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The Biography of Derek Eastman Sensei

aikihell — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:47:35 CDT

The Biography of Sensei Derek Eastman 5th dan By David J Wilson E.S.T.A. Secretary - July 2003

The story of a 16 year old boy at the famous Hut Dojo

In the 1950's

I have known Sensei Eastman for some 12 years and during those years I have heard so many stories about both Sensei Eastman and Sensei Ellis and their dedication to the early promotion of UK Aikido, some of the history highlights their hard training and appreciation of a true martial art, yet there are many amusing anecdotes. Sensei Eastman is the only Aikido student from 1950's "Hut " dojo who has never given an interview stating that "Sensei Ellis's story is more interesting than mine".
I asked Sensei Eastman to let the readers decide that on agreeing to this interview. Introduction Q -DW: Sensei Eastman , first I would like to thank you for agreeing to this interview. A -SE: My pleasure David. Q -DW: When were you born? A -DE: I was a premature baby; I was born 20 years too soon on the 31st-12-1943. Q -DW: Where were you born? A -SE: West Kensington (behind Harrods) London. Q -DW: Before your introduction to Aikido were you ever involved in any other sports. A -SE: Yes, I was in the County school track and field team and would often run for my county school in various events. Q -DW: Now the important question Sensei, What year did you start your Way in Aikido ? A -SE: I made a brief start at the end of 1959. . Q -DW: Where did you begin your long journey of Aikido? A -SE: At the now Internationally famed "Hut" or as it later became the "Abbe School of Budo" It was actually called the "Abbe School of Judo" when I first joined. First visit to the " HUT" Dojo. Q -DW: Would Judo have been your first introduction to martial arts on your first visit To the "Hut"? A -SE: I vividly remember that first visit with a friend of mine, as we walked into the Hall no one noticed us as all eyes were focused on the action on the mat. There was a guy in the centre of the mat with a blindfold on who I later came to know as Sensei Harry Ellis.
The blind folded student was being attacked by three other high grades, and believe me they were not messing around, in addition to three students attacking the blind folded student there was another guy who was obviously the top man here ( I later found out he was Sensei Williams).
He was whacking the guy with a shinai (bamboo sword) shouting at him about his bad posture and not moving around fast enough. My friend turned to me and said " Jeeezzz Del ! , I don't want any of that, do you?, I'm out of here".
With that he left. Maybe I was not thinking straight but I stayed around and asked for some club information on beginners classes. Q -DW: After witnessing that first insight into the martial arts, why didn't you make the same wise move as your friend? A -SE: I didn't really know what I was watching, my first impression was that maybe it could be ju-jitsu or something like that, hmmm why did I stay? I am not sure, crazier still the question should be why did I sign up.
I belonged to a motor cycle gang and I was the proud owner of a Royal Enfield 350cc.
I was also too young to hold a driving license. In those days our favourite place was the historic town of Windsor, which was a great meeting place for motorcycle gangs/groups. The problem was the place was full of soldiers of the Castle guard. There were always fights with our guys and the soldiers of the Queens Household Cavalry who were a tough old bunch of lads. In one of these frequent battles I got really hammered by one of the Castle guards, I then decided to check out the local Judo school, that's it!! I was in there and I joined there and then. The Beginning of an Aikido Odyssey. Q -DW: Sensei, tell me about your first class and who was your teacher? A -SE: My first class was in Sensei Ellis's Monday night beginners class, this was the biggest class of the week with between 40 to 50 students a night on the mat. Sensei Ellis's class was always packed to overflowing, and the training was always hard, yet I enjoyed it and found that I seemed to fit in naturally to this new martial art of Aikido. Q -DW: Sensei, you said at the beginning of this interview that " I made a brief start in 1959" what did you mean by a brief start? A -SE: Well, what happened was, I had a very serious crash on my motorcycle and my injuries were severe.
I was on crutches for three months.
I made a slow but good recovery and eventually went back to Aikido.
My teacher was still Sensei Ellis, I had only been back on the mat for about 4 or 5 lessons when one evening Sensei Ellis asked Sensei Williams to come on the mat and watch something.
I soon realised that the something was me, and to my surprise Sensei Ellis was smashing me all over the mat, as he threw me I just kept bouncing back up.
He then said to Sensei Williams;
"Sensei, have you ever seen anyone ukemi like that before?"
Sensei Williams then took me down in nikyo, a very painful wrist locking technique, he seemed to hold me down for a very long time before allowing me up.
He looked at Sensei Ellis and said "He's only a beginner give him time."
Sensei Ellis replied "You told me to take an assistant, that's him!"
Sensei Williams looked annoyed and sharply retorted "No! an assistant has to be 3rd kyu or higher"
Sensei Ellis was persistent and eventually got his way, of course I was not involved in this discussion. As Sensei Williams walked away Sensei Ellis then asked me to be his assistant.
He said I had a week to make up my mind, as I walked away Sensei Ellis said "Derek ! you don't have a choice by the way, let me know at the end of class".
I become Sensei Ellis's Assistant . Q -DW: What were your responsibilities or duties as an assistant ? A -SE: I was the only junior assistant at that time. I was also used by all the other instructors which was hard for me but also gave me a wider experience.
I didn't like being used by David Williams who was Sensei Ken Williams brother. David didn't have the same understanding of Budo as his brother, and I always felt that he had a very cruel streak to his nature that went beyond strict discipline.
It was also my responsibility to open the dojo on Sunday mornings ready for all the high grades.
In the winter I would have to light three paraffin heaters, two of which were in the changing room.
While they were warming up I would then sweep the frost off the tatami.
I recall one winters Sunday morning I arrived early and a few minutes later Sensei Ellis arrived.
He said " Derek, you sweep the mat and I will light the fires for you"
I was pleased about that, after a little while Sensei Ellis came out of the changing room shutting the door behind him and said
" keep that door shut Derek it will help to warm those damp gi's" (training suits).
Well, all the students and teachers left their gi's hanging from the ceiling beams. It was freezing so Sensei and I started to practice to try to warm up, then about 30 min later John Caldwell and some students arrived. As they opened the changing room door the smoke just billowed out. Everyone was coughing and choking, we thought the place was on fire.
It wasn't a fire, but Sensei Ellis had not trimmed the heater wicks. This then caused the fire to billow out all the smoke and smuts, the gi's were ruined.
Sensei Williams then arrived and demanded to know who was responsible; he looked straight at Sensei Ellis who without a word looked at me and pointed his finger in my direction.
After a few harsh words Sensei Williams made me do 200 press ups on the backs of my wrists as punishment. Some were demanding new gi's and others wanted to take their own punishment.
It was a while before I was forgiven. Q -DW: It sounds tough being an assistant, surely there must have been some advantages to be had? A -SE: As an assistant I did not have to pay a mat fee and trained almost every day.
This was a big advantage as I was an apprentice engineer and did not earn much money.
I also went on with the Judo and Karate classes. I also trained with Sensei Tomio Otani and I would be uke for all the dan grades at the HUT. I Don't Like Walking! Q -DW: Were there any other assistants or were you the only one? A-DE: For about 9 months I was the only one, and then Ken Waite became assistant to the Karate teachers.
Harada Sensei was impressed with Ken and later made him his own personal assistant.
Then a very young judoka called Trevor Jones joined the Aikido section, he was a most talented student with immense natural ability, he was soon promoted to junior assistant to Sensei K Williams and Trevor and I shared the dojo responsibilities together and we became very good friends.
Trevor had a big problem , he had a bad habit of upsetting Sensei Ellis, and there were many times that Sensei had to sort him out and on several occasions when Trevor complained about Sensei Ellis's driving.
Sensei would stop the car and throw him out no matter where we were. He did drive too fast but I never complained as I don't like walking. Lady Baden Powell almost Faints. Q -DW: I know Sensei Ellis and Sensei Foster travelled a great deal with Sensei Williams, did you get to travel and visit other dojos ? A -SE: I did get to travel but not on the scale of Sensei Ellis and Williams.
Sensei Williams had just made Sensei Ellis responsible for carrying out displays on his own and I took part in the first one at West Drayton.
We did so many over the years yet there are two that are most memorable, I know this story is told in Sensei Ellis article in "Fighting Arts International" magazine.
Abbe Sensei told us that this display was so very important as Lady Baden Powell and the Japanese ambassador were in the audience, and it was hoped that Lady Baden Powell would promote martial arts within her youth foundation groups internationally.
Sensei Ellis was standing back stage near the Japanese ambassador and Sensei Otani when he thought that a Judo man had insulted Sensei Otani.
There was an altercation between the Judo man and Sensei Ellis, I am not sure what happened out of site but the Judo man did not go on stage next as he should have.
Suddenly we heard the announcement and introduction of " Sensei Harry Ellis assistant National Coach" being called out.
We rushed onto the stage and as I was thrown in the first technique my cigarettes and matches fell from the folds of my gi.
Sensei went mad and immediately smashed me into, and around the mat.
His aggression demanded a response, I also got angry and fought back, every attack was for real.
I tried real hard to get him with the club without success. Then when it came to knife, I really thought I had him when the knife went deep into the folds of his gi.
Sensei gasped but still took me down in immobilization, as he released me and I lifted my head off the mat Lady Baden Powell was looking straight at me with horror all over her face.
I just knew there and then that we had blown it. Lady Baden Powell said to Abbe Sensei " That was the most horrific display of violence I have ever witnessed, and not for my girls"
..
A meeting with Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki. Q -DW: You said there were two occasions? A -SE: We did a really big display at Crystal Palace in a Budo and Judo Championships, we always started with a display but with Sensei having a short fuse we always ended up having a battle of some sort, this one was no different.
The great Karate teacher Tatsuo Suzuki who had just been on was now watching us, as we finished he walked over to us and he looked very stern, I was glad Sensei was in front of me..
As Sensei was about to step off the mat Suzuki Sensei walked up to him and said,.
"Thank you, That is the best display of Aikido I have ever seen", he then bowed and walked away. Impressions of the early HUT teachers. Q -DW: You said you were an assistant to Sensei Ellis and the only junior at that time and that you were also the general dojo assistant so you would have been in close contact with many if not all of the old teachers, what were your impressions of the ones you came into contact with ?. A -SE: I will mention them from the highest grade down. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. I would see Abbe Sensei occasionally on the aikido mat, he would step onto the mat to make a point or teach.
He didn't often bother to change into his gi, he would come on the mat in this old brown de-mob suit; (after the war soldiers were given a brown suit when leaving the army, and it was called a de-mob suit, I am sure that this was one).
Sensei Williams would sometimes ask me to take Abbe Sensei home to Acton in my three wheeled "Isetta" bubble car, Sensei Williams told me if I had an accident with Sensei in the car I would have to leave the country and never be seen again, I believed him.
Abbe Sensei sat in the Bubble car for the first time. He looked around the little car, then at me, he gave me a very puzzled look and asked " How many wheels" I replied " 3 Sensei ".
He replied " Necessary, where are wheels?"
I said "2 in the front and one at the back Sensei". He thought for a moment and then he said " Ahhhh! Strong triangle".
He did not speak another word during the journey, which was normal for Abbe Sensei.
Unlike some of his so called "FRIENDS" who claim to have had long and meaningful philosophical /psychological conversations with him, his English was poor and he did not waste it. Ken Williams Sensei. Sensei K Williams the head of the dojo did not use me as much as the others.
He was in total control of the dojo and all who were in it.
He was not only aikido but 3rd dan judo and a very good one at that. He would officiate as a referee at the American Air Base at Ruislip, once he was a referee at the USAF international Judo Championships.
We would get a lot of American students come to train at the Hut in our beginners classes. David Williams Sensei. David was in charge of the Karate section before the arrival of Harada Sensei, I enjoyed my regular practice with Ken Griffiths, and later Ken Waite who was to become the first European assistant to Harada Sensei.
However, David Williams in my opinion had a very cruel streak to his character. Williams and Ellis and others would teach as Abbe Sensei did with a shinai. It was used a gentle form of intimidation to help motivate you with a little whack on the backside to get your attention. This would be done with a smile and humour and no one ever objected to this light hearted form of discipline.
Now with David Williams, he meant it!, and appeared to enjoy it.
I will leave it at that as I don't want to expand on this subject. Closed!. Eric Dollimore Sensei. Eric was only 5ft 5in tall and the most dynamic exponent of aikido in the Hut dojo.
What I remember most of Eric was one Sunday morning when I was practicing at the bottom of the dojo with some of the high kyu grades.
There was quite a bit of action taking place at the top end of the mat with the dan grades, Eric did a very hard technique on Ellis slamming him deep into the mat. He then excused himself saying " Sorry! I have to go, I have to be at my girlfriends for lunch at 12-00 noon".
Ellis got up from the mat and I could see he was not happy, Eric had now left the mat.
Ellis called out to him "Eric you want to fight for real?"
Eric replied "Sorry Harry, I really don't have time".
Ellis walked back to the other dan grades, probably satisfied with Eric's excuse. It was then that I saw Eric come back out of the changing room minus his hakama and called out
"OK Harry!! But we have got to be quick".
They both immediately squared up to each other in posture, after a few seconds Ellis made what looked like a fearful blow at Eric's head, Eric turned under Ellis with the best Koshi waza technique I have ever seen launching Ellis into and through the plaster board office partition.
Sensei Williams was sitting in the office when Ellis joined him as he went straight through the wall.
As Ellis sat there covered in plaster board dust, Eric call out " See ya, Ive got to go I am late for dinner".
I have always said it was like something out of the movies. Haydn Foster Sensei. He was a little older than the rest of us and was regarded with respect and affection. His favourite technique was Irimi nage as he put you down hard he always gave that well know throaty laugh of his after leaving you stunned. Henry (Harry)Ellis Sensei. Henry Ellis was my teacher and is continually referred to in this interview. There is one story that I have never seen in print that I will tell you of.
In the sixties we heard of another group who were doing Aikido in North London with a well known Japanese Judo teacher called Senta Yamada. He was teaching a style we had never heard of called "Tomiki Aikido" so we decided to go and check them out.
All the dan grades gathered at the HUT one evening and we set off to this Tomiki dojo. We just did not know what to expect. When we arrived we respectfully entered their dojo. Sensei Williams spoke to the instructor in charge and asked if we could practice. The instructor said "NO!, I am sorry but you wear hakama's and we don't allow them"
Sensei Williams replied "That's ok we will practice without our hakama's"
The instructor thought for a moment and replied " I still can't allow you to practice as you are a different organisation to us"
It was then that Sensei Ellis pushed forward and said "Organisations are names on paper, Aikido is Aikido",
The instructor was having none of it and politely asked us to leave.
We were not happy at this, so we then went into a nearby pub, after about one hour who should come in the pub; you guessed it Dave, all the students and the instructor.
We got chatting to the students and they were really nice lads. A big guy who was a 1st kyu made the mistake of asking Sensei Ellis what our nikyo was like.
He said it was his favourite technique, when he tried it on Sensei Ellis, nothing happened. He made another mistake, he asked Sensei to show him our style, Sensei nearly put him into the pub cellar.
The brown belt guy couldn't believe this and asked his teacher who was now talking with Sensei Williams. He told him what had just taken place and insisted that his instructor try to do this technique on Sensei Ellis.
Sensei Ellis offered his arm and the instructor agreed to try. The instructor could do nothing, then stated
"I can not move you because you are making the ARM of STONE, if I also make the ARM of Stone I will break your arm like a twig"
Sensei Ellis insisted he make his arm of stone, so the guy tried and to be honest it was no different to the first attempt.
Then! as he was making the arm of stone, Sensei Ellis picked up a full pint of beer and drunk it in one go while the guy was trying to break his arm!
The guy looked gutted. Lennie Ballard Sensei and Peter Dowden Sensei. They appeared inseparable and were really great friends, they would do most of the knife and club displays. I would deputise for them in their ladies classes. They left the HUT shortly after Eric Dollimore. John Caldwell Sensei. John was an electrician who worked with Sensei Williams.
He was not only a first dan in aikido but also a semi professional sparring partner and boxer. He sparred with some notable boxers such as ex world champs Terry Downs and Terry Spinks who were both world champions at their own weight.
John once took me to the 'Thomas A Becket' , a famous training gym for boxers above a London pub. That was a special treat for a young lad like me as many world famous UK and USA boxers had trained there.
I also remember that once when John was out doing some running training he was attacked by a large alsatian dog which chased after him. John turned as the dog launched itself at him. He kicked hard at the dog, kicking it straight in the throat and it died instantly.
A little different to Abbe Sensei's experience with an Alsatian but non the less unavoidable. Hamish McFarlane Sensei. Was older and senior to me he was also a good judoka. He was a 1st kyu (brown belt) in Aikido when I started yet we ended up taking our dan grade test together some four years later.
When I received my first dan, Sensei Ellis as tradition demanded presented me with my first black belt and hakama which was of a very good quality.
No one ever knew where Hamish got his hakama from. Ellis spread the rumour that the hakama was an ex war dept army blanket as it was a thick material with no traditional pleats. That joke never left Hamish, and I even laughed with Sensei Foster about it recently (July 2003).
There was one thing about Hamish that very few knew. When he first asked if he could join the Aikido class he told Sensei Williams that the Doctor had told him he would within 12 months be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life because of a serious condition with his spine. He started Aikido, and practiced until his death in his 60's. He also went to Japan and trained at the Aiki-Kai. I have recently heard the sad news that Hamish died a little while ago. Early dan gradings. Q-DW: How do you compare the grading system ofthe early days at the HUT with some that you have seen in later years ?. A-SE: Grading procedures were not so technically ritualised as they are today.
Where as at the HUT, the grading would be very physical with constant 100% attack, no one ever got through a grading without a few lumps.
I think that most of the old dan grades would agree that 3rd kyu (green belt) was always the hardest; considered by both Abbe Sensei and Williams Sensei to be the transition grade between beginner and high grade and your first step as a assistant teacher.
It was also the first grading where we had to take attack from a real knife. When it was my first time Sensei Williams asked me "Are you prepared to accept real knife " I said "YES" but I really meant NO.
Eric Dollimore stood before me holding a large knife in his LEFT hand, I just froze.
Sensei Williams said " Derek you forgot Eric is left handed" then he told Eric to attack with his right and then his left.
When I took my first dan, what stands out most in my mind was how tired I was when it was my turn. I had been uke for all the other grades and to be honest I don't know how I got through it all. I just wanted to get it all over with.
I took Hamish with a positive tenchi nage and really hammered him into the mat. Nakazono Sensei said he was very pleased with that final technique and awarded me first dan. ------------------------- Q-DW: With all the years of hard training and instruction going up through the kyu grades what was the final path to your first dan ? A-SE: I was always fortunate that not only did I receive personal instruction and guidance directly from Sensei Williams and my own Sensei, and all the dan grades previously mentioned.
I also think that being assistant instructor to the beginners class from 7th to 4th kyu, I was able to form a good practicing relationship with a small select group of students who all later became the second generation of " HUT" dan grades.
The group was made up of people like Ron James at 6ft 5ins tall and about 250 lbs seemed like a giant to me as a boy. He never took that into account and never gave me any leeway at all so it was very hard but good to train with this giant of a man.
He would not "go" for anyone so he was always a challenge for me.
Ron was a good friend and brother In law to another dan grade Andy Allen, who was assistant to Sensei Foster.
Sensei Ellis and I would often bring young ladies to the dojo visitors area. Andy who was the oldest student of us all was a very dry and dour kind of man.
I would say to him "Andy, she is nice isn't she" and as long as I knew him I always received the same grim reply;
" Huh! They are all nice until you marry them!!". Andy was one of my regular training partners. Trevor Jones who was junior assistant to Sensei Williams was probably the one I trained with most and we became inseparable not only as aikidoists but also as friends and we helped each other to prepare for dan grade.
I guess that's how I eventually got to that point of my preparation for dan grade. I received my first dan grade just before I became 21 yrs of age. At the same time I had just completed my apprenticeship as an engineer.
It was then that Sensei Williams asked Sensei Ellis and I to travel and spread the 'gospel' of Aikido. We were the early 'disciples' as he put it.
Although aikido had started to spread a little, there were areas that had no knowledge of this new martial art. My beloved "Isetta" bubble car, which I had pushed to it's limits, had finally BURST !
It had to be dumped. Luckily at the same time, Sensei Ellis had just bought a one year old Mini car which was in those days the "business".
So looking at the car and the prospects of aikido and travel and some amorous adventures I readily agreed to go along.

