🇫🇷 Paris Budo Expedition

Day 1 - The Arrival

We have safely arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris! We received a wonderful, warm welcome from Laurent Sensei of Nihon Taijutsu. Shortly after, we successfully met up with the Tokyo Shofukai team. Our expedition kicked off beautifully with a delicious dinner, enjoying the cool Parisian evening breeze and wonderful conversations with our fellow martial arts practitioners! ✨ 

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Day 2 - Montmartre and Practice at Christelle-sensei's Dojo

On this day, Laurent Sensei and Christelle Sensei kindly guided us through Montmartre and Notre-Dame Cathedral. After sightseeing, we visited Christelle Sensei's dojo. Much like her own warm personality, the dojo was filled with a deeply comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, and everyone received us with open arms.

Since the members of the Japanese team were dealing with various physical aches and pains, our hosts thoughtfully turned the session into a seminar format where we took the lead in instructing.

• Myself: Instructed on the mechanics of Uchi-neji-ho and Soto-neji-ho , as well as Renzoku-kaeshi-waza for Uchi-neji-ho.

• Ezawa Sensei: Instructed on Motarekomi and its various applications.

I was deeply moved by the earnest, flexible, and dedicated attitude toward learning shown by all the participants.

Day 3 - Victor Hugo, La Defense and Practice at Phillippe-sensei's Dojo

We met up with Philippe Sensei and Alain Sensei of Nihon Taijutsu in the heart of Paris. We explored Bastille and, at my specific request, visited the Maison de Victor Hugo. I had always wanted to visit the home of the author of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, but it turned out quite different from the image I had built up in my mind, leaving me a little disappointed—though it made for a memorable moment as we moved on to our next stop! (laughs)

For lunch, we enjoyed authentic Alsatian cuisine at a charming, classical restaurant. We also visited a historical shopping district and enjoyed a wonderful chat over coffee , before gazing out at the Arc de Triomphe in the distance from the modern cityscape of La Défense de Paris.

In the evening, we joined the practice at Philippe Sensei's dojo. The training, which combines strikes, kicks, and jujutsu, was powerful and incredibly refreshing. I am so grateful to the kind students who patiently partnered with me for uke over and over to help me grasp unfamiliar movements. Furthermore, Eric Sensei—the teacher of Matthieu, who is currently studying abroad in Tokyo—traveled all the way from Normandy just to greet us. It was a true honor to meet such a polite and gentle teacher.

🇫🇷 Day 4 - Versailles

Early in the morning, Laurent Sensei and Christelle Sensei picked us up to take us to the Palace of Versailles. After admiring the beautiful Rococo palace interiors and the magnificent paintings, we enjoyed lunch at a cafe inside the palace. Afterward, we walked through the stunning gardens to the Trianon Palaces, spending nearly half a day completely immersed in 17th-century France.

Day 5 - The Louvre

In the morning, I had a meeting with Arnaud-sensei from INSEAD at a cafe in front of the Louvre Museum. Conversations with like-minded individuals are always highly stimulating and filled with hope. We promised to meet again in the UK this coming July.

Afterward, I rejoined my companions and we headed into the Louvre. We focused only on the most famous masterpieces, but even a curated tour took us a full three hours! Utterly exhausted, we picked up some groceries at a supermarket and decided to have dinner back at our apartment. Over delicious beer and wine, we shared not only deep talks about martial arts but also personal stories. In doing so, step by step, we grew from being "budo companions" into a true "budo family." 🍷✨ 

Day 6 - Practice at Laurant-sensei's Dojo and Celebration Dinner

Returning home late every night from training, talking about budo into the early hours, and with some members waking up early each morning to handle work, everyone's fatigue had reached its peak. We decided to spend the morning resting up before the afternoon training session. In the evening, Laurent Sensei and Christelle Sensei picked us up and brought us to Laurent Sensei's dojo.

• Myself: Instructed on Sumi-otoshi .

• Ezawa Sensei: Instructed on Motarekomi and its applications.

For dinner, we gathered with the students from Laurent Sensei's dojo at a Spanish tapas bar. We headed home with our stomachs completely full from an abundance of incredible food, wonderful conversation, and endless laughter.

Day 7 - Practice at Laurant-sensei's Dojo and the Eiffel Tower

Even though we didn't get back until late the previous night, Laurent Sensei and Christelle Sensei went out of their way to pick us up early in the morning (I cannot thank them enough!).

Our final training session was a three-hour practice at Laurent Sensei's dojo. On this day, Ezawa Sensei gave a lecture on shime-waza while Philip and I were entrusted with teaching the children. We instructed them on ukemi , gassho-uke, and ashi-waza . They approached the training with absolute seriousness and absorbed everything incredibly fast. Seeing the future of budo alive within them filled my heart with pure joy.

After practice, we socialized with the students over drinks and snacks. Tamura-san started a game of writing the students' names in kanji characters, intentionally picking characters with hilarious, strange meanings, which had everyone roaring with laughter. Though brief, it was a wonderful moment that brought our hearts even closer together.

Before heading to the airport, they treated us to a visit to the Eiffel Tower, which we hadn't managed to see yet! 🗼 Then, it was finally time to say our goodbyes. After seeing off the Tokyo Shofukai team, Fabian departed for Belgium as well. Once everyone had been sent off, we had a precious opportunity to sit down in the lobby of a hotel near the airport with Laurent Sensei and Christelle Sensei to have a serious, deep conversation about the future of budo and our upcoming collaborations.

✨ Reflections on the Expedition

This past week was exceptionally busy—the training, the sightseeing, and the meals were all absolutely wonderful. Yet, what leaves the deepest impression on my heart is the "connection between people". Even the most famous sights shine many times brighter when you explore them alongside friends. The conversations shared and the laughter sparked in those moments are what truly bind us together.

And all of this stems from the connections forged through the practice of Budo. Visiting dojos in different places always makes me reflect on the intent of martial arts founders. I truly believe they created Budo with the goal of bringing peace and prosperity to society by fostering relationships built on mutual respect and care. The bonds formed through keiko (training)—where we sweat together for the sake of mutual growth—bring about a deep, special connection that goes far beyond typical professional or hobby-based relationships. It is a beautiful mystery how practicing together just once can instantly make you feel like family.

I cannot fully express my profound gratitude to Laurent Sensei and Christelle Sensei, who dedicated so much of their time to supporting our stay in Paris, taking us to numerous sights and restaurants, and even preparing thoughtful gifts for us. The hours spent discussing budo, Japanese culture, and martial philosophy with them became my most cherished experience. It was also incredibly valuable to have the chance to speak deeply with Philippe Sensei—not just during lunch but throughout our travels—about the true purpose of budo and Mochizuki Budo.

I vividly remember how Laurent Sensei, Christelle Sensei, and Philippe Sensei would always give up their seats for us on the train and remain standing. They must have been just as exhausted as we were, yet they never showed it, displaying such immense strength and kindness. I was deeply moved by their noble spirit.

To Ezawa Sensei, Choi-san, and Tamura-san, with whom I spent time like real family: thank you for a joyful journey filled with a year's worth of laughter! It would bring me so much happiness to go on another expedition with you all.

With the goal of "Seiryoku Zen'yo, Jita Kyoei" (Maximum Efficiency, Mutual Prosperity) close to our hearts, I look forward to cooperating and moving forward hand-in-hand with our wonderful friends across the globe. 🥋🌍✨