From September, 1996, I had visited France, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Spain, and I am now relieved that I returned to Japan. It was the first time for me to visit Spain, though I went to the other countries many times and had many acquaintances there. Since I have only one seminar a year in each of these country, I always look forward to seeing them after one year.

All the participants of my seminar are very enthusiastic and eager to learn and practice Aikidô. Not only the people in Shodan class but also those in Sandan or Yodan class watches me very carefully not to miss every movement I do. Why are they so eager about Aikidô? I ask my question to the people no matter where in seminar I am what it means that one becomes stronger in Aikidô and how one should practice Aikidô in order to aim at being a man who is truly strong. And I also ask them to make good use of what they gained from Aikidô in the places of non-Dôjô, daily lives, and in their own life. Fortunately, the number of participants overseas has been increased year by year, both the hosts and myself are very happy about it.

The founder of Aikidô said to the trainee, "Watch carefully the state of thing in this world, and listen to what the others say, accept the good points, and based on them one should open the gates of one's heart. For example, observe the true picture of heaven and earth and be spiritually awakened by this true picture by yourself. When awakened, act soon. When acted, reflect upon yourself soon, and I wish that you imporve yourself gradually".

I believe that the universe consists of the harmony and living together that is making the best use of each other. Only human being forget about it and act arrogantly. The founder said that the heart of universe was the same as the heart of Aikido, and the heart of universe is "love", and wished to master the heart of universe by learning Aikidô. That little selfishness becomes strong does not mean that you become strong in Aikidô. I sincerely wish to aim at practice of truly well-balanced and making the best use of each other, with opening one's mind to anybody, maintaining oneself with dignity, and respecting the others. (December, 1996)