Rat Attack. Q-DW: I have read and enjoyed Sensei's stories of your travels from his perspective is there anything that you would like to add as you were also a part of that experience. A-SE: At this point Henry and I had become good friends outside of the dojo, yet on the tatami I would still give deference, and that is how it has always been even today. The first dojo we visited was in Nottinghamshire and run by George Cotterell, where we were employed for a short while.
Mr Cotterell bred Chihuahua dogs of which there must have been about 50 or 60 of what Henry called overgrown rats.
These dogs were all in the paved back yard. The only toilet was situated at the rear of the yard, next to the funeral parlour.
At night the gate would be locked so the only way to the toilet was through this dog filled yard.
One night we had just got back from a good night at the local pub and Henry went straight to bed whilst I stayed up for a cup of tea and a chat with Mrs Cotterell.
After about one hour, Henry came out of the bedroom wearing just his jeans with no socks or shoes, and he ran across the yard to the toilet ( that is some strong ale they drink up North).
He made it before the dogs could snap at his ankles. We heard a lot of commotion and looked out of the window to see all these dogs yapping outside the toilet door and in their excitement were doing their "business".
Henry was now trying to open the door, and seeing all the dogs and the mess he then realised he had no shoes on.
Mrs Cotterell and me were in total hysterics at what was going on. Henry was shouting for me to bring out his shoes but with that northern ale inside of me I felt brave and ignored him and enjoyed the fun.
Watching him running across that minefield was just like a scene from a Jerry Lewis film. As he ran he was shouting threats of gross physical abuse at me.
Shortly after that we had problems with the boss over the photos we had taken with the coffins as related in the "Fighting Arts International" magazine. We lost our jobs as undertakers assistants and we were now on the road again to more adventures.
Visiting dojos and martial arts clubs, schools, and anywhere that we were allowed to just show a little of our Aikido in the hope that they would ask us for more.
In those days in the North there was not much work to be had at any time, so we would take any job that was offered to us and I mean ANY job.
These included general labourer and building labourer , also working as labourers on Britains first motorway the M1. Undertakers, Road sweepers, cesspit cleaning, steel mill worker, deckchair attendants, beach front photographers, painters. The worst job of all was the "Railway", that was slave labour and we hated it, that only lasted a few days.
That is how we spent the days. In the evenings we would very seriously spend that time promoting Aikido including Saturday and Sunday, In what we considered were successful attempts to extend and build the ever expanding " Abbe Schools of Budo". The HUT market! A-SE: David, I would like to regress at this point if that is ok with you, It is that I would like to mention one unforgettable character, who got off to a very bad start with Sensei Ellis and later became a very close friend to the both of us - a man called George Stavro.
On the night George made his first appearance at the HUT he arrived about 30 min before Sensei Ellis.
I was on the mat busy taking preparation exercise. George being Greek and a trader, came into the dojo with two large suitcases and within minutes there were clothes on display all over the reception area.
I wasn't taking too much notice as I thought he must have previously arranged to do this with one of the senior instructors.
It was then that Harry arrived just as George was getting into his sales pitch with two students that were waiting for permission to go on the mat. This is the only time I have heard Harry swear in the dojo.
Harry shouted " What the #### do you think is going on in here! What do you think this is Bangladesh market day?"
He then threw the suitcases outside the dojo door in the rain, with George scrambling around getting his merchandise together and put it all back in his car.
George then walked back in the dojo with a big smile on his face as if nothing had happened and asked what was going on in this hall, I explained that we were doing Aikido classes.
He came back the following week with about 8 of his friends who all joined.
George was a very powerfully built man and also an accomplished street fighter and he became the one for me to train with. I did not earn much money being an apprentice engineer, George was older than me and soon took me under his wing and quickly embroiled me in his nefarious activities which included a very profitable enterprise of delivering black market hooch to all the Indian restaurants in West London.
Harry was angry over my involvement until he also got involved, and he also got all the decorating contracts for the restaurants.
We worked on the door of some of the restaurants and from that day on we always had as many curries as we could eat and we never had to pay.
George became a favourite of Kazuo Chiba Sensei and is now a third dan, George was a brown belt when he left the HUT to join Sensei Ellis at the Slough dojo in 1968, and can be seen in some photos with Mr Jack Poole who was a beginner at that time. George remembers him well and was the one who actually signed him in when he joined. We could write a book on the escapades we had together.
George was at my wedding and did the full Zorba dance with the glass of water on his head, my family still talk about it now.

Relocating and Leaving the HUT. Q: DW. Sensei, You told me earlier that this was around the time you got married and moved away from the HUT and the locality. Could you expand on this time. A: SE. Yes, After I married I moved to Basingstoke in Hampshire.
My work involved a lot of traveling as I was working on the drilling rigs, drilling for Gas in the English Channel just off the River Humber.
I would also take the opportunity to visit local Aikido clubs and train whenever possible.
I later found work nearer home in 1969, I renewed my contact and friendship with Trevor Jones who had also married and now lived in Camberley Surrey only 10 miles from my home.
He told me he had recently opened a new dojo at the Hawley Hotel. He was now working as an Airline steward and asked me to look after his dojo and teach when he was on long haul flights, I agreed.
I found that Trevor's Aikido had definitely moved up a gear, although the training and technique was still fairly traditional, he had by far the most powerful aiki movement of any person I had ever met including the Japanese. The dojo later moved from the Hawley Hotel to Brookwood, with two good students Mike Cashmore and Colin Relph as assistants , I also remember Wasil Kolenkisov training there as a beginner, he later joined Sensei Ken Williams as an assistant. At The beginning of 1969 I opened " The Basingstoke Aikido Club" I would still occasionally help Trevor who had now moved to a purpose built dojo at the "Frimley Budokan". Unfortunately, Trevor Later had some health problems and the dojo was then run by my old friend Andy Allen from the HUT With the assistance of John Harding who still practices today and who we are still in contact with. With Trevor I re-visited many dojos including Sensei K Williams who had left the HUT and was now in the Rhonnda Valley in Wales. I also visited the HUT which was now being run by Sensei Haydn Foster who always made me very welcome. Aikido visits to Europe . Q: DW. Sensei, could you tell me about your visits to Europe at this time ? A: SE. Sure, these were good day's. Trevor and I would visit Noro Sensei at the Paris Aiki-Kai. Noro Sensei was really pleased to see us, and on my first visit he surprised me by awarding me 2nd dan which was unusual as I was not a regular student, he never ever charged me for gradings or lessons.
Noro Sensei reminded me of the time I was at the HUT on one of his visits, where he recommended to Sensei Williams that I should only do backward ukemi (break falling) until his next visit in two weeks time, Sensei Williams said he would punish me with a shinai if he caught me doing forward ukemi, however Noro did not visit in two weeks but 4 months later, I had by this time adapted to some amazing breakfalls from all angles except forward.
Noro asked Sensei Williams in astonishment, "why is Mr Eastman breakfalling in this odd way".
When informed it was as a result of his instruction, he just roared with laughter. He then said this was very similar to an experience he had with Osensei and then said the experience would do me no harm anyway. Q: DW. Were you still in contact with Sensei Ellis at this time A: SE. Yes, I had always kept in regular contact with Harry Ellis, visiting his Bracknell dojos whenever possible and his Slough dojo, we would also meet socially with our families.
It was at this time that Harry's business was expanding and he could not maintain all of his dojos. He gave his London dojos to Chiba Sensei, and his Slough dojo to George Stavro who later was to give the mats to a student who had helped him, a man called Jack Poole.
My own work was now taking me back to Europe. When in Belgium I would visit Sensei Pierre Nassens dojo. I would visit Leiage often where there were 6 different Aikido clubs, and in the true spirit and harmony of Aikido they seemed to hate each other and did not communicate.
I did like one dojo though which was run by Sensei C Van Parys who had assisted the most dynamic swordsman ever to teach Aikido, Murashagi Sensei, who very sadly was later killed in a car accident.
This dojo was very traditional with strong links to Tadashi Abe Sensei who was still visiting the area. Q: DW. Sensei, You have mentioned so many name of the aikidoists from the old days at the HUT, do you know of those that are still involved in aikido? And are you still in contact with any of these people? A: SE. As of this date 2003, There are only a few that are still involved and teaching Aikido and I am occasionally in touch with some of them.
Sensei Ken Williams founder of the HUT Judo dojo and chief instructor, who was the first student to study Aikido in the UK, and is now the head of the Ki Aikido Federation of Great Britain.
Sensei Haydn Foster who is still at the HUT and head of the Institute of Aikido.
Sensei Henry Ellis who is head of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido.
Sensei Ralph Reynolds who was a regular visitor to the HUT in the 50/60s, who is now the head of the Aikido Fellowship.
Sensei George Stavro who is associated with several dojos and still linked to Chiba Sensei.
Sensei Les White who is the head of The Traditional Aikido Ryu. Time takes it's toll on those we knew and respected. The British Aikido Board and The Martial Arts Commission. Q: DW. Sensei, When did you become involved with the British Aikido Board. A: SE. I had spoken with Jim Elkin of the large Tomiki group, who suggested that I join the Martial Arts Commission within a traditional aikido member group.
I agreed to this, but on contacting the head of this group and submitting our credentials including copies of my dan grade certificates as signed by O'Sensei himself; My first impression was that I would be warmly received and I was informed that they would pay my dojo a visit, I happily agreed to this, and said it would be a pleasure to have them visit and train with me, only to be told they would not come on the tatami (mats) , they said they would assess my standard while sitting away from the mat.
I refused the offer, I told him that I may meet him one time on a mat but not as fellow practitioners. I thanked Mr Elkin for his help and support , and said I would not be joining the traditional group. I liked Jim Elkin and always found him and his associate Brian Eustace of the Tomiki group very helpful during our membership of the Martial Arts Commission (MAC).
He also helped us to achieve full technical coaching standard of the MAC. On later relaying this story to Minoru Kenetsuka Sensei when I visited him at the Cardiff Aiki-Kai. He asked me for copies of my certificates with O'Sensei's signature on them. I later found he had used what I had told him and the certificates to leave the British Aikido Board, at that time within the MAC, saying that they did not recognise O'Sensei as the founder of Aikido.
Sensei Ken Williams had also left the BAB/MAC for similar reasons.
A few years later I was approached by a BAB member of the MAC, a Mr Ted Stratton, who I fondly remember as the originator of 'elbow power' in Aikido which I still use.
Sensei Stratton is sadly deceased and a most respected figure of Aikido.
I then corresponded with Paula Mitchell of the MAC and using the criteria required at that time joined the MAC/BAB.
One of the criteria was that we should have our own organisation and title. I recalled that many years earlier Sensei Williams had honoured his teacher by calling the HUT dojo " The Abbe School of Judo" .
I decided to approach Sensei Ellis and asked for his approval to use his name for the our organisation, I am pleased to say that he agreed. We then called our organisation "The Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido".
Sensei Ellis re-opened the Bracknell dojo and we were again one! http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net
http://martialartsarticles.wetpaint.com

MartialArtsArticles Home

aikihell — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:25:30 CDT

Martial Arts Articles

<-Search the index box on the left for a selection of articles. Constantly updated.

Latest Article addition/s:

" What is Kyu-Shin-Do ? ~~ And more precisely what it is not !! "
An article about the misuderstanding and misuse of the concept of KyuShinDo .

" The Budo Masters " ~~ A history of the early Budo masters to visit the UK.
Henry Ellis met all of the Budo Masters who visited the UK in the early days, this aricle tells of those memories.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985
Legendary Budo Master & Founder of KyuShinDo

If you are interested in the Martial Arts ? Then I hope you will find many articles and information on this site to meet your needs. This site is intended to promote the true history of British Aikido from its inception in 1955 by the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985. You will find a selection of articles on the history of Abbe Sensei and of the history of British Aikido.

The British Aikido Tree
From 1955

Details the history of the early pioneers who were the first to study Aikido in
the UK from its inception
in 1955 by the legendary
Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

The lineage is traced from OSensei through Kenshiro
Abbe Sensei until the arrival of TK Chiba Sensei
in 1967.

It is considered that the first 12 years were the most traditional dynamic and colourful.

Many of the early Japanese and British pioneers are now deceased.
They will never be forgotten

M Ueshiba - 1886 - 1969
T Abe 1926 - 1984
K Abbe 1915 - 1985
M Nakazono 1918 - 1994
M Otani 1889 - 1977
T Otani
W Woods 1931 - 2006
R Reynolds 1934 - 2006
A Allan 1930 ~ 2007
W Smith 1929 ~ 2006

The Early Days of British Aikido

aikihell — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:29:18 CDT

Recollections of the Early Days of Aikido in Great Britain By Henry Ellis - Ellis Aikido School In 1957, I was studying Judo and Karate at the Abbe School of Budo at the "Hut" in Hillingdon, Middlesex, a suburb of London. My teacher was Ken Williams Sensei, and we were all students of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei (8th dan in Judo, 6th dan in Aikido, and 5th dan in Karate and Kendo). At that time, very few people in the United Kingdom had heard of Aikido.
Around 1957, Abbe Sensei told Mr Williams that he had recieved a letter from O-Sensei saying that instuctors outside of Japan had permission to teach Aikido to anyone who wished to learn it. Mr Williams was Abbe Sensei's first Aikido student. Eventually, Abbe Sensei made Mr Williams National Coach for Aikido, and I became Mr Williams assistant - which I remained for approximately 15 years.
Abbe Sensei's Aikido was the prewar style of Aiki-Jutsu, which was very physical. Both Abbe Sensei and Williams Sensei were excellent teachers, who worked very hard to train us while promoting Aikido to an initially unreceptive public. Abbe Sensei and Williams brought eight of us up to 1st dan. At the time, we were the only dan grades in Great Britain, and we were all in one dojo. Sunday morning practice was for dan grades only. Williams Sensei would lock the doors to the dojo, and the real serious practice would start. Williams Sensei would allow the younger dan grades to try and prove themselves against him, but they had no success.
Williams Sensei started to visit other dojos and to introduce Aikido. He was a highly respected Judo teacher, and this helped him to arrange visits to Judo clubs. Occasionally, a Judo instructor would allow a few students to practice Aikido in a corner of the mat.
In the early days, the training was extremely difficult with the emphasis on very strenuous exercise. My students and I used to train four or five nights a week as well as Sunday mornings. After running for several miles, we would return to the mat and perform 200 push-ups on the backs of our wrists, which we then followed with general practice and a further two hours of hard practice.
When I was graded 1st dan by Abbe Sensei, Williams Sensei instructed me to take a good student as an assistant. I chose a young man of 17 years of age by the name of Derek Eastman, who is now 3rd dan and Technical Director or our Basingstoke Headquarters. Mr Eastman is still a loyal friend after all these years.
When Mr Eastman reached 1st dan and I was 2nd dan, William Sensei advised us to travel and spread the word of Aikido. Both Mr Eastman and I gave up our jobs and travelled around the United Kingdom. It was very difficult to introduce Aikido, because most people had never heard of it.
Mr Eastman and I left home and headed for the Midlands without much money or hope. We would visit Judo and Katate clubs, sports centers, etc. In some areas, where Williams sensei had already introduced Aikido, we would find accommodation with the students, and we would get paid a small fee for teaching. Where there was no Aikido at all, we would take jobs for a few days to feed ourselves. In one area, we worked as assistants to a funeral director. We had to goto the morgue, collect the bodies. And take them upto the chapel. (Once the boss caught me in the chapel of rest with a young local maiden whom I was laying to rest - one who was alive and well. He was very angry.)
We also worked as road sweepers, wearing bowler hats which attracted a great deal of attention from the girls.
In the north of England, the girls loved to hear the London or southern accent, and this was a great help with invitations for dinner. But it was still a struggle to survive.
We also worked in steel factories and had many other jobs around the country. Without a doubt, the worst was repairing an old railway line. We called it the "railway of death." Needless to say, we did not stay on that job very long.

The author with Nakazono Sensei, Santa Fe, NM (1991)
Still as I look back on life in Aikido, I think that this is was a really great time. As with all memories, we tend to forget the bad times and remember the good. We contributed greatly to the promotion of Aikido, and I do not regret one day of it.
Williams Sensei would send out all the Dan grades out to teach and to demonstrate in the hope that people would watch us and listen to us. Our teaching was free of charge, and this often enabled us to obtain free accommodation with the students. Although Williams Sensei was not a particularly religious man, I remember him saying, "You are my disciples, and now you must go out and teach the gospel of Aikido."
In the earley 60's, Williams Sensei called all the Dan grades together and said that he wanted us to attend the longest and most important seminar to date. It was to be held in Cardiff in Wales. The demonstrations and interviews were to be televised.
As usual, our accommodations were to be with local students. When we arrived at the Cardiff dojo - Williams Sensei and eight Dan grades - all the students crowded around saying, "Sensei, would you please stay with me?" One student politely took my arm and said, "Sensei I would be very pleased if you would stay with me at Sunnybank Farm." After living in London, I thought it would be a great treat for me to stay at the farm for the weekend.
The student and I drove for miles into the wilds of rural Wales, eventually arriving at a very remote farmhouse. The weather seemed very cold but dry.
I woke up the next morning at 5am with cocks crowing and the cows doing whatever cows do to create noise. After I shock my head and realized where I was, I looked out of the window. To my horror, I saw that the snow had fallen and drifted right up to the bedroom windows.
We were snowed in for three days until a neighbour from miles away dug us out with a mechanical digger. I missed the seminar and the television appearance. It was then that I resolved to stay a city boy.
When Abbe Sensei told us that he had invited a new teacher from Japan to visit us, we were all quite excited. We had never seen a Japanese Aikido master other then Abbe Sensei.
The new teacher was Nakazono Sensei (then 6th Dan). Abbe Sensei told us that Nakazono Sensei would teach us for two weeks. It was two weeks of hell. Nakazono Sensei had us practicing on the mat for three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon, and then the dan grades had to practice an additional three hours in the evening. During this seminar there were many broken bones and other injuries.
Abbe Sensei had taught us to be strong and not be thrown unless the technique was effective - that being strong showed respect for your teacher. He also taught ukes to attack on balance so as not make the throw to easy. As he taught, Abbe Sensei would hit us with a shinai and explain that, while his English was not very good, the shinai spoke English fluently. So, in those early years, that was what we knew - the strong fighting art of Aikido
At first, when Nakazono Sensei saw how we practiced, he was angry with us and perplexed. He did not understand. But, at the end of the seminar, Abbe Sensei explained why we were the way we were. Then Nakazono Sensei realized that we were genuine students with great respect for him and a strong desire to learn.
In England, after a hard practice, it is traditional to finish the evening off with a pint of beer at the local pub. But Nakazono Sensei was keeping us on the mat until 10pm, and the pubs closed at 10:30pm. So Williams Sensei said to me, "Ellis, as my assistant, it is your duty to ask Sensei if we can leave the mat at 9pm so we can have time to get to the pub." I asked Nakazono Sensei (what a fool I was!), and he became angry. He said that he had travelled across the world to teach us Aikido and that all we wanted to do was go to the pub. What he didn't seem to understand was that this was our vacation from work. (I reminded Nakazono Sensei of this incident when we met later in Santa Fe, and we were able to laugh about it.)

In 1963, I was Nakazono Sansei's assistant at a national martial arts demonstration at the Royal Albert Hall in London. That was a proud moment for me, and also for my parents, as this was the first they had ever seen me in a Aikido demonstration.

There was a vast difference between Abbe Sensei's old style Aikido and Nakazono Sensei's new style, which was far more flowing. The new way seemed so much softer and yet very strong.
We quickly adapted to this new style. Then Abbe Sensei dropped a "bombshell" on us: we would all have to be regraded to meet the current standards of Hombu Dojo. The grading was physical and mentally demanding. At its end, Abbe Sensei lined all the eight Dan grades up and said that he accepted our ranks - with the exception of one. He looked at that one for a timeless moment and said, "Necessary sell your gi while price is high." Even after 37 years, I have not forgotten that sentence. Abbe Sensei took away that students rank.

In the early 1960's I was asked to conduct an Aikido demonstration at the British Judo Council's National Judo Championships in London. Among the VIPs in attendance were the Japanese Ambassador and Lady Baden Powell, the wife of Lord Baden Powell, who was then the head of the World Organization of Boy Scouts. Kenshiro Abbe and Otani Sensei emphasized how important this evening was and that they wanted an impressive display from the Aikido people.
While we were waiting to go on, a Judo man came up to Otani Sensei who was speaking to the Japanese Ambassador, and said, "Hey, Smiler." I couldn't believe the disrespect, and took the man to one side. We were having a confrontation when Derek Eastman, who was outside smoking a cigarette, told me that we were due on stage immediately. We rushed onto the stage.
As I performed the first technique, Mr.Eastman's cigarettes and matches fell out of his gi onto the stage. I was already upset from the incident with the Judo man, and now the embarrassment! I smashed Mr Eastman all over the tatami and back again.
Later, when we were doing a knife technique with a live blade the knife went through my gi and I felt the cold blade against my stomach. I thought, "My God, it's in me!" I dropped onto my knees with Mr Eastman in an immobilization, and I looked down at the front row. Looking up at me with shock and horror was her Ladyship. I knew by the look on her face that any hopes we had of her sponsoring Aikido were over.
After the display, her Ladyship said, "That was the most horrific display of violence I have ever witnessed."
The Japanese Ambassador congratulated us on a excellent demonstration. (On inspection, I realized that the blade had only grazed me.)
Abbe Sensei brought over from Paris a young 5th Dan, Noro Sensei - the first sensei we had seen in a white hakama. Noro Sensei was perhaps the most graceful of all the teachers I have ever seen to date.
There then followed many other teachers: Tada Sensei, Hishomura Sensei, Tadashi Abbe Sensei, Tamura Sensei and Chiba Sensei. I was with Chiba Sensei for several years.
Chiba Sensei and I taught Aikido in a dojo at The Times newspaper in London. We were asked to take part in a 30-minute broadcast on the BBC world radio. Sensei asked me to do all the talking because, at the time his English was not very good. A television producer who had heard the broadcast asked if we would do a demonstration on Anglican TV. We agreed.
While we were waiting for our slot on TV, we were taken to a hospitality room, where the had just about any drink you can imagine. The hostess asked if we would like drinks. I thought a Jim Beam would go down well, and I said, "Sensei can we have a drink?" "Yes," he replied, but before I could order my Jim Beam he ordered two orange juices.
Some of the Aikido I have seen in recent years depresses me because it can only be done by two Aikidoists who practice together on a regular basis - like a pair of dancers who know each others moves. But Chiba Sensei's style of Aikido is effective. If I wanted Yoga, I would study; if I wanted dance, I would take dancing lessons. I believe that Aikido not only has to look good, but also be effective.
Once I had to go to see Abbe Sensei at his apartment in Acton, London. (He shared a house with Otani Sensei, a 7th Dan in Judo, and his son Tomio Otani, a good friend of mine who was the national coach for Kendo.)
The house was like a martial arts museum with suits of armor, swords, and other weapons scattered around.
From childhood, athletics has been one of my great loves. But the one sport I cannot watch is our English game of cricket. So you can imagine my disappointment when I came to the house and found Abbe Sensei, Whom I viewed almost like a god, watching the cricket, "The World Series." The windows were open, and small birds and pigeons were flying around the room.
Carefully choosing my words, I said, "Sensei, I didn't realize that you liked cricket."
"I don't," he said. "I watch this boring, stupid game every day, and still don't understand it."
He then said something very true: "They call it the World Series, but it is only played in countries that Britain conquered."
Eventually, Williams Sensei, whom I believe to the best Aikidoist the United Kingdom has ever produced, began studying Ki Aikido with Tohei Sensei while a group to while I belong remained traditional.
Williams Sensei strictly controlled Aikido in the United Kingdom for approximately 15 years. No one would start a dojo or take a seminar without consulting with him first. But Aikido has now grown far beyond our early expectations, and many factors have broken up the special unit of dan grades that once existed.
I was not politically minded in the old days, and I have not changed. Sometimes students telephone me and ask what style I practiceor what organization I belong to. Before they tell me their allegiance, I just say, "if you practice Aikido, you are more than welcome to attend our dojo."
On my next visit to the US, I hope to visit Alaska. The secretary of the Ellis School of Traditional Aikido (ESTA) in Alamogordo, Mrs. Aida Prazak, has moved to North Pole in Alaska, with her husband, who is a captain in the United States Air Force, and she hopes to open an Aikido school in the area in the near future.
Whan I was last in the United States, I taught in New Mexico at the El Paso University, where I recieved a very warm welcome. I also taught at Roswell Military Academy and Holloman Air Force Base.
When I last saw Nakazono Sensei he asked, "What are you doing now?" I told him how things were. He said, "Henry, you think you are only 20 years of age. You should slow down. You are a old man." But, if I refrain from looking in the mirror, I can go on pretending I am a young man in heart and mind - thanks to a lifetime of Aikido.
By: Henry Ellis 5th dan Traditional Aikido.
Co-author of Positive Aikido
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.com
http://martialartsarticles.wetpaint.com

The Biography of Henry Ellis Sensei 5th dan.

aikihell — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:13:17 CDT

The Biography of Sensei Henry Ellis 5th dan

Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman - 2000

Henry Ellis was born May 3rd 1936 in a tough coal mining town in the County of Yorkshire, North of England. This was pre-war Britain, and growing up as a child during the austere war years of the 1940’s all Henry ever knew was hard times and hard discipline as the son of a tough coal face miner. Henry didn't realize that this tough life with strict discipline would stand him in good stead in the years to come.
In 1956 he became a member of the Abbe School of Budo at the now famous Hut Dojo. His first introduction to Martial Arts was in the Judo section. After a full year of Judo, Henry saw the great master Kenshiro Abbe sensei demonstrate Aikido which had only recently been introduced to Britain ( 1955 ).
Henry Joined the Aikido section in 1957 while continuing with his Judo studies.

