| Doshu o Kakomukai(2007/12/15written) |
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On Sunday 9th December 2007 at the Ibaraki Branch Dojo a gathering around Doshu was held. This is a regular joint event of the Ibaraki Prefecture Aikido Association, Ibaraki Branch Dojo and the Ibaraki Branch Dojo's Old Boys Association, welcoming Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu. The final monthly ceremony for 2007 was held at the Aiki Shrine starting from 10:30. After that, a photograph of all those present was taken in front of the Aiki Shrine. |
At noon a gathering around Doshu began at the Ibaraki Branch Dojo. With guests and Old Boys members together there were more than one hundred attendees. Starting with an opening greeting from Ibaraki Aikido Association chairman Shimada, Doshu then said, "Thank you for this gathering today. Being thankful for the peace this year, let us work together to further develop aikido next year."
Next, congratulations were offered by the Mayor of Kasama City Mr Yamaguchi and Member of the Prefectural Assembly Mr Tokoi. Then Acting Chairman of the Old Boys Association Mr Ebisawa led a toast. After that, telegrams were read out from Member of the House of Representatives Mr Nukaga and Member of the House of Councillors Mr Hasegawa. There were reports on recent events and plans for next year from the fifteen prefectural branch dojo. Everyone listened excitedly to the Old Boys memories of the Founder and their stories of tough training. The happy and genial gathering ended at 2:00 p.m. with closing remarks from Acting Ibaraki Branch Dojo Head Mr Isoyama. |
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| Special Seminar with Doshu(2007/10/15written) |
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On 15 and 16 September 2007 a Special Seminar with Doshu was held at the Aikikai Ibaraki Branch Dojo in Iwama (presently Kasama City), a place famous for its connection with the Founder.
This is the third year this seminar has been held. There were more than one hundred attendees of third dan and above from as far north as Hokkaido and as far South as Kyushu.
On the first day, the attendees began by paying their respects at the Aiki Shrine and greeted Doshu, taking a photograph together.
The training led by Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu went for two hours from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The theme for the first day was the basic movements of irimi and tenmi and people trained enthusiastically, concentrating on basic techniques. During the seminar Doshu repeatedly spoke about the importance of basic movements in techniques.
After training, from 6:00 p.m, there was a social gathering with Doshu inside the Ibaraki Branch Dojo. With Owada Shihan of the Ibaraki Branch Dojo leading proceedings, Executive Committee Chairman Mr Inagaki, Acting Ibaraki Branch Dojo Head Mr Isoyama, and Acting Mayor of Kasama Mr Nagai made speeches.
This was followed by Doshu saying, "I am very happy to see so many people come together from many places in Japan. I hope everyone will get to know each other well today."
After that Acting Chairman of the Old Boys Association Mr Ebisawa and advisor to the Ibaraki Branch Dojo Mr Shimada talked about the old days of the Ibaraki Branch Dojo and the Founder. The attendees came closer together in friendship in the dojo closely connected with the Founder.
The second day's training led my Doshu went for two hours from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The training included tenkan techniques and later ushiro ryote dori techniques. At the end of the seminar Doshu spoke about his childhood memories of the Founder in Iwama and the history of aikido, Everyone listened intently.
The second day of the seminar ended well without any injuries. |
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| Aiki
Jinja Rei Taisai 2007(2007/6/7written) | | | Doshu
says, "Aikido's circle is expanding around the world"
The Aikikai
Foundation Inc. held the Aiki Jinja Rei Taisai and memorial services for the Founder
and the second Doshu, Kisshomaru, at the Aiki Jinja on 29 April, starting at 11
a.m. Over 1300 visitors from around Japan attended. The Aiki Jinja Taisai began
with a purification ceremony, followed by a greeting from the head celebrant and
then sacred sprigs were offered to the shrine by the Ueshiba family and group
representatives. Then all attendees paid their respects to the shrine. After that
the memorial services for the Founder and the second Doshu were held. The head
celebrant of the memorial for the ancestors, Founder and the second Doshu spoke
and then the Ueshiba family, student representitives, Aikikai office holder representitives,
people connected with the Founder and second Doshu, and representatives of the
general attendees offered sacred sprigs to the shrine.
Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu
spoke to those present, "I would like to thank you all from my heart for
taking time from your busy lives to be here to celebrate the Aiki Jinja Taisai,
and memorial services for the Founder and the second Doshu, Kisshomaru. It is
thirty eight years since the Founder passed away. During that time, due to the
pioneering efforts of those gathered around the second Doshu, the circle of aikido
has expanded to 90 countries. It is eight years since the passing of the second
Doshu, Kisshomaru. During that time the circle of aikido has continued to grow
throughout the world. I feel very happy experiencing this for myself as I travel
around Japan and overseas. From now on, practicing concientiously every day this
wonderful aikido created by the Founder, I promise to work hard with you all to
develop the circle even further. Truly, thank you all very much for today."
Doshu
then gave a dedicatory demonstration and the ceremony ended at 12:30.
Following
the ceremony, Ueshiba Doshu gave a speech, followed by speeches from Executive
Director Hideo Yonemochi as representative for office holders of the Aikikai Foundation,
and the Mayor of Kasama, Shinju Yamaguchi and the Mayor of Tanabe, Mitsutoshi
Masago, as representatives of the guests. Then a toast was given by Acting Dojocho
of the Ibaraki Branch Dojo Hiroshi Isoyama. This was followed by lively socialising. | | ▲
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| Sixty
two volunteers assist in Aiki Jinja Taisai preparations(2007/5/31written) | | | | The
volunteer preparations for the Aiki Jinja Taisai were carried out from 9 a.m.
on 22nd April. Sixty two volunteers came from Hombu Dojo, Ibaraki Branch Dojo,
Irima Japan Air Defence Service Aikido Group, Aikido Shizenkan, Toride Branch
Dojo, Koibuchi Gakuen Aikido Group and other places. They cleaned the shrine,
and weeded and pruned around the shrine and dojo. The work was completed without
incident at 3 p.m. Sincere thanks to all of the volunteers. | | ▲
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| Kagami
Biraki at Aikikai Foundation Ibaraki Branch Dojo(2007/2/5written) | | | The
first monthly ceremony at the Aiki Shrine for 2007 occurred on 21 January from
11 a.m. Ueshiba Moriteru Doshu gave a speech before the Aiki Shrine and then joined
with around 100 attendees in paying their respects at the shrine.
Following
that, at noon, a Kagami Biraki ceremony was held at the Ibaraki Branch Dojo. The
Acting Mayor of Kasama, Mr. Nagai; Secretary to Member of the House of Representatives
Fukushiro Nukaga, Mr. Ogitsu; Secretary to Member of the House of Councillors
Yasu Kano, Mr. Ikeda; Mrs. Ueshiba; instructors from Honbu, Mr. Ulf Evanas of
the Swedish Budo Association; Chairman of the National Senior High school Aikido
association, Mr. Hirawasa; the executive committee of the Ibaraki Branch Dojo;
members of the Old Boys Association; and representatives from 15 prefectural dojo
participated in the ceremony for which Chief of General Affairs Inagaki acted
as master of ceremonies.
Firstly, Doshu made a greeting address in which
he said, "I feel it is my duty to enlarge the circle of Aikido which was
begun by the Founder and largely developed by Kisshomaru, the Second Doshu. Taking
care of everyday practice, let us all work together this year. "
Then
Acting Dojo Head for the Ibaraki Branch Dojo, Hiroshi Isoyama said "Following
the wishes of Dojo Head Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu, we should do our best to develop
correct aikido in order to establish the path of aikido. I would like there to
be a firm connection between Honbu and the Ibaraki Branch Dojo."
The
Acting Mayor of Kasama, Mr. Nagai, offered words of congratulations. After a large
cask of consecrated sake was opened Chief of General Affairs for the Aikikai Osawa
gave a toast. After enjoying the home cooking of wives of the instructors and
members, masu-zake and sweet bean soup with rice cakes, the ceremony ended at
2 p.m. | | ▲
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| New
Year Greeting by Aikikai Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru(2007/1/1written) | Happy
New Year. Even though we may have regrets about the year that is past let us build
our dreams in the new year starting. This past year aikido activities have, as
always, included very many seminars and demonstrations here and abroad.
