LOCAL Kutchan character Shukin, an American former Buddhist monk who now lives in Japan and is a skilled swordsman. An interesting background worthy of getting to know him a little better, we thought…
When and why did you come to Niseko?
I first came to the area about nine years ago from Osaka for a 10-day trip.
You are quite involved with the local Japanese community. What kind of things are you involved in?
True, I love living in Japan and learning from the people. Since deciding to settle in Kutchan I have been involved in the martial arts – I train in both Kendo and Iaido (the art of drawing and sheathing a sword). I volunteer for the city of Kutchan to assist with the Cultural Tour, which is in its second year. Every year in September I return to Osaka to participate in the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (cart-pulling festival), an event I highly recommend people to see live if they get the chance, as I’ve never seen such a thing elsewhere.
Your past involves time training as a monk. Can you tell us more about that please?
Sure, that is actually what brought me to Japan. I had trained as a lay Zen practioner in The States for a while when I realised I wanted to immerse deeper into the practice. So in 1994 I came to Japan to train as a lay monk for a 90-day ango (intense training period) before taking the leap. In the fall of 1997, after spending two weeks with my late master, I asked to be ordained, probably the biggest decision in my life. I trained in a Japanese temple for two-and-a-half years, sitting zazen (zen meditation), farming, chopping wood – a simple life, really. We sat zazen for four hours a day on regular days, twice a month from the 1st through the 5th, and on the 15th through the 17th we sat for 14 hours a day. Funny thing is, it was just ‘normal’ life for us, we never thought we were doing anything special. I must say it was the best thing I ever did. I have traveled to both Korea and France to train in Buddhist temples as well.
You are in good physical shape. Tell us about your Iaido and Kendo training, and your fitness regime?
In the temple we grew all our own rice and vegetables, made our own tofu and miso and pickles – a very active, contemplative life. I try to continue that here as well. I train with weights several days a week, and I do both Kendo and Iaido. Kendo is Japanese fencing, and Iaido is drawing and sheathing a sword. If you join the Cultural Tour you can get a better idea.
What is it that makes Niseko special?
The people.
What are your Top 3 tips for visitors to Niseko?
1. Be respectful 2. Be open 3. Be grateful
You are a Kutchan local of some years, what top tips would you give people who visit Kutchan?
Wander off the beaten path, enter shops that have no English signs and see what they’re all about. Check out the temples and museums. Half Moon lake is a must see. Most of all chip in to help make Kutchan a great place by sharing a smile.