The tenth anniversary of the spiritual trip known as “Way of the Shugenja” wrote another page in the history of Bujinkan Macedonia. This time the actors were eight Warriors from the dojo who in 10 hours managed to walk a trail of 42 kilometers. This version offered the shortest and easiest route to date, which helped to make sure that all the participants reached the end.
Read the impressions from the members which elevated themselves and took part in this anniversary event.
“Let me extend my regards to senpai Filip Trajanovski, Irina Milosevska and Kristina Kostic which for the first time ever took part in this seminar and successfully completed it. I especially congratulate Kristina because she is just starting to learn the skills and Warriors of Bujinkan Macedonia, and she still powered through this tribulation.
What can be said about this legendary seminar, and to not start with amazement with the choices of Sensei Igor Dovezenski about the routes thorough which we cleanse ourselves, elevate ourselves and enjoy our beautiful Macedonia. Ten hours of non-stop walking through hills, villages, through untrodden places and pretty valleys, so rich and fertile, simply your soul fills with beauty” – Vladimir Antonovski, senpai.
“Because of work, the night before the seminar I could only sleep for four hours. Before starting from Hombu, I noticed that Sensei was walking weirdly, after which he explained to us that the previous day he had stepped on a rusty nail. After the required tetanus shots, the doctor told him that he should rest, but he probably does not know about the strength, spirit and courage of Sensei.
Same as every year, while we were walking through the hills and mountains, we got to know each other better, share wonderful moments and smiles, but at the same time learn about our own limits and weaknesses. I want to share something that happened that helped me to grow and even deeper belief in friendship, comradery and life in general. On a hill, in a steep place, Kiki stopped for a second and uttered that she could not climb it. But then Taki walked back and lend her a hand. Then it was shown, for I don’t know which time, that an honestly given hand motivates and stops failure. I remembered that once upon a time I felt like giving up on hills like that too” – Mihail Drakalski, senpai.
“- Sensei, for Shugendo I only need to bring 1,5L of water with me?
– No Irina, that is for ‘Survival in Nature’. Bring whatever you want, as long as you can carry it. We will be walking through mountainous areas with no breaks and we will visit interesting places that tell their own unique story. This time it will the shortest one yet.
Maybe because he told me so, I didn’t even consider if it will be hard, if I will finish it, what kind of feat I will achieve and what will I tell of it. I was just happy that Sensei had the trust and allowed me to follow him. We had a light step like a happy little band that had just gone out for a walk on a nice sunny day, casting off any layer of unnecessary thoughts, misgivings about the present, plans and fears of the future. The magic spontaneously followed. Every rock, every point, a cross on the road, passed on a history of stories. And a message. And so on to the next village, to the next spring.
From the fairy waters in the village of Zubovce, to the church of Saint. Trojca in Skakovce. Whatever you might believe in, nothing is stronger than the beauty of the sunset, the graciousness of the mountain and the humbleness of the first star. And exactly its glow makes you aware of the transience of it all. You feel only gratitude for your compatriots with which you share this rare experience. The poetry of the spirit. And the feeling of cleansing, after this first Shugendo of mine. Thank you Sensei” – Irina Milosevska.