BUDOSPRING 2026 Summary

First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Roberto Granatti Sensei, who planned and hosted BUDOSPRING 2026 and extended a kind invitation to Philip and myself. I am truly humbled by his warm and thoughtful hospitality. I also wish to thank Luigi Carniel Sensei, who treated us with such kindness and provided us with truly insightful lectures.

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My sincere thanks go to the senseis and students of the TAKI NO KEN dojo for their warm welcome. In particular, I am deeply grateful to Pietro Vaccari Sensei for his extensive support throughout the event. I would also like to express my appreciation to Federico Bugnoli Sensei and his father Antonio for providing transportation; I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations during our travels and meals together.

Throughout this seminar, I gained profound insights by attending the lectures of other senseis. These sessions made me realize how much my body has become habituated to the specific movements of my own daily practice. Even when my mind understood a new technique, my body would instinctively revert to its accustomed ways, leaving me frustrated by my own resistance to change. I was reminded that I had neglected the essential quality of Ju (柔)—the ability to adapt to any movement.

In particular, the session led by Roberto Fagnani Sensei on Qigong and Kung Fu provided a vital re-recognition of the body mechanics that form the foundation of all martial arts. It was a humbling realization of how much I still have to improve. Despite receiving similar advice from my personal trainer, I realized I had been too easy on myself and had not fully addressed these issues. As senseis, it is easy to become set in our ways, making it difficult to adapt to new movements. This experience has provided me with invaluable realizations, and I feel a renewed commitment to grow as an instructor through further effort.

I was also deeply moved by the presence of a Aikido Yoshinkan Shunpuu kan dojo instructor from Poland. Although my lectures covered fundamental principles, he attended both sessions with an open mind. I hold great respect for his flexible and humble approach to learning. His students also displayed an incredible desire for self-improvement, and it was clear that his dojo truly practices the principle of Ju-no-seigo (柔能制剛）.

Spending time in the beautiful city of Siena and learning about the historic Contrada was a deeply enriching experience. I conclude this seminar with a full heart and body, profoundly grateful to everyone who made this precious opportunity possible.

BUDOSPRING 2026 was a bridge between different schools and disciplines. Over three incredible days, we truly embodied the spirit of Budo: "Seiryoku Zenyo" , as everyone poured their heart into mastering techniques, and "Jita Kyoei" , as we respected one another and grew together.