The Hut Dojo 1957, Judo and Aikido students.
Front row Abbe Sensei and K Williams Sensei.

The Hut was the Hell Dojo of all Hell Dojo’s. The discipline was very strict and very few continued to study. This was the only Aikido dojo in the UK. Abbe sensei and Williams sensei would teach with a shinai, words were wasted but the shinai always received the students full attention. Abbe sensei said many times that his English was bad but his shinai spoke excellent English.
Henry fitted well into this disciplined routine where a mistake would receive a whack with the shinai or between 100 and 200 press-ups on the back of the wrists. At third kyu Henry was promoted to personnel assistant to Williams sensei, he then travelled around the UK with his teacher taking the very first Aikido seminar in the UK in the town of Devises near historic StoneHenge.

Henry Ellis Sensei and David Warne Sensei demonstrate shiho-nage.
Basingstoke Dojo 1986

When Henry reached first dan he was instructed to take an assistant, the assistant was Derek Eastman who is still associated with the Ellis Aikido Schools.
Of this early select group eight became dan grades ( black belts ) these were the only dan grades for Aikido in the UK. Henry was the first Aikido teacher to introduce Aikido into the British education system in the early sixties.
In the very early sixties Ellis and Eastman, on the instructions of Williams sensei, travelled around Britain teaching Aikido to Judo and sports clubs for free. They worked a few days here and there for a meal and a bed, often sleeping in the car, in an effort to promote the art to anyone who would give them the opportunity to teach and demonstrate. The two spent one year “on the road “ .
Ellis and Eastman both studied Kendo with their best friend Tomio Otani Sensei the British National Coach for Kendo. They in turn taught Tomio Aikido.
At this time Harada Sensei was teaching his ShotoKai Karate at the Hut Dojo. Henry studied with Harada Sensei, Henry using Karate in his Aikido and Harada Sensei using Aikido movement in his Karate.
Harada Sensei had last been graded to 5th dan in 1957 by the founder of modern Karate Gichin Funakoshi. Harada Sensei had developed the art of ShotoKai Karate. When asked why he was still 5th dan as he is today, Harada replied “ Any grade above 5th dan is totally pointless “. This impressed Henry who himself was now sick at the sight of so many self appointed egotistical self aggrandising so called masters who cared more for titles than the Martial Art they represented. Ellis and Eastman agreed to follow Harada Sensei’s stand and they made the highest grade in the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido to be 5th dan.

Henry Ellis with Mikito Nakazono Sensei 1992

Henry has personally studied with many of the great early names in Aikido. Sensei’s Kenshiro Abbe – K Williams - Tadashi Abe – Mikoto Nakazono - Misamachi Noro – N Tamura – Kobayashi – Kazuo Chiba to name a few.
Henry is proud of the expansion of the ESTA to the USA in Alamogordo New Mexico and Dallas Texas.
On the 17th of December 2004 the release of the book “ Positive Aikido “ was of great satisfaction after almost 50 years of Martial Arts.

Henry Ellis 5th dan Traditional Aikido.
C/o Author: Positive Aikido
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net
http://martialartsarticles.wetpaint.com

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 50th Celebration Report.

aikihell — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:04:23 CDT

THE KENSHIRO ABBE 50th CELEBRATION EVENT
14th May 2005 Crystal Palace Sports Centre London. UK

By Henry Ellis

Henry Ellis, a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sense, from 1957 describes the great event at the Crystal Palace Sports Centre, London, to celebrate this great teacher and his arrival to Great Britain in 1955 and the subsequent inception of Aikido. Tribute website to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei at http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com . . . The Bushido ZaZen International Society Annual Dinner

In February 2004 Derek Eastman and I were invited as guests at the annual dinner of The Bushido Za Zen International Society by its Chairman Mr Arnold Davies Hanshi an old student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and a close friend of my own good friend Bill Woods Sensei. These names alone meant that this evening was to be something special with so much history and martial arts background between us. As we arrived we were met by Mr Clive MacDonald, a member of the Bushido ZaZen. Mr MacDonald and Mr Davies had been instrumental in putting together many of the facts to help with the protection of the true history of British Aikido during the great British Aikido Board Controversy.

Memories of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Mr MacDonald immediately brought several pints of beer to our table and from then on the conversation flowed along with the beer. As we spoke of our memories of the legendary master, Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, I said “ Do you realize that it is 50 years next year since Abbe Sensei arrived in Britain ! “. We all discussed the importance of this date, I then suggested that, as we all belonged to the Essex Aikido Forum ( EAF ), which is a group of like minded people interested only in Aikido without its politics, we agreed that we should organise a celebration of such an important date. Mr MacDonald called over Mr Davies who, without a moments hesitation, gave the event his full support and financial backing. The Organising Committee Before the evening was over we realised that this event would be bigger than anything ever previously organised by the EAF or any other Aikido organisation for that matter. We decided there and then that we would need a working committee if we were to put this very special event together. Mr MacDonald approached two other senior EAF member, Mr Mike Leavy and Mr Eric Gillett, who agreed to join our organising committee. I then approached Mr David Humm the administrator of the very popular website the “ National Aikido Communication DataBase “ . Mr Humm had also been involved in our efforts to protect the history of British Aikido. He also became a willing committee member. Mr Rob Peck agreed to be the secretary We now had a full committee of seven members who were now totally committed and dedicated to putting together the greatest Aikido seminar ever in the United Kingdom. I don’t believe that any one of us on this night were able to grasp the enormity of the task we had pledged to undertake. The Venue As the word spread throughout the Aikido and MartialArts communities and, from the interest that was now being generated, we now knew that we would need a prestigious venue After much deliberation and following a visit to Crystal Palace Sports Centre, we soon realised that this was to be the final venue. This was to be a wise decision as, with its great hall and facilities along with the accommodation blocks and restaurants, It would later prove to be capable of hosting the planned event comfortably. The event attracted 430 students. 60 guests, 370 spectators and visitors totalling almost one thousand people on the day With students from all over the UK – USA – France – Holland – Germany, Czechoslvakia. The Teachers of the Day As this day was to celebrate the arrival in the UK of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955, and the subsequent inception of Aikido. It was decided to invite the five surviving direct students of Abbe Sensei from the 1950’s/60’s mentioned below. I, Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman had already agreed, now I had to approach my old friends, Sensei Ralph Reynolds and Sensei Hayden Foster, who willingly offered their support. Sensei Ken Williams, first student of Abbe Sensei, was also approached. He had to decline due to prior commitments. He did however provided a letter of dedication to be read out at the event. I then approached Sensei Bill Smith Shihan MBE, who sadly had to decline due to health issues. His son Phillip attended to represent his father and the AikiKai. Now we had a full Aikido teaching team. The event was officially under-way. We also received a letter of tribute to the memory of Abbe Sensei from the Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba .. The Guests The guest list was a who’s who of the Martial-Arts world in the UK. There were 60 guests and, with respect, I am unable to mention them all but, the following will give some insight. Mr F Motai of the Japanese Embassy – Sensei Bill Woods Aide / Secretary to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1955 - Sensei Bill Stopps, Personal Aide to Matsutaro Otani Sensei from 1947. - Sensei Robin Otani, Pesident of the British Judo Council. - Mr P, Don of Sport England. - Sensei N Jones, my personal guest. - Ms Jenny Earle, World Judo champion. Mr Ken Cottier Shihan, a member of the Aiki-Kai World Council. Mr Gigs Shouten, a special guest from Holland. Joe Curran Sensei who read a letter of tribute to Abbe Sensei from Kazuo Chiba Shihan. The Budo Demonstrations During the mid day part of the event there was a break for the students while the Budo demonstrations were carried out by some of the very best exponents of the various arts on display. This was a unique event where students were now able to witness many of the Budo arts that they had never seen before. Aikido -Judo – Karate – Iaido – Kyudo – Kendo – JuJutsu – Ju Kendo The Event and The Day This was a very wonderful and special day for me after almost 50 years of practicing Aikido. On the morning of the event as I entered the great hall at Crystal Palace Sports Centre to the electrifying sound of the Taiko Drummers and masses of students around the mat area plus many more queuing at the door to register. I walked onto the concourse floor to see all the various stalls set out. Mr Don Baney a specialist in Japanese works of art had a fine display of Samurai armour and swords, for more information visit: http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido/japanese_swords.htm The atmosphere was fantastic, an indication of the great day ahead. I met so many people that I had not seen for so many years. There was a raffle at the end of the day with a prized valuable ShinKen sword, presented by Nine Circles Budo Equipment Supplies. A hand made Tanto presented by Sensei Dave Rogers of New Mexic,o USA. Other prizes included the book “ Positive Aikido”, Gi’s, bokkens, shinai’s and many commemorative T-Shirts. This was indeed a very special day. I was privileged to be at the great event in 1963 held by Abbe Sensei at the Royal Albert Hall in London where I was assistant to Mikoto Nakazono Sensei. I never thought that I would ever see another event to equal that one. On this day of celebration and commemoration of the life of Abbe Sensei, I believe I saw the event to eclipse all others. Henry Ellis, Event Liasion Officer
Co-Author of Positive Aikido
Principal Coach Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishAikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net http://martialartsarticles.wetpaint.com

Henry Ellis born 1936. Co -author of Positive Aikido. A direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1957. Ellis has had articles published in several International Martial Arts magazines, he has written several articles on the proud history and lineage of British Aikido. Protecting the legacy left by Abbe Sensei from those that have attempted to alter the facts to advance their insatiable ego’s.

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Japanese Terminology

aikihell — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:57:11 CDT

British Aikido - Japanese Terminology 1950 / 60's

By: Henry Ellis

In modern Aikido circles and probably more so on the various forums there is a kind of competition going on of who knows the most Japanese terminology. I am sure that most of their Japanese would not be understood or recognised by many Japanese .
At the Kenshiro Abbe 50th Celebrations at the Crystal Palace Sports Centre, London, on May 14th 2005. Where there were students from every part of Great Britain, Wales – Scotland, Ireland – Birmingham – The North East of England and Europe to name just a few. As I walked around the mat area and along the concourse, it was interesting to listen to the wide range of dialects. It was all the more interesting to listen to the various Aikido technique terminology and the pronunciation of Japanese names in these accents. I am English, yet I found it difficult to understand some of the Japanese terms being used.

Many students do seem to have an obsession for learning a great deal of Japanese terminology. During my research on the internet, I often find myself directed to some of the Martial Arts Forums where perhaps my search term has been used. I am often surprised how many students use a large and variable amount of Japanese terminology, much of it beyond my limited 50 years of knowledge. I recall many years ago at a large seminar with a prominent Japanese teacher who stated “ Mr Ellis, all student try to speak in Japanese, all very different, I don’t understand any of them “ he then smiled and walked away.
I am informed that my first teacher Ken Williams Sensei who was the first student in GB under Kenshiro Abbe Sensei for Aikido in 1955. Now teaches Aikido with no Japanese terminology, with all his techniques being named in English. I personally don’t have a problem with that so long as the etiquette remains the Japanese way. It has no detrimental effect on our application of technique. Perhaps when Abbe Sensei first came to Britain and if his English had been better, maybe he would have used a mixture of Japanese and English terms, who knows ?

The Original Forms System

In the 1950’s at the now famous Hut Dojo where British Aikido was born, from the very beginning we did use Japanese terminology during our studies. In the early 1960’s with the arrival of Masamichi Noro Sensei who had developed a great method of teaching, the use of the “ Forms System “ each form was from left and right catching or any other method of attack there would be a form number.
First form: Gyaku Hanmi Katate Tori ----- Right to left or left to right wrist grasp….
Second form: Ai Hanmi Katate Tori ----- Right to right or left to left wrist grasp….
This system of numbered forms would cover the whole range of techniques.
Sensei would instruct a student “ First, second and third form Shihonage “ We adapted to the form system easily and quickly. We were also aware of the Japanese names for all the techniques. In the early days all students were taught this method, I believe that the E.S.T.A. Is the only school that still maintains this way of teaching and sees no reason to change such a well proven method.
My personal opinion is that we are not Japanese, we are Westerners involved in a Japanese Martial Art. Why pretend to be Japanese. Although Derek Eastman and I are considered pioneers of British Aikido we teach as much as we feel is necessary of Japanese and a mixture of English. One only has to listen to the students in their own dojo to hear a Japanese term pronounced slightly different from student to student. It is hard enough learning Aikido without pressurizing the new student with learning to speak Japanese.
Whilst writing this short article, I remembered when I first saw a computer in the very early days of the internet. One of my American students had started a message forum of some kind, It’s a little vague now. The forum did receive quite a few visitors, I clearly remember one guy would come on the forum after every practice and without introduction enter every technique – move – I mean every thing was in Japanese terminology. There was no starter of “Hi, I had a good practice tonight, here is what we did .not one single English word. I asked my friend to place a message asking if we could help the guy with his English so that he could communicate with the rest of the members. This resulted in a very nasty response from this American student and his teacher, they never visited again. most bizarre.

Henry Ellis

Co-author of Positive Aikido
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net
http://martialartsarticles.wetpaint.com

Henry Ellis Interview with MMI Magazine Aus

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:00:48 CDT

Interview with Sensei Henry Ellis

This month MI Magazine has the pleasure of talking to Sensei Ellis of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido, who has been active in Aikido since 1957. In this exclusive interview Sensei Ellis talks about Abbe Sensei, learning Aikido, Aikido as it was in the old "golden" days and much more...

MI: Thank you for taking the time to speak to MI Magazine. Can I begin Sensei Ellis by asking your age and rank?

I will be 69 years young on May 3rd 2005. Rank: 5th dan.

MI: Why and when did you begin training in Aikido?

Sensei Ellis: 1957.I was a time trial racing cyclist and a member of the first team of the Middlesex Road Club. I had a girlfriend who had a younger brother who wanted to start Judo in late 1956. She asked me to go along with him, as he was too nervous to go on his own. I went with him and found the experience appealed to me. I started Judo and the girls brother only stayed a few weeks, In 1957 I saw the legendary master Kenshiro Abbe sensei teaching Aikido, I decided to try this new art of Aikido, so for approx one year I did both Judo and Aikido, eventually I decided to concentrate totally on Aikido, almost 50 years later I am still involved.

MI: When you saw Kenshiro Abbe Sensei perform Aikido for the first time, what did you think?

Sensei Ellis: At that time I thought that Judo was great and I had also seen Abbe sensei teach Judo but his Aikido was different, not wide and flowing as we see a lot today, but close to the body with total body control. My immediate reaction was one of wonder and a surge of excitement, as I just knew this was for me. A lot of the Aikido we see now rely on the harmony of their uke, not with Abbe sensei, harmonize or not you were going and you knew that.

MI: Can you tell our readers a little about Aikido in its early UK days?

Sensei Ellis: We hear of dojo's being referred to as a Hell Dojo including the Hombu dojo, but without doubt the Hut Dojo was the Hell Dojo of all Hell Dojo's. The Hut was the first Aikido Dojo in the UK. The Aikido students were market porters and nightclub bouncers, there were some really tough guys training in those days, The training was very physical, teachers such as Kenshiro Abbe sensei and Ken Williams Sensei spoke few words and as Abbe sensei would often say, " My English is poor but my shinai speaks fluently " a whack with a shinai on a certain part of the body was a clue to where you were going wrong. Like it or not you certainly learned quickly. I fitted well into this very strict regime because that kind of discipline was all that I had known all my young life as the son of a tough coalface miner. On reaching third Kyu (green belt) I was promoted to assistant to Sensei K Williams who was now the National Coach for British Aikido. Students often say that there is no kicking or punching in Aikido, there was in those early days in the UK and continues in my school today. The class always started with Karate style kicking and punching up and down the mat with a shinai to make sure you kept in time. This would be followed by 200 press-ups on the backs of the wrists, with fingers pointing both inwards and outwards. The training sessions were hard and non-stop, on occasions we would try the Aikido for real in the Hut Public House car park. Sunday mornings were for special training for high grades only, the dojo doors would be locked and the dan grades would test their techniques for real against each other. There were only eight dan grades for Aikido in the whole of the UK and they were all in this one dojo, the spirit and camaraderie was such that visitors often said that it felt as if you reach out and take the atmosphere by the handful. That is something I have never experienced anywhere since those days.

MI: Do you think training like how it was done at the "Hut" would be accepted nowadays?

Sensei Ellis: Definitely not, they were a very special bunch, if we taught like that today we would have all the politically correct Muppets knocking on the door followed by the tree huggers. There is no doubt that this was a special time and Abbe sensei and the dan grades at the Hut were moulded for this. I don't expect students to train as we did in those early days, I would just like to see a little more commitment

MI: Aikido was a lot different when you began, why do you think it has changed so much in terms of training techniques?

Sensei Ellis: You ask me how Aikido has changed from those early days. That is a question that I still ask myself. I am not sure of the answer. I think it has changed a great deal with the obsession of the application of Ki in Aikido, I recall in the early days asking Abbe sensei about Ki when he made a rare reference to Ki during class, he replied " I will speak to you about Ki when you are dan grade, every technique I teach I am teaching you Ki within the technique, no need to speak of it ". A great deal of Aikido is almost quasi religious with talk of love for your aggressor; you try telling a mugger who is threatening you that you love him. One evening after class in the tough area of the Kings Cross Dojo in London, Abbe Sensei left the dojo and walking on his own was accosted by four muggers who demanded " Give us yer wallet " Abbe sensei stood for a moment and quickly weighed up the opposition before removing the wallet from his inside jacket pocket and throwing it at his own feet. The would be muggers were unsure of this action, and demanded that he kick the wallet towards them, Abbe sensei replied " No! I am prepared to die for my wallet! Are you?" The calm and the power of Abbe sensei

must have been very disturbing to these yobs and they gallantly threw a few swear words while making a wise retreat. Not a lot of love and harmony from Abbe sensei, simply an attitude and language these thugs understood. Most students have no heart for hard training anymore and whilst I accept that Aikido will change with time I am not happy with a lot that I see today, There is too much emphasis on grades and titles,

Abbe sensei would often say " Grades are unimportant, you are what you are and nothing more ". A Japanese teacher once said to me " There are so many dojo's that call themselves martial arts dojo's, they are not martial arts dojo's they are social clubs ". In 1967 Tadashi Abe Sensei went back to Japan and the Hombu dojo, he was very disappointed at how the Aikido there had changed, he looked around the dojo and apologised to all the ladies present and stated " This is not Aikido, this is Aikido for women " threw his diploma's on the mat and walked out never to return. This story is related in Aikido Journal. I also studied with Tadashi Abe who was not related to Abbe Sensei. He was a most intimidating martial artist and totally fearless..

MI: What teachings did Abbe Sensei give to explain the use of Ki and its relation to Aikido?

Sensei Ellis: Not much really that I recall, he would show that the application of Ki was a part of Aikido, his attitude was simply that he was teaching you how to breath during movement and application, why keep talking about it. Do it

MI: You have trained with some legendary figures, including Abbe Sensei, Nakazono Sensei and Williams Sensei, How do you remember your time on the mat with those mentioned?

Sensei Ellis: Kenshiro Abbe was the man who I would say I admired above all others and influenced my martial arts career the most, I always felt when Abbe sensei was on the mat that I was a privileged student. I still treasure those memories today. Nakazono Sensei was also a very special person who's influence on British Aikido will always leave its indelible mark on all that knew him and their teachings to students

that only know him from our stories. I met with Nakazono Sensei in Sante Fe New Mexico in 1994 and that was a very special occasion for me as sadly Nakazono died in 1997 I remember in 1963 when Nakazono sensei asked me in front of a large seminar to punch him in the stomach, Out of respect I thought that I would pull the punch a little and still make it look good as I did not want to hurt him, he immediately realised what I had done, he was angry and threatened to hit me if I did not commit myself totally, I thought OK you asked for this and I went in with everything I had, all I know is that I did not make contact with him and I finished up sitting half way up a very large open fire place with my head up the chimney and my Gi covered in soot. Sensei Ken Williams was my direct teacher and mentor in those early days, he was a small man who had the total respect of every student, he was special with that aura about him that very few people have in life, I spoke to him last week for the first time in many years and I still felt that sense of admiration and respect that I held in those very early days.

MI: Did Sensei Williams have a particular method of teaching?

Sensei Ellis: Yes he did, it was hard and positive and also very powerful, he is now teaching Ki Aikido but behind him he has the power of his traditional training, I suppose really he followed the teaching of Abbe sensei but with his own interpretations.

MI: Have you ever trained in Japan?

Sensei Ellis: No, I am very proud to have my certificates signed by O'Sensei yet I never did get to travel to Japan, I once asked Nakazono Sensei if he would give his permission and a letter to visit the Hombu dojo, he asked " Why do you want to go to Japan?? " I tried to explain my reasons and he replied, " There are no teachers left in Japan, all the best teachers are travelling the world teaching " I never approached the subject again.

