Welcome to volume 8 of e-Aikitsushin! In this issue, we feature:
AKI Honbu Dojo - Message from Takeda Shihan
AKI Australia - Orange Dojo 5th Anniversary Celebrations
AKI Australia - A.K.I. at Govinda Valley – an outsiders perspective
AKI Australia - Nearing 2 years at Salisbury East
AKI Australia - Balmain Dojo 20th Anniversary Gasshuku at Seaforth
AKI Australia - Easter Camp 2008 in Canberra
AKI Australia - Balmain Dojo 20th Anniversary Reunion
AKI Australia - Learning to (not) fight
AKI Japan - South and North American Aikido Trip Report
AKI Canada - Opening of Pacific Shizen Aikido Kenkyukai
AKI Canada - Memories of Japan
AKI USA - Summer Solstice gasshuku with Daiyu Sensei
AKI Uruguay - Together and then move
Upcoming AKI Events
10 August - Aikido and Jo workshop with Mike McGregor, Sydney, Australia
11-12 October - Spring Gasshuku with Suzuki Sensei, Sydney, Australia
2 November - Seminar with Jean-Rene Leduc, Bondi Beach Dojo, Australia
7-9 November - Sydney City 5th Anniversary Gasshuku with Jean-Rene Leduc
11-17 November - Gasshuku with Takeda Shihan, Jakarta, Indonesia
To join the AKI mailing list, or to send articles, comments or suggestions
for future issues, please contact aikidosydneycity@gmail.com
AKI Honbu Dojo, Japan
Two greatest gifts
Imagination is the most simple and easiest to use,
a greatest gift from the Universe.
Anybody can use it abundantly and infinitely,
in all the way and all the time,
without any hesitation.
Aikido’s idea, a harmony with the nature,
is also a greatest gift,
a practical method for self progress and world peace.
People will be very happy when we unite them up,
and be confident in the incredible power of both gifts.
Y. Takeda
Yokohama, Japan
14 October 2008
AKI Australia
Orange Dojo Fifth Anniversary
Not long after I started Aikido in 1990, someone said that it takes a minimum of five years to get to shodan and then you’re really only just getting started. At the time, five years seemed like an eternity, and the idea that it was just a beginning was impossible to fully comprehend. I mention this because it strikes me there are some parallels with the topic of this article, Orange Dojo’s 5th Anniversary celebration in October 2007!
When Fiona and I moved to Orange and started a very modest little dojo in 2002 as a way of keeping training, the idea of a 5th Anniversary celebration seemed like a million miles away. But it’s amazing how the days turn into weeks, and the weeks into months and … suddenly, there we were, planning to celebrate five years of Aikido Kenkyukai in Orange.
And what a great weekend it was – a true celebration. On the morning of Saturday 20th October 2007, the Orange dojo family gathered to empty the hall of all the clutter that normally resides there. We share the hall with playgroups and Sunday School, and there was a lot to move. But what a difference it made – more light, more space, more mats, more clarity.
Visitors from other dojos started arriving late morning and the training, led by special guest instructors Mike McGregor and Berin Mackenzie, got underway just after 2pm. At this point, I should say that not all our visitors arrived on the Saturday. The remarkable Paul Reid jumped into his Jeep in Adelaide the day before and drove 1300 kms, arriving on the Friday evening to be with us for the celebration. That gesture of commitment, love and support was a humbling and mind blowing way to start the weekend.
Training on the Saturday ran for three and a half hours (which felt way too short) and was a wonderful blend of Aikido exploration and celebratory fun. Whole-hearted thanks go to Big Mike and Berin for their guidance and generosity.
Training was followed by dinner at Tom Naulty’s place on the Saturday evening. We ate fabulous food prepared by local caterers, drank a variety of beverages including local wines supplied by Jason and Asano, talked, laughed and from somewhere an anniversary cake magically appeared! A warm, relaxed, mellow and moving event all round, and one that matched the mood of the training earlier in the day. Thanks go to Tom, Jason, Asano, Mark, Kaz, Rob and Lucky for all they did in bringing the party together.
After the high of the day before, we wondered how Sunday would fare in comparison. Weapons training was planned for a tree-lined hill beside Lake Canobolas and ended up being close to the highlight of the weekend. Expertly led by Big Mike and assisted by Berin, we moved amongst the jolly green giants wielding jo and working together. The images of that morning are still fresh and stark in my mind seven months later. The two images below capture the morning perfectly – thank you Sven for sharing your exceptional talent.
Swimming and lunch at the lake-side café followed the weapons workshop, and too soon people were hitting the road to head back to their homes and families. Thanks once again to all who travelled to be part of the celebration and for giving up your weekends to be with us. In all, 12 dojos were represented and this helped make the weekend such a memorable experience.
And for anyone just starting out on their Aikido career, Fiona and I would like to say: just keep training, just keep getting back on the mat and taking one step at a time. And one day you will get to a point where you look back and say something like, “wow, did I do that, has that really been five years?” And the answer will be, yes!
- Stephen Nugent (AKI Orange)
Aikido Kenkyukai at Govinda Valley - an outsider's view
‘Aikido, what’s that?’ we whispered. Govinda Valley is a retreat centre that serves mostly yoga groups, with a distinctly feminine energy, and despite me having lived in Japan for 15 months, I had no idea. There was an air of uncertainty about what was going to take place in our beautiful ‘yoga’ hall. The men arrived one by one, and happily, excitedly set to work cleaning, unpacking, arranging blue spongy mats – a hive of activity that had me curiously peeking around corners. More and more students arrived – lots of hugging and dragging suitcases around. With a few decorations, our yoga hall was transformed into an elegant dojo. Then training begins – white uniformed people, moving in unison on the mat. They looked like an army. Are they fighting? What sort of martial art is this? There are 8 women - what kind of women practice Aikido? So many questions.
Dinner is loud and energetic. Govinda Valley has never seen so many men, so much yang energy. They’re hungry yet polite. They join tables instead of sitting apart – already a sense of family, and the retreat has only just begun. I’m impressed by these people. They are a mixed group; men and women, old and young, tall and short, Israeli, Japanese, South African, Irish, Kiwi, ranging from 28 years of experience down to 2 weeks. They talk to me as if we are old friends and as if I am one of them. Yet I feel separate. I’m invited a few times to join in but I decline - I’m a meditation and yoga teacher and I’m still not too sure about this martial art, or what is going on here. There were supposed to be DVD’s playing in the hall but people just seem content to chat or go to bed.
