ICPA Principal Ms mari Cecilia Murata asked few questions to Mr Takayuki Sugimoto who completed the international gentleman study and etiquette beginner programme – The Polished Gentleman (currently: The Noble Gentleman) in 2021.
Here is the subtitles in the video.
I would like to begin the graduation ceremony for Takayuki Sugimoto. Congratulations on your graduation from the International Gentlemen’s Studies.
“Thank you.”
Would you like to say a few words?
“Absolutely.”
Please tell us why you took this course.
I took part in Murata Sensei’s five-hour intensive international education course, at which point I was recommended by my senior colleague, Dr Yamashita, to join the course.
At that time, I thought it was very useful, but I did not think of taking the course myself.
Later, as I participated in various ICPA events, I thought that it might be an opportunity to change my current situation, and then, on 5 February 2021, I was blown away by the atmosphere at the Dance Dinner and was almost convinced that I could make a change from here. I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere and decided to attend the course because I was almost convinced that I could change myself from here.
As a leader, I am in a position where I have to ask others to take actions, which inevitably means that I am in a position where I need to take on a leadership role. Therefore, I thought that by taking this course, I would be able to encourage everyone to get involved. I also thought that I would be able to overcome my lack of confidence, as I was very unsure of myself, therefore I enrolled in the course.
What did you find the course to offer?
In the beginning, I enjoyed the course because it started with history and I felt like I was learning again.
But it was not just about that, it was also about how to present myself, my impressions and how to behave, for example. This has been the subject of discussions.
I think that around two-thirds of the way through, I became more and more aware of these things on a daily basis, and in proportion to that, I was able to realise in my mind that I was changing.
Of course, I liked history, but the sections that stayed with me the most were the ones that I dared not to be good at, such as personal colour and the way I should behave, which left a very deep impression. I would say that this is because I became aware of my own issues and this gave me the opportunity to transform myself.
This is not because I am a beginner, but basically I believe that it is still a very deep field. However, even at the beginner level, the course was quite in-depth, thus I believe that I will be able to learn the most important ideas and attitudes as I move up to the intermediate and advanced levels.
What do you want to do with the skills you have acquired?
I am now able to regularly reflect on my own content, and I would like to make use of this in my daily life.
As the focus of the beginner level was on preparedness, I think I need to aim for a higher level in order to move towards practice. For this reason, I am considering taking the intermediate course as well.
Who would you recommend the course to?
Basically, I believe it would be useful for all those who wish to progress or get ahead in the future. However, I would personally most strongly recommend it to those who currently lack confidence in themselves, or who think that ‘I’m nothing anyway…’. It will definitely be an opportunity for them to change themselves.
“Absolutely Self-confidence is a significant factor. It’s something you don’t see, but it’ s important, I reckon.”
What kind of school community and with what kind of people do you wish to study together?
The host team is a group of like-minded people from different backgrounds. The host team is a group of like-minded people from different backgrounds, and the students of the ICPA also have diverse aspirations but are heading in the same direction, and I hope that we can work together as a group of peers sailing on one broad vessel.
“That’s wonderful! Learning at ICPA is The Great Voyage of Learning!”
Who would you recommend this course to?
As a matter of fact, I suppose there are some people who are interested in the existence of ICPA as an institute, but some of them might say, as I did, that it is a bit high-priced, for example, to improve themselves or to make a change in themselves.
I certainly thought so myself. It wasn’t an impossible price to pay, but there may have been a point where I thought it was a little bit difficult to afford.
However, when I look back on the course after it was over, I feel that it was worth more than the price and more than the course fee. I have actually taken the course 13 times, and although they say it is two hours per session or three hours per part, I feel that I have actually learnt more than that, and when I look back, I can see that I have changed so much with the money I spent, so I consider it to be extremely worthwhile. I would say that it’s very valuable. So, even if someone thinks the price is a bit too high, the rewards and gifts are so great that I would recommend it to them.
“Your life is still long, and in the blink of an eye, you will have reached the half-century mark. You are still in your thirties, aren’t you? I think it is a wonderful decision that you took this course at a time when you are going to be leading society. If we have people like you leading our society from now on, I truly believe that the world will become a better place.”
Thank you.
Let’s change the world together.
I look forward to working with you.
