A Famous Photograph of O Sensei

An old man walking, aware

this moment is being

preserved, 

watering with a practiced hand

green, green plants in black & white

with grace and harmony. 

Another image: at night, at war,

far, far away, after Curtis LeMay’s

incendiaries turn the dojo roof  

to yellow flame.  It falls to the

old man’s son, Kisshomaru, to

water with efficient desperation. 

No photographer, no green,

green plants.  Alone, on a roof, watering

to preserve an old man’s dream. 

© Hal Taylor, April 30, 2008 

[Based on a picture of O Sensei watering plants in Iwama found in Invincible Warrior, page 158, by John Stevens (Shambhala Publications, Inc. 1997) 

My favorite picture of the Founder.  He is wholly centered in his posture, even in the simple act of watering flowers.  This is O Sensei at peace in Iwama, but still very much aware of his surroundings, including the photographer.  The reference to his son, Kisshomaru, fighting flames that threatened to engulf the Tokyo dojo, is from the same book, pages 67-68.]