Saturday morning sees more training. More loud noises, some chanting, curious slapping sounds from the mats. The birds and wallabies that usually come to observe are staying away. I peer in from a distance, trying to see what all the noise it about. We breakfast in silence. Blissful for some, torture for others! Then more practice – aren’t they tired? Free time sees them hiking to the beach – more in search of apple pie than for the walk, I suspect. Shiatsu massage workshop is soothing. I sit up the back of the hall for the first hour, observing these people, enjoying the vibration. The energy is peaceful and loving and they seem very united. Berin is unbelievably kind to give up his massage spot to allow me to join in.
Dinner again, and afterwards I’m gently persuaded to lead the group through a kirtan. It requires group participation to make it work and I’m skeptical that these guys will participate – but they sing loudly and smilingly! I’m ashamed of myself for judging these lovely people. Even more amazing is the salsa dancing afterwards. I’ve never seen anything like it – so many men dancing regardless of how many left feet they had! I’m very impressed; these guys must have inner strength and confidence to do that. I have to get up early but it’s hard to leave the energy of the dojo and I am the one to turn off all the lights. Early the next morning I see Berin sleeping at the back; he obviously feels so at peace there and I’m beginning to understand why.
Some of the group join me for meditation at a very early hour and again I’m impressed. Despite their stiff bodies and lack of sleep, their attitude is of wanting to experience all that is offered here; to improve themselves. Most of the group are early risers; I witness figures dressed in white, peacefully wandering around the property at first light, meditating on the majestic views down the valley. It’s a magical time here, and I see some writing in notebooks or trying to capture the stillness in painting. This morning, practice is held outside on the grass. From the balcony above I see people weaving and swaying, bowing to each other. They look like they are quietly dancing in the morning sunlight, and it is as beautiful as the view behind them.
Oki-do yoga follows next – finally something I know! Julia is impressively strong and the group is stiff and tired but still the energy is light-hearted. Then Percy gives a talk which brings tears to eyes and many questions afterwards. He has such a way with words and it seems that there is never enough time.
After lunch we have a drumming workshop. 27 people dressed elegantly in white creating an even more Sattvic vibration. It’s beautiful to drum in harmony with these people and I’m honoured to be allowed to join in; another glimpse of Berin’s generosity. Everyone is unabashedly smiling; age and gender and nationality aside, we are all equals. A few characters are chosen to dance in the middle and we laugh like children. It’s pure joy, a natural high.
And just when I think it can’t get any better, the finale takes my breath away. I take my place with the drummers on stage while the students clap and sway, dipping, sweeping, spinning, rolling, effortlessly sliding; warriors in a graceful dance, a moving meditation, peaceful, energetic, infinite skill and ease, such agility, such elegance, a bended knee here, a side-slip there, a bow and a smile. Aikido is flowing and confident and elegant and I drum faster and faster caught up in the moment and I can’t feel my hands anymore yet can’t stop drumming nor talk or take my eyes off the beautiful scene before me for even a moment. Men and women, young and old, black belts and white belts, teachers and students, all taking part in the performance, harmonising, encouraging, smiling, dancing. It is a natural symphony. So this is Aikido! A mixture of everything I love – dancing, meditation, Japanese culture, flowing energy, respect. It is so beautiful and I am overcome with emotion.
The retreat has ended and it’s time to leave. The mats are slowly, reluctantly packed into the truck. The rooms are left clean and tidy, such is the respect. It’s hard to say goodbye. Were they only here for 3 days? It feels longer. After long, full-bodied hugs the cars depart, one by one. A few linger on, unable to let go, but finally it can’t be delayed any longer. I want to yell after them, ‘Wait! Come back!’ The yin energy returns to Govinda Valley. Usually I welcome the peace after a retreat leaves, but now I feel lonely. The silence is overwhelming. I’m left alone to reflect on the weekend, grateful for such association, for new friends.
What lovely people!
Arigato gozaimashita Aikido. I’m already missing you.
Love and light,
Holli
Nearing 2 years for AKI Salisbury East
In Adelaide we have been going for almost two years now and it has been a pleasure to see the constant improvement in the students and inspiration in their training, especially after Berin visited our dojo and told us all to set our hair on fire (the smell of burning hair has been evident ever since). We have also been working on the ideas laid down by the recent Suzuki Sensei gasshuku and Jean-Rene Leduc Sensei`s last gasshuku, and find it very important to get to as many camps as possible so our Aikido can continue to grow.
- Paul Reid (AKI Adelaide)
Balmain Dojo 20th Anniversary Gasshuku at Seaforth
Dear Aiki friends,
I would like to share with you our little happiness; Balmain Dojo is celebrating its 20th anniversary! And to keep this happy momentum going, we have been busy occupying ourselves with special workshops and training weekends, inviting all the sempai who are no longer regular trainees at the dojo. The extended family of Balmain dojo also came all the way to train with us, the dojo was filled with kakki.
Reflecting back half way through the year, one of the most memorable events for me was in February. The Balmain Dojo had held for the first time its own gasshuku, it was a weekend at a Scout hall in Seaforth near a bay. What made it so memorable was the unique approach Steve and Ayano had introduced into the training. The weekend was experimental, incorporating different activities to aid us with our regular training. I guess it is not far off to say it was a holistic approach in the way it allowed us to pay more attention to our senses. The day started early while it was still dark, and we all stuck together till we fell asleep, this made the weekend a true gasshuku.
- Akari Kambara (AKI Balmain)
Easter Camp 2008 in Canberra
What makes a gasshuku special and memorable is probably how much effort you put into it, on the mats and off the mats. This Easter camp 2008 was successfully held and we had an opportunity to host Suzuki Sensei and 10 guests from Japan including Hiroshi Yamamoto.
The guests arrived early in the week to look around Sydney. Throughout the week, some volunteers from Balmain Dojo spent time with them by hosting a welcome dinner, then touring to the Blue Mountains the next day. In the Blue Mountains, walking to the waterfalls and swimming in the water was probably a little too new for some quiet Japanese so most stayed away from the water but they enjoyed watching 3 of the braver girls being splashed under the waterfall like ascetic monks.
