Aikido in the UK – The Beginning
Aikido in the UK ~ The Beginning
By Henry Ellis
In 1951 at age 15, was in the school leaving. I started a career at the age of 14 as a cycling time trial Racing, eventually becoming a team's first cycling club. At that time, I could never imagine doing anything else that cycling and racing for the future.
Who has been the beginning of 1956 when I visited a local judo club in the London suburb of Hillingdon, "The Abbe School of Budo` the only reason I went was to encourage my friends, while younger brother to join. I was attracted immediately to judo and joined the same night, the boy lasted about a month.
It was during the following year, in 1957, saw the new Aikido class was taught by Sensei Ken Williams, who more later proved to be the first student of Aikido in the UK of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei who now reside in the UK and teaching at the Cabin Dojo.
The class was very low and the training and discipline are extreme. I was raised by a father so strict Victorian regime of discipline and hard not prevent me from actually It was probably the challenge that was the real attraction for me. Haydn Foster Sensei just joined a few months before me and still are good friends.
The following article is based on what I personally consider the age, the most interesting and formative in the development of Aikido in the UK since 1955, with the arrival of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in the UK. So eleven years later, and my four years as assistant to Kazuo Chiba Sensei 1967 and ending in 1971.
After that time, Aikido has become very fragmented, with everyone wishing to start their own organizations, leading the masses of self-classification and undeserved titles stupid. I think the behavior of some of these self delusional and selfish people very sad. These are people who try to change our true history and lineage, and pride to meet their own deviant purposes.
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That, to my deep disgust also include the full collusion of the "ONCE" respected British Aikido Board (BAB). The disgraced BAB unfortunately governments have officially recognized the Governing Body for Aikido in the UK.
The BAB does not show no recognition or respect for the true history of Aikido in the UK. The former president said in 2000 "We the British Aikido Board are not the guardians of the history of British Aikido, and therefore have no interest in it! "Kenshiro Abbe Sensei used to say:" Whatever your reason, you are what they are, and nothing else "… … .. So very true.
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 8th Dan Judo
6e Dan Karate – 6th Dan Aikido – 6th dan Kendo – 6th give JuKendo
1915 – 1985
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei came to Britain in 1955 in response to an invitation by the London Judo Society (LJS). It was 8th Dan Judo. Youngest in the history of 5th Dan Judo in Japan, the youngest champion of All Japan Judo at the age of 18, some 15 years later would become the oldest Japanese Judo champion at the age of 33 years. It has also been observed in several other martial arts. 6th Dan Aikido – 6th Dan Karate – Kendo 6th Dan – Ju-Kendo 6th Dan – 6th Dan Kyudo. Has also been reached with both Yari Naginata and spears. During the Second World War was an officer Abbe Sensei responsible for development and the Imperial Army intstruction "Ju-kendo": the art of bayonet fighting.
Abbe Sensei introduced Aikido to Britain for the first time in 1955, first at the LJS in the year in the LJS Judo Championships 1955 at the Royal Albert Hall. Abbe Sensei was a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei, "which gave his personal permission to teach Aikido UK.
Change in my career
As I sat and watched the only kind of Aikido in the UK 1957. I was very impressed by this unusual martial art, but positive, this was the first time I saw a teacher who wore a hakama. I decided to joined the Aikido section, but also to continue with the class of judo.
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Now is decision time and had to ride a bicycle, which was a difficult decision that would change the meaning of my life.
We asked some of Judo aikido, simply shrugged and said he had never heard before.
A decision to change Life
After several months of judo and aikido I made the fateful decision to dedicate myself to aikido.
As I said before, this was the only kind of Aikido in the UK in the now famous "Hut Dojo" because he was better known than its current name "The Abbe School of Budo". Everything Budo big names visit the UK would be a visit to the humble shack Dojo ".
Names like Kenshiro Abbe – Mutsuro Otani – Tomio Otani – Mutsuro Nakazono – Tadashi Abe – Michigami M – M Noro – Koybayashi H – M Harada. N Tamara. K Chiba.
I had the privilege of studying with all these great masters of Budo whose names are as WHO Budo. I wrote another article in my memories and experiences with the Masters of Budo teachers.
