Peter-san: So do you think the key moment was the moment of actually heading to Iwama – from Tokyo – which was O’Sensei giving up on the whole thing, because the government was going to take over his dojo, so that was the final straw… or was it doing the physical stuff in Iwama
Sensei: Yeah…
Peter-san: and then discovering stuff…
Sensei: Yeah…
Peter-san: …for the first time, because of the relief and relaxation of finally being out of it all?
Sensei: Yes! I think his youth was spent in nature: if you think about Hokkaido and all that. But also, even if his family were quite wealthy enough, they lived a pretty earthy life. I mean, in his metaphors he really never really departs from Great Nature… and even when he discusses the kami – with great reverence – they are natural forces, they are forces of nature, they are not human constructions.
And then – you know – you have the people who formalize everything…
But I think he had deep respect for anyone with sincerity trying to approach the ladder up to the Gods… He didn’t really care about their formal affiliation.
But I think for himself, when he went to Iwama, I think he just returned to Great Nature.
I think he really needed to…