Nothing is working ... As the days crawled by, I became increasingly more agitated and angry with my situation: There had been no change, no news from Mr. Logan regarding the progress of a dojo for me and no contact from any Aikido schools or other dojos in the country. I felt I was being … Continue reading PART III – My First Year in England, Volume 3: Nothing is Working
Author: Didier BOYET
First class at Hombu after my arrival in Tokyo.
Leaving for Japan Summer 1977 In 1976, Chiba Sensei had been recalled to Japan from England by Hombu, which needed his linguistic capabilities as they sought to solve the problem of Aikido’s unruly development around the world. Back in Tokyo, he started to train in Iaido under the guidance of Mitsuzuka Takeshi at the police … Continue reading First class at Hombu after my arrival in Tokyo.
“A Life in Aikido” still continue : Part 3 – The Early Years in England No.2
The situation somehow clarifies but, as the Summer of 1966 draws to an end, the future remains unsure for Chiba Sensei. discover it with Part 3 - The Early Years in England No.2
PART III – My First Year in England, Volume 2: A Hopeless Political Mess
A Hopeless Political Mess In late June 1966, about two months after my arrival in England, a long-awaited meeting between Mr. Logan and myself took place with the help of a Mr. Kimura, a Japanese interpreter and corporate man for Common Brothers Inc. – the company for which Mr. Logan was executive officer. It was … Continue reading PART III – My First Year in England, Volume 2: A Hopeless Political Mess
the continuation of “A Life in Aikido” : Part 3 – The Early Years in England No.1
Here is the continuation of the epic of Chiba Sensei : Part 3 - The Early Years in England No.1 Chiba Sensei sea travels are ending and he finally reaches the English soil. However, his troubles are only starting…
PART III – My First Year in England, Volume 1: At the Logans
My arrival at Heathrow Airport in London on May 5, 1966, signaled the end of my six-week journey. However, the troubles associated with that journey were not over yet, as I quickly encountered problems concerning my immigration status. After my luggage had been thoroughly turned inside-out, I was removed to a separate room to be … Continue reading PART III – My First Year in England, Volume 1: At the Logans
Fall 1970: A Discovery
I spent several months in Africa before returning to France. I was at the time a draft dodger, but was betrayed and welcomed into the Army with open arms by the infamous General Marcel Bigeard and his paratroopers. The disciplinary unit of this regiment, which numbered roughly twelve “non obedient” members, was given the “privilege” … Continue reading Fall 1970: A Discovery
New episode in the Series “A Life in Aikido” – Part II: En Route to Great-Britain, No.3
A new episode in the Series “A Life in Aikido” – Part II: En Route to Great-Britain, No.3 - The long trip taking Chiba Sensei to Great-Britain is finally ending after six weeks at sea and various incidents. Here he comes on an unknown land, inhabited by people who still resent the Japanese for their … Continue reading New episode in the Series “A Life in Aikido” – Part II: En Route to Great-Britain, No.3
PART II – En Route to England, Volume 3: Troubles before Arrival
As the island of Singapore came into view off the starboard deck of the Al-Sabbiyah, the climate of the Indian Ocean became unbearably hot and humid. The most comfortable spot I could find outside of my cabin was on the bow of the ship, where the rain of moisture from the surge of the waves … Continue reading PART II – En Route to England, Volume 3: Troubles before Arrival
Chiba Sensei, story of a life dedicated to Aikido – Part 2, continued
Here is the continuation of the long sea trip which took Chiba Kazuo Sensei to Great Britain in 1966. read more For a more complete coverage of Chiba Sensei’s life, check out Liese Klein book available on Amazon : (https://www.amazon.com/Life-Giving-Sword-Kazuo-Chibas-Aikido/dp/1696063434/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Liese+Klein&qid=1577176040&s=books&sr=1-1)
PART II – En Route to England, Volume 2: Training on Board the Al-Sabbiyah
The temperature rose rapidly with each passing day as the Al-Sabbiyah continued southward. Soon after we entered the South China Sea, the heat became so intense that the crew was compelled to turn on the air conditioning in the cabin. The view from the deck showed nothing but a vast, boundless ocean below a sky … Continue reading PART II – En Route to England, Volume 2: Training on Board the Al-Sabbiyah
Chiba Sensei, a story of a life in to Aikido – 2nd Part
Here is the second part of Chiba Kazuo Sensei writings on his first years as an uchideshi in Hombu Dojo, then as an instructor in England before his return to Japan. This second part includes in fact three episodes relating the long sea trip that was to take him, in 1966, from the port of … Continue reading Chiba Sensei, a story of a life in to Aikido – 2nd Part
PART II – En Route to England, Volume 1: Leaving Japan
I left the port of Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, on March 28, 1966, on a six-week voyage across the sea to England. I was the sole passenger in the first-class cabin on board the Al-Sabbiyah (“Little Princess” in Arabic) – a 35,751-ton Kuwaiti oil tanker that was leased to a British company based in Newcastle, … Continue reading PART II – En Route to England, Volume 1: Leaving Japan
Chiba Sensei, a story of a life in to Aikido
Good morning, everyone, From October 2019, I will publish a series of articles written by Chiba Sensei himself about the story of his life in the world of Aikido. The original text is in English (to be read in the English version of the site) and the French translation has been done by me. A … Continue reading Chiba Sensei, a story of a life in to Aikido
PART I – The Hombu Dojo Years
In early 1957, when I was a Judo student, I got myself involved in a personal duel with a kendo man. He beat me up severely, without my even being able to touch his body. The experience taught me an important lesson as a martial artist: As long as I relied on grabbing an opponent, … Continue reading PART I – The Hombu Dojo Years