Now I was training five nights a week and on Sunday morning. I got quickly, when I got to 3rd kyu (green belt) Sensei Williams asked me to be his personal assistant, a position he gladly accepted. Now, training has become more than ever, with the 200 push-ups on the backs of hands at the beginning of each class. This style of Aikido principles is extremely difficult and we could learn good ukemi, simply to survive the injury, many students today who have ukemi like an acrobat or a gymnast and is mostly used to swim ' its spectacular appearance. So far I am not a `favorite uke with me, I'm just saying the class you may be careful or ugly, either way they go.
Part very important part of our training was the inclusion of punches and kicks of karate, it remains an integral part of our training.
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During the formation of a student had to attack the center at any time in case of attack outside the center, which would be punished if uke Tori touched (very often), always has been considered Tori's fault. Photo: K Abbe extreme left in 1959 costume.
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei was a regular visitor to the cottage where he taught Dojo with a sword shinai (bamboo) spoke English very well, and instead of attempting an explanation, it would be difficult to strike the leg or arm offend soon learned the correct movement. Abbe Sensei said, "My English is bad, my shinai speaks good English"
In the 1950s aikido techniques were not names, Abbe Sensei said that "the necessary technique" should be changed or the technique of "necessary". He was expected to Nakazono Sensei could put a name on techniques. It must have been strange for foreigners to learn Aikido teachers and saying they need to do so. I remember a beginner Derek Eastman Sensei asked if he was in Japan, after practice at the pub, was surprised to hear Eastman Sensei had a London accent. Sounds fun, but now we've all talked this sudden pigeon English on the mat.
In early American students of Aikido?
In the late 1950s began to have a number of U.S. military air base of local West Drayton attend classes in Aikido. There were some hard, were real decent guy, but he had technical difficulties at first, had FI What many "for parking in the Cabin has become the testing ground for many techniques, Sensei Williams-Ellis said it is necessary to show Mr. Smiff Aikido in real situations. "So if someone who had never testing Aikido Dojo in the cabin, would arranged in the parking Hut and then back to practice on the mat.
In those early days it was not necessary when the lots using the Japanese terminology, which now seems much higher. I remember when I was an assistant Chiba Sensei and I visited a dojo in northern England, the students spoke many words in Japanese, Sensei looked at me and said, "Mr. Ellis, I no idea what they say." The fact is that many dialects of the area are difficult to understand in their own country, turn than in Japan and they have something special.
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I am always amused to recall many years later I was invited to visit a large dojo in Texas, USA, as the class lined up, there was a loud chorus of all students to make a long speech of welcome in Japanese that I can be two words.
The first eight of the UK Dan Grades
The first group were entirely devoted Hut Dojo and trained very hard at the end of 1950/60 there were now a total of 8 degrees Dan, now they just grades throughout the United Kingdom for Aikido and all in a dojo.
It was common practice, every Sunday, to block the dojo and allow only give grades and students special train. This was the moment of testing techniques and together with the actual fighting. There was no bloodshed often, but there was never any bitterness after When we finished the meeting of all that would go next to the Hut pub and have a few pints of beer and a count of our masses.
Ki Aikido
In these early days Ki Aikido the word was rarely mentioned. I once asked Kenshiro Abbe about Ki as mentioned once or twice, said he teaches the techniques of Ki, so do not worry, said he spoke to us when we were Ki loans, it's fun to see that organizations now offer "Ki" first year student.
I offered as Ki Aikido Aikido is a pretty terrible thing if I had only seen in those early days, I never gave my motorcycle away. Aikido I saw was probably truly a martial art, it saddens me to see how people have changed something in Aikido that now is almost religious. Why these wannbees Aikido throw in a dance. Now I see that some do aikido of music. Kazuo Chiba said and repeated in an article on Aikido Journal, he said OSensie decided to make available Aikido "everyone", including the elderly and the disabled and the weak and those who were not military in nature, now they say: "My Aikido Aikido is true. "Well, I hope that if just one of those people are never attacked in the street, his opponent of their own dojo, which is the only way of Aikido is useless for they. I attended a seminar recently where a teacher showed Ki Sankkyo of Ikkyo, like the palm of your hand to the mat, described the palm of your hand like a bowl soup. Dizzying.
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Henry Ellis learns a valuable lesson
The smallest of all grades was Eric Dollimore Dan one, when leaving the mat, a Sunday morning, the challenge of trying to "real", he replied that he had arranged to go to his daughter at home with friends for Sunday lunch and it was late. I considered this as an excuse and had a small smile of satisfaction to me that I am distracted, then I heard a voice behind me yelling "OK Harry, its got to be quick if!" I said, "This is going to be faster than you can imagine."