They also trained in local dojos in Sydney. Wherever we went, it was ten extra people. Moving from A to B was a big event so getting from dojo to pub after training was like a school excursion. Then whole dojo made a huge effort to transfer ten of them down to Canberra for the Easter Camp weekend. At that stage, we knew the camp was going to be successful because we were already united by doing common tasks throughout the week. In Canberra, training with some 70 attendants from Canberra, Bowral, Sydney, South Coast, Adelaide, Orange, Tasmania and some other regions making 80 in total was remarkable. It was the one of the biggest training camps for a while. The rest of the weekend was eating, drinking, dancing and laughing together. We tried to do things together as much as we could with those nice humble guests.
On the way back to Sydney we decided to visit Tony Cooke’s "alpaca farm" for the guests. Tony’s car was leading all of seven cars behind him, eventually onto unpaved road. “Close the window!” Immediately we were engulfed by white dust. Looking back from the front, a file of seven cars raising a cloud of dust was just like Paris-Dakar Rally.
Every gasshuku gives us such great result and it is beyond just learning aikido technique. Unity, joy, virtue… all sorts of things we need in our daily life can be found by meeting different people and considering them. If you learn something in gasshuku and if you change your attitude a little bit and if you can maintain that, then it may be a great success.
We received a phone call from Takeda Shihan afterwards saying the guests gave him a good report. So all was well with the event.
- Ayano Seymour (AKI Balmain)
Balmain Dojo 20th Anniversary Reunion
This gathering was a very special event. Not only did it celebrate and mark the turning of time, but more importantly, it reflected the maturity of the leadership of events, highlighted by the receptivity and openness towards the many and varied contributors.
Traditionally our camps have been run by one or two senior people, either our Australian or Japanese counterparts. However in this case, there were 3 instructors per day – each having been teachers at Balmain or its students who have become teachers of the art. Each was very different, yet highly complementary, interesting and developed.
As a leader it often easier to dictate the proceedings and hold control of attention, than it is to allow others to contribute a different perspective which is both accepted and appreciated. This was an unusual step, a true Aiki approach. In this regard, I extend my great respect to Steve Seymour for his leadership of the event and for reducing his teaching time to allow more time for others.
I would also like to extend a special thank you to Louise, Ayano, Edwin and the Balmain group for their support work in general. Also Eric Kiernan, who came from Melany QLD, Steven and Fiona from Orange, John and Sarala from the Blue Mountains, Tony Cook from Canberra, Jeffrey James from Bowral, and all those who had travelled quite some distance to come and to the many faces I hadn’t seen for some time, that came to share in the event and their experiences.
Ves was once again a trooper for his archiving; videoing the training, the historical reviews and general activities. Thanks Ves - I’m looking forward to reviewing my copy when it comes available. I believe this video will be a significant learning video, a must for all those who did not attend the event, as it shows the incredible diversity of research and understanding that is going on. It is really extraordinary to see such complementary diversity revealed in just one weekend camp.
See you all soon, best regards,
- Michael Dunne (Intuitive Aikido)
Learning to (not) fight
Why would we think that ordinary civilians should be free to train in the martial arts? It’s tempting to suppose that it’s at least in part a result of the profound and enduring influence of the 19th Century, English philosopher, John Stuart Mill, who taught us that citizens ought to be free to do whatever they please, just so long as it doesn’t harm others. But, at face value, the martial arts don’t seem to fit this bill very well. After all – a cynic might say – isn’t learning how to fight indistinguishable from learning how to harm others?
If this is right, and the two cannot be clearly separated, then, in our increasingly fearful climate regarding terrorist training camps and the like, I think we’re one step closer to eventually losing the civil liberty of free and open participation in the martial arts. And if you don’t believe it could happen, just recall that, in Japan, after the war, all budo (martial arts) were indeed prohibited for half a decade.
Of course, the majority of the world’s martial arts carry with them explicit philosophies of respect and peace. But a true skeptic will be about as convinced by these as the rest of us would by an extremist group who, although giving themselves a cute and cuddly sounding name and wearing fluffy pink uniforms, all the while practised making bombs and other such nonsense.
Even The Simpsons have picked up on this apparent contradiction inherent in the martial arts. When Bart’s Karate teacher explains, ‘We learn Karate so that we never need use it’, Bart responds, ‘I already know how not to hit a guy’, and promptly sneaks off to spend his lesson fees playing arcade games.
So, the question is, then: how can learning how to fight, teach you to not fight?
Mind and Body
If you head down to your local gym, you’ll see a bunch of people working out while at the same time chatting to one another, watching TV, listening to iPods or even thinking about something inane like what to have afterwards for dinner.
In contrast, if you’ve ever been in a dojo (martial arts training hall), you’ll probably have been struck by the formality of it all. Uniforms, banners, incense, hierarchies, deference, bowing and, in some places, even prayer – it is easy to believe this pomp and ceremony is merely a cultural artefact of the arts’ predominately Eastern origins. But, in truth, it’s absolutely essential to the proper understanding of the practises themselves.
The rituals of the martial arts, if performed in the spirit in which they were conceived, are intended to focus and concentrate the mind and spirit by fostering a greater harmony with one’s body and its perceptions.
Take bowing, for instance: in order for the mind to be humbled and retain no trace of pride, one’s body must also, itself, be prostrated. This was an insight given to the Western Philosophical tradition by the 17th Century, French philosopher, Blaisé Pascal, in a book aptly titled, Thoughts.
Unfortunately, it is a notion that many of us in the increasingly secular West have either forgotten or never knew of in the first place. But it’s true: the state of our bodies affects the way we think. All of us are happy enough to think that the reverse holds true, so why not the other way around?
Yet, if we think back to what we know of modern gyms, it’s clear that, by doing one thing and thinking another, many of us are essentially treating our bodies as though they were objects somehow separated from our minds. Such was the idea made most famous by Pascal’s compatriot and peer, René Descartes, who, in a book called Meditations, declared, ‘I think, therefore I am’ (…which is just the kind of thing an intellectual would say while meditating!).
Of course, such ‘dualistic’ behaviour is the norm in so many aspects of modern life [think: driving while talking on the phone], that many will not find its presence in the context of exercise all that unsettling… and fair enough: no one really thought that pumping-iron was supposed to be some great spiritual, moral or philosophical endeavour. However, if we take them at their word, the martial arts are supposed to foster such development.
The universality of rituals and ceremonies are, I think, a good indicator of the fidelity between the philosophies and the practices of the martial arts. And yet, alone, they are still not enough to answer the central paradox here concerning us. This is because the ever-pesky critic will be quick to point out that many other traditions also involve rituals and ceremonies intended to foster spiritual, moral and philosophical development, but without any hint of recourse to violence … so why can’t martial artists also be content with these more peaceful practices, and do away with learning to fight?