MI: What are your thoughts on O'Sensei?

Sensei Ellis:All the early teachers were direct students of O'Sensei so the teaching and philosophy of that time was that of O'Sensei. The old teachers would often speak with great reverence for O'Sensei and of course that would in turn have a profound effect upon our studies. I have often stated that most people are doing the Aikido of O'Sensei as an old man which is greatly influenced by age and his philosophical

ideals, yet we should be in no doubt that as a younger man he was a very powerful man and truly a modern samurai, just look at some of the photos of him in his 50's and you will see the power and spirit of this great teacher.

MI: Can you see any changes to come for Aikido in the future?

I would like to see it go full circle to being a martial art again one day. I saw a sixth dan recently with six attackers, sorry I mean uke's, as they came forward they were just break-falling towards this 6th dan, he appeared to be quite pleased with himself, I found it very embarrassing for Aikido. I saw another 6th dan throwing a uke all over the mat with his big toe, I expected some laughter until I realised he was very serious. I saw another 5th dan teaching Ikkyo, he left his uke with his right arm in the air as he left the mat to collect some large red plastic sticky arrows which he placed all around his feet to indicate his direction until his uke told him the arrows were the wrong way round. The mat looked like a weather map. Yes I have many concerns.

MI: How do you spend your time when you are not doing something related to Aikido?

Sensei Ellis: I like to draw and paint in the artistic sense. I am also an avid reader on ancient history and I enjoy nothing more than to visit castles and museums. I have not had the time to spend on those interests for a while with so much happening in my Aikido. The book Positive Aikido has now been published and I receive a lot of correspondence from that quarter, I have had a long battle to preserve and

protect the proud history of British Aikido in the well known " British Aikido Controversy " now the truth has been established without any doubts. I am now involved in the " Kenshiro Abbe Celebration Seminar May 14th 2005 Crystal Palace London " after that I would like nothing better than to sit back and either paint or read.

MI: If you could invite any six people to dinner who would you choose and why?

Sensei Ellis: Actors and musicians do not impress me so I would not consider anyone from that area. I would like to sit down with people that I know are honest with proven integrity. I would invite the old dan grades from the early days at the Hut, knowing that there would never be a pause in the conversation, which would flow with the wine. I would invite Sensei Williams, as he was the man that made all the early Aikido possible. Also Sensei Haydyn Foster who's deep throated laughter is contagious which would add to the atmosphere, and Sensei Ralph Reynolds who's sober judgment would help to keep order. Sensei Eric Dollimore who taught me a very important lesson in life, never under estimate anyone after he threw me through the office wall in the dojo one Sunday morning after a real fight, he could throw me out if I got out of hand. I would like to include Sensei Dave Rogers from New Mexico USA and the author of the book Positive Aikido; he could monitor all of the evening's conversations and write another book.I would finally invite Sensei Derek Eastman who has been my closest friend for over 47 years. He would make sure there was no food or drink left to clear away the next day.

For more article and information visit Ellis Aikido sites at :

http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

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M Nakazono Memorial Event Report

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:53:20 CDT

Masahilo Nakazono Memorial Aikido Event
27th – October -2007

The Event

In Memory of the Life and Work of Masahilo Nakazono Sensei
Organised by The Committee for UK Martial Arts History
(A combined group of students and teachers involved in the preservation of true legacies of the great original teachers)

On May the 14th 2005 the committee organised what is considered to be the most successful Martial Arts Event in Britain to date the “ Kenshiro Abbe Jubilee Celebrations “ . It was the intention of the committee to establish the true history and legacies left in our care, not just for the students of today, but for the generations that follow in the future. This Budo event was so successful in establishing the history, legacy and lineage of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, and the genuine direct students from his arrival to the UK in 1955. As a result of that great event, there are now many more martial arts students who were not aware of the importance of the influence of Abbe Sensei on British Budo, they now have a greater understanding of our proud history which we trust will be passed on to their students.
Another important figure from that era was Mutsuro Nakazono ( now Masahilo ) . Committee members once again put their organising skills together to celebrate the memory of this great Budo master who was perhaps one of the most popular of all Japanese teachers.
Saturday the 27th of October 2007 was a great day for the history of British Aikido, as approx 250 students gathered to remember one of the greatest names in the origins and development of Aikido in the United Kingdom. The Event was sponsored by Gwynne Jones Sensei of the Shin-gi-tai Aikido Society Wales UK., one of the UK’s largest Aikido organisations. The whole Event went as perfectly as a Harrison clock . The First UK Aikido Dan Grades
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei taught the very early style of Aikido as taught to him by O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. In 1963 he invited Nakazono Sensei to visit the UK from his base in Paris France. Nakazono Sensei brought with him the then more modern approach to Aikido, which had changed from the pre-war days as taught by Abbe Sensei. Nakazono Sensei left an indelible mark on all those students that had ever studied with him. Of all the Japanese teachers that have ever visited the UK there is no one that the original dan grades respected more than Masahilo Nakazono Sensei.
There are now only four students left from that incredible period in the 1950’s & 60’s who had been graded to Yudansha in Aikido by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Nakazono Sensei. They are Sensei’s K Williams – H Foster – H Ellis – D Eastman. Williams Sensei could not attend the event, the organisers were pleased to receive a letter of support from Williams Sensei. Sensei’s Foster – Ellis and Eastman were there. The Principal Teacher `Jiro Nakazono Sensei`
The acceptance of Jiro Nakazono Sensei the second son of Masahilo Nakazono sensei to attend this Event, to honour his fathers name, was now going to make this event all the more memorable. Nakazono Sensei travelled from his home in Manhattan, USA to attend this one day event at the Neath Sports Centre, Neath, Wales. There was an incredible atmosphere in the large hall of the Neath Sports Centre as the Kodo drums played in the background. The drums were silenced as Henry Ellis went on the mat to speak of the early days of Aikido and the influence that Masahilo Nakazono had on the development of British Aikido. Ellis Sensei then introduced the teaching line up of Jiro Nakazono Sensei – Dang Thang Phong Sensei – Gwynne Jones Sensei - Haydn Foster Sensei – Derek Eastman and not forgetting himself. There were several prominent VIP guests who were then introduced. There were letters of congratulations from N Tamura Shihan and K Williams Sensei for both Foster Sensei and Ellis Sensei as they celebrated their 50th year of Aikido.
The introductions were now over and the students sat in total silence as Nakazono Sensei stepped on the tatami to teach his first class of the day. The three old students of his father looked at each other and commented “ It’s just like seeing Masahilo Nakazono Sensei again” It was a touching moment. Sensei then proceeded to demonstrate some of the techniques that his father had been famous for. For the students who had only read and heard stories of Masahilo Nakazono Sensei this was a day they will talk about long into the future. Nakazono Sensei left the tatami to a tremendous round of applause from the appreciative students. Guest Teacher Dang Thong Phong Sensei
Dang Phong Sensei had studied with Masahilo Nakazono in South Vietnam in the early sixties whilst training the South Vietnamese Paratroopers during the conflict there.
Phong Sensei had studied at the Aikikai with O’Sensei. He had been a prisoner of the Viet cong Army for over 8 years and finally escaped on his 18th attempt.
Phong Sensei although well known in the USA and France was relatively unknown to the organisers of this event. After he stepped on the mat and demonstrated just a few techniques we all looked in awe at this incredible man who has left his mark here in the UK. Phong Sensei is a gentle mild mannered man until he steps on the mat where he becomes a human dynamo he is a most impressive Aikidoist.
Haydn Foster Sensei
Haydn Foster Sensei one of the first Aikido dan grades in the UK and a student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei – Tadashi Abe Sensei – Masahilo Nakazono Sensei - took the next class and certainly did not look like his 80 years. He still teaches with a passion that has never wavered, his irimi nage looked as powerful to day as it did when we were all at the Hut Dojo in the early days. Derek Eastman Sensei
Derek Eastman who will celebrate his 50th year of Aikido next year ( 2008 ) was next, Eastman sensei is unique in his style as he remembers all the different styles of the early teachers and demonstrates them all to the fascinated students. He demonstrated how the various early masters varied in their techniques and with an incredible memory for detail. Henry Ellis Sensei
Henry Ellis taught the only way he knows with very powerful nykkyo and tenchinage projection techniques, explaining to the students that working with a overly compliant uke can damage your technique as one will never learns to adjust to ``different`` variations of attack. He also explained that in the early days ukemi was no more than escape or protection for your uke, where as now most uke’s are more like gymnasts or acrobats as they virtually fly around the mat as they are used more to make their teacher look ```fantastic ```. Ellis Sensei said
“ Whether you go prettily or ugly, your going ! “….. The Tanto Presentation
Jiro Nakazono Sensei was surprised as his second session was politely interrupted to present him with a beautiful hand made tanto to the memory of his father. The tanto had been lovingly created by Dave Rogers Sensei in Albuquerque New Mexico USA . Rogers Sensei makes individual hand made Bowie knives for the USA Special Forces. This tanto for Nakazono Sensei was the most special task he had ever undertaken, including a beautiful carved presentation case. Nakazono Sensei was very pleased and said his Mother would place the tanto alongside his fathers shrine. Presentation of 50 years of Aikido
Later in the day Sensei Ellis was also interrupted and he was also presented with a hand made tanto by Sensei Rogers to celebrate his 50th year of Aikido. There were many people involved in the planning of this presentation, yet Ellis Sensei was taken fully by surprise and could not speak for a while. It is rare to see any emotion from Sensei, yet for those that know him he was a very happy man. Gwynne Jones Sensei
Jones Sensei is known for his fluid style of powerful but very smooth style of Aikido as he demonstrated various Tenchinage movements. Jones Sensei was the host for this Aikido spectacular which will talked about for a long time to come. Spectacular Success
There was no doubt that the event was a spectacular success which ended with a raffle with a first prize of an valuable Shinken sword presented by Nine Circles Budo Supplies. Next, a Nakazono family Hakama with embroided kanji presented by Jiro Nakazono Sensei.
Phong Sensei presented nine of his books which were all signed. Henry Ellis presented 3 copies of the book Positive Aikido all signed. Billy Doaks Sensei and Keith Morgan Sensei presented several of their DVD’s.
All the participants received a high quality souvenir programme designed on the famous Event with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Masahilo Nakazono Sensei at the Royal Albert Hall. London, in 1963.
There is a DVD available of this event, supplied and produced by Jon Stokoe Sensei of CUA Aikido. The DVD is £10-00 plus £1 postage and packing. Please contact on the email below,
dvd@nakazono.aberaikido.aberaikido.org.uk

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Friends of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei !!!!

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:47:44 CDT

Friends of Abbe Sensei? By Henry Ellis

The Kenshiro Abbe web site and its contributors are either direct or indirect students of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Students, who would never refer to themselves as `friends` of Abbe Sensei, simply privileged students. The visitor will notice that there is a distinct absence on this web site of references or contributions from any of the growing number of people who call themselves `friends` of Abbe Sensei Budo and the Internet With the advent of computers and the internet, we are now deluged with information that previously would have been unavailable or very difficult to find. Due to this new access to World wide information, we are now seeing so many claims to have been a direct student or friend of many of the great and sadly deceased Budo masters. At the same time the internet offers us the opportunity to research the people making these claims.
In recent years I have been amazed by the amount of people who are prepared to simply sit back and allow any individual or organisation to not only corrupt our Budo history, but also the proud lineage of our Budo and that of our teachers. I have seen so many times where people have written “Does it matter ?” ( Yes! it does matter ) --- “ Who cares “. --- ( I for one care ) “ I could not care less ! just get on the mat and practice “ ( Where do you think the knowledge comes from that you can now get on the mat and practice ) I find it hard to understand how anyone with that attitude would want to be involved in the Martial Arts at all. After all, the very core of our Budo spirit is our Lineage. If the true Lineage and the History is corrupted, what do we have to offer the future generations who will know no different. Privileged Students The late William ( Bill ) Woods Sensei, was the secretary and personal aide to Abbe Sensei, from his arrival to the UK in 1955. He was later instrumental in creating the British Judo Council (BJC ) and the other various Budo Councils, reaching a membership in excess of 35000, At a meeting I had with Bill before he became very ill, We discussed the rising tide of `friends` of Abbe Sensei, we agreed that this was a cry for credibility by most of these individuals making these claims. It has in recent years become more and more common to find various individuals claiming some kind of lineage to the conveniently deceased Martial Arts masters. Offering no certification or documentation or photographic evidence to ratify their claims. I said to Bill, “ Bill, If anyone should refer to themselves as a friend of Abbe Sensei, It has to be you, with your close relationship with Abbe Sensei over all those years.” Bill replied “ Harry, we all called ourselves privileged students of Sensei, perhaps I was a little more privileged than many others.” Although I have worked hard with the other organisers of the “ Kenshiro Abbe 50th Celebrations” In an effort to celebrate the life of Abbe Sensei and his achievements. I am not, and do not pretend to be an authority on Abbe Sensei I do receive many emails asking for information or simple clarification of certain events, where possible, I will offer my help or advice. For example, one Aikido Dan grade from the North East of England contacted me to say that his teacher claimed to have trained at the Hut Dojo, and to be a direct Aikido student of Abbe Sensei, graded to Dan grade in Aikido by Abbe Sensei, therefore, could he inform his students that they were `Indirect` students of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei ? The answer was no! His teacher was in fact a Judo student/teacher with the BJC and Abbe Sensei. his teacher had never trained at the Hut Dojo, he had never been graded to Dan grade in Aikido by Abbe Sensei. In fact, I had never seen this teacher practice Aikido. Unfortunately this teacher is now deceased and nothing is gained from naming names. I was later advised that when someone wrote to the organisation of this person asking for some Aikido history on their teacher, they were informed, “ It was my teacher who persuaded Harry Ellis in 1957 to leave Judo and join the Aikido section at the Hut Dojo” Total round objects !!!! I met this person for the first time in 1963. I had my first conversation with him in 1994. There was another teacher in the Midlands, who not only claimed that he was a friend of Abbe Sensei, but that his wife was also a great friend of Sensei too. The truth is that he was a student on the early 1960’s seminars where Sensei Ken Williams and I taught. He was never a direct student of Abbe Sensei or a friend. Total round objects !!! There are so many of these stories that both Gerry Gyngel and Derek Eastman and myself place this at number one. this claim is still on the offenders website, see below.
“” Mr X ( deceased ) was a great friend of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, they met when Abbe Sensei first arrived in the UK in 1955, they instantly became great friends. They would sit into the late hours deep in philosophical and psychological discussions. Total round objects !!! Those that knew Abbe Sensei will tell you that his command of the English language was almost zero when he arrived, and very poor when he left to go back to Japan.
No one that I know who was associated with Abbe Sensei remembers this man. There are many such stories. We intend to protect the name of Abbe Sensei where possible. Henry Ellis
Co-Author of Positive Aikido http://www.EllisAikido.org http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

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Aikido - The Origins of the Coloured Belt system in the UK.

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:41:21 CDT

Aikido

Origins of the Coloured Belt System in the UK

By Henry Ellis

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 – 1985 ---- Jigoro Kano Sensei 1860 – 1938

The most popular theory of the origins of the coloured belt system is that it was originated by the father of Judo himself ` Jigoro Kano `. Of all the various theories I have read, I believe that this is probably the the nearer to the true origin that we will ever get.

The origins of the coloured belt system are discussed on most martial arts forums from time to time. Whilst there is some serious and honest debate, I am often amazed at some of the wild and stupid replies that many forum contributors add. Some claim, the colours are an ego trip for the student. How can it be an ego trip, if you join a dojo and that is their method of grading, as it still is my own organisation. We are teaching Traditional Aikido, and the coloured belt system is a part of that tradition of UK Aikido. When you join a dojo you either follow their system, be it coloured belts or not, or move on, there is no choice.
I first started Judo in 1956 at the ` Abbe School of Budo ` which is the now known as the famous Hut Dojo. The coloured belt system was an integral part of the then grading system, as introduced and recognised by Kenshiro Abbe himself. The following year 1957, I joined the small Aikido group at the Hut Dojo, the gradings were carried out with the same colour system as the Judo, once again with the approval of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Aikido had started at the Hut Dojo. Which was the birth place of British Aikido. With the spread of Aikido throughout the UK by the only eight Aikido dan grades in the UK, all based at the Hut Dojo, and as Aikido spread, so followed the coloured belt grading system. Every `single` Aikido dojo in the UK in those early years were graded in this way. If for example a student had come into the dojo and stated that he or she did not like the belt colour system, they would have found the exit faster than they had found the entrance. on yer bike.
I had one student who came into my own dojo in Bracknell, after watching for a while, he informed me that he wanted to join the club, he then said

“ I want to join, but I am not taking part in the formal bow as it is against my religion “

I informed him that we do not bow in submission, but out of mutual respect to each other. He was adamant that he would not bow under any circumstances. I informed him that I had been teaching for nearly 50 years ( at that time ) and no one comes into my dojo and tells me how they as an individual will participate. I then showed him the door and asked him to leave, he threatened to report me to all those lunatic kinds of PC organisations, I reminded him that there were two ` hell’s` in Ellis.

As I stated at the beginning of this article I do not know the true origins of the belt system internationally as there are so many variations, all I know is from my own experiences from the early days of Martial Arts in the UK.

In those early days money was scarce, a student would not do as they do today, go and buy a new coloured belt after each grading. The sequence of colours were arranged so that the white belt could be dyed to yellow, and so on and on. I should add that with the dyeing there were some really weird shades of the colour system.
The first belt or grade was 6th Kyu = white belt - 5th Kyu = yellow belt - 4th Kyu = orange belt - 3rd Kyu = green belt - 2nd Kyu = blue belt - 1st Kyu = brown belt - 1st dan = black belt.
Junior gradings followed with the same colours but with the mon system of grading with stripes in an effort to spread the gradings over a longer period, If a junior was for example a 5th kyu – yellow belt, after grading he would receive a mon or orange stripe, after four stripes he would eventually receive a full orange belt. The highest grade a junior could reach would be 1st Kyu 3 black stripes or mons. When a junior of this grade became a senior at sixteen he would receive a senior 3rd Kyu – green belt, and then work his way up the senior rankings. No junior could ever be graded to first dan. I have never agreed with juniors being graded to dan grade. It is now so common place to see newspapers with a page headline “ 7 year old Boris is the youngest black belt in the UK “ we soon see another headline `OH No he’s not !! ` “ 6 year old Mabel is the youngest dan grade in the UK “. I personally consider this form of publicity irresponsible by the instructor of the child. I also consider this to be a form of child abuse. Boris and Mabel will be the target of every hard nose kid at school. I know from my own school days, there would be a long queue to level Boris.

Henry Ellis
Co-author of Positive Aikido
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

Respect and Disrespect !

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:32:33 CDT

Respect and Disrespect
By Henry Ellis

15th/May2007: Today I received a large package from Mrs Pat Woods, the daughter of my old friend William `Bill` Woods who sadly passed away last year. I opened the package to a gold mine of material from as far back as 1952. Old newspaper cuttings / old and rare magazines. Photos of Abbe Sensie and Otani Sensie and many others. I thought of the last time I saw Woods Sensie at the great Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 50th Celebrations at Crystal Palace on May the 14th 2005. Woods Sensie was, I truly believe, the greatest influence on British Martial Arts. He was the LJS Judo Champion in 1952. In 1956 he left the LJS and joined with Kenshiro Abbe Sensie and Matsutaro Otani Sensie. Later to become the secretary of the British Judo Council BJC. The BKC and the BAC with a combined membership of some 35,000 members worldwide.

Respect

William `Bill` Woods despite his serious illness insisted to his family that he wanted to attend the “ Kenshiro Abbe Celebrations “ to pay his own tribute to his teacher. Woods Sensei was invited as a VIP guest. I am sure that a man with such an illustrious past would not wish to be seen there in a wheelchair, his determination was such, that is how he finally made this event. He received a fantastic applause from the students and spectators. For me personally, this made the day complete. A man could not have shown more respect.

Disrespect

Mr Vincent Sumpter the chairman of the British Aikido Board acted in total contrast to William `Bill` Woods Sensei. As the chairman of the British Aikido Board Mr Sumpter was invited as a VIP guest to represent not himself but the membership of the British Aikido Board. Mr Sumpter did at first accept the invitation, he later addressed a BAB executive meeting and petulantly
declared

“ I refuse to attend this event, If you apply pressure for me to attend, I will resign !!! “ Of course this disrespect is totally in accord with the previous BAB chairman one Toni Davies who infamously stated “ We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History, and therefore have no interest in the same “. No one would expect them to be the custodians of UK Aikido history, they would however expect them to show an interest in the history of their own creation.

Visit the Ellis Aikido websites for more history and information.

http://www.EllisAikido.com
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

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What is Kyu-Shi-Do ?

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:18:59 CDT

The Theory of KYU – SHIN – DO

...and more precisely what it isn’t !!
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 – 1985 by Henry Ellis
Kyu = Desire – Yearn – Sphere – Circle – Search – Study.
Shin = Heart – New – Spirit – True – To be true to ones self.
Do = Way or Path , a way of life or self discipline .