Eric Dollimore left the locker room after removing the hakama, is mounted on the carpet than other grades Dan stopped to watch what is happening now. Eric and I-square each end I decided to fast for him with a punch in the head, as I have beaten some how it was under me and lifted me and threw me Dojo high on the wall outside the tatami 2mt Office, I just hit the wall I went straight through it, looking in between dust and debris, Ken Williams Sensei was sitting at his desk, he looked at me and growled, "Ellis! use the fucking door next time." As if that was not humiliating enough? Sunday morning, when all dan grades and later practiced in all the bars, I was repairing damage from the office walls of my own Dojo account.
Perplexed
I think the biggest mass “ ever received was when we had a young man and is well join us, who had lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, had an artificial wooden leg, these days, they were solid wood, somebody violently threw up and there was a cry that struck another student in the head with his wooden leg, frankly, we thought it was death, was taken to hospital but was released the next day. When he returned to the dojo, Asked what had happened. He explained that he had been beaten over the head with a wooden leg, he responded: "Damn! Felt more like a tree "after the type of the leg, like a place mat had everything I wanted everyone to be well clear of him.
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The Real Thing
Sometimes that was divided into two groups and headed to the nearby forest, a group will be led by Sensei K Williams and others by his brother David. A group from the left and wait on the lookout for the second group, which sprang from the bushes and branches down and some very hard fights occurred. After all that would be directed to a nearby bar and count each other to pieces over a pint of beer, it seems crazy now, but to be honest I liked it. In those days we have trained very hard physically and Sunday morning was a good way to vent.
Derek Eastman Sensei recalls his first visit with a friend at the Hut Dojo in 1958, when he entered the dojo was not really aware that the judo and aikido was, he went to see a man at the center of the mat with a fold of the curtain (Henry Ellis).
There were four other types of shinai and bokken attack. Friend Derek said: "Full of what I am, but Derek thought it would be a test, trying for nearly 50 years.
A very serious challenge
After one of these sessions and later in a pint of beer, Sensei David Williams, said: "Ellis, I think can lead not it? "I replied," No Sensei, I never think that "he will continue this way for some time. Finally he said:" Master, this issue has never crossed my mind, but it seems to bother him more than me, this made him furious, and he challenged me to go out into the parking lot.
David Williams was a kind of vicious man, we were surrounded by other students and other drinkers. He has taught Aikido – Karate and Judo, I knew it would be a difficult challenge for me.
Have different positions in the search for an opening, while I stayed as relaxed as I could take small steps to avoid various attacks, I've always been a very positive person and this time I made a positive attack punched in the head hitting the ground, I fell on it and it was unable to move, I asked: "Master, is this enough?" He answered "yes" and allowed him to rise, as it is released, it hit me in the face last minute, there were a lot of blood as a result. He lost a lot of respect after that and then left the Hut Dojo.
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Derek Eastman Sensei
In late 1958, There was a new 16-year-old student joined the Aikido section was a natural extension of ukemi and Aikido. I took after several months of training as my own assistant. It became his job to go to the dojo early Sunday morning before practice and exploration frost winter off the mat, there was no heating in the Hut Dojo, which was like a large refrigerator, the heat was only three paraffin heaters in the locker room, the Students suspended all licenses its instant messaging to the rafters. One Sunday morning that Derek swept a thick gel at night from my carpet offered the light three paraffin heaters, I know you need to clean the wick first.
Soon the dojo was filled with thick black smoke and thought the place was in flames. Derek quickly heating and when the smoke cleared all covered with soot hung black gi. Mr. Williams soon arrived and went crazy (much worse than that) asked me who's to blame? I gave a nod to the direction of Derek, who has taken all the Flack as a good assistant should, " complained again about this until now. All dan grades he demanded hammer and IM worst again. Life is difficult today to be a wizard (ukedeshi)
Ssshhh! Not to mention hemorrhoids
When Derek Eastman Sensei became my assistant in 1959, I left it very difficult to warm up and exercise routines, one of which bulges around the inside edge of the mat and touch every corner. Remember, Derek is only sixteen years and during one of these sessions jumping rabbit in a student club and whispers to Derek Derek, I can not make shots, they are very painful "Derek wonders aloud:" Why are they painful? "The students whispered in the ear of Derek "I have a lot of bad (hemorrhoids), Derek if he apologized, they then changed the year. The next day making exercises again and said "Line up ready for bunny hopping, anyone with piles (haemorrhoids) right next to" Everybody is lowered into position Holiday hop including student the previous day, had requested permission to withdraw, Derek called him and said, "Why not, when I no excuse with the batteries? ".
