Thank you for this amazing 2025 year

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Arigatayama (the Mountain of Gratitude), a unique spiritual park located in Shizuoka, facing Mount Fuji.

The hillside is home to 1,800 stone Jizo statues—Buddhist deities who protect children and travelers—each one hand-carved and offered by families as a sign of gratitude or as a prayer for peace.

At the summit stands Ryū no Tera (the Dragon Temple). This Zen dōjō, built around a 400-year-old tree trunk, offers a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji, making it an ultimate place for meditation.

One of the highlights of my journey was meeting a Zen monk, with whom I discussed the connection between Zen and Budō (martial arts). He granted me a rare privilege: the opportunity to practice our Uechi-Ryū Karate within the sanctuary adjoining the dōjō, near the Buddhist temple.

Channeling the energy of the mountain through my kata, at the heart of this “Mountain of Gratitude,” was a deeply emotional experience, set in a unique and magnificent environment.

It is from this sacred place that I extend my heartfelt thanks to you all for this incredible year, 2025. This year, our Institute continued to grow, welcoming new faces into our community.

It has been a true honor to support our students in their progress, and for our advanced practitioners, to witness the achievement of their Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan ranks.

Leading a community of such dedicated and committed students is a genuine pleasure. Thank you all for the energy you bring to our online classes.

Lionel Reynaud

Below, you will find a video showing part of the ascent of the mountain, concluding with a visit to Ryū no Tera and a beautiful view of Mount Fuji.