I honestly believe that Kyu-Shin-Do has lost its true path in Britain and has become many things to many people.
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei came to Britain in 1955 at the invitation of the London Judo Society ( LJS ).
He considered the Judo that he saw to be too concerned with strength, also too physical and hard. It was his intent to introduce his theory of Kyu-Shin-Do to the British Judoka. They in turn found it hard to understand that if they followed his teaching of Kyu-Shin-Do Judo which he himself had studied from as early as 1940 their own Judo skills would become stronger by technique rather than strength. Abbe Sensei would often say when speaking of KyuShinDo that “one must have the right mind “. On one occasion he lined up 31 Judoka dan grades, he walked along the line and informed each Judoka what technique he would use, and whether it would be left of right handed. Abbe Sensei then proceeded to throw each and every single one of the 31 students just as he had said. It is worth being reminded that Abbe Sensei was 40 years of age at that time.
In 1937 Kenshiro Abbe Sensei fought the great Japanese Judo legend Masahiko Kimura, Abbe Sensei beat Kimura and that was Kimura’s only defeat.
Kimura Sensei said of Abbe Sensei after his defeat

“It was as if I was fighting a shadow and trying to catch the wind”

My good friend Gerry Gyngell Sensei said to me on this subject of KyuShinDo “ I believe it is as much about mental attitude as it is technique. I also believe that one can only learn by example and this ( I think ) is why so many failed to understand his teachings as they only looked at the physical and not the mental side of what Abbe Sensei was teaching.
Yes…….the techniques had to be performed correctly…..
Yes…….it is not about how strong physically you are….
More importantly it is not about winning and losing, but about the balance of nature and the attitude of one to another.
I know this may start to seem that I am bringing in religion to the subject, In a way Budo is a religion but without the worship of a Greater Being etc. You Henry, are fond of Sensei’s saying “ no matter what your pretence , you are what you are and nothing more !” I also believe that Abbe Sensei practiced the old philosophy of “ To thine ownself be true “.
This is in my opinion a big part of what KyuShinDo is………..
All nature is a circle, so all correct movement is circular and by blending ( adapting ones technique ) with an opposing movement in an honest and open way the result will be harmony of thought and action………………………
Gerry Gyngell Sensei was a member of Abbe Sensei’s Olympic squad 1964.
Three time the Welsh Judo Champion. Also worked in Abbe Sensei’s London office for the British Judo Council…
I would suggest that the true intention of Abbe Sensei was to teach his students that they too could be as smooth and elusive as a shadow rather than a brick wall..
Since the passing of Kenshiro Abbe in 1985 there have been so many that now claim to have known him, and to be great personal friends Abbe Sensei. There are now so many, but the worst of these characters is the late George Mayo and sadly his present day followers. Mr Mayo himself shamelessly claimed “ I am the founder of KyuShinDo “ he also later claimed that he `helped` Abbe Sensei to develop Kyu-Shin-Do….These claims are totally fraudulent and an insult the the memory of a great Budo Master.
I now see the name ` Kyu-Shin-Do ` attached to so many things in the martial arts that I now believe many consider the term to be a ` really good ` sounding Japanese name without a dollop of the concept of understanding of its true meaning.
From 1957 I attended almost every public Budo demonstration that Abbe Sensei ever took part in. He did on some occasions demonstrate Karate, yet to my knowledge and my associates he never taught Karate other than to teach us how to kick and punch. NEVER ONCE did he ever refer to Karate as “KyuShinDo Karate “ and he never ever taught KyuShinDo Karate……….
Abbe Sensei invited Harada Sensei to Britain in 1963 to teach Karate for the British Karate Council ( BKC ) Harada Sensei taught Shotokai Karate…
The same applies to KyuShinDo Aikido. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei introduced Aikido to Britain in 1955 and as a direct student from 1957 I never ever heard the word KyuShinDo used in the teaching or study of Aikido.
I do believe that when people use and abuse the name of “ Kyu-Shin-Do “ there is a deliberate attempt to imply a connection or relationship to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.
It a sad fact that Abbe Sensei was unhappy that so few Judoka were able to understand the teachings and principles of KyuShinDo even though they were receiving his personal tuition.
Gyngell Sensei stated “I also believe that one can only learn by example !! “
So how would all these KyuShinDo groups ``really `` understand the meaning of KyuShinDo?
If one places KyuShinDo in the Google browser there are thousands of sites using the name.
Henry Ellis
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

Positive Aikido the Book

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:10:32 CDT

Positive Aikido
OUT NOW!
> Now available on from Amazon.com and NineCircles.co.uk
> Derek Eastman - Aikido instructor helps write book - Click Here
> Bracknell Standard newspaper visits local dojo - Click Here To Order this book from within the UK and EU countries:
Trafford Publishing (UK) Limited
Order Desk 9 Park End Street,
2nd floor Oxford,
UK OX1 1HH
local rate number 0845 230 9601 phone 44 (0)1865 722 113
fax 44 (0)1865 722 868
email orders.uk@trafford.com
To Order this book from any other country including the USA and Canada: Trafford Publishing order desk
2333 Government Street, Suite 6E, Victoria, BC
Canada V8T 4P4
toll-free 1-888-232-4444, fax 250-383-6804
Email orders@trafford.com
This book, an in-depth look at Ellis Schools of Tradtional Aikido's special brand of technique, strategy, philosophy as well as unique history, has taken about 15 years to compile, but will soon be offered in print by the world's leading publisher of martial arts material. Trafford Holdings Ltd; is a privately-held corporation, registered in British Columbia, Canada. There are over 120 shareholders, including many authors and all the permanent employees. It was incorporated in 1991. In late 1995, Trafford opened it's doors and website. They are the first company in the world to offer an "on-demand publishing service," and they are the best. The production of Positive Aikido has gone through numerous stages. The hand-drawings describing each of the positive techniques in traditional Aikido were begun in 1987 with the intention of providing new students with a reference guide - at the time to be photocopied for students in the USA and later possibly for the UK students as well. That plan however, never took hold as more and more drawings were produced. The drawings of the first four groupings were finished in 1991 and in 1993, the second four groupings were added, along with some transcripts from a recorded conversation between Sensei Ellis and Rogers on a long roadtrip between Dallas, Texas and Alamogordo, New Mexico. Rogers made his 1st Dan during that trip, and Positive Aikido picked up a lot of its histories and background information. Still, it was no more than a bunch of papers cobbled together from various sources. In 1999 however, with the advent of digital photography, Sensei Rogers decided to augment the drawings with some digital photos and possibly put together a proper booklet for students in all the Ellis Schools. The photos however, required some supporting text - and there was a lot of other material which needed to be conveyed as well. The transcripts were re-written and cleaned up and the photos were digitally processed for the first four forms. During another visit to New Mexico, Sensei and his assistant Anita Wilson along with Sensei's son performed the demonstrations needed for the last four forms. Later, the first four forms were re-shot with Sensei Rogers and one of his first USA students, Jeff Glaze of New Mexico. By this time, Positive Aikido was being developed as a book. The agent and publishers we first contacted agreed, but the material was still fairly rough. More photos were shot and extensive digital work was done on them to clarify technique. Additional sections were added to describe combat strategy and the philosophy behind "Positive Aikido". Sections on ethics and morals within the arts were developed along with material dealing with the selection of a martial art for beginners, and of course, the history section was strengthened and sharpened. Lastly, a complete re-organisation of the material was accomplished with an addition of a section on pins and control and weapons (jo and sword). The finished work is comprised of more than 1000 photos, 600 hand-drawings and complex explanations and tips to make the techniques of Aikido work properly. It includes detailed writing on the "Positive" mindset as well as complete sections geared to beginners, intermediate students and advanced practitioners. Although several traditional publishers expressed interest in printing the book, and initial negotiations were entered into with one California-based company, the advent of "print-on-demand" technology and the resulting new publishing market, made for a better alternative. Of this book as it stands now, the authors say this - "There are a lot of books on Martial Arts out there, and this one fits into the crowd well - but it also stands alone in the sheer comprehensiveness of the work. It is a nearly complete representation of a single school's technique - it is a historical marker - a book of strategy - an ethical guide - a technical manual - and it is a chart, graph and manifest of all the things which make martial artists as a whole stand together as sisters and brothers with the same warrior spirit." This letter of recommendation is from William (Bill) Woods Sensei. Sensei Woods was in the 1950's and 60's Aide and personal secretary to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. At that time Sensei Woods was considered the most influential and powerful figure in British Martial Arts. In 1955 he was the British Judo Champion. He was the first person to be graded by Abbe Sensei to 1st dan in Kendo, holding certificate No 1, he was a key figure in the creation of the British Judo Council ( BJC ) and the International Budo Council ( IBC ). There are too many credits to the name of Sensei Woods to be listed here. I am very proud to have known Sensei Woods for almost 50 years. signed: Henry Ellis. The new book is published by Trafford Publishing and avaIlable from all good book shops and online with Amazon, priced around $18.95 or £10.00. 156 pages : ISBN number 1-4120-4668-8. The Positive Aikido book can be ordered in the UK through Trafford Publishing www.Trafford.com. Phone your order to Trafford UK Tel: 01270 251396, or from Amazon.com and NineCircles.co.uk . Visit the Ellis Aikido websites for more history and information. http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido http://www.EllisAikido.org http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

The Jack Poole Biography Exposed - Part One

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:31:35 CDT

The Jack Poole Biography Exposed Part I This is an incredible story !!
Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman, who as direct students of Sensei K Williams and Kenshiro Abbe sensei at the famous HUT Dojo in the 1950's/60's. Want nothing more than to protect the Lineage/Integrity/and History of British Aikido.
This site is honest, detailed documented and dedicated to this end. The supporters of Mr Poole have resorted to some repugnant conduct, whilst being fully aware that his biography was false. A prime example of this can be seen in the KenShinKai's proud letter of support for Mr Poole at the bottom of this site...Also scroll down to read Jim Johnstone and "Loyaty and Respect". See the John Burn Libel issue on this site... Another gutless wonder, built an anonymous website and email address, sent Henry Ellis a serious anonymous threatening email. The website stated in reference to the new book "Positive Aikido"( To be released early November 2004 ) ""The book is full of lies. Any contradiction to the content of this book he attempts to put down with lies and death threats."". The email and website copies were shown to Sport England, and with sincere thanks to the gutless plonker who developed them, we were able to show Sport England the depths that these supporters of the Jack Poole fables are prepared to decend, to continue to perpetuate the myth..These documents will soon be published on this site.. Signed: Henry Ellis.
Sensei Henry Ellis and Assistant Geoff Goodwin 1968 - Mr Jack Poole(highlighted) as a beginner,..Mr Poole's supporters, however, believe his hakama was in the wash this day?
Mr Jack Poole is clearly seen here as a beginner in 1968. Mr Poole and his supporters have attempted to alter the proud history of British Aikido, and other martial arts..He has publicly claimed to have started Aikido in 1952??, as a student of Tadashi Abbe sensei, this claim if true or accepted, would have made Mr Poole the first British student of Aikido .. This would then change the history of Aikido and its inception by Kenshiro Abbe sensei to Britain in 1955. Henry Ellis and Chiba Shihan clearly, along with other students, remembered Mr Poole as a beginner in the ESTA Slough Berkshire dojo in 1968. In 2000 Mr Ellis advised the British Aikido Board of the true history of Mr Poole.
In his defence in 2003, Mr Poole manufactured a new biography, which can be read on this site. In this biography Mr Poole makes some amazing claims. .Which would have made him.
No 1: The first Briton to study Aikido.
No2: The first British dan grade for ShotoKan Karate. 11 years before it was ever introduced to Britain
No3: The first student of Kendo with Tomio Otani, before Tomio started Kendo.. (Tomio was still a schoolboy).
No 4: Represented the British Judo Council Internationally, several years before the BJC was formed.
No 5: Mr Poole also claims to have been graded to 3rd dan in the early 1950's by Matsutaro Otani Sensei,IF TRUE ? This would have made him one of the highest grades in Europe at this time. Sensei Robin Otani has no knowledge of Mr Jack Poole or records of this bizarre claim.( R Otani has his fathers complete grading records ).
Mr Ellis and Mr Derek Eastman researched the manufactured biography.

"" NOW READ OUR RESEARCH BELOW ""

with statements from... *K Chiba Shihan*..... *Sensei Robin Otani* ..President of the British Judo Council... *Sensei Pierre Chasang*.. Senior student of Sensei Tadashi Abbe from 1952... *Sensei Bill Woods*.. Aide/secretary to Kenshiro Abbe sensei from 1955... .*Sensei Bill Stopps*.. - Aide to Sensei Matsuaru Otani from 1947... *Sensei Arnold Davies Hanshi*... Gen Sec, Za Zen Bushido International Society GB... *Sensei George Stavro*.. HUT Dojo from 1961, student of Chiba sensei... *Sensei Derek Eastman* student of Abbe sensei.. HUT 1950's.....Obituary to Sensei Vernon Bell. please visit the box below.

PLEASE READ OUR RESEARCH on:
The ""Sensei JACK POOLE BIOGRAPHY EXPOSED!""

It is now common knowledge as Mr Poole has now conceded, and the admission by the BAB to Sport England concerning Mr Poole at the mediation meeting, that he was a beginner at the ESTA in 1968, Mr Ellis wishes to make it clear that he is not responsible for teaching the trick with the bicycle lamp.

"Loyalty and Respect??" An article on Sensei Poole and his most avid supporter Jim Johnstone who is also a very competent video editor, who will do anything to protect and promote the false image of his icon Mr Jack Poole.

The Jack Poole Biography Exposed Part II
Sensei Jack Poole..Photo Added for extra credibility, B.A.B Approved.
Whilst Mr Poole and his supporters continue to attempt to change the proud Aikido legacy left to us all by Kenshiro Abbe sensei, Mr Poole has also attempted to change the history of Karate - Judo and Kendo.
Sadly, I am sure that amongst Mr Poole's supporters there are genuine students, who believe the Jack Poole fables, the concerns we have, are that in 10 or 20 years there will be no one left to stop the Jack Poole's from changing the truth to fit whatever fits their expanding ego's.
Please read Mr Poole's biography and out indepth re-search into his bizarre ego trip. Now read the irrefutable truth..
In answer to Mr Jack Pooles flagrant claims we have added statements from the following teachers.

Sensei Kazuo Chiba Shihan; 8th dan.
Sensei Robin Otani, President of the British Judo Council, son of the famous judo teacher Matsutaro Otani Sensei. 8th dan.
Sensei Pierre Chasange 8th dan, direct student to Tadashi Abe sensei from 1952, French NAF.
Sensei Bill Woods 8th dan, Aide and secretary to Kenshiro Abbe sensei from 1955.
Sensei Arnold Davies 8th dan Hanshi, Gen Sec The Bushido ZaZen International Society GB.
Sensei Bill Stopps 5th dan, Aide to Sensei Matsutaro Otani sensei from1947 until his death.
Sensei George Stavro 3rd dan, The Hut from 1961, student of Chiba sensei.
Sensei Derek Eastman 5th dan, The Hut from 1958 student of Kenshiro Abbe sensei
Sensei Harry Ellis.Direct student of Kenshiro Abbe sensei from 1957. 5th dan.

The Sensei Jack Poole Biography
Prepared and submitted on behalf of Mr Jack Poole

By

Simon Deering

Sensei Jack Poole.

Mr Deering:.. Sensei Jack Poole has spent a lifetime studying the Japanese martial arts.

Mr Ellis:..Mr Poole was approx 42 years of age in 1968 when he started Aikido at my Slough dojo,
Not quite a life time?. ()

Mr Deering:...He joined a judo club as an 8 year old. And by the time he had served with the British Army of the Rhine from 1951, had been graded 2nd dan Judo by Sensei Matsutaro Otani 7th dan and had represented the British Judo Council in competition at International level.

Mr Ellis:...Sensei Otani’s son Robin Otani has no memory of a Mr Jack Poole in the 1950’s, Robin is still in possession of all of his fathers old records for the MOSJ which are now on computer files, there are no references on these files to a Mr Jack Poole. Robin also has the old files on computer for the British Judo Council, once again there are no references to a Mr Jack Poole on these records, Robin stated “ The British Judo Council was not formed until 1958, neither the MOSJ and the BJC were involved in any Internanational competitions whatsoever during the 1950’s “.

Robin Otani sensei suggested that we contact Sensei Bill Stopps who he described as “My fathers right hand man from 1947 until his death”. Sensei Bill Stopps stated “ I saw Jack Poole doing aikido a couple of years ago, I have never known or seen him involved in Judo”. Sensei Stopps wrote 18th-August-2003, “ It is very annoying to discover a person making claims to which he is not entitled and making good money from the deceit.”

Mr Deering:...It was whilst stationed in Germany that Sensei Poole met and experimented with two members of a combat training group, who awakened what was to be a life long interest in Aikido. Training with them he was impressed with their use of movement and the superiority of their techniques over his judo skills and he resolved to pursue the art of Aikido.

Mr Ellis:...Is Mr Poole suggesting that these two army instructors were teaching Aikido in the early 1950's ?? . Impossible!

Mr Deering:...Fortunately, Aikido had been introduced to France in 1952 by Tadashi Abe sensei , who was the official Aiki-Kai Honbu representative , and during leave and work placements in France Sensei Poole began training under him.

Mr Ellis:...20th-August-2003, Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman met Sensei Pierre Chassang at the National Aikido Federation summer school. They had first met Sensei Chassang in 1961 when he first visited the UK and the Hut Dojo with Nakazono sensei. Sensei Chassang was one of the first students of Tadashi Abe sensei in 1952, When he was informed of Mr Pooles claims and shown phos of Mr Poole he stated “ I do not know this man, there were no English people training in France with Tadashi Abe sensei in the early 1950’s”
.

Mr Deering:...Upon his return to England in early 1954, and finding no Aikido classes he resumed his judo studies, opened a judo club in Slough, and inevitably introduced his students to some of the Aikido techniques he had learned in France.

Mr Ellis:...We found no evidence that Mr Poole had a Judo club in Slough, Mr Poole has not offered any proof of this or any other claim..

Mr Deering:...At the same time as part of a growing interest in the wider Budo movement, Sensei Poole gained his 1st dan in ShotoKan Karate .

Mr Ellis:...MrPoole claims he received 1st dan in ShotoKan Karate in 1954. Yet ShotoKan Karate was not introduced to the UK until “11 years later” in 1965 when it was introduced by H’enry de Please and Vernon Bell who were accompanied by four Japanese instructors including Enoeda sensei.

Mr Deering:...Mr Poole also studied Kendo under Tomio Otani sensei.

Mr Ellis:...When asked on these details Robin Otani replied
“ I never saw or heard of a Jack Poole training in Kendo with my brother Tomio, and the time (1954) Mr Poole gives Tomio was still a Schoolboy at the local school. Tomio did not start Kendo until 1958, and would not have taught before 1960”.

Mr Deering:...During the mid 60’s he resumed his Aikido studies, joining Sensei Harry Ellis, one of the initial students of Aikido in the UK.

Mr Ellis:..1968 is not mid sixties.. Mr Poole on joining the Slough dojo never mentioned to anyone of having and previous experience..

Sensei George Stavro wrote 1st –Sept-2003, I remember Jack Poole joining the Slough Aikido Club in 1968, I signed Mr Poole in as a member and I taught him how to breakfall. I remember he always had bandages on both wrists so he didn’t have to get hurt. I left the Slough dojo with Mr Poole in 1971
.

Mr Deering:...In 1969 he was fortunate to meet and join Kazuo Chiba sensei, 8th dan , as his student which was the start of a long and challenging journey and an enduring friendship.

Mr Ellis:...Mr Poole would have seen Chiba sensei at my dojo in 1969, Chiba sensei did not speak to him, as anyone will tell you from the early days, Chiba sensei was not one for conversing with low grades, and with due respect to Chiba sensei I doubt many members of his own family would claim to have an “ enduring friendship” with this hard man of Aikido.

Mr Deering:...Sensei Poole became increasingly involved in the operation of the then AikiKai of Great Britain and was a founder member of it’s successor the British Aikido Federation. He was appointed as the BAF’s chairman in 1976, a position he held for 18 years. During this time he met and trained with many Japanese and International masters, including Waka sensei, and Sensei’s Saito, Noro, Fujita, Yamaguchi, Sekiya, Shibata, Sakai, and Hosokawa. He was also instrumental in assisting the Irish and Scottish Aikido Federations achieve independent status and voting rights within the International Aikikai Federation.

Mr Ellis:...Mr Poole would have had 8 years of Aikido experience when joining the BAF, perhaps he gave them the same bullshit that is in this biography?.

Mr Deering:...In 1983 he also joined the International Budo Federation ( Bushido ZaZen International Society GB) and for a number of years was their director of Aikido organising courses throughout Europe . He was graded 5th dan AikiBudo in 1988 and 6th dan in 1995.

Mr Ellis:...Mr Arnold Davies 8th dan Hanshi, ZaZen Society Sensei and General Secretary states,

“Having read Mr Pooles biography; wherein it indicates that he had Organised Courses throughout Europe is definitely untrue”.

Mr Davies also states;

“I now state quite clearly that Jack Poole was excluded from the Bushido ZaZen International Society under a cloud of mistrust and deceit”.

My own opinion of Jack Poole and which is drawn from experience, is “ I see him as a very egotistical man who will use and abuse the trust of genuine people in order to develop an identity for himself”.

These comments were extracted from a letter from Mr Arnold Davies Hanshi.

Mr Deering:...Around 1985 , with the approval of Chiba sensei, he also pursued a growing interest in Yoshinkan Aikido and in 1993 established the UK Shinwakai, as he felt it was now time to pursue his own Aikido path incorporating the structure and discipline of Yoshinkan with the flow and movement of AikiKai Aikido. Sensei Gozo Shioda, the founder of Yoshinkan endorsed his Yoshinkan grading of 4th dan in 1993.and his 5th dan was awarded in 1997. UK ShinWakai also received full recognition from the Yoshinkan Honbu and the British Aikido Board, who also recognised his 6th dan.

Mr Ellis:...There are several concerns regarding the Yoshinkan situation as detailed in the letter from Mr Paul Stephens. There are also references to buying grades.

Mr Poole states that he received full recognition from the British Aikido Board, who also recognised his 6th dan, the British Aikido Board have to my knowledge no authority to recognise and subsequently ratify any grades, as that is not their mandate. It is now generally accepted that were Mr Poole to ask the British Aikido Board to recognise his grandmother this would be rewarded...The British Aikido Board stated at the meeting on the 6th July with Sport England "The BAB do not recognise or ratify grades of individuals and their in house gradings"

Mr Deering:...Sensei Poole continues to regularly teach at courses in the UK and on the continent and in addition to heading a strong federation of clubs from both Yoshinkan and Traditional styles also enjoys good links with clubs in Holland and South Africa.

Mr Ellis:...Sensei Robin Otani stated; “ I have no memory or records of a Jack Poole with my father ”.

Sensei Stopps stated ; “ It’s very annoying to discover a person making claims to which he is not entitled and making good money from the deceit “.

Sensei Bill Woods stated; “ I never knew of Jack Poole ever doing Judo or Kendo”.

Sensei Derek Eastman Stated; “ The British Aikido Board has brought everlasting shame on itself by supporting this insidious man with his claims which are tantamount to trampling on the graves of the most honourable of Japanese masters in the hope that by using the dead they would be unable to refute his dishonourable claims, Unbelievably despite all the evidence offered, the BAB still fully support Mr Poole. Yet there are still honourable men alive today to protect the names and honour of their teachers, such as Sensei Pierre Chassange at 84 yrs of age.