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The adult student Derek watched in disbelief and said: "Derek, no one will admit they have batteries!" Then Derek said the batteries were everywhere, as Derek had never heard before.
Merry Christmas Harada Sensei
It was Christmas 1963 and Noro Sensei was visiting the Hut Dojo. Noro Sensei had told the attractive girls I've had me in the dojo before leaving town. Noro Sensei discuss our Christmas party. Noro Snsei said, "Mr. Ellis has many friends, good lady, you should find Mrs. Harada Sensi nice for the game tomorrow night, he replied: "Sensei is too late to organize something like" Noro said "should give your friend."
I quickly phoned my girlfriend and I asked if she could bring another friend told me that everyone had already made plans, I told him that if he does a friend, then it was better to stay at home, which was, naturally very upset later phoned to say she had found someone. On the night of the party I walked into the room with all Sensi Noro dan grades and immediately asked "Where is Lady Harada" I asked my friend who had just come to me, "Where Harada is your friend? "He then pointed to a woman sitting on the other side of the room leaning on his elbows on his knees as if he had a hunchback.
It has been suggested that no other than Quasimodo in drag. I looked down and I saw his legs were covered with bandages on Tutankamoun. I could not believe when I looked with Noro Sensei, who seemed equally surprised I was, Noro said, "Mr. Ellis, Harada see if the woman he killed in the act and I will participate." In anger, my friend turned to me and asked "Where'd you get that?" He said that in desperation called the office of the wife of a family who said he would send to a friend. Harada Sensei has realized that we were talking about him and asked him what was happening, I told Derek to go sit with her that has ruined the Christmas. So I said to Harada Sensei Derek really liked it and had a fetish for ugly women to be uglier than this.
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Tadashi Abe Sensei
I think by 1959, Sensi Tadashi Abe came to France and taught there has been an Event with Kenshiro Abbe Sense, had a fearsome reputation that soon learned, well deserved. Abe Sensei was formed during the war, man suicide submarine pilot in a man. Chiba Sensei Tadashi Abe Sensei said has never accepted the fact that the war ended before having the opportunity to die for their country and emperor. Tadashi Abe Sensei Aikikai last visited in 1967, when he demanded the attention of all present, He retained his title when he apologized to all present and said: "This is not Aikido, what Aikido is for Women" Then he threw their diplomas on the carpet and left, never returned. Sensei Abe to take a knife and you should not look for problems as it ever was when he threatened to produce a knife and held it offered his opponent by saying "if you product for you!". He said one man with his fists is not the real challenge, a man with a knife that was good for mind.
The first seminar of Aikido UK
Aikido demonstrations now asked several high-level judo events. The name Aikido is known. Club Judo would like to invite you to take small classes throughout the country. The first seminar has been in aikido club Judo City Coin Wiltshire under Sensei Graham Burt. Sensei Williams was at that point a motorcycle than 4 square Ariel big and strong with a sidecar passenger, I have visited that damn coffin attached to the bike, I swore I'd never, never I did.
Currencies seminar was the first and now Aikido became well known with many degrees Dan taking small seminars when requested. Aikido owes much to the support of early development of Judo clubs and teachers that allow us to use part of your mat to teach a small class. I should add that, while the judoka is very useful in helping the promotion of Aikido, which could also be one of the most difficult to teach, that would test our ability in each opportunity. If we had not been so strong and positive, they lack time for us.
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Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and the British Judo Council
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei had become very unhappy with his situation in the CYL. It is estimated that about judoka are not respected degrees. In the carpet once it has aligned 31 judoka high, down the line to tell everyone what they were going to use technology to launch each of them, then told everyone to know if the technique technique would be left or right handed, did exactly that and broke all the Dan grades only as indicated. He then left the LJS.
Abbe Sensei had been in regular contact with Matsutaro Otani Sensei who had his own organization.
They came together and created the British Judo Council (BJC) and the British Council Aikido (BAC) and "British Kendo Council (BKC).
