The Guide, The Shishya, The Sensei -Chance Encounters

Heraclitus of Ephesus, a Greek philosopher once remarked, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” Similarly I feel each encounter with people and places, has a zebra like distinctive, unique imprint on it. One cannot have the very same interaction with even the same person after the moment has gone. And so it makes it extra special and precious.

I fondly remember such a chance encounter which was indeed extra special and precious. Japan, is by far one of my most favourite places I have ever visited. It is a country that breathes empathy and sensitivity. And as we explored Kanazawa the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, I was exposed to a way of life that integrates a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the moment we live in and the people we live with. We decided to visit the Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen Garden and as we reached we were offered the volunteer services of a guide.

Now, I must share with you that he was unlike any one I have met in my life. At roughly 75 years of age, he was extremely agile. He spoke about the place with a sense of happiness, pride and ownership. He was full of gratitude for us having chosen to come to visit Kanazawa and it was his unspoken mission to make sure we got to know about the place the best we could. His communication skills were impeccable and his enthusiasm contagious. As we hiked up and down through the garden there were times when we were huffing and puffing but there were no observable signs of fatigue on his face. Through the casual chit-chat we got to know how he had journeyed through his life fighting overwhelming health issues and personal challenges. As I asked, “what gives you the strength to carry on?”, he simply said, “Nana korobi, ya oki”, he went on to explain, that it means, "fall down seven times and get up eighth, no matter how many times you get knocked down in life, you get back up and start again.”

As we were wrapping up our tour, I happened to ask him casually if he knew a place where I could learn to play the, “taishōgoto”, the Nagoya harp, a Japanese stringed musical instrument. He was most surprised at my inquiry. I explained, “I am a musician and what better way to carry the essence of the city than the sounds specific and unique to that place." He asked me, "Do you have the instrument with you”, I replied, “I plan to buy it from Tokyo.” He looked as if absorbing the interaction like a sponge. He said he will try to look up if he can find someone. We shared our hotel contact and bid farewell. Frankly I did not expect anything to come out of that.

To my surprise we got a call from him in the evening saying he would like to take us to a “Taishōgoto Sensei”, meaning a taishōgoto teacher. He explained we could take the train from the station in the morning and it was hardly a few stops from where we were. I was more than excited and thankful that our newly found friend had taken that extra mile to make sure a wish I had could come true.

The next morning we took the train and arrived at the station where we were greeted by our friend and also the Sensei. With excitement we tested our newly learnt Japanese phrase and greeted with a “Konnichiwa”. We were welcomed into the sensei’s home. As we entered, a prayer like feeling of warmth and contentment touched my heart. We were greeted with a musical, ”Ohayō gozaimasu”, by the sensei’s wife. The sensei and his wife, did not know much of English and so we communicated through our guide friend and abundant nonverbal gestures. Their home was a quick 101 for us into Japanese homes. We were taken in through the “Genken”, the main entrance, where we removed our shoes and were offered a pair of slippers. We saw some typical features so distinctive of Japan like the tatami- mat flooring made of rice straw, byobu-folding screens made from several joined panels, bearing decorative painting and calligraphy, shoji-sliding partition doors and windows made of a latticework wooden frame and tough translucent white paper.

We were welcomed into the music room, where the Sensei would take his classes. The sensei’s wife, also knew how to play the instrument. She joined us and helped in teaching me the nitty grit-ties of how to place my hands and fingers on the instrument. How to hold the plectrum. And then we practiced on a song. It was so surreal. We were complete strangers and yet were welcomed and looked after with an uninhibited shower of kindness and warmth. To the extent that when the Sesei got to know that I did not have the instrument, he gifted me one of his own! And the Sensei’s wife packed us a packet of some goodies to take with us. I was so overwhelmed. Words fail to express the gratitude, appreciation and respect I had for what they extended as pure love. I touched his feet, seeking his blessings. And shared that in the Indian tradition, especially the Guru-Shishya parampara we touch our teacher’s feet as a symbol of surrender and respect. We bid farewell with a heartfelt thanks, saying, "arigatou gozaimashita”. Our guide friend then took us to his home where we met his wife and went on to have lunch together. I asked him curiously, “How are you able to extend so much thoughtfulness, kindness, empathy and warmth into your interactions? how do you do it? How did the sensei do it?” He replied in his trademark simple yet profound way, “Ichigo ichie”, meaning, “one encounter, one chance”. He went on to say, “It is the Japanese way of life, to treasure each and every encounter as it may never happen again.”

This was a gem of a chance encounter. Our guide friend, The sensei, his wife, all had a bearing that was full of contentment and comfort. I witnessed an abundance of regard for life and its blessings, a reverence for even a small act of preparing tea, a silent intimacy which translated into an empathetic and compassionate exchange and a focus on being present fully rather than ticking tasks off the clock. And all of this in unexpected corners of the world. I am in love with Japan and its people! And now you know why.

What better way to celebrate Basant Panchami, the festival dedicated to Goddess Sarawati, the symbol of wisdom, creativity, imagination, music… I travelled across countries to discover a rare find! The Shishya, found The Guide and The Sensei…and a lot many more precious and unassuming gems.

Till the next time we connect my friend, “Ichigo ichie”.

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