Sensei George Stavro Stated; Jack Poole was definitely a beginner when I signed him in as a beginner in 1968, and I recall teaching him to break fall.
Kazuo Chiba Shihan Stated “ Yes I remember Mr Poole as a beginner at your dojo in 1968”.

Sensei Harry Ellis Stated; “ All I ever asked of the BAB was for them to arrange a private meeting, with them and Jack Poole and myself in open forum, they flatly refused”. The craven BAB did agree to a meeting where they would only participate as "OBSERVERS" and the meeting DATE/TIME/MEETING-VENUE/MEETING MINUTES all to be held in SECRET, WHY ???????

The British Aikido Board’s conduct throughout this controversy has been nothing but disgraceful. Instead of nipping this in the bud they have behaved in a perfidious manner for their own ends and needs.The British Aikido Board accepted their conduct had been unacceptable and were instructed by Sports England to give a full apology to Henry Ellis at a mediation meeting held on the 6th -- July - 2004.

Visit the Ellis Aikido websites for articles and history.
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://www.aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

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The British Aikido Board or BAB Bad at Budo ?

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:08:03 CDT

The British Aikido Board

The Shameful Truth of the Governing Body of Aikido in the UK.

By Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido.
( BAB Founder members Henry Ellis & Derek Eastman & ESTA org now resigned )
For many years The British Aikido Board ( BAB ) have shown no interest what so ever in the true history of British Aikido, to be fair to the BAB, they have in the recent past shown a great deal of interest and support for the false history of British Aikido for which they have now publicly apologised, the BAB apology to Henry Ellis by the BAB chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter (left ) can be viewed on this site. The British Aikido Board Secretary Ms Shirley Timms being fully in posession of the facts on the frudulent claims of Mr Poole, had the audacity to threaten Henry Ellis with Libel action in an attempt to stop the expose of Mr Poole who even to this day is considered a BAB treasure :-)... . www.geocities.com/britishaikido.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

When Kenshiro Abbe Sensei first stepped on British soil in 1955 he brought with him the knowledge of many Budo arts, Aikido being one of them. Abbe Sensei also brought his Aikido based philosophy of Kyu-Shin-Do. This was the inception of British Aikido. Yet no where in the BAB literature will you find any reference to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei by name or the origins of Aikido within the UK. In the year 2000 the BAB were happy to help promote Mr Poole's proven fraudulent claims to 47 yrs of Aikido, I am plesaed to add that the BAB have now taken this claim by Mr Poole from the BAB Associations information website. I personally received my invitation from the BAB to attend Mr Poole’s event, that was the start of the long running British Aikido Board Controversy which was resolved at the mediation meeting 6th July 2005 with Sport England/BAB/Ellis. Yet sadly, the BAB have never ever recognised or promoted the true history of British Aikido or its founder Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. The reason for this article is that following the success of the great Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Celebrations 14th May 2005 I am informed that the BAB plan a similar event next year which would be an insult to the memory of Abbe Sensei and to the handful of Abbe Sensei direct students. It should be pointed out that the spate of attacks on the credibilty of British Aikido History - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Henry Ellis have all come from within the BAB, some are executive members along with prominent members of the British Aikido Board associations. These are the very people that the members would expect to promote and protect their proud lineage. Prior to the BAB being compelled by Sport England to issue Henry Ellis with a full apology for their shameful conduct, Henry Ellis was publicly attacked in defense of Mr Poole by the following British Aikido Board executive members: Mr Toni Davies now ex-chairman - Mr Vincent Sumpter the present chairman - Ms Shirley Timms BAB secretary - John Burns Communications officer - Jim Johnston ex-press officer - Domnick Foster exec.. The BAB chairman once supported the claims of Mr Poole by stating " We have no formal records to prove or disprove either claim " DUH < There were four of Abbe Sense's direct students within the BAB > Mr John Burn.* BAB Executive *- *BAB Communications Officer* - Very Serious libel attack on the name of Henry Ellis. renews his attack 10th June 2005 stating " This only serves to amuse me ". Jim Johnston. The then *BAB Press Officer*. Who shamefully promoted the fraudulent claims of Mr Poole whilst fully knowing the truth. Mr Dominick Foster.* BAB Executive * - Attends the Kenshiro Abbe Celebrations and states to a VIP guest "What is this Celebration all about " he then states that next year is the true celebration of British Aikido by the BAB. Mr Jack Poole.* BAB Senior Principal Coach *. The Jack Poole Biography..( a catalogue of lies. ). The KenShinKai.* Prominent BAB Association*. Gave 100% Support for the JP Bio. Their open letter taken from the NACD is a classic. British Aikido Board Statement Damned Forever
* <- The BAB Chairman *Toni Davis stated in the year 2000
“We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History and
therefore have no interest in the same“ Sadly with the arrival of the new BAB chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter nothing changed, he made the statement below despite the factual information available to him and his executive, We must not forget that Mr Sumpter had the only four surviving students of Abbe Sensei for Aikido within the BAB. Toni Davis must be the worst BAB chairman in its history and Mr Sumpter is envious of this achievment.
On the 17th April 2002 The *BAB Chairman * Mr Vincent Sumpter wrote to Henry Ellis with reference to the history of British Aikido. He then made the following crass statement in his support for the BAB stance on Mr Jack Poole.

“The period in question predates the creation of the BAB by a significant amount of time and therefore we have no formal records to prove or disprove either claim.”

The Kenshiro Abbe 50th Celebration Seminar
May 14th Crystal Palace London
720 Participants –Guests – Spectators

At the Sport England / BAB / Ellis mediation meeting 6th July 2004 where the BAB were reprimanded by Sport England and instructed to give Henry Ellis a full public apology. At the end of the meeting ( The minutes for this meeting can be viewed on this site .( www.geocities.com/britishaikido ), Henry Ellis appraised Ms Sadie Mason of Sport England of the proposed plans for the Kenshiro Abbe event, Ms Mason suggested that we should involve the BAB in our plans as part of the reconciliation of British Aikido, Henry Ellis agreed.

Henry Ellis offered Ms Mason's suggestion to the Abbe Event Committee, the suggestion was unanimously accepted 100%. The BAB executive were then approached and invited to send a representative ( any one of its 15,000 members ) of the BAB to attend our meetings and report back on our progress, this offer was rejected out of hand.

Mr Vincent Sumpter

“No matter your Pretence, you are what you are and nothing more!“
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

Not deterred, we then invited the BAB chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter to attend The Kenshiro Abbe 50th Celebration as a VIP guest, to pay the respects of the BAB membership of which he represents . There were many BAB members attending, proving that this event was not about personal differences – styles or what organisation you belong to, I was pleased to see students from Mr Poole’s organisation who were also made very welcome. This event was about one thing and one thing only “ Kenshiro Abbe Sensie “ with demonstrations of the early aikido and its proud standards, with Sensei Eastman showing various techniques to show the influences that the different early teachers brought to the UK in those early days.
Students trained with other students of various styles and associations with a friendliness not often seen in modern Aikido circles. this event went a long way to promote all that is good in Aikido. I believe that the spirit of Abbe Sensei would be very proud of this special day to his memory.
Another crass statement from Mr Vincent Sumpter 27th March 2004 made before the Sport England Mediation meeting 6th July 2005. In an unwarranted attack on the genuine aikidoka who supported the British Aikido Controversy debate in its defence of the true history of British Aikido and the Aikido history of Abbe Sensei and his disciples.
Mr Sumpter bleats.

“The Boards conscience is clear. like all the practitioners of Aikido who contribute to this “controversy “ Mr Humm appears to have forgotten the meaning of the word “Aikido “ – Harmony of Sprit to find a Way “ The “Controversy “ website feeds hatred, ill – feeling, bitterness and discord. For my part, as an aikidoka who is passionate about the art and the etiquette that goes with it, I will therefore not add to the feeding frenzy this website generates. I can’t stop what is going on but I can turn the other cheek.“

With reference to the above statement by Mr Sumpter I should remind the reader to visit on this website www.geocities.com/britishaikido to read both the Sport England minutes and Mr Sumpters apology to Mr Ellis which can only be considered an apology to all those that supported the “Controversy “ in the name of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei including the named Mr David Humm.
In response to our invitation to attend as a VIP guest to the Abbe event Mr Sumpter replied stating that he graciously accepted our invitation. Just before the event he changed his mind without explanation, suggesting that we allow Mr Ralph Reynolds to represent the BAB.

Mr Reynolds had a far more important role to play as one of the main teachers at this event where he was delighted to take part as an original student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

This was such an important event with many good students who were members of the BAB, yet, the British Aikido Board were not represented at this event to pay tribute to such a great master and the founding father of British Aikido.

If Mr Sumpter had attended he would have seen a Martial Arts Spectacular never before seen in the United Kingdom, where students from many organisations met and renewed old friendships, there were many more that made new friendships.
In almost 50 years of Aikido I have never before experienced the special atmosphere that electrified the great hall at Crystal Palace from the moment the Taiko Drummers started to play on this day of celebration in the name of Abbe Sensei. I never ever thought in my life time that I would ever see an event to eclipse the great event at The Royal Albert Hall in 1963 with Abbe Sensei. I knew on Saturday the 14th of May that I was now witnessing the greatest Aikido event in my 48 years of Aikido. I am not an emotional man but I will admit that as I looked over the balcony of the concourse onto the tatami area with the sound of the Taiko Drummers and the hundreds of students and guests gathering below I was unable to stop the trickle of a few emotional tears as I realised I was witnessing something very special.

MR SUMPTER, you too missed something very special, whilst you sat 40 miles away at home ignoring the tribute to the father of British Aikido, others travelled from all parts of the UK – USA – France – Holland – Germany – Czechoslovakia. etc.
Whilst you sat at home it was a wonderful moment when Sensei Bill Woods who was the personal aide to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and without doubt the most influential force in the history British Martial Arts, made a supreme effort despite his serious illness to pay his respects to the memory of Abbe Sensei.
Also whilst you sat at home, Sensei Bill Stopps the personal Aide to Matsutharu Otani Sensei who despite his age and ill health also attended and thanked me wholeheartedly for inviting him as a special guest, and for the wonderful day he had experienced.
Whilst you sat at home just 40 miles away, Sensei Robin Otani and his two sons, the descendents of Matsutharu Otani Sensei travelled all the way from Devon to attend.
Sensei Joe Curran travelled all the way from Newcastle and Sensei Mike Nery travelled from Bristol. Sensei Dave Rogers travelled 7000 miles from New Mexico USA as did Sensei Al Montemar and Mr Chad Hatcher who flew over from Texas USA to pay their respects. Whilst you sat at home there were many others that travelled long journeys to attend.

Unlike you Mr Sumpter these people wanted to attend.

You missed some of the finest displays of the Budo arts that any martial artist is ever likely to witness at any one event, a truly lasting experience for all those that made the effort to attend.
I was always under the impression that it was the sworn duty of any chairman to always do what was best for his organisation and its members.
As the previous BAB chairman Toni Davies will always be rembered for nothing more than his lies and unswerving support for Mr Poole.
The present chairman Mr Sumpter will always be remembered as the BAB chairman who snubbed the Kenshiro Abbe Memorial to pay tribute to our founding father on behalf of his membership.

Try Try Try Again
After the disastrous “British Aikido Board Nepotism Seminar 2004“ with only 99 students attending out of a membership of approx 15000, the BAB have decided not to hold it's 2005 National Seminar .
They are of course fully aware of the fantastic success of the Kenshiro Abbe Celebrations. With 720 participants – honoured guests – spectators.
The BAB having failed miserably in its four year support for Mr Jack Poole to change the history of British Aikido. They now appear to have a renewed interest in the true history of British Aikido and its founder Kenshiro Abbe.
No matter whatever the British Aikido Board do, that damning statement below will hang over their shameless heads for ever and a day. British Aikido Board Statement Damned Forever

The BAB Chairman Toni Davis stated in the year 2000

“We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History and
therefore have no interest in the same.“

"No matter your pretence - you are what you are - and nothing more.“
Kenshiro Abbe

http://www.EllisAikido.org - - http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido

http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

Positive Aikido from Fighting Arts Int magazine by Arthur Lockyear.

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:48:46 CDT

Positive Aikido Interview with Henry Ellis by Arthur Lockyear Fighting Arts International . - Issue 93
Where and when were you born, Henry?

I was born in Yorkshire, in May 1936 in a little coal mining village called Brampton, near Rotherham. A place where you had to fight your way to and from school each day. When did you begin your study of Aikido? It was in 1957, I was studying Judo and Karate at the 'Abbe School of Budo' at the 'Hut' in Hillingdon, Middlesex. My direct teacher was Mr Ken Williams, who was 3rd Dan (3rd degree black belt) Judo, and we were all students of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, 8th Dan Judo, 6th Dan Aikido, 5th Dan Karate, and 5th Dan Kendo. At this time no-one in the United Kingdom had heard of Aikido. Abbe Sensei told Mr Williams that he had received a letter from O'Sensei Morehei Ueshiba, stating that all instructors outside of Japan now had permission to teach Aikido to anyone who wished to learn. Mr Williams was his first student and he then selected a hard core group of Judo students to study Aikido - this was when I started. Abbe Sensei made Mr. Williams National Coach for Aikido and I became Mr Williams' assistant, a post which I held for approximately 15 years. Abbe Sensei and Williams Sensei then brought eight of us special students up to 1st Dan, the only Aikido Dan grades in Great Britain at that time, and all in one dojo (place of training)! All the Dan grades were hard training and strong with no 'bandage men' amongst them. Sunday morning practice was for Dan grades only and Williams Sensei would lock the doors to the dojo - it was then that the serious practice started, with real fighting. He would allow the younger black belt grades to try and prove themselves against him - without success, I might add. It was at that time that Williams Sensei started to visit other dojos to introduce Aikido. I have heard that Aikido training was harder back then... In the early days the training was extremely difficult, with the emphasis on very strenuous exercise. My students and I used to train four or five nights a week as well as on Sunday mornings. Immediately after taking the students running for several miles, we would return to the mat and perform 200 press-ups on the backs of the wrists, which was then followed be general practice and a further two hours of hard practice. Abbe Sensei's Aikido was the pre-war style of Aiki Jutsu, which was very physical. Both Abbe and Williams were excellent teachers - they worked very hard to train us, whilst promoting Aikido to a rather unreceptive public. When I was graded 1st Dan by Abbe Sensei, Williams Sensei instructed me to take a good student as an assistant. The assistant I chose was a 17-year-old by the name of Derek Eastman, who is now 3rd Dan and technical Director of our Basingstoke Headquarters. Mr Eastman is now 48 years of age and still a loyal friend. It proves one old adage: that you cannot buy or demand respect, you earn it. At what point did you go 'on the road' to spread the 'Aikido gospel'? When Mr Eastman reached 1st Dan, I was 2nd Dan and Williams Sensei advised us to spread the word of Aikido. We both gave up our jobs and travelled all around the U.K. It was so difficult trying to introduce Aikido, because most people had never heard of it. Mr Eastman and I left home and headed for the Midlands, without money and with little hope. In some areas where Sensei Williams had already introduced Aikido, we would find accommodation with the students and receive a small fee for teaching. We would visit Judo and Karate clubs, sports centres, etc. In the areas where there was no Aikido at all, we would take a job for a few days to feed ourselves. We had many jobs and in one area we worked as assistants to a funeral director. We had to collect the bodies from the mortuary and take them back to the chapel of rest. The boss caught me in the chapel of rest with a young maiden who had no right being there.. she being very much alive and well. He was very angry with me, and after many more similar escapades he assured me I was on borrowed time. We got a job as road sweepers, wearing bowler hats, which attracted a great deal of attention from the girls. In the North of England the girls loved to hear a London accent, and this was a great help with the invitations for dinner and, if we were lucky, accommodation, it was a struggle to survive. We also worked in steel factories and carried out many other jobs around the country, but without doubt the worst of all was repairing an old railway line. We called it the 'railway of death', the hard work and the foremen were like the films we had seen on this subject - needless to say, we did not stay there for very long. I must add, as I look back on my life in Aikido, that this was a really great time. As with all memories, we tend to forget the bad times and remember the good ones. We contributed greatly to the promotion of Aikido and I do not regret one day of it. I believe that you also trained under Nakazono Sensei in those early days. Yes that's right. As I said, Abbe Sensei's Aikido was all we knew, and when he told us that he had invited a new teacher from Japan to visit us, we were quite exited as we had not seen another Japanese Aikido master. The new teacher was Masahiro Nakazono Sensei and he taught us for two weeks. It was two weeks of hell! He had us practising on the mat for three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon, and the Dan grades had to practice an additional three hours in the evening. During this seminar there were many broken bones and other injuries. Our etiquette and discipline could not be questioned, and Abbe Sensei had always taught us to use very strong technique in our Aikido and not be thrown, unless the technique was effective. He also taught us that to be strong showed respect for your teacher. It is important to understand in those early days that we knew no different, we knew only the strong fighting art of Aikido. Nakazono Sensei was very angry and perplexed with us. He did not understand us and thought we were being disrespectful to him. It was not until near the end of his seminar that Abbe Sensei explained to him the reason for our approach to Aikido, and then Nakazono Sensei realised we were genuine students with great respect for him and a strong desire to learn. In England it is traditional, after a hard practice, to finish the evening with a pint of beer at the local pub. But Nakazono was keeping us on the mat until 10.00 p.m., and the pubs closed at 10.30. We were not able to change and reach the nearest pub before closing time, so Sensei Williams said to me; "Ellis, as my assistant, it's your duty to ask Sensei if we can leave the mat at 9.00 p.m. so we have time to get to the pub". What a fool I was! I did ask Nakazono Sensei and he was angry with me and said he had travelled across the world to teach us Aikido, and all we wanted to do was go to the pub! Well, when he put it like that, it made us feel bad. However, he didn't seem to understand that this was our vacation from work... I reminded Nakazono Sensei of this incident when we met in Santa-Fe recently, and we were able to laugh about it. The important thing I have not mentioned so far is the vast difference in technique between Abbe Sensei's old style and Nakazono Sensei's new style, which was a far more flowing movement - it seemed so much softer and yet so strong. We quickly adapted to this new style, and it was then that Abbe dropped a 'bombshell'. We would all have to be re-graded to meet with the present standards of the Aikikai Hombu (Headquarters) in Tokyo. The grading was physically and mentally demanding, and at the end of it he lined-up all eight Dan grades and said he accepted all our grades with the exception of one. He looked at this student for what seemed an eternity, then said: "Necessary sell you gi (uniform) while price is high". Even after 37 years that sentence has not been forgotten. He took away that students grade. In 1963 I was Nakazono Sensei's assistant at a national Martial Arts demonstration at the Royal Albert Hall in London - that was a very proud moment for me as a young black belt, and also a proud moment for my parents, as this was the first time they had ever seen me in an Aikido demonstration. Abbe Sensei then brought over from Paris a young 5th Dan, Masamichi Noro Sensei. This was the first time we had seen a Sensei (teacher) in a white hakama (traditional uniform), and Noro turned out to be perhaps the most graceful of all the teachers I have seen to date. There followed many other fine teachers, like Hiroshi Tada Sensei, Tadashi Abbe Sensei and Nobuyoshi Tamura Sensei. For me the most effective of all the Japanese masters was, without doubt, Kazuo Chiba Sensei. I was with him for several years and once partnered him on television. At that time Chiba Sensei and I were teaching Aikido at our dojo, which was situated at 'The Times' newspaper in London, and were asked to take part in a 30-minute World Service broadcast on BBC World Radio. Sensei asked me to do the talking, because at that time his English was not so good. A television producer heard the broadcast and asked if we would do a demonstration on Anglia TV, to which we agreed. Whilst we were waiting for our 'slot', they took us to the hospitality room, where the bar was stocked with just about every drink you could imagine. The hostess asked if we would like a drink, and I thought a whisky would go down well. I asked "Sensei, can we have a drink?". He said we could, but before I could order, Sensei had asked for two orange juices. Some Aikido I have seen in recent years depresses me because it can be carried out only by two Aikidoka who practice together on a regular basis, like a couple of dancers who know each other's movements. I honestly think that the majority of students take up Aikido for self defence, so if I wanted Yoga I would study Yoga, and if I wanted to dance I would take dancing lessons. I believe Aikido not only has to look good, but also has to be effective. Abbe Sensei not only taught Tori (performer of technique) to have good posture and balance, but Uke (receiver of technique) had to attack on balance also, since it is easy to throw when he comes in off balance. He used to teach with a Shinai (bamboo sword), with which he would hit and say: "My English is not very good, but my shinai speaks fluent English". You can tell a student twenty times what he is doing wrong before he gets it right, but the shinai speaks only once, with incredible results. I still occasionally teach the high grades with a shinai. In the early 1960's I was asked to carry out an Aikido demonstration at the British Judo Council's National Championships in London. It was to be the most important Aikido demonstration to date. The VIPs were the Japanese Ambassador and Lady Baden-Powell, wife of Lord Baden-Powell, who was then the head of the World Organisation of Boy Scouts. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Masutaro Otani Sensei, 8th Dan, another Japanese Judo Master, emphasised how important this evening was, and wanted an impressive display from the Aikido people. Whilst we were waiting to go on, a Judo Dan grade approached Otani, who was speaking to he Japanese Ambassador, and said: "Hey, Smiler". I couldn't believe the disrespect and took him to one side. We were in a confrontational situation when Derek Eastman, who had been outside smoking a cigarette, called me to inform me that we were due on stage immediately. We rushed on to the stage and as I performed the first technique, Mr Eastman's cigarettes and matches fell from his gi, on to the stage. I was already upset from the previous incident, and now this embarrassment was the final straw. I smashed Mr Eastman all over the tatami (mat) and back again. When demonstrating knife defence, the knife went through my gi and I felt the blade against my stomach and thought: "My God, it's in me!". I dropped on to my knees with Mr. Eastman in immobilisation as I withdrew the knife from the hole in my gi. I expected blood to flow but... nothing! It turned out to be just a graze. I looked at the front row, and staring at me with shock and horror was her Ladyship, and I knew by her face that any hopes we had entertained of securing her sponsorship for Aikido had disappeared. In fact, Her Ladyship was quoted as saying: "That was the most horrific display of violence I have ever witnessed". The Japanese Ambassador, on the other hand, congratulated us on an excellent display. In those days, the style we practiced was hard and positive, as well as being defensive. If I had only known then some of the things I was later to acquire from Nakazono Sensei's teachings, this could have given Aikido a major boost in the UK Could you talk about your own philosophy of Aikido and feeling on Budo (the 'Way')? I still practice the old, original Aikido, which appeals to my positive nature and attitude. The early traditional style of Aikido is that of O'Sensei as a young man - a fighting man. My own understanding of O'Sensei's life of Aikido was that he developed Aikido as a fighting art as well as a positive form of self-defence. His life changed as he became older and so did his Aikido - he became more involved in he philosophy of his art. I have heard and read of other Sensei who were close to him, who said they could understand maybe 10% of what O'Sensei taught. If that is true, then what chance have we of understanding the depths of his mind? I have met many Western Sensei who have delved so deep they almost think they are Japanese. I always tell my students that we are practising a Japanese Martial Art, but remember, we are Westerners, and therefore we must reach a happy compromise between East and West. I teach some Japanese words, but I don't go 'over the top'. When I was teaching in America, I was asked to visit a large dojo in Texas. Everything they said was in Japanese, so I tried to look as if I understood, but to be honest I didn't have a clue, and I don't suppose a Japanese person would understand much of our Western interpretation of their language either. I am often asked what are the best books or videos to buy, and I always point to the tatami and say: "That's where it's at!". In the beginning, Abbe Sensei would not discuss Ki (spirit, mind, energy) - he said you had to be 1st Dan before you could understand. I still agree with that. What I find a little disturbing in Aikido is that some people really believe that Ki is almost a form of magic. Abbe Sensei's method was that you first trained very hard physically to develop your spirit and your mind. He said that when the body says it is tired the strong mind will override it and carry on. Some teachers of Ki Aikido have had previous study of traditional Aikido, and this, along with the practice of Ki, is good. But the students who have been taught only Ki style cannot fall back on to the good, solid, traditional style when in difficulty with certain techniques. My own students are aware of Ki and its meaning, but it is not a word I use very often. I teach students the flow and power of breathing as an important part of their exercise and Aikido training. During Nakazono Sensei's last visit to the UK, he asked me to be his assistant at a demonstration at a venue in Acton, London, for Otani Sensei. Chiba Sensei was there too, but only as a spectator. Knowing how hard Nakazono was from past experience, I feared the worst and thought I was in for a hard time, but Sensei was a little older and had changed dramatically. I think he threw me only twice, and then we spent about an hour kneeling while Sensei went into some very deep philosophy which none of us could understand. Even Chiba Sensei looked puzzled, and when I think of this particular seminar, I wonder: Is this how O'Sensei changed? When I saw Nakazono Sensei again in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he gave me two books he had written, and signed them for me. I spent about four hours at his home, and he and his wife made me most welcome, which made me think: Yes, I am a privileged student. After 40 years in the Martial Arts, with many friends who are bouncers, boxers, fellow Martial Artists and Street fighters, it is my honest opinion that the hardest man to beat is the natural street fighter. My assistant for many years and a great personal favourite of Chiba Sensei, was 'Mad' Geoff Goodwin, who disappeared some years ago. Geoff came from Derbyshire and followed me to London, where he later became my special assistant. He was a natural-born street fighter and we had some great battles. My son, Richard, who studied Aikido from the age of 5 and continued until he was 14 years old, is also a natural street fighter. He has now been back into Aikido for a year and is running the junior section with great success. We often practice together and I try my techniques against him, and with his natural balance and Aikido training, his reactions and responses are very fast. It makes you very aware that an opponent has more than one hand. I teach as Abbe Sensei did, that Uke must attack on balance, remember at all times that two people are practising, Tori to throw, and Uke Atemi and Ukemi. What I don't allow is the Uke attacking with his or her back leg off the mat. I also don't like to see Uke trotting around Tori's circle on his toes like a trained poodle on a lead, waiting for the instruction to jump! You have dojos in the United States affiliated to your school, I believe. Yes, in Dallas, Texas and in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The teachers there, Al Montemar and David Rogers, were my students in the early 1980's when they were with the US Air Force at Greenham Common. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit both dojos during 1992 and give seminars and grading examinations for my American students. I know that Abbe Sensei told you how he first came to Aikido - would you mind recounting that particular story? I'd be happy to. Abbe Sensei was All Japan Judo Champion at the age of 18, prior to World War II. He told me that he was rather arrogant at that time, having achieved fame so young. Anyway, it was during a train journey in Japan that he first met O'Sensei. Abbe didn't know who he was and he reacted to Ueshiba Sensei looking at him, saying: "What are you staring at, old man?" Ueshiba replied: "I know who you are". to which Abbe modestly retorted: "Everyone knows me, I am Kenshiro Abbe, Champion of All Japan". O'Sensei then introduced himself as the Founder of Aikido, and was told by Abbe that he didn't look strong enough to be a Martial Arts Master. O'Sensei then offered Abbe his little finger, and said: "But young man, you look very strong indeed. Please break my finger". Abbe at first declined, but eventually accepted the challenge, presumably to shut this old man up. Abbe Sensei told me that, as he took hold of the old man's finger and tried to break it, he found himself on the floor of the carriage and totally immobilised. Whilst on the floor, Abbe asked the Founder for permission to study under him. This is my understanding of Abbe Sensei's story. When you were in my 'local' earlier, you told me a couple of interesting stories about one of your former teachers. Could you repeat them for this interview, please? Certainly, but I think its better that we don't print the man's name. Well, he was a 2nd Dan in Aikido, under Ken Williams, and also held equivalent ranks in Judo and Karate. He was a strange character and used to speak in an affected, Japanese broken English, and one day he said to me: "Mr Ellis want come my house for supper?" So I said: "Yes, Sensei, I'll come for supper, thank you". I went along to his home, knocked on the door and it was opened by this guy wearing a black silk kimono (traditional Japanese gown) and geta (clogs). I was a little taken aback by this, but went in and we sat down. After a couple of minutes, Sensei clapped his hands and his wife came trotting in from the kitchen, also in a kimono. So, the first thing he did was to slap her across the face three times. Her head rocked back and forth but she didn't say a word, or even cry. I just looked on in total amazement... it was unbelievable. He told her to prepare the meal, and she returned to the kitchen. When his wife had left us I told him that I thought he was out of order. This chap replied that Abbe Sensei had told him that it was a Japanese tradition to slap one's wife every morning to teach her humility! I pointed out to him that he was not Japanese - but to no avail, as he slapped her again when he ordered our drinks! I was never the same with him after that..... it was incredible behaviour. You did, in fact, come to blows with this particular man later on, didn't you? Yes, I did, Arthur. We were in this pub after training and he said to me: "You think you can take me, don't you?" I told him that I'd never thought about it, to which he replied: "Oh yes you have, you think about it all the time". Again I denied this, it was just bloody rubbish, but he would not let go. He kept baiting me, saying: "You want to try?" and I said to him: "You know, Sensei the only person troubled by this is you. It is you who are unsure about me, not I about you". So he said: "Let's go outside", and out we went. Outside the pub he put himself in Aikido posture, so I just stood there as relaxed as possible, and waited. As soon as he came for me, I hit him and put him on the deck. As he went down I dropped and immobilised him with my knee on his neck. At this point he said: "O.K., that's enough, let me up". I said: "Is that it? Is this incident finished?" He replied that it was. Well, I'm a very straight man, and if someone says it's finished, then for me it is finished. So as soon as I let him go, he smacked me straight in the nose and broke it - I was covered in blood and in a bit of a mess. He lost not only my respect, but that of everyone who had been present. He moved from the area soon after that, and I've never seen or heard of him since. Finally, Henry, do you have any advice that you would like to offer to Aikido practitioners? I would urge them to visit other clubs and look at other methods. You don't have to like everyone's Aikido, but if you can take away a little from each dojo you visit, it will help make your own Aikido complete. Also, I would say - stay clear of 'fairy' Aikido - remember it's a Martial Art and must work. Henry, thank you for your time and patience. My pleasure, and thanks to Pat and you for the hospitality. Henry Ellis 5th dan Traditional Aikido. Co-author of Positive Aikido http://www.EllisAikido.org http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