Kenshiro Abbe Sensi lived in large family home in Acton London Otani. I go to pick up or Sensei or taken somewhere. When he entered his room was always open the window in winter or summer.
There will be several types of wild birds on the windowsill and in the room, that are so familiar, I took no notice me, if Abbe Sensei left the room, it would immediately fly away.
Sensi day I visited Father and to my surprise and disappointment general looked at the "World Series Cricket TV. I hate cricket, I felt disappointed to see my professor to see a stupid game. I was very calm so that I dared "Sensei, you like cricket?"
He replied bluntly: "NO! Stupid game" I was surprised that now carefully watching TV, I stepped back and asked "Master, why what to see the cricket, then? "He said very deep that I never really thought anything before, as he said," They call this the World Series, not the world, only the countries that colonized Britain cricket, stupid game, "said" I'm stupid game every day and I do not understand stupid game, then strain off the TV and never spoke again …
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The BJC with various organizations, organized the Summer School Grange National Sports Farm Center Chigwell in Essex. These summer schools were a joint venture with all martial arts to be together during the week of training, we had students attend from all over the UK. This meeting of all teachers has been very good for Aikido as people who had never heard or seen before becoming Aikido now see and understand Aikido, which were in turn invited to visit The instructors throughout the UK. These summer schools gave students the opportunity to try Judo – Kendo – Karate – Aikido. Students befriend students from other disciplines like I did, friends who even today.
I attended the first summer school, only had three students of the cottage there are Aikido Dojo, Eric Dollimore Haydyn Henry Foster and Ellis (I). Aikido has been virtually ignored during this first week, all other martial arts have taken precedence over space Mat. Aikido instructor was not only the Abbe Sensei and was busy with judo, which is the largest group. Fortunately, the weather was very good so the three of us was only in the adjacent field and practice Aikido for a week. The word spreads rapidly Aikido calm and schools summer have been following very different Aikido is one of the largest groups.
Summer Schools changed at the invitation of M Nakazono Sensei. We were told the Abbe Sensei to be strong, not give or receive for any technology unless it is fully implemented, was not done, there is a lack of respect for Nakazono Sensei. Sensei had a moment very hard to teach us and had to use his power for us, but what they do with the inevitable injuries that have followed. Sensei does not understand why we were so strong and resistant if, after all, he was there to help us later Abbe Sensei explains why we were were like, and then Sensei understood, then explained the true study of Aikido and have learned a lot from him for this course. Nakazono Sensei was of all grades are on the mat for 10 hours day. In those days, the pubs in England closed at 10 pm on 30 Sensei was on the mat until 10pm. Ken Williams, who was national coach told me in one of these evenings exhausting "Ellis, as my assistant that is to you to ask for permission Nakazono Sensei left the tatami to 9-30h so that we can get one of the last two pints of beer, and I reluctantly approached Sensei himself a non-drinker.
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I asked if we could finish a little before going to the pub, he was so angry with me, said: "I travel many miles to teach aikido to true and everything you want to do is go to the pub … … I felt that was broken with a bokken between eyes, took my response as a !!………………… categorical .. ………….
Aikido Tomiki
It was around this time that we heard about A new group of Aikido in London.
Tomiki Aikido was first introduced in the UK by Senta Yamada Sensei early 1960. Yamada Sensei 6th dan judo judoka has been highly respected, He was also a friend of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. We have heard that this new Aikido school opened in north London. It was decided that K Williams and eight degrees Give them a visit.
Our visit was unannounced and were not received. Sensei Williams politely asked if I could train with them, the coach said emphatically: "No, Sensei Williams asked," WHY NOT? "The instructor said that we could not train as Tomiki was wearing hakama and they do not, Sensei Williams replied I had no problem training without our hakama's. We were then informed that we were a different organization, he replied that the organizations only on paper and Aikido is Aikido. There was no way we'll have this instructor in class. If you broke into the carpet Abbe Sensei was very disturbed by this. We saw the class for a few minutes and we could see why they want to join in them. We went to a bar just down the road, we were surprised a little later to see the Tomiki group entry in the bar, students came and told us and seemed very sincere and friendly. A big guy who introduced himself as a 1st Kyu presented his apologies for the fact that they were not allowed go to the mat, we spoke about techniques and our differences, asked in a technique we call Nikkyo, tried to apply the technique on me, nothing! (Gyaku Hanmi Katate Tori) I've done on him and called down, had no intention of harming him, I thought I was stronger than that, said my technique was amazing took me to his teacher in a conversation with Sensei Williams. The first asked kyu (underlined) that his teacher Nykkyo deal on me, his teacher tried to apply the technique, nothing! Professor told his student that I was the arm of stone, and if it was implementing the spirit of the stone is not to break the arm. I asked him to break his arm, tried and spirit of the stone is no different from whatever mood was unprecedented. while trying to break the arm of my friends put a pint of beer bar next to me, took my pint and purpose of a sudden, something never done before or since. You can say that was a show of arrogance and I think it would be wrong, that's what happened in those early days.