Body and World
The rituals and ceremonies common to the martial arts only work to the extent that they harmonise one’s mind with one’s body. But this is only the first step in the daily practise of the marital arts. The next and more profound step is harmonising the mind with the world at large. This is where the real heart and soul of training lies. But, in order to achieve this, the body must become harmonised with the world, for if the body is obstructed, coerced or injured, then the mind will tend to recoil back into itself and break its harmony with the body and, so, with the world around it also.
The 18th Century, German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, explained that the sublime feeling we experience when observing natural phenomena, like a starry night sky, or an erupting volcano, is a result of the imagination being able to conceive of our meagre, finite selves standing in opposition to these mighty and eternal forces of nature. He points out that, if we were to actually find ourselves bombarded by asteroids or pursued by a torrent of larva, fear and terror is about all we would be likely to feel. But the feeling of the sublime is possible because, from a position of relative safety, our imaginations are nonetheless able to appreciate the wondrous and awesome power of nature, and we take great pleasure in this (albeit, merely cognitive) capacity of our imagination. In his own, more poetic words, Kant explains:
… the boundless ocean rising with rebellious force … makes our power of resistance of trifling moment in comparison with [its] might. But, provided our own position is secure, [its] aspect is all the more attractive for its fearfulness; and we readily call [such] objects sublime, because they raise the forces of the soul above the height of vulgar commonplace, and discover within us a power of resistance of quite another kind, which gives us the courage to be able to measure ourselves against the seeming omnipotence of Nature.
Kant’s analysis of the sublime in terms of cognition (as opposed to action), has, as we saw with Descartes, a typically intellectualist bias. But, recognising this, we can adapt it to our own purposes, nonetheless.
Just imagine, then, not only the feeling, but the actual sublimity of being, say, a tow-in surfer riding triumphantly on one of ‘the boundless ocean’s’ biggest waves. Here, perhaps more than most other places in the world, it is absolutely imperative that one’s body be in perfect harmony with the immensity of the world around it, as it barrels along, meters above sea-level, balancing precariously on thousands of tonnes of water that threaten to come viciously crashing down on top of it.
So too, then, in the martial arts: While an opponent’s strength may not compare to the raw forces of Nature, the subtlety and spontaneity that one encounters when physically interacting with other human beings has (as yet) no parallel in the known world. What better cosmic ‘sounding board’ could there be for harmonising one’s body with the world than in direct physical and spiritual interaction with another human?
Of course, (again) there are other activities that involve direct physical interaction with other humans, such as dancing and lovemaking. (And, indeed, I think it’s no small coincidence that many have claimed that both of these examples involve profound spiritual, moral and philosophical dimensions.) But, what separates them from the martial arts is that, when fighting, you find yourself interacting with something acting in direct and violent opposition to you and your will. If, then, you are successfully able to overcome or harmonise with this opposing force, you will have made great headway in opening a space in the world for your mind to emerge confidently and lovingly. But it is this latter quality, I believe, that is of the utmost importance.
To illustrate exactly this point, my own sensei (teacher) recounts the tale of a young Terry Dobson, the person who introduced the Japanese martial art, Aikido, into America. Late one night, on a busy Tokyo train, Dobson encountered a large, loud and aggressive drunk, going about terrorising other passengers. Having long yearned to apply his training in a ‘real-life’ context, Dobson felt that this drunk promised the perfect opportunity … and so he blew a provocative little kiss the drunk’s way. But, just as the kiss’s recipient was about charge unsuspectingly into one of the world’s most talented aikidoka, a little old man sitting nearby called out in a friendly way. As my sensei goes on to tell the story:
The drunk, distracted but still in a rage, went to menace the old man. But the old man wasn’t menaced. Instead he chatted on in a carefree manner about the pleasures of alcohol, about sharing a drink with his wife, and about his garden.
The drunk’s anger suddenly drained away. He began to cry. His anger had actually been despair. He began to sob out his story. He was lonely and homeless and unemployed. He had none of the things the Japanese good life was supposed to provide. By the time Dobson left the train, the drunk was lying with his head in the old man’s lap, while the old man, still chatting away, was patting head.
Dobson was mortified. He had wanted a fight. He had wanted to use his [training] to create order by force. He had been more interested in conflict than in conflict resolution. It was the old man who had defused the situation, and what’s more, he’d done so with just one strategic shout and his friendly chatter. It was the old man who had used aikido.
Dobson felt, he [said], “dumb and brutal and gross”. He had seen kindness triumph without violence. He had seen real reconciliation at work. He [had] seen real aikido.
If learning to fight is to be a lesson in how to not fight, it will be by way of giving one the confidence, not to fight, but to care.
Nothing to fear…
Being able to harmonise with a world in opposition to you is, reportedly, a particularly profound experience for many people. Presumably this is because the fear of violence is one of the most insipid and yet prevalent fears that people suffer. To say that it alleviation can even be felt to be something of a spiritual experience is, then, no great exaggeration.
In the 19th Century, German philosopher, Ludwig Feuerbach, began a long tradition in Western philosophy of attempting to explain religious phenomena in terms of psychologically assuaging one’s fears. It’s now probably a story we’re all quite familiar with, but, just in case, it goes something like this: primitive man, ignorant of the workings of Nature, believed that ‘God’ (the identity given to this humanly characterised understanding of the world) could be placated and cajoled with offering, rituals and prayers. This story has appeared in many more or less sophisticated guises over the centuries by the likes of Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, Bertrand Russell, and Jean-Paul Sartre.
If, however, we take this explanation with the grain of sand it deserves, it may still shed some light on the need that some people have in practicing martial arts so as to be able to achieve the spiritual, moral and philosophical enlightenment others may find in more mundane religious practices. Perhaps ritualistically and meditatively learning how to defend oneself and find harmony even with those who are attempting to physically oppose you, provides, for some people, the opportunity to expand their consciousness to the level of ‘oceanic feeling’ that Freud described as the religious experience.
To take another anecdote from the history of Aikido: Morihei Uyeshiba, the art’s founder, was deeply traumatised as a child by witnessing his father being severely beaten by a group of thugs. In light of what said above, we can discern that it was no small coincidence that Uysehiba would subsequently describe the state of enlightenment he achieved via the martial arts as “the spirit of loving protection for all beings”.
