Shuhari and the Art of Being a Big Kid
- Oluseyi Ekanem
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
When was the last time you learned something like a child?
You know—that pure curiosity, excitement, and fearlessness that kids have when they’re discovering something new. They don’t overthink. They don’t worry about being perfect. They just experiment, explore, and have fun.
Four years ago, I unknowingly became a big kid again when I started learning computer graphics and 3D design. I jumped in headfirst, absorbing knowledge from YouTube, Udemy, and Patreon, making mistakes, experimenting wildly, and following my curiosity wherever it led.
Now, I specialize in SideFX Houdini, filmmaking, and digital simulations, and I’m working toward a bigger vision—to build a digital innovation company in Nigeria that transforms industries with computer graphics, digital twins, 3D visualization, and the metaverse.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: learning never stops. Every time I explore a new tool, industry, or idea, I become a kid again. I return to the basics, play, experiment, and rediscover the world through fresh eyes.
This mindset aligns perfectly with Shuhari (守破離), a Japanese philosophy that describes the stages of mastery.
Shuhari: Learning Like a Kid, Over and Over Again
Shuhari is traditionally used in martial arts, but it applies to everything—especially digital art and innovation. It describes how we progress through mastery:
Shu (守) – “Obey” or “Follow the Rules” → The childlike phase of imitation and structured learning.
Ha (破) – “Break” or “Adapt the Rules” → The playful phase of experimentation and problem-solving.
Ri (離) – “Transcend” or “Create Your Own Path” → The creative phase where you innovate and build something entirely new.
Most people see Shuhari as a one-way journey, but I see it differently.
To me, Shuhari is a cycle—a continuous loop of learning, growing, and rediscovering. Every time I push into a new area, I start the cycle over again, just like a kid learning to walk, then run, then jump.
Shu (守): The Joy of Being a Beginner
Every great adventure starts in Shu—the phase where you imitate, absorb, and follow the rules.
When I first started learning Houdini and 3D art, I was like a kid with a new toy. I followed tutorials exactly, recreated what I saw, and stuck to established techniques. I wasn’t thinking about innovation—I was just soaking it all in.
But Shu doesn’t happen just once. Each time I explore a new industry—whether it’s digital twins, AI-driven simulations, or virtual production—I return to Shu. I become a beginner again, filled with excitement, eager to explore.
And that’s the secret: If you can enjoy being a beginner over and over again, you’ll never stop growing.
Ha (破): Breaking the Rules, Asking “What If?”
Kids don’t just accept things as they are—they ask “What if?”
What if I mix these two colors?
What if I stack these blocks a different way?
What if I try it upside down?
That’s exactly what happens in Ha—the phase where you start questioning and bending the rules.
For me, Ha began when I stopped following tutorials and started experimenting. I realized that the cloth simulation techniques I used for digital fashion could also be used for film visual effects, product design, and industrial simulations.
What if I used procedural modeling in Houdini to automate garment creation?
What if I applied digital filmmaking techniques to revolutionize Nollywood?
What if I built digital twins to optimize industries in Nigeria?
In Ha, I stop simply learning and start playing—mixing, matching, and creating something new.
Ri (離): Innovating, Then Starting Over Again
If Ha is about experimenting, then Ri is about owning your craft and building new things. This is where you stop following what’s been done before and create your own path.
Right now, I’m in Ri as I develop custom digital systems for the film and fashion industries in Nigeria. I’m moving beyond just using technology—I’m designing tools and solutions that didn’t exist before.
But here’s the catch: Ri is not the end.
Once I master one area, I move into a new one. I go back to Shu and start learning like a kid again—whether it’s exploring new AI tools, designing virtual spaces, or building more advanced digital workflows.
This cycle—Shu → Ha → Ri → Shu again—is the rhythm of lifelong learning and innovation.
Applying Shuhari to Digital Innovation in Nigeria
Nigeria is a playground of untapped potential when it comes to digital innovation. Film, fashion, architecture, healthcare, manufacturing, and education all stand to benefit from computer graphics, simulation, and digital transformation.
I want to lead this movement by:
Developing new digital tools tailored for Nigerian industries.
Partnering with organizations and innovators who share this vision.
Mentoring and training the next generation of 3D artists and digital creators.
Bridging the gap between technology and real-world applications.
And just like my personal journey, Nigeria’s digital transformation will follow the Shuhari cycle. We’ll learn from global standards (Shu), adapt them to our unique challenges (Ha), and eventually create world-leading innovations (Ri).
Let’s Build the Future Like Kids on a Playground
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the people who succeed aren’t afraid to be beginners over and over again.
They don’t let fear of failure stop them. They ask questions, experiment, and play.
If you’re passionate about digital innovation, technology, and creativity, let’s connect. Whether you’re:✅ A tech entrepreneur looking to integrate digital solutions✅ A business leader seeking to digitize operations✅ A creative professional working in CGI, VFX, or digital fashion✅ A researcher or educator exploring digital transformation.
Let’s build something incredible together. Let’s learn, innovate, and push Nigeria’s digital frontier forward.
Final Thoughts: Keep Playing, Keep Learning
So, where are you in your Shuhari cycle today? Are you in Shu, Ha, or Ri?
Whatever stage you’re in, stay curious. Stay playful. Stay like a kid. Because when you approach learning with the excitement of a child, there’s no limit to what you can create.
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