February 17, 2009

Judo master Matsukage Nozaka

(Clearwisdom.net) HIROSHIMA, Japan--On February 15, Divine Performing Arts (DPA) International Company's performance at the ALSOK Concert Hall in Hiroshima delighted Mr. Nozaka, a judo master over 80 years old.

"This is too astounding for the heart. I will go to Osaka and see it again. I want to experience this stirring inside me again."

Mr. Nozaka practices martial arts including judo and kendo. He has traveled to many countries such as China and Nepal.

"Nowadays martial arts only follow the form. In ancient times, the martial artists sought very deeply to cultivate. In order to obtain the essence of Tao, they would go into the mountains or Buddhist temples to cultivate.

"Hiroshima, ever since it was devastated by the atomic bomb, has always pursued peace and prosperity. It is very valuable for DPA to convey to mankind the Chinese culture that was nurtured by cultivation and searching for the Tao. If the world's people can understand this, then we can maintain world peace. I hope DPA can succeed in shining all over the world."

Mr. Nozaka is a famed figure in the judo community. He serves as the guest judge for the Japanese Judo Union and owns a judo venue where he teaches students.

"In the beginning I just thought that the dances were very beautiful, but gradually I started to understand that these are not ordinary dances. These dances are displaying respect for gods and Buddhas from the heart. I can deeply sense this.

"All the performers worked as one body. They were very focused as well. To reach such a level, as far as I know, requires a lot of hard training. If they do not share the same goal in their minds, they cannot reach such a level. If the dancers did not possess the same goal as the choreographers, they wouldn't have done such a great job."

He worked in China for more than a decade, and, wanting to reminisce a bit, he came to the show. The performance exceeded his expectation.

"What is so great about it is that they are dancing with reverence towards gods. In ordinary dance, it is easy to predict what step is coming up next once it's started. Yet this dance has belief in gods and Buddhas. The more I see it, the deeper the content I perceive."

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/12193/

Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts