The Beginning

It was a Saturday morning, when all the roads seemed to lead to one point, the place of the meeting.
We met again with old friends and fellow-travellers. With small symptoms of stress, we were struggling to cover the details of the last moment - you see, it was the first time (both for me and a few others) that we participated in the organising of such an important event, regarding the field of Bujinkan and simultaneously the area of Martial Arts in Thessaloniki in general.

Of course, the above regarding the importance of the event, are reported by me not as a student or a member of Bujinkan, but as a simple person that practises in this Martial Art, who, after a long-time presence in the field, knows how rare is the presence of such a Master in Greece, more in the city of Thessaloniki.

After a short beginning ceremony, which was composed mainly from thankful welcomes towards the Greek and foreign participants, the moment that all had been waiting came.

Shinken Taijutsu (With the Power of Natural Movement)

If a few years ago, when we were starting our apprenticeship in the area of fighting traditions, which comprise Bujinkan Taijutsu, I was told by people that a person, without impressive physical structure and vital statistics clearly smaller than of his opponent's, would had the capability, by moving so simply, naturally and in relaxation, to divert an attack by managing in the same time to put himself in the place in such way that the physical integrity of the opponent depends on his good intentions; I would suggest them to visit urgently the closest known psychologist in order to control their imagination!

Of course these were ten years ago; because, even the younger in the field, after the experience with Kostas Kanakis, discovered - and the most cautious from us - that a conscious fighter, who walks steadily in the light path, does not need necessarily acrobatic abilities, neither great impressive movements in order to overcome a threat.

Knowledge, internal balance, practice and determination consist a student of the Art capable to prevail against possible adversaries.

For two days, we were watching Shihan Kostas Kanakis to show the magnificent abilities and the incredible effectiveness of the natural movement of the human body.

Just like that, with the simplicity of wisdom, the wisdom of determination and the determination of the heart, we saw novice students to act as experienced and we felt the black colour of our belt to fade away towards white!

These were two days that offered us knowledge, alternative ways of spectation and action, a unique experience for all of the participants. Two days that mentally brought close people with common interests from all over Greece and abroad, accumulating uncountable energy.

The End of the Beginning

Inevitably, all the meetings end at some time. Likely, this assembly of old and new friends, fellow-travellers of the footpath, which they had been watching fascinated for two days, and they were fascinating by taking part in the events, had ended. It ended leaving a gap of farewell, but also a deep sense of harmony and satisfaction.

The indelible mark of the "magic" of Taijutsu never ends!

A Great Thanks to the Participants and the Writer of the Biography of Takamatsu Sensei, Wolfgang Ettig, who all honoured us with their presence.

G. K.