Exceptional Student Mar 2021

Jonetsu S.

Big congratulations are in order for Jonetsu, the Hikari Ryuza Center’s newest “Student of the Quarter!”

Jonetsu has earned this recognition because she’s awesome! This is not a frivolous statement about her. To know her is to know a mother, a poet, a singer, a music producer, a writer, a performing artist, a photographer and one of our personal favorites – a very serious Martial Artist. Everything she does, she does with passion. Her honesty is refreshing and unfiltered, and we feel blessed to embrace such a soulful woman in our Dojo family.  Watch out… Jonetsu’s a force to be reckoned with! She’s quite a Jutsuka! We interviewed her so everyone could get to know her a little better. So, without further ado, we present: Jonetsu!

Interview with Jonetsu

by Sr Professor Shizumi Crimi

Interview with Jonetsu ~ Student of the Quarter, March – May, 2021

P: How old are you?
J: 37… (Smiles) Definitely 37.

P: What is your profession?
J: I am a writer and a photographer and a musician and a mother and a poet and I run a record label.

P: When did you start training in Hikari Ryuza Bujutsu?
J: Six months ago.

P: What is your favorite part of class?
J: When I do Nage the right way; and when Professor plays music and we do rolls and falls at the same time.
P: What is the “right way” for Nage?
J: I just mean when I feel like I get the snappy movements and I get that ‘aha’ moment.

P: What is your favorite roll?
J: My favorite roll… aahhh, probably Bogyo Mae Chugaeri. I like it because for a brief moment I feel like I’m flying.

P: How about your favorite fall?
J: Right now it’s Hiji Sutemi because I’m working on nailing it, so it’s a nice challenge.

P: And what is your favorite technique?
J: Mmmmm, definitely Tomoe Nage; same reason – because I feel like for a moment I’m flying and it’s beautiful for both Uke and Tori. It has a grace to it.

P: Do you have a favorite color?
J: It depends on my mood, but consistently it’s turquoise… and I like gold a lot too.
P: They also look great together.
J: They do.

P: What about a number?
J: 83 and 444. 83 is my birth year and my husband’s birth year. 444 is my gematria code, and when I got married my gematria code even stayed the same.

P: Can you tell us something about yourself that maybe not everyone would know?
J: I used to be in the circus. I was a wondering clown, and I opened for Cirque de Soleil. I was employed by Mystic Family Circus in San Francisco. (thought for a moment…) I wandered around the country in a 1967 milk truck. (thought again…) I gave birth to all 3 of my children at home unmedicated.

P: What are your reasons for studying Hikari Ryuza Bujutsu?
J: To witness my spirit soar and to sharpen my mind, and to understand more deeply what my body is capable of.

P: What are some of the important things you are learning in your Bujutsu?
J: Commitment. Discipline. And how do I say…? Like… expanding my awareness.

P: Why do you think you were chosen as the Student of the Quarter?
J: My enthusiasm.

P: What are 3 goals that you currently have?
J: To finish my novel. To train hard and gracefully. To complete my album “Melt the Sun.”
P: Could you be more specific with what training hard and gracefully looks like?
J: One of my goals is to do more calisthenics at home, to strengthen my body and have more endurance. And then gracefully would mean accepting challenge with grace; letting myself move forward when I feel frustrated.

P: If you wanted to invite a friend to Bujutsu, what would you say?
J: Get ready!!!

P: How far do you want to go in your Bujutsu?
J: I want to be a Black Belt! Definitely!

P: What rank do you envision yourself as in the future?
J: Shodan. (After speaking to Sr Grandmaster briefly…) Ok, I change my answer: Sandan! Teacher’s rank.

P: Is there anything else you would like to add before we conclude this interview?
J: Just that I’m very grateful to be here and I feel like I’ve found an extended family in the Dojo.