Principal students of the Kobukan era Noriaki Inoue, Wakayama Prefecture, 1902-1994 Noriaki Inoue is a nephew of Morihei Ueshiba and was raised for several years within the Ueshiba household, first in Tanabe and later in Shirataki, Hokkaido. Most of Inoue’s martial arts training experience was gained under the tutelage of Morihei Ueshiba while in Hokkaido, … Continue reading The Kobukan Years – Part IV
Author: Didier BOYET
The Kobukan Years – Part III
The Kobukan Years By Stanley Pranin An Aikido Journal publication. Reprinted with the kind permission of Aikido Journal PART III Indications of Morihei’s state of mind While the circumstantial evidence of Morihei’s involvement in right-wing activities is nothing less than mountainous, we should pause for a moment to examine any indications of the founder’s state … Continue reading The Kobukan Years – Part III
The Kobukan Years – Part II
The Kobukan Years By Stanley Pranin An Aikido Journal publication. Reprinted with the kind permission of Aikido Journal PART II Establishment of the Budo Senyokai Although Morihei had physically distanced himself from the Omoto religion with his move to Tokyo in 1927, he still maintained close ties with members and leaders of the sect. In August … Continue reading The Kobukan Years – Part II
Didier Boyet celebrates his 80th birthday and his 55th year in Aikido
What : Didier Boyet celebrates his 80th birthday and his 55th year in Aikido When : September 5th and 6th, 2026 Who : the classes will be conducted by Didier Boyet and his friends : [George Lyons (7th dan, Birankai Shihan); Patrick Benezi 7th dan, FFAAA Shihan; Larry Levitt (7th dan, USAF Shihan); Jenny Flower … Continue reading Didier Boyet celebrates his 80th birthday and his 55th year in Aikido
The Spreading of Aikido in Europe and the U.S.
Established in the decade from 1920 to 1930 under the name of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, Aikibudo or Aikijujutsu, Aikido was at first limited to Japan (and part of its Empire, namely Manchuria) and taught almost exclusively to members of the Ōmotokyō sect to which Ueshiba Morihei (often called Ō-Sensei), the founder of this Martial Art, belonged. … Continue reading The Spreading of Aikido in Europe and the U.S.
WHY DID CHIBA SENSEI CHOOSE THE US [IN HIS OWN WORDS]
Chiba Sensei wrote three short articles about his life in the US that were published in the San Diego Aikikai Newsletter, Sansho. The following was compiled from Sansho issues of April 1987, Spring/Summer 1991 and Summer/Fall 1994. I moved to San Diego, California, in 1981. Many people have asked me about the reasons behind this … Continue reading WHY DID CHIBA SENSEI CHOOSE THE US [IN HIS OWN WORDS]
PART VI – RETURNING TO JAPAN, THEN MOVING TO THE U.S.
In March 1976, to the surprise of his British students, Chiba Sensei left the UK to go back to Japan and assume the position of general secretary in the newly created International Aikido Federation (IAF). The IAF’s first congress was held that same year in Tokyo. Hombu then asked Chiba Sensei to study the problem … Continue reading PART VI – RETURNING TO JAPAN, THEN MOVING TO THE U.S.
PART V – A NEW START IN LONDON
On December 14th, 1967, I left Newcastle Station on the 11:55 train bound for London. I had made this particular trip countless times, but this time was different – I was relocating to London for good. It had been one year and seven months since the political mess in the U.K. had landed me in … Continue reading PART V – A NEW START IN LONDON
The Kobukan Years – Part I
The Kobukan Years By Stanley Pranin An Aikido Journal publication. Reprinted with the kind permission of Aikido Journal PART I Introduction In April 1931, Morihei Ueshiba, the Aikido founder, opened a private dojo in the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo called the “Kobukan.” This dojo served as the center of the founder’s activities for more than a decade and … Continue reading The Kobukan Years – Part I
Nagare Keiko
Nagare-keiko In the exercise of our Aikido, the ultimate goal is of course to obtain the ability to perform under full control in a perfectly flowing manner without conflicting not only with the partner but particularly with oneself. This perfectly flowing motion could well be out of reach, but we must strive to master it, … Continue reading Nagare Keiko
Dojo and Kamiza
Dōjō and kamiza Early in 2020, when the Covid-19 virus started to spread in Europe, the French government ordered a lockdown of the country, including the closing of all “nonessential” activities, including businesses, sport venues and dōjō. It is clear to me–having practiced and trained in Aikido for fifty years–that the dōjō is an … Continue reading Dojo and Kamiza
L.A. (Podcast) (Oct. 2022)
PART1 PART2
PART IV – The Light at the End of the Tunnel
The Light at the End of the Tunnel The year 1967 ushered in changes so profound that the whole of my life continued to be influenced by the events of that time. Prior to the first signs of change I had suffered countless sleepless nights beset by anxiety, anger and depression, struggling over the question … Continue reading PART IV – The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Part 3: Private Classes With Chiba Sensei
Shortly after my arrival at Hombu Dojo, having earned the trust of the small group of foreigners who attended Chiba Sensei’s class on Friday evenings, I learned that some of them had formed a working group to practice privately with him. This group included several Americans: Paul Sylvain, Lorraine Sylvain-DiAnne, Meik Scoss, Bruce Bookman and … Continue reading Part 3: Private Classes With Chiba Sensei
Part III – My First Year in England – Volume 4: The End of the First Year
The End of the First Year I went to see the man in charge of Sunderland Physical Education (SPE) whom I had met once before through Mr. Logan. Although he was no longer active, I had been told that he was an Aikidoist who had led an SPE-sponsored group of practitioners that was loosely associated … Continue reading Part III – My First Year in England – Volume 4: The End of the First Year