... but fear itself
Ultimately, a successful practitioner in the martial arts, through the philosophy, rituals and practices of their particular style, will find a greater harmony between their mind, body and world (and perhaps even spirit), so that, by learning how to fight, they will gain the confidence to not mistakenly think they need to. Instead, they may find the courage and strength to openly and compassionately care for the beings of the world … even when they seemingly stand in opposition to them.
To quote the most memorable line of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s, 1933, inaugural address as U.S. President, ‘We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.’ This is true of so much violence in the world: people unnecessarily fight out of fear of being unable to protect their property, to protect their beliefs, or even (ironically) their safety. But a person who has no fear that they will not be able to protect themselves and all they love, will feel no need to unnecessarily fight for them … and, ultimately, this is how learning to fight can truly be a lesson in how not to.
- Ross Campbell Barham (AKI Melbourne)
AKI Japan
South and North American Aikido Trip Report
Santiago, Chile 11-18 July 2008
There was a quite warm feeling dojo in Santiago. It's like a big family !!
Hakusan-Dojo (meaning 'White Mountain Dojo') is very close to the center of the city, and we can see the beautiful Andes from the city. People in Hakusan Dojo are very keen to practice Aikido, and they really enjoy communicating with each other both on the mat and off the mat. Children’s classes also feel enjoyable and energetic for both children and adults. Manuel Sensei told me his idea that “Aikido is the healing way because it's much love (people treat each other with gentle). Aikido makes people healthy and well spirit.”
I was really healed by Chilean smile in Hakusan Dojo. And I enjoyed Chilean style atogeiko at the bar.
Santa Barbara, U.S.A. 19-23 July 2008
I enjoyed the gasshuku with Lia Sensei and her students in Santa Barbara, including people from Philadelphia, in spite of such hot weather. But it was so hard for me to adjust to the difference of temperature - from 5 degrees C to 110 degrees F when I moved to North America from South America. We went on a winery tour one day, and we spent picnic lunch time at the winery garden.
San Francisco, U.S.A. 23-26 July 2008
Aikido West in Redwood city
Doran Sensei shows me “no words instruction”. It was so smart instruction because we need to attention to know what should we do. It was easy to catch his image for me (though I couldn’t do well…). He showed me his dream to make a bridge which means communicate with no borders about politics, languages, different styles of something and so on for next generation through Aikido.
Aiki Zenshin Dojo in Fremont
Sunny Skies Sensei warmly welcomed me with big smile. He has several energetic young students. They almost seem like his sons. As they teach children class, we enjoyed talking about the dream to have international Aikido Kids Camp in U.S.A. in near future. (Actually, I took 5 children there in 2001 from Japan).
I received full of dream from on this trip through Aikido.
Click here for more images from the trip
- Daiyu Takeda (AKI Tatebayashi)
AKI Canada
Dojo Opening of Pacific Shizen Aikido Kenkyukai
While enjoying a wonderful dinner at last April’s (2007) gasshuku in Niigata, I found a moment to speak with Takeda Sensei about plans for a new dojo in Victoria… When asked for advice on how to proceed in the birthing of a new dojo for a city that has many existing dojos, Takeda Sensei did not hesitate to suggest something like “Begin it, for you can bring something fresh to the world…”!
Surely since that time (and long before with Jean Rene Sensei’s encouragement) Miryam, Alix and I have been carried by a wave of Aiki that has been affirming of what we all have experienced on some level as “an ecstatic joy of connection and transformation”.
After a marvellous summer gasshuku with Seino Sensei, and the many challenges that come with a major move, we found ourselves in Victoria by September. By October, we had found a training space, with storage for our tatami- a small Scout Hall with a beautiful wood floor, doors open to a park and beach…! Our core group from the Kootenays attracted some old friends who had previous training experience, and several new students joined as well. During these first few months we also visited and made ourselves known to several local dojos.
By January Miryam had begun children’s classes, and Jean-Rene Sensei had also visited, with plans for a spring opening Gasshuku being firmed up for the Easter weekend in mid-March.
As we made yet another move (to the ‘beach house’) just prior to the opening, the momentum of this time was tipped into a most joyful pitch as everyone from our beloved Kootenay AKI family showed up for the weekend with Jean Rene Sensei! This was augmented by the enthusiastic presence of Aikidoka from various local dojos, including an Aikikai dojo-cho from the University, and Nat McCully from Seattle. Another unexpected joy to this time was the serendipitous visit of Matti Joensuu and Andrea Stitzel Senseis (both students of Endo Sensei) from Austria, who were travelling in the area with their son Miro.
Jean-Rene Sensei led us through a spirited weekend of training, inviting Matti and Andrea Senseis to lead classes as well. The spirit of Yamaguchi Sensei, Takeda Sensei, and Endo Sensei were felt through these wonderful teachers. Takeda Sensei’s spirit was particularly felt when Jean-Rene Sensei presented Pacific Shizen Aikido with its own Aiki scroll on the Saturday afternoon, after which a lively (and well attended) enbukai was offered to the public- three new students joined the club as a result!
Another highlight of the weekend was on Easter Sunday morning when Sensei stepped outside, and we all jogged down the beach at low tide for warm-ups! Meals, laughter, and music were shared both at our beach house and within the warmth of Alix and Marcel’s cozy home. Indeed, a splendid time was had by all!
The momentum of this opening carried us into many more connections in the following months, including seminars with Endo Sensei and Frank Ostoff Sensei in Seattle, a visit by Marilyn & Rich from the Yukon (en route to Japan), various training opportunities with local Aikikai dojos in Victoria, and in early May a wonderful weekend hosting our first teachers from Kobe, Japan; Shingo and Akiko Nakao Senseis. In June, Lenny & Max from Sandpoint Idaho (joined by Malcolm and Joan from Nelson) arrived by sailboat, bringing their wind-filled spirits to the dojo.
Thus, Pacific Shizen Aikido Kenkyukai Victoria has come into being! Thanks to so many for the encouragement, support, presence and inspiration that has brought us to this place in time. In particular, to Nakao Sensei and the Seibukan Dojo of Kobe for first showing us the joyful possibility; to Takeda Sensei for his on-going vision; all the sempai of Kamakura for their vitality and dedication; and to Jean-Rene Sensei for his example of commitment and exuberance. We are very grateful to Sensei for his patient presence and guidance through many years of training and “returns to the source”. His generous spirit continues to inspire us on our way forward.
There is much to build and grow upon, and we look forward to connecting as a larger family, both here, and around the globe…as the Aiki feeling spreads and touches many, the world over. Let us continue, with gratitude and smiles from our hearts!
