from a blog by Koga Toshihiko, published on February 28th, 2013. Click here to access the link to this translation.

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Fukuda Keiko Sensei received instruction from the Grand Master Kano Jigoro.

Fukuda Keiko Sensei, at the age of 99, passed away from pneumonia on February 9th while living in the United States. She was sent abroad by Grand Master Kano for the purpose of furthering the practice of Judo overseas. Choosing to live a single, unmarried life, she devoted herself to the daily instruction on the path of Yawara❶.

Feeling a great sense of admiration and respect for Fukuda Keiko Sensei’s Judo lifestyle as a martial artist, I recently went to visit Fukuda Keiko Sensei’s dojo in the United States. While the dojo was small, the American Judo students had proper manners and understood the spirit of Yawara, a fading characteristic even in Japan. I could deeply sense Fukuda Sensei’s instruction through her students.  Though my visit was abrupt, I was giving a warm reception.

While there, I had the opportunity to have some fun on the mat and we sweat alongside the students of the dojo. Afterwards, I was invited to a fun meal with Fukuda Sensei and her students. There were so many different things I wanted to ask, but in the end I was unable to ask “anything.” I believe that’s because the grand existence of Fukuda Sensei and her aura told me,

“take a good look to reexamine the spirit of Yawara on your own,”

while I was in her presence. I could see the presence of Grand Master Kano on the back of Fukuda Sensei. Then and there, the lesson took place.

The instruction we receive from a master is not from their words or theories, but born from the aspirations we sense from the life the master lives. Even without saying anything, the master’s back will speak to us.

As a marital artist in Judo, I would like to be able to give something to someone through the way I live my life. Fukuda Sensei had that much of an impact in changing my view on life.

I would like to send Fukuda Keiko Sensei, a mentor on life, a message of gratitude.

I feel deeply blessed to have met the true martial artist of Judo, Fukuda Keiko Sensei. She has left a great impression on me as one single human who walks in the path of Yawara.

I’ve come to realize that those who have aspirations within Judo are spokespeople for Grand Master Kano Jigoro, and have the responsibility and duty to correctly convey the will of the Grand Master. Also, since we were born as humans, we should become useful to humanity.  Since my encounter with Fukuda Sensei, I’ve renewed my lifestyle as a martial artist in Judo.

The gift I received in writing, “Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful.” Those words, I believe are a message from Sensei.

From this phrase came my own interpretation, “Stand for justice, Gentle to the weak, Pure of heart,” which I now live by and adhere to.

The number of pure Judo martial artists is gradually diminishing in the world of Judo. However, I’m certain the people who have come across Fukuda Sensei are people who will pass on the spirit of Yawara.  I will responsibly pass on the teachings of Fukuda Sensei to the young generation of Judo martial artists.

To me, Fukuda Sensei is a role model for the Judo lifestyle.

While I would like Fukuda Sensei to peacefully rest in heaven, I would also like her to keep an eye on us inexperienced Judo martial artists, who have a few moments left, while sending us words of encouragement. For us to influence the world to have many many more “Strong, Gentle, and Beautiful,” Judo martial artists.

To all,

Let us all carry on the spirit of Fukuda Keiko Sensei for eternity.

Fukuda Keiko Sensei, Thank you very very very much.

P.S. I wish we could have crunched into some crab legs just one more time at the Chinese restaurant.

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Blogger: Toshihiko Koga

Translator: Eliot Kelly

❶ Yawara: The first kanji character is often refereed as yawara which means soft, gentle, smooth, or flexible.