“We sometimes seem more involved with question of oil or the extinguishing of the sun, than with our need of human warmth. This triggers me. Most people, I think, treasure a friendly relationship with others, both within and outside of their jobs, without unnecessary strain or trouble. I would very much like to contribute to this. I founded Bisho to see if it was possible to link my enthusiasm and my capacities and make them grow. I am fascinated by the workings of aikido-principles outside of the mat. I want to develop, test and share these. I am also impressed by the seemingly timeless and practical value of ideas from several Buddhist traditions. My energy gets going when I am allowed to help people and their organisations find new ways of looking at and dealing with the present and the future, and the questions these poese. With Bisho I also want to contribute to a network of people who feel inspired by ideals of peace, happiness and joy.

I was introduced to the Japanese word ‘bisho’ during a seminar of Shinto Musoryu Jodo, a classical Japanese martial way. One early morning in the summer of 2004, training was conducted on the beach of the Adriatic see, near Venice, Italy. Facing the rising sun, we were trying to follow our teacher who showed an intricate series of cuts with the wooden sword. This was a series that nobody of us had ever seen or done before, and the excitement could almost be felt, along with confusion because of the difficulty experienced. After 15 long and exhausting minutes, the teacher directed us to the shore. When our toes touched the first tiny waves of water, we stopped and turned around, facing a slight slope in the wet sand of the beach. Again we performed the series of cuts, only now with the point of our swords ploughing the sand. Magically, the tip of my sword created the Japanese character for ‘bi’  - the first half of ‘bisho’.

- Christiaan Zandt (1974)

Background

Trained as a historian (MA with honors, University of Groningen, 1992-1997), later on as a ‘buddhologist’ (University of Sunderland (GB), 2004-present). Worked for the community of his hometown during the years 1999-2006. Teaching Aikido since 1995 docent aikido and member of the board of the foundation of Japanese and Okinawan Martial Arts (SJOK). Traversed Asia by bicycle with his wife in 2003 and upon his return took the initiative to raise and head a group of local volunteers for SOS Kinderdorf International.