On
the feeling of respect for harmony
Honbu dispatched members overseas sixty
times for the purposes of seminars and teaching tours. Formerly this has mostly
been to Europe and the United States. These past 10 years popularity has grown
greatly in countries in South East Asia and Eastern Europe. Now in many countries
and regions the circle of aikido has grown and become established, and its vigor
can be felt. While a shihan from Honbu Dojo was teaching at a seminar organised
by the Serbian Aikido Association, Motenegro declared independence (3 June 06).
Soon after independence a two day seminar was held in the capital city of Podgorica.
Then
again in July there was war between Israel and Lebanon and it seemed the seminar
scheduled for August would have to be cancelled. Fortunately, the hostilities
ended two days before the seminar. The seminar went ahead as scheduled. There
were people who came straight from the war zone to the seminar.
Consequently,
the instructors and attendees of these seminar have strongly felt the state of
affairs in the world. The instructors and attendees will long remember these seminars.
Whatever the conditions, upon stepping foot in the seminar venue, politics and
religion can be set aside and, through practice, you can feel a respect for harmony.
Expanding
horizons world wide
I attended the commemoration of forty years of the
Australian Aikikai, visited Argentina and Brazil (for the first time), as well
as other places. It had been ten years since I had last visited Australia and
Argentina and over that time the number of participants, 600 in Australia and
800 in Argentina, had doubled that of my last visit. At the seminar in Sao Paulo,
Brazil the number of participants, 2000, was ten times that of Kisshomaru Doshu's
visit seventeen years ago. It was a visit that truly showed the spreading of aikido's
horizons.
Growing the power of youth
With such growth in popularity
overseas, I cannot help but feel that aikido needs enriching nationally as well.
I always talk about the basic movements and basic techniques and I think we can
say the same regarding popularisation. Although it is a good thing that aikido,
which was born in Japan, has spread internationally, it is not good to neglect
the spread and enrichment of aikido in Japan. I think this could be said of all
Japanese culture. Surely it is most important that Japanese, as Japanese, keep
up with Japanese culture. To this purpose, the roots of popularity that have been
put down regionally must permeate correctly to junior and senior high school students.
This is because no matter how good instructors may be, without the power and energy
of the young people who are the future this enrichment will never come about.
Further
enrichment nationally
At the same time, I believe that the development
of a heart that cares for the things that our predecessors have created is important
to the care of not only aikido but all Japanese culture. Even though aikido's
story continues to be built layer upon layer, I believe it is necessary to always
first consider what the Founder thought and hoped when he created this martial
art. We must firmly understand what has resulted from the wonderful aikido created
by the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba, and the pioneers who gathered around the second
Doshu, Kisshomaru, who devoted all their energies to develop this path. Based
on these facts, I believe it is now my duty to protect and communicate the principles
of our predecessors. My purpose for this new year is to hold these things in my
heart and further enrich aikido nationally. This year is the Year of the Wild
Boar so, while maintaining discretion, let us press headlong towards our goals. | | ▲
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| Doshu
o Kakomukai(2007/1/10written) | | | The
final monthly ceremony at the Aiki Shrine for 2006 occurred on 10th December from
10:30 a.m. Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu gave a speech before the Aiki Shrine and then
joined with the other 120 attendees in paying their respects at the shrine.
Following
that, at noon, a gathering around Doshu was held as usual at the Ibaraki Branch
Dojo. The master of ceremonies was Mr. Hosaka of the Toride branch. After the
opening greeting by Sakae Shimada, Chairman of the Ibaraki Prefecture Aikido Association,
Ueshiba Doshu spoke saying; "Thank you for holding such a warm gathering
today. From now on I hope that Honbu and the Ibaraki Dojo will be firmly linked."
The
Mayor of Kasama, Shinju Yamaguchi; the Member of Parliament for Ibaraki Prefecture,
Mr. Hashimoto; Member of the House of Councillors, Yasu Kano; and Member of the
Prefectural Assembly, Yoji Tokoi made congratulatory speeches. Acting Dojo Head
for the Ibaraki Branch Dojo, Hiroshi Isoyama, then gave a toast. The gathering
was attended by members of the old boys association and members from 16 prefectural
dojo who presented reports on recent activities and plans for the coming year.
The gathering ended at 2 p.m. | | ▲
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