Continuation of Itsuo Tsuda’s correspondence, from which we are publishing a few letters, with the kind permission of Bernard and Andréine Bel. Link to read the first letter.

These are Itsuo Tsuda‘s replies, between 1972 and 1979, to a young couple who were beginning to practise the Regenerating Movement. In these letters, we follow their desire to share this discovery with those around them in their town.

This letter followed a letter in which we told Itsuo Tsuda about our stay in Saanen in July, during which we had a group of people practise the Regenerating Movement, including a large number of students of Yvon Achard, a yoga teacher in Grenoble. The group’s reaction had been enthusiastic. Itsuo Tsuda‘s reflection on the tendency of Westerners to lump everything together prompted us to exercise great caution. We were careful never to use this term, even though our sessions were identical in every way to those organised by Katsugen-Kai. It was also at this time that we decided never to accept money from participants: ‘among family and friends’… Andréine Bel

Saint-Maurice [France], 23 October 1972

Dear friend,

Thank you for your letter. First of all, I must congratulate you on the enthusiasm with which you have approached the work and the results you have achieved.

The fourth dorsal vertebra is related to the opening of the oesophagus and the movement of the heart. Here in our dojo, we have a few women with a recessed fourth dorsal vertebra. This anomaly often causes them to burst into tears, which has the effect of stimulating and clearing the sympathetic nervous system. I usually refrain from giving these details because in the West, we have a mechanical mindset. We want to immediately act on the area with manipulations. During the courses, I have had complaints from participants because there were health technicians who couldn’t help fiddling with the spine. The results: neck pain, back pain, kidney pain, etc. When there are a lot of people, it is difficult for me to control all these hidden manoeuvres that they perform, often despite their partner’s protests. This is why I am wary of talking about Seitai as a technique. Twenty years of learning are not empty words.

That said, I would like to share my thoughts on the development of the Regenerating Movement. You probably know better than I do that, in France, anything that is not expressly authorised is prohibited. The mentality is, above all, legalistic. Given this situation, we formed the Katsugen-Kai association under the 1901 law, to ensure that we were well covered from a legal standpoint. The names ‘Katsugen-Kai’ and ‘Regenerating Movement’ belong to our association.
.   I therefore have the right to express my opinion, provided that it does not undermine national security. My opinion, published in the form of notebooks, is philosophical and cultural, but not political.
.  We also have the right to practise the gymnastics known as the Regenerating Movement among the members of our association.

While the Movement has the advantage of being easy to learn, as it requires no prior knowledge or technique, this same advantage can also have its drawbacks. By chance, I learned that there are a number of people who have started teaching the Regenerating Movement without my knowledge. Some of them are facing enormous difficulties because they have to deal with unexpected reactions, and they are completely panicked.

There are about a hundred Katsugen-kai in Japan whose leaders are recognised by Mr Noguchi, and their list is published in the Seitai Society’s periodicals. These leaders have between ten and thirty, or even forty years of experience and are familiar with all the harmful reactions of the human soul. They regularly attend courses given by Mr Noguchi. They must organise with Tenshin, the heart of pure sky, with total selflessness.

If, in France, one can become a Movement instructor after reading one or two booklets, this proves that the French are intelligent, but it does not prove that they have acted with the desired selflessness. I fear that one day we will end up in complete chaos, which would be truly deplorable.

Katsugen-Kai is a newborn that needs all the love of its parents. The slightest inattention can cause its death. I say this not to discourage you, but on the contrary, to warn you against any danger of destruction.

In the USSR, anyone who expresses an opinion that does not conform to official doctrine is interned in psychiatric asylums. In the United States, those who act against big capital can expect mysterious accidents. In France, one is free to express oneself but not to act. We are already happy to have acquired the right to practise a certain type of gymnastics.
. The administration is an anonymous power against which the will of a few individuals is powerless. It decides but takes no responsibility. It will say: if that’s the way it is, that’s the way it is.

As long as the Movement remains within our association, there is no danger. We can do whatever we want. But as soon as the activity goes beyond the scope of the association and we see Katsugen-kais [groups of Regenerating Movement] and teachers swarming around, this chaos inevitably leads to intervention by the public authorities.

If you say it is gymnastics, you will be required to obtain a state diploma from the Ministry of Sport. If you say it has therapeutic effects, the Ministry of Health will ban the practice because it is contrary to official doctrine. Even qualified doctors cannot deviate from this predetermined path. I was recently told about the case of two non-conformist doctors who were charged with not using pharmaceuticals, which is the fourth largest industry in France.

My position is that I represent a certain way of thinking with practical application. We are free to express our opinions, so I can share my thoughts. If you practise privately, with family or friends, there will be no problem. Be careful as soon as you try to act outside of that.

If I could choose a ministry, it would be the Ministry of Culture. Culture can be more vague and less structured than other ministries. That is why I insist on distributing my notebooks.

I am willing to set up centres in other parts of the country, because not everyone lives in Paris. However, I want to proceed with caution so that it doesn’t all turn out to be a flash in the pan. I don’t want Katsugen-Kai to be crushed prematurely. It’s not that I’m seeking to obtain any privileges; on the contrary, I am willing to leave everything in the hands of the French when Katsugen-Kai becomes truly viable.

I know Tamura very well since Tōkyō. In Annecy, in July 1970, he asked me to introduce all his students to the Movement. I held three sessions there and the results were not bad.

Do not act on behalf of Katsugen-Kai yet, as affiliation has not been decided. Do it as a practical demonstration, with a view to forming a centre in the future.

Friendly yours,

I. Tsuda

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