What would you consider a modern day uchi deshi.... since having a live in student now a days isn't realistic.... what would you expect from an uchi deshi....
In my Aikido organisation they still have live in Uchi Deshi at headquarters in Japan. It still exists. They recieve private instruction and must know what sensei needs before he asks for it. They provide meals for Sensei and take care of the dojo.
For special students who accompany a sensei to trainings and other sorts we use the term Otomo, one who serves. It is training in observation.
Thank you both for commenting on my question.... I agree....
When Shihan took me to be his uchi deshi i was rather confused... i had never heard the term before... so i went online to see what i could find.. and everything explained how the uchi deshi was an inside student that would take care of the dojo, shopping, and other house hold tasks for the Sensei.... This confused me even more... how was i going to do that... i'm married and have a 7yr old daughter.... i have my own responsiblities...
With that i did my best to try to meet those requirements... Needless to say i couldn't... I then found out that what Shihan considered and uchi deshi than what i had read.. He wants some student that other than being passionate about the art ... but someone to take the reins and research the history of all sorts of different martial arts and come to him with questions... However i can not ask for the answer...
I can understand that... My problem is that i'm a very black and white person... not what my opinion is ... what i think the answer is... this is the answer and that's it...
I will apologize i seem to be rambling...
what would suggestions do you have for a person that is not good at research or doing things independently... to become an uchi deshi that her Shihan can be proud of...
The head of our system, now 73, has had the same student accompany him to all of our seminars worldwide for well over 20 years. That person was his designate uke for any demonstration of technique and basically performed any task Shihan asked of him. By virtue of this almost constant presence, he also received very detailed instruction and fast-tracked through the system's ranks.
He has now progressed to the point where it is clear that he will inherit the system when Shihan retires or passes on. There is no political strings attached. This person has dedicated his life to the system and clearly exemplifies every attribute, physical and otherwise, one would expect to see at his level.
He has also found his designated uke that accompanies him to all the seminars and is also in a position to progress quickly by virtue of this high amount of exposure to the upper ranking members of the system. He is young - in his middle 20s - and hopefully understands and takes advantage of this opportunity. Time will tell.
The Uchi Deshi was more of a necessity way back when because of the necessitites of logistics. One could not travel across great distances in a matter of hours the way we can today. In addition, the more simplified life style of the day did not require both sensei and student to hold down full-time jobs to support the car, family, etc.
I think what I witness with the people I've desribed above pretty much covers what the Deshi would be describes as nowadays.