Merci beaucoup!
- Philipp Gawthrop (Pacific Shizen Aikido Kenkyukai)
Memories of Japan
In the Spring of 2008, Rich and I travelled for the first time to Japan. First, we flew from our home in Whitehorse, Yukon in northern Canada to Victoria to visit with Philipp, Miryam and Alix at their new dojo. It was wonderful to spend time with our old Kootenay friends in their new home and dojo. The dojo is by the ocean and we felt warmly welcomed and connected. We wish them the best in their new adventures on the west coast of Canada.
We spent time in Vancouver with family and friends and then proceeded to Japan for 3 weeks with Jean-Rene Sensei, and old and new AKI friends. We were impressed with the beauty of the Japanese culture, the kindness of the people and the deep spiritual connection with simple pleasures and everyday beauty everywhere.
We started off our trip with a lovely day just Rich and I in Tokyo. It was lush and green and although we missed the cherry blossoms, many shrubs and flowers were in full bloom. When we left Yukon, there was still snow on the ground. We stayed in a traditional style ryokan in Asakusa, the old downtown residential area of Tokyo. It was peaceful and quiet, and made our stay very special. We remember waking up in the morning on our futon and listening to the birds singing outside our open window. So different from what we imagined it would be like in Tokyo. The ryokan had a deep traditional style bath tub that we both enjoyed. There were many shrines and temples close by. One very special moment was observing people stroking a beautiful Buddha statue with the most reverent and loving attention. It was extremely intimate and moving and we were inspired to attempt to mirror their devotion. Ritual and reverence are common place in Japan.
On our third day we travelled to our shared house in Totsuka with Jean-Rene Sensei and 20 international Aikido students. Totsuka is ½ hour train ride South from Tokyo, and only one train stop from Takeda Sensei’s dojo. Our taxi driver had a hard time finding the house on the hill through the maze-like, narrow, winding streets but eventually his perseverance paid off and we were warmly welcomed by Jean-Rene Sensei. It was actually 2 houses attached and there was enough room for all 21 of us with common areas for eating and relaxing. We were amazed that Jean-Rene Sensei had found us such great accommodation. He proceeded to look after all the details for the 3 weeks we were all together. He did this with grace, patience and good humour. We were grateful for all his kindness and attention.
From our home base in Totsuka, we travelled almost every day to practice in various dojos. After so many years of studying the art, we had finally travelled to the homeland of Aikido. The joy and friendship of being part of a huge family of Aikido students was greatly nourishing. The experience of working with many high ranking sempai and senseis was awe-inspiring. We experienced much training with Takeda Sensei at his dojo in Higashi Totsuka. It was a privilege to learn from him in his home dojo and to experience the new pinnacle he has reached in his training. He was keen to share what he has discovered in using the focus of his mind to throw people without even touching them. It was truly magical. Rich and I got a taste of this amazing power. You can feel the strength of Takeda Sensei’s hara from across the room and he is capable of stopping you in your tracks with energy alone. His presence of mind, focus, joy and expansive spiritual energy were tangible both on and off the mats. We felt welcomed and nurtured by his gracious and kind spirit. We are grateful for the generosity and warmth he showed us.
The mix of cultures was rich and challenging. We were constantly surrounded by Spanish speakers from Chile and Uruguay, and Japanese speakers in the dojos. Our Spanish was quite rusty because we had been studying our Japanese in preparation for the trip. Jean-Rene Sensei did an amazing job switching back and forth from Japanese to English to Spanish. The South Americans love to sing and laugh and eat. They inspired the Japanese to sing their traditional songs as we shared food, beer and sake after practice. On several occasions, the South Americans taught everyone their songs. It was really something to hear the Japanese singing “La Cucaracha” and “Guantanamera”.
The South Americans have a relaxed way of being in the world. Their clocks run much slower than our Canadian clocks. They also seem fiercely independent which made for challenging negotiations, most of which the Canadians couldn’t understand. Most often we didn’t know what was being discussed until a final decision had been made and Jean-Rene would give us a brief translation. There was a lot of waiting for the group to arrive at the appointed time and place. One time, we were to meet Jean-Rene Sensei and a group of students at a place near Shinjuku Station in Tokyo that a Japanese person had spelled out to make sure we could find it. We were told to meet in front of a store called “Aruta”. “A…R…U…T…A” We spent about a half hour asking people for directions going back and forth to the train station asking where we could find Aruta. People would explain and direct us over and over again to the same spot but we still couldn’t find the place. There was a tall building with the name “Alta” and a giant TV screen on it. There were smaller shops on either side. We finally realized that “Aruta” is the way the Japanese pronounce “Alta”. It turns out that this is a popular meeting place for people although it seems we were lost in translation.
We were pleased to be able to practice at Nakao Senseis’ dojo in Kobe. The class was very dynamic and the dojo was full. Maybe 60 people all practicing joyfully. After class we were fortunate to be invited to their restaurant and we feasted on many traditional delicacies which they prepared for us. It was great to be with the Nakaos whom we had met when they visited the Kootenays. We felt the connection with Phillip and Miryam’s first introduction to Aikido.
Our group travelled to Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura for an Aikido Kenkyukai International Demonstration with the Doshu. It was moving to be in such a large demo with so many members of the AKI family. We had the rare opportunity to be seated about 15 feet from the Doshu when he demonstrated. The direct link to the founder was apparent in his pure, precise and powerful presence on the mats. We also saw many other high ranking Senseis and children and adult students all demonstrating their own interpretations of our style of Aikido. It was great to be a part of it all.
After we attended a formal dinner celebration with the Doshu and other dignitaries. Once again, it affirmed how we are a part of one colourful tapestry with the common thread of Aikido.
Later we explored some of the beautiful sites in Kamakura. One of the highlights of our sightseeing was an afternoon spent with two of our new Chilean friends, Manuel and Oreste searching for the Great Buddha. We asked an older Japanese gentleman on the street how far it was to the Great Buddha. His English was not so good but he seemed to say it was a hike up the mountain, too long to walk — about 20 minutes. So after some discussion, we decided how difficult could it be to take a 20 minute stroll up the mountain to see this Great Buddha? Well, 20 minutes turned into several hours and all of the signage and directions were in Japanese so we never really knew if we would get there. The mountain path was lovely and forested. We had some amazing views along the way. We finally reached the Buddha and it was well worth the hike. It is a huge bronze sculpture of the Amita Buddha cast in 1252 AD that weighs over 120 tons and is over 13 meters tall. It has been standing in the open air since the temple was washed away by a tidal wave in 1495.