The floppy rubber knife attack
Per year Next I made a presentation somewhere, and was surprised to see a demonstration of Tomiki aikido by the same group, I have no idea why we were there. I'm not a knife and when the other group, showing its use a hard rubber knife.
As uke attacked him with a hard rubber knife, I began to count the time he had been stabbed with a knife in soft rubber, Tori finally disarmed his uke and took the knife in his rubber disc. The following is declared the winner. Tori When she left the carpet, I asked "What was that all about?"
He said the aim was to disarm the aggressor that he had, he said, "No can disarm a man who has just stabbed 8 times, because you're dead "..
Has Hakama Travel
Sensei Ken Williams suggested that Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman taken a year to work and travel the UK to spread the word of Aikido to a wider audience. Sensei Williams asked, 'Where we go? "He looked at me like I was stupid and said," Where there is no way of Aikido "… It was a challenge and after discussion agreed. In 1963 I Austin Mini small car and went without a plan or a sense of real direction. We had in his pocket Joint great sum of £ 20. The times were really hard. We headed north and went to a great circle Great Britain maintained for 12 months. We knew that some judo dojo to ask other clubs and we only stopped present. Some welcomed us and some were not really interested. Nobody has been able to pay us for teaching.
If we were lucky we would get a bed and a meal with a teacher or student. We quickly ran out of money and would like to work for a few days to earn some money to survive. As we come to a city or town to try to dredge the girls around the world where we often take us back to their homes for food, so they were very happy one night sleeping on the couch should also be dredged mothers girls who like girls liked to listen to the London accent, who became very good at it and became an active Once they were desperate and often stayed in the car was the most unpleasant experience in the cold north of England. We have different tasks that many of the builders "- Photography – Photographers in the promenade – Wizards to a funeral director, where we had to pick up bodies in the mortuary and take them to the chapel. I was captured later in the chapel with the directors of the girl who was laying to rest, although it was full of life and the funeral we had placed a coffin with a woman in the ceiling of the Gallery of the mini to ask for a photo.
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His daughter in the chapel of rest and the woman in the coffin was too strong for the head, that was the end of this work, we were on the road. We worked in the factory of the North – sweepers and the British hat, which adds to the fun. So many others too. We also worked on a railroad-old was a horrible, what we call "Death Railway", which not long stay.
In an area that had been submitted to the head of a university that allowed us to demonstrate our Aikido and Aikido thence was admitted to the education system permanently in Britain. It was an incredible breakthrough for the promotion and the future of Aikido.
In an area was not a student whose father had worked on the development of the M1 first (Great Britain) for his father and his crew had found several large urns of Roman coins and gave me a handful of these bronze coins I'd like distorted to show the one for the girls we met, I would say the play had been in the family for hundreds of years and I'd like to have, often get a bed and food for a few nights.
Nakazono Sensei Masahilo Matsutaro
In the 1960s Nakazono Sensei Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Matsutaro invited to visit the UK. Sensei arrived in the now famous Hut Dojo with Sensei Peter Chassang. Nakazono Sensei made numerous visits to the UK and to date, is the master recalling with emotion and with great respect for all age ranges given at that time. I was on stage with Nakazono Sensei at the national championships BJC 1963. This event was in Royal Albert Hall in London. This event, which he believed did more to promote and showcase the martial arts in the UK than anything before or since. With large names of as many as Kenshiro Abbe sensei following – - Matsutaro Otani – Matsutaro Nakazono – M Michigami – Harada M – M Noro. The thrill and excitement of being part of this event and the sand large at the Royal Albert Hall is with me to this day.
