KENDOJIDAI 2021.2
Interview: Teraoka Tomoyuki
Translation: Pepijn Boomgaard
Uchimura Ryoichi (Kyoshi 7th Dan)
Born in Kumamoto Prefecture in 1980. Went to Kyushu Gakuin High School and Meiji University. After graduation, he joined the Metropolitan Police Department. His achievements include three All Japan Championship titles (2nd place five times. 3rd place once), the team title at the World Championships, winning the individual and team All Japan Police Championships, and placing 2nd and 3rd at the All Japan Invitational 7th Dan Tournament. At age 36, he retired from the Tokuren and became an instructor. Currently, Kendo instructor at the Metropolitan Police Department, where he teaches the next generation while continuing to aim for the All Japan Championship.
Big childhood dreams
Putting himself in a demanding environment
-Do you remember when you first decided to aim to be the best in Japan?
We had to list our future dream in our elementary school graduation album, and I actually wrote “winning the All Japan Championship.” I watched the All Japan Championship in which Nishikawa Kiyonori Sensei, Ishida Toshida Sensei, and Miyazaki Masahiro Sensei participated on TV, and I decided that I wanted to compete at that stage myself one day. It might have been somewhat like Prof. Clarke’s famous phrase, “Boys, be ambitious.” I’m sure no one thought it would actually happen, but at that time, I really wanted to win the All Japan Championship.
-When you went to Kyushu Gakuin High School, you famously asked coach Komeda Toshiro whether you would be able to become the best in Japan.
I went to Kyushu Gakuin in order to realize my dream of becoming the best in Japan. Komeda Sensei replied to my question by saying that I would be able to become the best in Japan. Looking back now, I think that Komeda Sensei’s determination and sense of responsibility at that time were substantial. And he did exactly as he said, leading me to victory at both the All Japan Junior High School Championship and the All Japan High School Championship. I believe that my experiences in junior high school and high school helped me understand that if I put in the effort, my dreams would come true.
-You were at the forefront of your generation up until high school, but you were unable to become the best in Japan at Meiji University.
I trained very hard, but I didn’t achieve the results I was aiming for. I have many frustrating memories of my university days. However, it was this frustration that made me want to pursue Kendo even more, and it was also a deciding factor in my decision to join the Metropolitan Police Department.
-It was also during your university years that you met Morishima Tateo Sensei, who would be your mentor for the rest of your life. Did Morishima Sensei encourage you to join the Metropolitan Police Department?
No, in fact Morishima Sensei never once told me to join the Metropolitan Police Department. This is my speculation, but I believe that he thought one cannot join the Metropolitan Police Department based on the recommendation of others.
-Why did you choose the Metropolitan Police Department in your quest to be the best in Japan?
When I was still a student, I had participated in the morning sessions of the Metropolitan Police Department. I knew that if I wanted to become the best in Japan, I had to put myself in the most demanding environment in Japan. I had experienced setbacks during my university years and was worried about whether I would be able to endure the environment of the Metropolitan Police Department, but I was willing to take on the challenge in order to realise my childhood dream.
-You became even more focussed on becoming the best in Japan after you joined the Metropolitan Police Department.
That’s right. I felt that as I had decided on this path, that was the goal I had to aim for. There were many Sensei there who had done well at the All Japan Championship, so naturally I started to think about it more.
FIghting on the stage of dreams
The difference between 1st and 2nd place
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