We travelled as a group to Matsuyama and stopped on the way at Hiroshima. On the bullet train, I discovered that I had left my blood testing equipment back at Totsuka. I absolutely can’t survive without this equipment because I have Type 1 diabetes. It was a matter of deciding whether to go back to Totsuka to get it or carrying on and trying to buy new equipment when we arrived in Hiroshima. Returning to Totsuka would mean an additional 10 hours on the train so we decided to carry on. I experienced much angst and despair but realized I needed to surrender to the situation. When we arrived, Rich and I tried to communicate our needs at a small local pharmacy. Jean-Rene Sensei finally saved the day by effectively translating for us. Although we spent close to $300 replacing the equipment, it was essential for my wellbeing. After a taxi ride to another pharmacy, we returned to the hotel with the new equipment. Soon after, I discovered my own equipment in the bottom of my knapsack hidden under a flap. I had it all along.
We were able to explore the Peace Memorial Museum and park the next day. The displays in the museum were harsh reminders of the damage caused by the atomic bomb. The green lushness of the park, the beauty of the paper cranes, the peace clock which counts the number of days since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the number of days since the last nuclear explosion were all reassuring and hopeful symbols of renewal after the devastation of the bomb. We also went by ferry to Miyajima near Hiroshima with its scenic Floating Red Torii gate and Itsukushima Shrine. It is easy to understand why it is considered one of the most photographed scenes in Japan. Deer wander freely amongst the tourists. We enjoyed time in the Senjokaku Pavillion with its huge wooden beams and ancient paintings on the ceiling. We were impressed by the five story pagoda which stands gracefully nearby.
Next we traveled to Matsuyama, a city on Shikoku Island for a 3 day seminar with Takeda Sensei. The dojo where we practiced was very beautiful and traditional. Doors opened to the fresh air on 3 sides. We had a fantastic seminar and experienced more of Takeda Sensei’s new non-contact power.
When it came time to do the testing, Jean-Rene Sensei surprised me by calling my name after he had called Rich to do his sandan test. The testing was spread out over 2 days. Because I had lost my hakama at Hombu dojo, I tested in my dogi. That was indeed humbling. Everything flowed and I felt confident and joyful. Both of us did well and enjoyed our uke very much. I was lucky to have Nicolas from Uruguay, Coto and Hernan from Chile, and Rina from Australia (formerly from Japan) as my uke. What a lovely group. Rich was matched with Manuel, Paula and Oreste from Chile, and Andrea from Uruguay. It was the best testing I could ever hope to have. Best of all because I didn’t need to worry about it before hand because I didn’t know it was coming.
Rich and I went out for dinner after the first day’s practice in Matsuyama and we were served by 2 lovely Japanese people who hardly spoke any English. When we sat down, the woman said “Eat?” and we said “Hai, kudasai”. She just brought us food and we had 5 or 6 delicious dishes including miso soup, rice, fried fish fillets, noodle fish salad, and pickles. She asked us “Travel?” and we responded with “Aikido” and “Dojo”. Rich pointed towards the nearby dojo and we weren’t at all sure we were communicating when all of a sudden the man got very excited and pointed to the TV. The 6:00 News was on and the interview with Jean-Rene and Manuel Sensei, and footage of our practice at the nearby dojo, was being shown. We laughed and shook our heads. It was a great chance to communicate and share our love of Aikido.
Click here to see the 6:00 news report highlighting our time in Matsuyama.
While in Matsuyama we explored an old feudal castle (Matsuyamajo). We took a tram up the steep hill to this castle built in the 1600s. The castle is surrounded by trees and we enjoyed the birds and butterflies as we glided up the hill towards the castle. At the top of the hill, there is a large stone wall that surrounds the castle. The castle itself has steep wooden stairways that lead into room after room of displays and historical artefacts. On the way back from the castle, one of the highlights was my time saying “Hello, how are you?” to an endless stream of enthusiastic school children who were delighted to practice their English with me.
Another highlight was a short trip to an Onsen in Ofuna. We had never experienced anything like it before. The onsen had a variety of baths—some icy cold, some exceedingly hot, some soothingly warm, a cave, hot flat rocks with soothing hot water running over them. It was relaxing, peaceful and nourishing. It was delightful to be around Japanese women who were so comfortable with their bodies. It was a wonderful experience and a great lesson for us westerners.
We also travelled to Hombu dojo for a class taught by Endo Sensei. This was another rare and wonderful experience. For the first technique, I bowed to an older Japanese gentleman kneeling nearby. He proceeded to adopt me for the entire class. He didn’t speak English but this did not prevent him from urging me to follow his instructions and I learned a great deal from his Thumbs up/Thumbs down gestures, and his enthusiastic laughter and facial expressions. Later I learned that it is a Hombu Dojo tradition to keep working with the same partner for the entire class. I felt very lucky to have bowed to such a gracious and knowledgeable teacher.
Other memories include several hours basking in the beauty of the incredible pottery collections at the Tokyo National Museum and the Craft Museum in Kyoto. The eloquent beauty of the Japanese aesthetic is very inspiring and I am sure it will be reflected in Rich’s work for many years to come. Rich and I shared 2 blissful days at a lovely Ryokan in Kyoto with just the two of us! The nearby temples and gardens were exquisite and endless. We walked for hours on end. Rich and I love to chant and one day we were walking by a shrine when we heard exquisite sounds. We stood transfixed by the beauty and peace of the chanting that was emanating from the building. Later, we met up with the AKI group for a demonstration with Takeda Sensei in the traditional dojo at the Kyoto Budo Centre. It’s an impressively large building with a wooden floor beautiful roof lines and paired dragons above the shomen.
It was an amazing experience to be at the All Japan Aikido Demonstration at the Budokan in Tokyo on May 24th. The enbu with students and high ranking teachers from all over Japan was inspiring. We were struck by the tremendous variety of styles, the pride of each group of students and the tremendous size of the event. So many people all under one roof sharing in their love of the art of peace! I was so proud when Rich and Jean-Rene Sensei appeared on the mats to demonstrate with the AKI group. Manuel Sensei and Nicholas from Chile were also in the demo.
Click here to see a video of the AKI group at the 46th All Japan Aikido Demonstration.