The Origins of Martial Arts in the UK by Nigel Porter Sensei.

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:40:55 CDT

The Origins of Martial Arts in the UK By Nigel Porter Sensei
The following article offers those students, who are interested in the true history of British Judo and Aikido, a more comprehensive view of the profound effect that Kenshiro Abbe sensei had on British Martial Arts. ESTA are most grateful to Mr Nigel Porter of the "Tokushima Budo Council International (Judo)" and also the "Traditional Aikido Iwama Ryu GB", for allowing us to place this article on our website.

Jujutsu Arrives

On the 26th of September 1899 a British engineer, called Barton Wright, returned to England after an extended period of living and working in Japan. He brought with him an eighteen year old Japanese man whom he had developed a friendship with, and who he believed had something special to give to the British people. The Japanese youth was Yukio Tani (1881 - 1950) and he was an exponent of the Japanese art of Jujutsu. The combination ofBarton Wright, as entrepreneur /manager and Yukio Tani, a natural showman, led the two men into touring the Music Hall circuit, where Tani would challenge anyone willing to wrestle with him. With the temptation of winning £1 for lasting each minute, overan initial 5 minutes, or £50 for winning, there was never a shortage of challengers. However, at a diminutive 5 feet 6 inches (1.67Mts) Tani allegedly lost only one music hall match and that was to a fellow Japanese national. In 1900 S.K. Uyenishi joined the circuit, but soon after began teaching self defence and physical education at the Army Gymnastic HQ in Aldershot. In the May of 1906 the feet of arguably one of the most famous Judoka, in British history, touched our shores. His name was Gunji Koizumi (1885 - 1965), a Chinese lacquer expert by trade and master of Tenshin Shinyo Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, Akishima Ryu Jujutsu and Katsu. He was only to stay for a year, training and instructing his martial Arts around the country, notably at the Kara Ashikaga Jujutsu school, the Piccadilly School of Jujutsu, the RNVR, etc. until he decided to journey to the United States. He did, however return in 1910 and eventually founded the London Budokwai, in1918, offering Jujutsu, Kendo and other Japanese arts to the British public. A year later Koizumi asked Tani to join him as an instructor at his school of Martial Ways and Tani accepted, retiring from his Music Hall bouts. In 1919 another, yet to be famous, Martial Artist arrived in Britain. This time it was a Japanese gentleman by the name of Masutaro O'Tani (1899 - 1977), who had worked his passage on a merchant vessel. He was a Jujutsu man, having trainedin Japan as well as Ceylon, where he had lived during his passage.

Judo Is Accepted

Koizumi and Tani were teaching their Jujutsu method at the Budokwai until 1920, when a delegation formed by Jigoro Kano,the founder of Kodokan Judo, Hikoichi Aida and E.J.Harrison, both Kodokan Dan grades and members of the Budokwai,influenced them to covert to Judo. This was achieved and the Jujutsu men were awarded their Judo 2nd Dans, in recognition of their technique and status. From there on Judo was formally taught at the Budokwai and this can be recognised as the starting point of British Judo. Meanwhile Masutaro O'Tani had been looking to continue his Martial Arts training and subsequently joined the budokwai in 1921. Within 5 years he had risen to the position of assistant instruct to Yukio Tani and become close friends with this character. In 1948 the British Judo Association (BJA) was formed, uniting the majority of Judo clubs in Great Britain and installing GunjiKoizumi as President. Two years later Yukio Tani passed away, having previously suffered a debilitating stroke. Over the next few years O'Tani became disenchanted with the Judo that was being promoted by the BJA and it's anglicising of the Japanese sport he loved. He was also said to be unhappy with the level of support and care that had been extended to his old friend Tani. Consequently,in 1954 O'Tani severed his links with the BJA and formed his own organisation - the Masutaro O'Tani Society of Judo (MOSJ).
Around that time the London Judo Society (LJS), a BJA group co-founded by George Chew and Eric Dominy, decided to invite a high ranking Japanese Judo player/teacher to their society, to become their chief instructor.

Kenshiro Abbe and Kyu Shin Do

In 1955 and as a result of the LJS decision, a man, who's credentials were incredible by Japanese standards let alone British ones, arrived in Britain. The man was Kenshiro Abbe (1915 - 1985) and he was single handedly to have more of an impact on British Martial Arts than anyone who had gone before or, for that matter, after.
Abbe Sensei was born in Tokushima province, Japan and was first introduced to Martial Arts by his father, a Kendo teacher,at the age of 3. Abbe Sensei learnt Sumo wrestling at school and became the regional school champion. In 1931 Abbe Sensei began Judo and one year later, when only 15 years old, was graded 2nd Dan. His Judo prowess grew from there, becoming the Tokushima High schools champion at 16 and receiving his 3rd Dan from the national Martial Arts governing body, the Butokukai.
In 1933 he enrolled at the Butokukai's special teacher training college and later was graded 5th Dan, graduated and retained as an instructor. In 1935, aged only 18, Abbe Sensei won both the All Japan East/West Tournament and the 5th Dan championships, a pinnacle in competitive Judo. It was around this time that Abbe Sensei began a 10 year study of Morihei Ueshiba's Martial Art - Aikido and formulated his own Budo philosophy of Kyu Shin Do. Abbe Sensei received his 6th Dan in 1938 and during the war years ran a military training company, where he studied and mastered Jukendo, the way of the Bayonet.
In 1945 the Butokukai graded Abbe Sensei 7th Dan Judo and 6th Dan Kendo and in 1949 he took up the position of chief instructor to the Kyoto Police and the Doshisha University. Six years later Abbe Sensei was teaching in Britain.
Although initially invited by the LJS to be their chief instructor, a series of disagreements resulted in Abbe Sensei parting company with them. The stage was set for Abbe Sensei to teach pure Kyu Shin Do to the British and in order to achieve this Abbe Sensei formed a number of martial Arts Councils, including the British Judo Council (BJC), the British Kendo Council, the British Karate Council, etc. as well as an overall governing body - the International Budo Council (IBC). It was through these various councils that, by 1957, Abbe Sensei had introduced Kendo (the way of the sword), Aikido (the way of spiritualharmony), Kyudo (the way of the bow), Jukendo (the way of the bayonet), Iaido (the way of sword drawing), Yarido (theway of the spear) and Naginatado (the way of the halberd) to Europe.
Around this time (1956) OTani, by then a 5th Dan, made contact with Abbe Sensei and very soon began training under him. By 1958 O'Tani had been given the position of national coach to the BJC. The early 60's were to prove very exciting for British Martial Artists and Abbe Sensei was instrumental in inviting leading Budo teachers to Great Britain, including Nakazono Sensei - 6th Dan Aikido and Harada Sensei - 6th Dan Shotokai Karatedo.
In 1964 Abbe Sensei returned to Japan in order to see the Olympics hosted in his home land and Judo represented for the first time. It was 5 years later that he finally returned, his delay being caused by an old injury to his neck, that had gradually got worse since the car accident that caused it, back in 1960. What he returned to was a near dormant IBC and a BJC that had changed course in his absence. He felt that, instead of studying the truth of Budo, most BJC members only wanted the physical instruction, misunderstanding the origins of the teaching and consequently corrupting the essence of Abbe Sensei's KyuShin Do philosophy.
Subsequently Abbe Sensei set about redressing the situation, virtually dismantling the BJC and leaving in place only those worthy to help in the reconstruction. O'Tani was made president of the BJC and graded 8th Dan. O'Tani was also left incharge of the IBC, with a number of other loyal students. In 1970 Abbe Sensei returned to Japan and in the same year O'Tani merged the MOSJ into the BJC. During the early and mid 70's the management of both the BJC and IBC became difficult for O'Tani and those that had been left to continue Abbe Sensei's teachings. In 1978 the BJC severed it's links with the now 'all but'redundant IBC. Since then many organisations have sprung up, promoting the Kyu Shin Do philosophy, but few truly grasp what Abbe Sensei meant.

Abbe Sensei sadly passed away on December 1st 1985.

By Nigel Porter

Posted by Henry Ellis
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.com

A Tribute to Matsutaru Otani Sensei by Bill Stopps Sensei

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:30:28 CDT

A Tribute to Matsutro Otani Sensei
By W. Stopps Sensie

Personal Aide to Matsutro Otani Sensei from 1947.
Privilege and Honour

I t has been my privilege and honour to have known Mr. Otani for the past thirty years. What can I say about such a man? Reflecting back over the years I well remember my first encounter with him, I was seventeen then, interested in wrestling and gymnastics when I heard of a man who taught “ju-jutsu” over a stable in Harlesden, London.

A Winters Night 1947
A fter several fruitless winter evening journeys, all those years ago in 1947, I was at last rewarded by a flickering light down a dark mews. Kicking the snow from my shoesI climbed the stairs to find myself in a bare freezing whitewashed roomunder slates that were glittering with frost . A man was absorbed in cleaning some oil lamps and hearing me, looked up, smiled, asked me what I wanted, When I started stammering something about Japanese wrestling he indicated me to sit down and continued to clean his lamps.
In the ensuing nervous silence (on my part) I was able to study his unhurried and calm movements as he completed his task. His friendly and serene manner communicated itself to me as he lit the four lamps, the dojo no longer seemed bleak and icy but cheerful and warm in the glow of the gentle oil light.

Call me Smiler !
I do not remember what took place then. But as no other members appeared, Mr Otani apologised for not practising, locked the dojo and we walked to the bus-stop. To my astonishment over two hours had passed. As the trolley bus appeared, I asked how shall I address him “Mr Otani, Sir, or what?” As he stepped onto the bus he laughed and said “ Why, what everybody calls me, Smiler of course”, So began an association that lasted thirty years.

Recalling memories

I n recalling these memories it is astonishing to realize how things were then. There were no Judogi’s available and you manufactured your own out of surplus ( if you could get one) naval hammocks. Much boiling and scrubbing was necessary ( no launderettes then) to render them reasonably flexible, a quick sawing movement from a lively opponent could remove the skin from the back of your neck.

A bout that time there were only three Judo clubs of note. The Budokwai, Ealing JudoClub and the Jubilee ( Mr Otani’s club) . Visitors were frequent from the Budokwai including Mr Gleeson and Mr Jack Turner. Between Ealing and Jubilee a very friendly rivalry existed and randoris were hotly contested. The emphasis was upon skill, makikomis were never seen. Indeed, any throw (except Tomonage or Yoko Sutemi) that caused you to fall with your opponent was a cause to be reprimanded by Mr Otani and in those days that was not so light a thing.

Strict Discipline

A member ( now a high ranking grade) recently confessed to me that on acquiring his black belt he high spiritedly began to bounce everybody around, after a few gruelling sessions for his opponents Mr Otani quietly took him aside and said if he didn’t allow any lower grades to throw him and ease up a little he would have to leave the club. He had obtained his knowledge and skill through other high grade’s indulgence and it was now his turn to conduct himself as they had towards him.

Another Incident

B eing single in those days I used to have late nights and spend time lazing in bed, one Saturday morning about midday ( give or take an hour or so) I awoke to find Mr Otani peering at me and anxiously enquiring if I was ill, on hearing my bleary mumblings he berated me for wasting time that could be used for practising and, willy nilly, I had to arise and that very afternoon. I recall he graciously allowed me time for a cup of tea before setting off.

Judo expands and so does the problems
T ime passed and other clubs began to spring up, new members joined and suddenly the Jubilee Club seemed to be torn with bickering and argument. One Sunday morning we were about to practice when Mr Otani called us together and demanded to know what the grievances were about. After one or two minor complaints one of the new members boldly suggested the reason for the trouble was that one of the committee members was coloured (this member was missing that morning) Many of the old members including myself were dumfounded and it was then that I saw another side of Mr Otani’s character
He said angrily “ You forget I am also a yellow colour , Judo is for all, let nobody here forget that,”! This was one of the very few occasions I saw my teacher furious. Shortly afterwards that complaining person and his faction left and a harmonious period again resumed.
The Founding of the M.O.S.J.A.

J udo was growing and the A.J.A. and the B.J.A. were formed. Declining offers to join these organisations he founded the M.O.S.J.A. which with the arrival of Mr Kenshiro Abbe merged to become the B.J.C.

O ne day whilst travelling on a bus, I was expressing my concern over the hopeless task ( to me) of competing with the other organisations. Looking at me he said “No matter how hopeless the task a man sets himself, if he doesn’t struggle and easily gives up, he may as well be dead.

A nother time he was being courted by a well known club in South London. We were invited there and made very welcome. Later in the evening the Chief Instructor proceeded to give a demonstration lesson on a particular throw, finishing with a flourish he bowed to Mr Otani and said he hoped it was satisfactory, Mr Otani rose and bowed back “Very good”. Returning home that night I sounded off in a fine old frenzy over ( to my mind) incorrect instruction of that particular throw and asked why he had replied “ Very good”. He said mildly that, first, we were guests in that club, secondly, to correct an instructor in front of his pupils was unthinkable, and lastly, as I was useless at that particular throw anyway I should hold my tongue”!

O nce when invited for a friendly evening at Windsor Judo Club which at the time
had its dojo in the “Star and Garter” ( where the famous American boxer Sugar Ray Robinson trained), we were on the coach when one of our team was bragging good naturedly about his contest and his confidence in its outcome. Mr Otani admonished him saying “Your attitude is incorrect and truly deplorable , you should not say you are going to beat your opponent , but you should say ,if asked, You hope not to lose “ . All I remember about that “ friendly” evening was I sported a black eye for a week afterwards.

Bureaucracy

M r Otani taught for many years at evening institutes and an incident happened in which I was able to help him.

O ne day he called me in to show me a letter from the “authorities” requiring him to be examined as to his ability and qualifications in Judo. His indignation was not concerning the exam but that the examiners were probably people he had taught years ago and were now sitting in judgement over him. I thought , and a brainwave came to me , knowing how officialdom works we composed a letter saying Mr Otani would be pleased to attend the exam , however, as it is a Japanese sport it was only fair that to avoid any ambiguity and to get the correct nuance of the sport, he would answer their questions also in Japanese. To our delight a letter arrived apologising, in view of his experience, oversight, etc., that there was to be no question of his taking an examination whatever .