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The visit Koybayashi Sensei Aikikai representative H 1965 / 6
M Nakazono Sensei came to visit the Hut Dojo with an unexpected visitor in 1965 / 6 (?) A fearsome looking Koybayashi H Sensei, who had been sent by the Ueshiba Doshu K to visit and inform the Aikikai in the standard and progress of Aikido in Europe. He sat on the carpet, and never spoke or smiles, he gave each of the grades given a sharp look to move before the line. Sensi Nakazono fell as if remote viewing. As I have already written, I knew only one way to attack an opponent and it was difficult and always at the center, Kobayashi Sensei stood and Dan grades darkens and suddenly became the specific person and presented him with a bokken and then reported the attack “ shomen the head … .. Students did just that and cut the center and to our dismay and horror went straight to the head of Kobayashi Sensei, when he winked the eye, like any other What other man would have collapsed, Nakazono Sensi immediately looked at me and to my surprise, I was as surprised as us, I sure it was a hint of a smile, as he was proud of his British students often ask me if he had never spoken to our approach of Kobayashi Sensei Aikido positive. I would add that Kobayashi Sensei does not make any mistake after that.
On the first visit Nakazono Sensei Dojo Hut as we were informed that suddenly all dan grades who had been classified by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei must now be re-graded to ensure they meet modern standards of the Aikikai.
We played a new very difficult to classify, when a student has been de-rated for Shoden and add to his humiliation, Nakazono said, "selling his gi as necessary that prices are high.
Nakazono Sensei Dan said the eight grades that their level is very good and all practices that could equally with students from the Aikikai.
The Hut Dojo has been the core of all Aikido in the UK. No grades are given outside the Hut. Aikido is spreading throughout the UK, grades are given most of weekends away from school throughout the country, with courses – Seminars and demonstrations. Plus there is not doubt that there is a shortage of degrees Dan, Dan grades, but the deck level of the men a certain size and a long time.
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Sensei Ken Williams, decided it would be a good idea for Dan honorary degrees across the UK. I did not like that idea at all, people were attracted by the strong original Hut Aikido dan grades, what they think when I saw people who were not of standard quality 'as' grades given. I've always been very loyal to Williams Sensei, but could simply not accept it. I complained bitterly, my complaints were ignored, I was assured that these "new" degrees Dan send in monthly reports on their progress Hut, of course, the first report came at the end of month, pushing the Williams Sensei on my face and said "what's the I said" I looked at the report and actually contained information on the progress of the present and signed Billy Bloggs Shodan, I handed him the report Sensei Williams and asked "Where is the honor of signing this document, and not descending at all.
I think it was the beginning of the breakdown of this great camaraderie that existed in the cabin for years.
Chiba Kazuo Sensei arrived in the United Kingdom 1966.
Kenshiro Abbe was returned to Japan for the Olympic Games, while he made a visit to see O-Sensei had not discussed the planned visit to Sensei Williams or anyone else, so you can imagine it was a shock when Chiba Sensei Dojo Cottage reached. It was then a severe test of loyalty grades, not only give the cabin had to make serious decisions. Months later, he decided he joined Chiba meaning. Haydn Foster Sensei decided to stay in the cabin Sensi and when Williams later moved to Wales, who took some degree dojo old shack was so disappointed that they abandoned the aikido.
Derek Eastman Sensei was working for a year on oil platforms in the North Sea, when he came home he started his own dojo, later, I asked if I could Ellis began Aikido schools that accepted, I joined Derek and have been taught and training together since.
I became assistant Sensi Chiba from 1967 to 1971, during which time we receive radio and television, BBC World, seminars and demonstrations.
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I decided in 1971 due to pressure of work and family to take a step back from the busy schedule to be with Chiba Sensei. I'm still in contact with Kazuo Chiba Shihan, who personally told me which invites the celebration of its 40th year in the United Kingdom in London in October 2006.
Dan Henry Ellis 5
Co-author of Positive Aikido
Ellis Schools Traditional Aikido
www.british-aikido.com
Henry Ellis a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensi 1957. Ellis began Judo in 1956 in the now famous "Hut Dojo" when he became one of the first students of Aikido in the UK and now is a pioneer of British Aikido. Ellis is an avid writer in the true history of Aikido in the UK and a constant thorn in the side of those who attempt to corrupt the proud history lineage and heritage at our expense, by teachers at the beginning of the martial arts.
About the Author
Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido. Principal of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido UK – USA. The book Positive Aikido is now available from www.NineCircles.co.uk
Miles Austin 12/2/09