Takeda Shihan also demonstrated at the 46th All Japan Demo. An audible wave of astonishment went through the crowd when he threw a group of attackers without even touching them.
Rich and I are so grateful to Takeda Sensei for his generous teachings and to all the teachers, sempai and students who gave so freely during our time in Japan. We are also grateful to Jean-Rene Sensei for his graciousness as host to such a large group. He was always willing to give of himself and share his love of Japanese culture and people with us. We are also grateful to Yamamoto-san for all the behind the scenes organizing that was necessary for us to enjoy our time in Japan. We bow deeply to each and everyone who welcomed us so warmly in Japan and made this trip such a gift and blessing. Domo arigato gozaimashita.
- Marilyn Wolovick and Rich Claxton (Whitehorse Yukon, Canada)
AKI USA
Summer Solstice Gasshuku with Daiyu Sensei
Hello to all,
The All AKI Summer Solstice Gasshuku in Santa Barbara with Daiyu Sensei as our guest instructor was a great success. Five of the folks from AKI Pennsylvania made it to Sunny California and the Santa Barbara folks were great hosts. For many of us it was our first time to get to train with Daiyu Sensei and everyone had a great time. Watching Lia Sensei and Daiyu Sensei just blast around with each other during atogeiko was an astounding sight! Daiyu Sensei was so very warm - not only in keiko, but for the whole weekend, he helped to create a wonderful fresh mood for us all that weekend.
Getting to train and hang out with the California members is always a treat. Their energy and spirit, on and off the mat is rejuvinating and we can try to carry some of that feeling back to Pennsylvania with us. Many, many thanks to all who helped make this gasshuku so memorable!
Click here to see more photos from our weekend.
- Stephen Trinkle (AKI Pennsylvania)
AKI Chile
Together and then move
The following is but a brief summary of a wonderful experience of twenty-six days.
My name is Nicolás Campos, director of Montevideo Aikido Dojo (Montevideo-Uruguay).
On the 7th of May 2008 I embarked myself on what has been until now, the best trip of my life. For the first time I went to Japan, and, what can I say, a beautiful experience in every way; the welcoming people with a huge heart and their astounding culture. I think the most difficult thing in this trip was trying to understand a little bit the Japanese people through their culture. I learned that “thank you”, “please”, and “sorry” are the three most important words.
We arrived together with Andrea Aroba at Narita airport on Friday 9th of May at 13:30hrs, and at Totsuka - the house where we were going to stay - at 17:00hrs. At 17:45hrs everybody went out (both Canadians and Chileans) to Takeda Sensei’s class. It was going to be our first class in Japan, our first class with Takeda Sensei.
“Together and then move” says Takeda Sensei. This is what the twenty one of us had to do during three whole weeks. When one sees Takeda Sensei this seems really simple, but at the time of doing it, it becomes a really hard task to tackle. Very, very hard. For me this was one of the great teachings. As well as I could learn inside the classes of Takeda Sensei and all of his sempai, his warmth and his simplicity (both inside and outside the tatami), I also learned a lot in that house where we were lodged where two very different cultures were gathered in one kindred spirit. Beyond some slight differences, harmony reigned in the house and it became for three weeks our “dojo”. We gathered in groups for cleaning and cooking breakfast and lunch, directed by Mama-san (Lorena).
On Sunday 11th May, a special demonstration for Doshu, at the historical Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura, took place. As representatives for Uruguay, Andrea and I had to do our demonstration. It was amazing. It was our second day in Japan and we were seeing teachers we had never met before and everyone was showing their art before the Doshu and Takeda Sensei, and there we had to step forward to show our Aikido.
On Saturday 17th of May, we arrived at Matsuyama. The first day we were lodged in a ryokan and then we moved into a hotel which Hiroshi Yamamoto found for us. On Sunday 18th, Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th, the examinations took place. It was an honour to be able to participate and help the people who took the exams: Coto, Raúl, Oreste y Eduardo from Chile for shodan; Mary from Canada for nidan; Lorena from Chile, Rich from Canada and Simon from Australia for sandan. The gasshuku was filled with demonstrations, one of them for a local channel - we were news for a local TV Channel!!! Daiyu Takeda Sensei, Yamamoto Sensei and Oka Sensei were there and taught in one opportunity.
From Matsuyama we parted to Kobe where we were hosted at a ryokan. In Kobe, people from the dojo of Nakao Sensei were waiting for us and for four days we trained there. Nakao Sensei and his wife hosted us twice in their restaurant near the dojo - one more example of their incredible Japanese hospitality.
On Thursday 22nd May, we had a very special event in the Budo Center of Kyoto, a spectacular place. “The best dojo in the world” according to Nakao Sensei and I totally agree with him. It was a building completely made of wood built eighty years ago with an impressive 400m2 room. It all began with a class directed by Jean René Sensei. It was pretty weird seeing a westerner giving a class in one of the most prominent dojos of Japan and all of the students being also westerners!!! Very strange!!! Later the place was closed for us and there came a very private ceremony directed by three shinto priests and a show of percussion in charge of a taiko master. This was a great gift from Takeda Sensei for us. Maybe I am wrong, but I don’t think these things usually happen in Japan. Everything took place in a very peaceful and silent atmosphere with an infinite respect, and we were connected to the ancestral.
The following days continued busy with activities, classes every day, and visits to tourist spots. The days went by and some of the people from the group began to leave, but the energy remained. Something was created which will surely remain through time. The relationships which were born under the spirit of Aikido will not break. I am deeply happy I have friends in Chile, Canada, Australia, Indonesia and Japan.
I’d like to thank very specially my friends Luiz and Catherine, my mother and my sister, whom without their help it wouldn’t have been possible to take this trip; Jean René Sensei for organizing everything and being a guide (he showed such patience!); Manuel Diaz Sensei, Lorena, Paula, Verónica, Ricardo, Raúl, Eduardo, Jorge, Manuel, Julie & Coto, Hernán, Oreste, Nicolás, Alix, Joean, Rich and Mary, for living together for those days and sharing those fantastic breakfasts! Andrea for taking this trip with me; and Florencia, my girlfriend, for having the patience of waiting for me for thirty days.
Thank you to Takeda Sensei and all of his sempai for sharing their knowledge and, above all, for allowing us to be part of this great family which is Kenkyukai.
See you in 2010!!!
Domo arigato gozaimashita!!!
- Nicolás Campos (Montevideo Aikido, AKI Uruguay)
Translated by Lúcia Bruce
- May peace prevail on Earth -