Kenshiro Abbe sensei

O ne further example of this remarkable man’s approach to life was during the first time Kenshiro Abbe came to this country and devastated the best of our dan grades in the country. People who remember him taking on black belts at the Royal Albert Hall display in 1963 still speak of it with reverence. However, on returning to our dojo Mr Otani announced that his own Judo was now old fashioned and obsolete and we must now learn Mr Abbe’s method and in this he included himself.
T o me it was shattering, here was a man who could calmly throw away a lifetimse work and start again at the beginning without turning a hair. At this moment my esteem for my instructor crystallized and I knew whatever happened in the future, that incident would cancel anything. Mr Otani began to study these new techniques but fortunately Mr Abbe spotted what was happening and pointed out that the style and method of Mr Otani was now so rare that he must keep teaching it to preserve such a unique skill and knowledge.

The Passing of a Legend

H aving practiced with both men, I would say that in randori with Mr Otani I always felt I had thrown myself in some frustrating and mysterious way, but a practice with Mr Abbe
It seemed as though a sudden release of explosive energy hurtled one to the mat.

I feel sad younger members of our organisation did not see my teacher in his prime – I did - and I will always be thankful for that chance remark that enabled me to meet such a man. His affect on people was amply demonstrated by a number of friends who attended his funeral. Who, when seeing him appear in the dojo did not notice a change in the very atmosphere and make a more conscious effort to practice his Judo more skilfully.

W ith Mr Otani’s passing we have seen the last of the Old Time greats, an end of an era and a new one beginning. His own instructor was the famous Yukio Tani whom he held in affection and great esteem. I once asked “ Who taught Yukio Tani ?” and he answered “Why , his father”, and “ All Yukio Tani’s forebears were Judomen”. And so I now think we see this tradition repeated with his son Robin Otani becoming our new instructor.

H e is bringing in a new age and has my best wishes, my respect and whole hearted support.

Some Incidents in Thirty Years of Mr Otani’s Judo

I n 1947 I had my first randori with Mr Otani, - I appeared in the dojo proudly wearing my homemade jacket with ex-army shorts to match. I was requested to demonstrate a few break fall’s, so I threw myself enthusiastically around the mat doing (so I imagined) magnificent break fall’s. I must be fair at this stage and admit I had a book called “Ju-Jitsu” by Unenishi and diligent study of this book had convinced me that I knew it all. However, after this “brilliant” display Mr Otani smiled and said he would practice with me. After a kneeling rei ( standard practice in those days) I confidently seized Mr Otani’s jacket and attacked, ( No hesitation here, I had a useful cross buttock and I was going to use it) a fierce push and I nearly fell over, a quick pull and there was nothing to pull, again, leaping for my throw I grabbed nothing – I couldn’t understand it, Mr Otani appeared to be standing still and I was rushing around the mat like a lunatic. Taking a deep breath (it was getting difficult) I feinted and managed to secure a good hold, exultantly I applied leverage and heaved, it suddenly seemed I was trying to lift a house, or perhaps , on reflection, a church.
W ith the rich blood pumping into my face and my eyes bulging out of their sockets I staggered back to face Mr Otani and fell over, I laid on my back for a long moment, climbed to my feet, reached out and somehow, fell over again! What was happening?
I took another step and again I was looking up at the slates.

E ven today after many years of practise I still marvel at the sheer magic of that skill, at no time was I aware of being thrown or hurt in any way, just simply I would keep finding myself flat on my back. Mr Otani at no time appeared to be doing anything, it was as if I was obeying his will and nothing else.

A range of emotions swept over me, frustration, nervousness and confusion. Mr Otani smiled, soothed me and said “ Have a rest now” but no, I wanted to wrestle on the ground . Mr Otani obligingly laid upon his back and waited. Recalling my reading of strangulation techniques my hands were soon locked around his neck and applying pressure after a little scuffle, In which I was on top. Watching carefully for submission
( I had really studied that textbook! ) I exerted myself even more. Mr Otani didn’t seem to be discomforted at all and actually appeared to be smiling. Gradually, a lethargy began to creep over me and Mr Otani’s face started to fade and grow dim. The next thing I remember was coming awake from a very deep sleep (which in fact, It had been!)and being helped to my feet and being led back to the form where I sat for the remainder of the evening. In spite of my (feeble) protests I was not allowed to practise anymore that evening. Sitting there watching the others practise, the dojo would occasionally seem to change shape and the mat would appear to tilt alarmingly. As I departed from the dojo Mr Otani laughed and said “Next week, you learn to do properly”. I stayed in bed all of the next day feeling very feverish.

King Kong

I n the early days at the Jubilee Club (before all these prohibitive rules came into being) It was deemed quite reasonable to put on the odd leg or wrist lock and sometimes for a treat one managed to get a neck lock on a fractious opponent! Although this sounds dangerous to people nowadays, one watched closely for a signal to surrender and release the victim almost before he tapped. However, one day a visitor arrived and started using methods that even by our liberal standards seemed a trifle unruly. His locks and throws were carried out with such vigorous abandon that he made King Kong look like a benevolent old uncle. One of our members fighting for survival in a ferocious randori with him felt moved to protest at the mauling he was receiving . When the visitor had left and we settled down to nurse our bruises, Mr Otani spoke a few words over this conduct.
“Never” he said, complain during a randori that this or that lock is not allowed , If he gets such a hold on you, try your utmost to get out. He then emphasized”, After your practise you may quietly tell him such and such is not permitted”.

T o the general relief of us all we never saw that visitor again, although for several weeks afterwards we all gave nervous starts whenever the dojo door clicked open!!
A ll teachers have their favourite sayings and these were some of Mr Otani’s.

To become 1 st dan you must practise with 1 st dans.

A new opponent may catch you with his best trick once – the second time he tries he should find it difficult and – the third time impossible.

If you have one hour for practise and there are thirty opponents, that gives you two minutes with each so you had better be quick.

He also became irritated, if during a hard randori you allowed your mouth to open to gasp for much needed air. “Close your mouth” he would cry “ What are you, an animal?”.

One day I was changing for a practise when I found I had mislaid my belt. Mr Otani lectured me most sarcastically. “ You “ he ended up saying “ Are like a soldier going into battle without his rifle!” I never forgot my belt again.

At a practise one day at the London Judo Society, ( a club run by Mr Chew and a Mr Dominy) I found myself engaged with a chap called ( I think) Cribben, who I believe was at that time their club champion.

He was lean, and rangy and (so I thought) tailor made for my style. What a mistake that turned out to be!!! Having secured his favourite hold he proceeded to Hanegoshi me all around his dojo. At the next session in our own club I asked Mr Otani what I should do against such an opponent . He showed me a simple method to nullify the hold and said “ You didn’t use your head, all you could worry about was your own throw which didn’t come off”. I protested that he was always telling me not to think too much during practise. “That is quiet right” he replied, “ But, I didn’t say stop using your head altogether!”

Time passed and on one occasion we were giving a demonstration at the Elstree Club.
In those days we used to invite members of the audience to come onto the mat and try their skills at beating us.

Well, It was my turn to face the opposition and a rather tough man about my own age accepted the challenge. As he was donning the jacket a member in the audience urgently whispered to me “Watch out, He’s an ex-commando and he has been boasting all week just what he’s going to do to you lot!” A dark cloud suddenly spread over my innocently happy disposition and the young man appeared to grow even larger as he stepped onto the mat, It was extremely fortunate I had been forewarned for without any preliminaries he launched himself at me and tried everything except kicking ! ( in fact, I was hard put not to do a bit of kicking myself). However, using our principals of non resistance to the utmost I survived his attacks and he very soon began to puff and slow down . I suddenly realised he must be feeling as I had felt when I first encountered Mr Otani.

He attempted another rather frantic onslaught and although, I say it myself, he walked into the best Kata Seoie I have ever performed. The thud as he landed on his back was music to my ears and completely winded him as I didn’t dare attempt to cushion his fall too much in case he wanted to continue. He couldn’t have been very popular as the applause that greeted the throw was quite gratifying.

Going home on the 52 bus afterwards I was jubilant over my success. Mr Otani was pleased but tempered my delight by saying – “You were lucky, if he had known a little more the result may have been a little different”. However, he went on, “ If you ever encounter another opponent like that one, get a shime-waza on him quickly and send him to sleep, but, “he laughed” make sure I am nearby to bring him back to life!!

Posted on behalf of Sensei Bill Stopps by Henry Ellis

http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net

Is Aikido a Martial Art ? by Henry Ellis

aikihell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:24:07 CDT

Is Aikido a Martial Art ? Sensei Henry Ellis - 2001
Co-author of Positive Aikido.

PART 1
At first sight of the above title I am sure that a lot of Aikidoist's will be angry, they will assume that this is yet another attack on the credibility of Aikido by other martial artist's.
On this occasion they are totally wrong, I have been a student of Aikido since 1957, In those early days I first started Judo in 1956 at the Kenshiro Abbe School of Budo, I studied Karate with Harada Sensei and Kendo with Tomio O'Tani Sensei, so with my background I feel that I have something to offer to this debate.

First Impressions
The Aikido that I first saw being demonstrated by Abbe Sensei in 1956 was without doubt a positive martial art.
I was immediately impressed by its positive techniques and power, and in those days my fellow martial artists and I were in no doubt that we were witnessing a devastating new form of self-defence as demonstrated by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.
Abbe Sensei had begun his martial arts career at the age of five and became a legend in his own lifetime. At eighteen he was the youngest ever all Japan Judo champion and also the youngest ever 5th Dan at the world renowned Kodokan. He later became the oldest ever all Japan Judo champion at the age of thirty three.
When Abbe Sensei arrived in the UK in 1955 he was 8th Dan Judo, 6th Dan Karate, 6th Dan Kendo, 6th Dan Kyudo, 6th Dan Aikido,
the question must be asked; would this Budo master have studied Aikido if he did not believe it to be a martial art?
It is my opinion that Abbe Sensei would not have studied Aikido as it is today.
Please break my finger
As a direct student of Abbe Sensei I asked one day whilst we were traveling to a seminar
"Sensei, how did you first become a student of O'Sensei and Aikido"?
He smiled as he reminisced for a few moments; then told me the following story:
He said that he was a young man at the time and the Judo champion of all Japan and traveling on a crowded train across Japan to yet another Judo competion.
Sitting opposite him in the same carriage was an old man who was trying to make some conversation with him, Abbe had his eyes closed as he tried to sleep.
The old man said to him " I know who you are" Abbe Sensei replied rather modestly " everyone knows who I am, I am Kenshiro Abbe champion of all Japan" he politely asked the old man who he was, the old man replied
"I am Morihei Ueshiba founder of Aikido" Abbe Sensei nodded politely and suggested that they now try to get some sleep, the old man suddenly stuck his hand forward and offered the smallest digit to this powerfully built young man, Abbe was stunned as the old man said "
please break my finger" Abbe thought I will break his neck if he doesn't go to sleep, he was now becoming irritated by this old man, he immediately grasped the old mans finger in an attempt to shut him up, he freely admitted that in his frustration it was his intention to break the offending digit. To his total amazement he was suddenly slammed onto the carriage floor. As he lay prostrate and unable to move he knew he had to study with this master. He asked O'Sensei if he could study with him, O'Sensei agreed and Abbe stayed with O'Sensei for ten years.
O'Sensei had spent many years studying various martial arts, I believe that the art of Daito-ryu and Ju-jitsu had more influence on the development of Aikido than anything else he had studied, and we know he went to Mongolia to fight and this would be the perfect opportunity to test his many skills in a real situation, so we can be in no doubt that this incredible man was a true warrior and modern Samurai.
A knife for my enemy
It was this early positive style of Aikido that Abbe Sensei brought to the UK in 1955, at this time there was also the first Japanese master to Europe, this was Tadashi Abe Sensei 6th Dan who was based in France, he was a small man even by Japanese standards, but to my mind he was the hardest man I have ever met.

He was very similar to Kazuo Chiba Sensei who I met with in London's West End last week, When he traveled he always carried a knife with him, this was not for his own protection but to hand to his shocked opponent, he would say "please, this is for you".
He said that an opponent with his bare fists was no challenge, but a man with a knife was "very interesting".
I think we can safely assume that as these teachers were so hard and positive then this must have been the style of Aikido that was being taught at the Hombu dojo in Japan, this was the Aikido of O'Sensei as a young man, the Aikido being taught today is that of O'Sensei as an old man, there is no doubt that as people get older they lose the spirit of their youth and become more philosophical in their approach to life.
My father who was once regarded as the toughest man in town later in life found his peace taking his dog for long walks. I believe that we now have two aikido's, traditional aikido which if truly traditional (this word is much abused) is the martial side of Aikido, the soft fantasy and dancing style of Aikido should simply be categorized as an "Art".
Those who are true traditional Aikidoists will take no offence at this article, yet the dancers will probably be offended and I care little for their feelings as I honestly believe that this soft Aikido has no more right to call itself a martial art than has synchronized swimming has a right to be in the Olympics.

PART 2
In my previous article, I attempted to establish the hard style of Aikido that was first introduced to the West in the 1950's. I would like to emphasize the fact that I get no satisfaction from publicly criticizing Aikido and I get a great deal less satisfaction when I see Aikido being brought into ridicule.
To continue from part one.....

Hard training

The training in and exercises in those early days were very hard and physical, with karate style kicking and punching a very integral part of our warm up, followed by 200 press ups on the backs of the wrists, with fingers pointing both inwards and outwards, very often while you were in the raised position Abbe Sensei would instruct another student to sit on your back, as we were the only group of five Dan grades in the UK and all in the same dojo then this was the training in all the Aikido dojos in the UK and today we are the only organization in Aikido still doing these press ups.
The purists say "these press ups are bad for you" what they really mean is they can't do them, this is all part of the watering down of traditional Aikido.

Choreography

Aikidoists are often accused of practicing " Choreographed Aikido" and to be honest I must admit that these claims are very often justified, with Uke (attacker) preparing to break fall long before he makes his attack, and most of them attack off balance , therefore making any multiples of techniques possible with the minimum of effort and of course this makes Tori (defender) look "fantastic".
What is really sad is that these people believe that this is good Aikido.
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei would always say to us that "two" students are training at the same time, one is Uke who is learning and improving his attacking techniques and his
opponent Tori is also learning and improving his defensive techniques, whilst we were training with Abbe Sensei if Uke's foot or heel came off the mat as he attacked Abbe Sensei would give the offending leg a good whack with a shinai (bamboo sword) he would then say " My English is very bad but my shinai speaks fluently!".
If Uke attacks on balance then it is obvious that Tori's technique must be good and strong to throw him, and as Abbe Sensei said so many times " two students are training" .
Mark Eastman a strong young Dan grade with me went on a seminar recently where there was a 6th Dan. The 6th Dan refused to use him as Uke stating " I can not use you as you do not harmonize with me", he was not being awkward or difficult just attacking on balance.

Diluted training

Today all of these traditional exercises and training methods have now changed to a simple warm up routine with jumping up and down on the spot and lots of deep spiritual discussion.
Hard exercise is now considered to be aggressive and not in harmony with the true spirit of Aikido.
Abbe Sensei said that hard training developed the spirit, he also referred to Ki during those early days as he demonstrated the power of his technique, when asked to explain the meaning of Ki, he said not to worry about Ki as that would be a part of our training and development.
He then said "Only when you reach first Dan will you be able to understand the true concept of Ki as a further extension of your Aikido."
I still believe that line of thought, and the instructors in our dojo's very rarely speak of Ki although it is taught as a important and integral part of our training and study.

Ki Aikido

Although Ki is generally recognized as the spirit and breathing during the application of technique, every teacher and student will offer a very wide and varied and sometimes bizarre interpretation of the meaning of this much abused word.
The main problems arise and are created by the teachers themselves, who very often mislead their students to the extent that they almost believe that Ki is a form of magic. The following is one prime example from a very prominent Aikido magazines letters section.

Title: The Spirit of Protection

I am a carpenter and 2nd kyu in Aikido. I was working in a large new home doing repair work, I had finished my job and was heading for a long staircase when I noticed the owners two year old son was heading for the same stairs from the opposite direction.
As he approached the top of the stair he was watching me and not where he was going. I was too far away to grab him, so I shot to him (irimi) and stuck my arm straight out to him, my "Ki" went through the little boys' face and out the back of his head, he fell backwards and started crying.
His mother heard the crying and came up the stairs, when I told her what had happened, she thanked me,
I said "Don't thank me, Thank Aikido".
That poor child may well now be as disturbed as the writer.

Harry Potter Ryu

There are many such misguided examples which I will refer to in future articles, it is this kind of nonsense that brings Aikidos credibility into doubt I am fully aware that every martial art has its own version of " Harry Potter" in their ranks, what I fail to understand is that there are more of them in Aikido than all the other martial arts combined.
The reason that I am so critical and vociferous about Aikido is that every day I see these people watering down this great martial art that I have spent most of my life studying, teaching and promoting for the past 46 years. I am often asked "Sensei, which do you think is the best and worst martial art".
I always make the same reply " All the martial arts are good, if there is a problem with any martial art, then it can only be the people who represent that particular art who misrepresent their art

PART 3
The Converted

In articles parts one and two I have covered the introduction of Aikido to the West, and the impact on other Martial Artists, Aikido progressed and developed in the UK by visiting existing dojos of all the various Martial Arts and offering to demonstrate and teach for free in the hope of starting a small class in the more receptive dojos, as one can imagine this was no easy task as more often than not our efforts were not an open invitation to most dojos.
In the end the positive style of the early Aikido won through, and this is a very important point to make in the early development of Western Aikido was that most of the new students of Aikido were from other Martial Arts. I do not believe that we could have converted other Martial Artists to Aikido had it not been so strong and effective.

Bad breath!

I have referred to the many changes in Aikido over the past 46 years from its history to training and choreography and Ki Aikido and also the many Harry Potters of the Aikido world, as a direct result of these articles I was contacted by a Aikido student in the UK to tell me that she had now stopped training in Aikido because her teacher stated that he was now going to teach the students "To breath through their toes".

Lets Dance

The most important of all the changes that have taken place in the past 46 years have to be the changes in technique and its application, the early style of Aikido was very compact and powerful. From the day of its introduction to the UK, Aikido was always taught as a circular moving Martial Art with Tori at the centre of all movement.
As Uke (the attacker) made his attack, Tori would turn within his own circle making it possible to carry out the technique in a very small area of maybe four square feet. Today the fantasy aikidoist need a football pitch.
I have seen some so called "masters" twirling Uke around on the end of one finger and pirouetting several times before being thrown the full length of the mat.

Harmonising

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei always taught that Uke would only "go" if the technique was effective. I often hear and have seen some of these people who say they can throw an opponent without touching them, sometimes by breathing and projecting their "Ki". I have also had the misfortune to see very high grades with several "*attackers*" :-) making a breakfalling attack at them, amusing? not really, as most of them really believe that the projectile uki is a serious attack.
You cannot do that if someone is attacking on balance, I have never seen anyone do that to a student of mine. Of course if you do attack on balance you will then be accused of "Not harmonizing".

Aikido for real

I have read various accounts of the first Americans to practice Aikido in the early 60's. There were Americans practicing Aikido in the UK in the late 1950's at "The Hut" The Abbe School of Budo.
The Americans were members of the USAF stationed in the UK. they were always questioning " How would that work in the street?" and we would often finish up in the car park of The Hut after class and engage in some real Aikido.
Afterwards everyone would be in good spirits and have a few beers.

Sunday mornings were always the best practice sessions with the dojo doors being locked to all but the Dan grades. It was then that the Dan grades would fight each other for real. This was the only way to truly evaluate your technique.
On one occasion I was fighting with Sensei Ken Williams (The British National Coach) he hit me hard and I went down clutching my chest and moaning loudly in agony.
It was known that I didn't go down and I never made a fuss, so now everyone was concerned for me and as Sensei Williams leaned over me asking "Harry, are you OK" I lashed out with my fist at his head, just making a glancing contact, he then stepped back and kicked me in the head putting an end to my cunning.
The smallest of all the Dan grades was Eric Dollimore, he was only about 5ft-6in in height and around 130 lbs.
I always felt that Eric was avoiding me on these Sunday morning sessions, as he was about to leave the mat I said to him "Eric, would you like to try against me" he just turned and said "Sorry Harry, I have to be at my girlfriends home for lunch". As he left the mat I smiled to myself and thought "That's what I expected" the smugness did not last long as I heard a voice behind me say
"OK then Harry, can we make it quick as I must get away".
It was Eric; for a moment I was surprised then I thought to myself if you want it quick I will accommodate you.
I moved in to take him out with the one punch and the next thing I knew I had gone through the dojo office partition wall and I was still lying stunned the office floor when I heard Eric's voice call out
"See you Monday Harry, gotta go".
That was a very important lesson to me, I have never underestimated anyone since the little guy taught me a lesson.

The Grading Lottery

If in the 1950's and 60's you saw a 5th or 6th Dan you would be in awe of him. I now see so many multi grades and to be honest they would not be graded first Dan in the old days. They make these claims knowing that if they are ever challenged and prove their mettle they know they can claim that this is against the principals of Aikido.
Another favourite of these people is to juggle around with their grades and come up with multiples of matching grades, for a prime example of this abuse check out the article British Aikido-The Controversy.
Mitsusuke Harada Sensei "5th Dan"
Harada Sensei was my Karate teacher in the 1960's, he was then and still is a 5th Dan at the Shotokan dojo in Tokyo. he was graded by the founder of modern day Karate Gichin Funakoshi Sensei.
He taught Karate to the USAF at the Kodokan dojo after the second world war. He was graded 5th Dan by Funakoshi Sensei in 1957 and is still 5th Dan after 45 years, stating that "Any grade above 5th Dan is totally pointless".

This is exactly the feeling of Sensei Derek Eastman and myself, although we are two of the only remaining four of the original group left of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei's group from the 1950's, we both agreed that there were too many "Harry Potter" grades around, we then decided that like Harada Sensei we would make 5th Dan the highest level in our organization.

Serious study

I will take a break now that these articles are complete and do some serious "Toe breathing".
This will be my last article for CyberKwoon for a while, I would like to thank Master Fabien Sena for allowing me to air my views on a subject most would try to avoid.
I do not know what direction the Martial Arts will take when all the "Old Timers " are gone.
As one of the comments (to the Cyberkwoon site forum) said "We can still make a difference".
To the one who asked after my father, he was not a martial artist, just a hard man who started working at the age of 13 years two miles underground in the South Yorkshire coal mines.

Sensei Henry Ellis. 5th dan Traditional Aikido.
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://aikidoellisvideo.magnify.net