Shuhaari

The Japanese believe the way
To learn an art by copying
Involves three steps of mastery.
They call this their Shuhaari Way.

You “Shu”,
Then “Haa”,
And then you “Ri”:

“Protect”,
Then “Break”,
And then “Depart”.

Within the art you want to learn,
“Protect” the style that moves you deep.
Immerse in what the masters do
And copy everything you can.
You give your all to do this well.
It builds your fundamentals strong.
But if you stay with “Shu” too long,
You’ll only stay a replica.

So, then you “Break” away and dip
In styles that never moved you so,
And styles you never understood.
For now, you’ll see with widened eyes
And heart that opens wider still.
Your mind will challenge all you’ve learned.
You’ll twist and bend the stiff and straight.
You’ll slice and graft and fail a lot.
You’ll try and keep the things that work.
You’ll leave whatever doesn’t work.
Again, again, again, again.
But then you’ll find you’re splitting hairs.
Your “Haa” is just a sum of parts.
You need a soul to make it whole.

And so you now “Depart” from all
The styles you copied gracefully.
You go where only you can go.
So far within, you lose yourself.
So long until you choose Yourself
To animate that sum of parts.
And when you serve the ones you serve
The thing that only you can serve,
You’ll see that others copy you.
You’ll see yourself within their parts.
They’ll call you Master of the Arts.
But here, you must remain with “Ri”.
“Depart” from honours, titles, claps.
Forget about your Mastery.
Begin a new Shuhaari lap.