4th Asian Aikido Federation Seminar
Last weekend I attended a monumental Aikido seminar, packed with the world’s most accomplished Aikidoka (Aikido students).
The event spanned both days. Day one was certainly the most vigorous with a total of 6 hours of Aikido. The format was basically one Aikido master demonstrating and a short group practice with any of the other 300 participants.
Most talks were in Japanese with a translator and, whether they could speak English or not, all the seminar attendees could effectively communicate with each other during the short practices. I worked with some extremely impressive people and got a lot out of having my ass kicked by some truly tiny Japanese ladies in their little black bottoms.
There was about enough mat space for 2 people to one small area and it was suprising that there was no accidents. I was suprised by how few white belts were in attendance, counting about ten of us. It was enlightening to meet western students who studied with the same Sensai as I in a different school and I’m keen to visit them to participate in their classes too.
The second day was significantly easier. We had seminars for the first three hours, including 90 minutes by Ueshiba Moriteru Doshu - the grandson of the Aikido founder, and today the figurehead of the martial art.
After that, our Aikido group was required to make a lightening-fast presentation which went painlessly enough and beyond that we were treated to Aikido demonstrations by all the other Aikidoka.
It was fascinating to see 80 year old men flinging well-built students all over the place with barely an exhalation. It was also a boost to recognize that some of the experts were people I’d had the honour to work with the day before.
The seminar was followed by a large Chinese banquet where I got to socialize with some really wonderful people. It’s not often that I get the opportunity to make new friends and although I was not expecting to stay its duration I was delighted that I did.
The weekend was a motivating and enlightening two days. It made me feel proud to be training under our Sensai Fukakusa Motohiro Shihan with such small classes although I’ve not yet been back to class yet to perfect my learnings.
All of the Seminar photos were taken by Daniel Kestenholz, our Aikido photographer. Daniel managed to save his lucky legs by not having to kneel for best part of 12 hours. I’m sure you’ll agree that some of the photos are remarkable.
You can view all of Daniel’s Photos Here
You can view the rest of my photos here too which are mainly from the banquet
December 1st, 2005 at 1:22 am
cool - but tell martin, aren’t some of the shots you claim your own shot by that mr daniel? I can see them on his webpage, anyway … take good care - clara
December 1st, 2005 at 2:37 am
Quote “All of the Seminar photos were taken by Daniel Kestenholz, our Aikido photographer.”
September 16th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
Hi everybody!
I am looking for the original series by Morihiro Saito sensei; the five books titled “Traditional Aikido”. Is there anybody out there who has them and wants to sell them?