Echoes from Matsumoto: A Journey into Talent Education

by Elizabeth Lau

Part I – Before My Trip Started

The journey to Matsumoto began even before I boarded a plane. From the very start, I felt wrapped in care and thoughtfulness, thanks to Kawakami-san, the retired international liaison for overseas visitors and conferences. With her beautifully spoken manner and gracious hospitality, she guided every detail of my preparations, filling me with both anticipation and a sense of safety.

I was arranged to stay in Ishii-san’s home — once a place where Dr Suzuki himself would host parties for students. Already, I felt as though I would be stepping into living history. Then, exactly a week before my departure, Kawakami-san wrote to me with some cheerful news: a bicycle had been arranged for me to use during my stay.

I was deeply grateful, yet equally concerned. There was just one small problem: I did not know how to ride a bicycle… eek! I didn’t want to waste such thoughtful hospitality, and it quickly became clear that this would be my only independent transport in Matsumoto. So, I decided to do the only sensible thing i.e. I would apply Dr Suzuki’s teaching to myself and learn to ride a bike in the same way I teach my students to play an instrument.

And so, my “pre-training training” began:

• Day 1: I borrowed a bike from a friend, but instead of riding it, I walked up and down my street beside it. I wanted to build a relationship, acknowledging that the bicycle and I were going to be a team.
• Day 2: I tried to ride in a straight line. I failed many times, but I remembered: never hurry, never give up. With repetition after repetition, I finally managed a few metres of balance.
• Day 3: I reviewed straight-line riding until it felt comfortable, then attempted my first left turn. There were plenty of wobbles, and even my neighbour peeked out from upstairs, wondering about the strange human circling the street! But I kept at it.
• Day 4: I reviewed straight lines, practised left turns, then combined the two.
• Day 5: Time for the right turn. Again, it was difficult, but with steady repetition and review, I slowly managed to join the steps together.
• Day 6: I extended the ride to the next street. No rushing, just calm persistence. And to my delight, I managed it!
• Day 7: “Matsumoto, here I come.”

When I finally arrived in Matsumoto, Kawakami-san and Katsuno-san (another kind staff member from TERI) met me at the station. They took me for a small meal, then settled me into Ishii-san’s welcoming home. Everything felt so carefully prepared, so kind.

And then… reality struck. At TERI headquarters, I was formally presented with “my” bicycle. No helmet, no extra instruction—just me and the bike. I smiled politely, but inside I thought: the nightmare begins!

That first day I met my classmates, explored the Kaikan, and walked everywhere on foot. But when evening came, reality could no longer be avoided: to return home, I would need to ride through a vast expanse known as Castle Park.

To be continued…