| Doshu
o Kakomukai(2008/12/25written) |
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On December
14th, Ibaraki branch dojo held “Doshu o Kakomukai from 10:30 a.m.
after the final monthly ceremony in 2008. Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu chanted
purification prayer with 120 attendees at the Aiki shrine. Then we
took picture together.
In the afternoon, we started annual Doshu o Kakomukai at the Ibaraki
branch dojo.
First, Mr. Masaru Hashimoto (Ibaraki prefectural governor), Mr. Fukushiro
Nukaga(House of Representatives member), and Mr. Chiaki Watanabe (Kasama
deputy mayor) - guests of honor - gave a speech. |
Next, Doshu
thanked everyone and said, “Thank you for giving a party today.
As every event in 2008 was completed without any trouble, I feel
some relief. I’d like to cherish my daily training next year too.”
Then, Mr. Hiroshi Isoyama (Acting Dojo Head for the Ibaraki Branch
Dojo) gave a toast.
We had a great time with the many attendees from the different dojos
in Ibaraki prefecture.
The ceremony ended at 2 p.m. |
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| Special
Seminar with Doshu(2008/9/25written) |
On 9/13
and 9/14, A special seminar with Doshu was held at the Aikikai
Ibaraki Branch Dojo in Iwama (currently Kasama city) where the
place famous for the strong connection with the Founder. This
is the forth year since seminar has been held. There were 103
attendees (from 43 group) of first dan and above from as far
north as Aomori and as far South as Kumamoto. We also have attendees
from the U.S.A this year.
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First
day, we welcomed Doshu first, and took pictures together. Then
all of us paid our respects before the Aiki shrine.
The training led by Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu went for 2 hours
from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The theme for the first day was the basic
movements of Irimi and Tenmi. He kept teaching us about the
importance of the basic movement because all waza included.
After the training, we had a party with Doshu at 6:00. Mr. Nobuki
Yamaguchi, the mayor of Kasama city, joined as an honor guest.
During the party, Mr. Sakae Shimada (Advisor to the Ibaraki
Branch Dojo), Mr. Goro Ebisawa, Mr. Kazuhiro Fujieda（Advisor）
talked about the old stories of the dojo and Founder. We had
a great time together.
The 2nd day training led by Doshu went for 2 hours from 10:00
to noon. The training included Katadori Shomen Uchi tequniques
and Ushiro Ryotedori teqhniques. At the end of the seminar,
Doshu spoke about the Aikido history and future. Everyone listened
intently.
Special seminar ended well without any injuries. |
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| 2008
Aiki Jinja Rei Taisai(2008/5/15written) |
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［Doshu
says, "Hand down for next generations"］
The Aikikai Foundation 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. Around 1,300 visitors
attended. The ceremony started with a traditional ritual and purification
prayer (Taisai Norito) by the head celebrant. |
Then sacred
sprigs were offered to the shrine by the Ueshiba family and group
representatives (Tamagushi Houten). Then all attendees offered “Kamigoto”
prayer. After that the memorial services for the Founder and the second
Doshu were held. The head celebrant offered the memorial prayer for
the ancestors of the Ueshiba family, Founder, and the second Doshu.
Then the Ueshiba family, student representatives, Aikikai office holder
representatives, people connected with the Founder and second Doshu,
and representatives of the general attendees offered sacred sprigs
to the shrine (Tamagushi Houtei) and offered “Amatsunorito” prayer.
Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu spoke to those present, "Due to the pioneering
efforts, the circle of aikido has expanded to 90 counties. The Founder,
the second Doshu, and Experienced person taught and show us wonderful
Aikido. From now on, it is our duty to hand down this Aikido for the
next generation. So, I’d like to work with you all for the future
Aikido."
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 the Mayor of Kasama, Shinju Yamaguchi, the deputy mayor of Tanabe,
Shoji Mori, and the member of the Ibaraki prefectural assembly, Yoji
Tokoi, as representative guests. Then a toast was given by the Hombu
Dojo Shihan, Hiroshi Tada. This was followed by lively socializing. |
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| 59
volunteers assist in Aiki Jinja Rei Taisai preparations(2008/4/28written) |
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| The
volunteer preparations for the Aiki Jinja Rei Taisai were carried
out from 9 a.m. on 22nd April. Fifty-nine volunteers came from Hombu
Dojo, Ibaraki Branch Dojo, Irima Japan Air Defense Service Aikido
Group, Camp Zama, Aikido Shizenkan, Toride Branch Dojo, Ishioka Branch
Dojo, Mito Branch Dojo, and other places. They cleaned the shrine,
and weeded and pruned around the shrine and dojo. The work was completed
at 3 p.m. Sincerely thanks to all of the volunteers! |
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| Kagami
Biraki at Aikikai Foundation Ibaraki Branch Dojo(2008/2/14written) |
|
The first
monthly ceremony at the Aiki Shrine in 2008 was held on January
20th from 11 a.m.
First, Ueshiba Moriteru Doshu stood before the altar
and gave a speech. Then worshipped before the shrine with about
100 attendees. |
Following
that, at noon, a Kagami Biraki ceremony was held at the Ibaraki
Branch Dojo. The deputy Mayor of Kasama, Mr. Kazuhiro Ishikawa;
Member of a prefectural assembly, Mr. Yoji Tokoi; Secretary to Member
of the House of Representatives Fukushiro Nukaga, Mr. Ogitsu; Secretary
to Member of the House of Councilors Tamon Hasegawa, Mr. Kimijima;
Mrs. Ueshiba; instructors from Honbu; 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.
The master of ceremony was Chief of General Affairs, Mr. Inagaki.
Firstly, Doshu made a greeting address in which he said, "April
in2011, martial arts will be the mandatory in public junior high
school. Currently, there are about 11,000 public junior high
schools in Japan. So, I would like Aikido instructors to be
a cultured gentleman who have not only a technique, but also a noble
character who can ennoble himself/herself. Please take care
of everyday practice with those mind, and 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. We would like work together
to have a firm connection between Honbu and the Ibaraki Branch Dojo
in 2008 too."
The deputy Mayor of Kasama , Mr. Ishikawa, offered words of congratulations.
After a large cask of consecrated sake was opened, Chief of General
Affairs for the Aikikai, Mr. 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 Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru(2008/1/10written) |
Happy
New Year
Many things have happened in the world and
therefore we have much to consider. It is my pleasure to celebrate
this new year with all of you. Last year as in the past years there
were many wonderful events in the Aikido world and things are improving
all the time. Last year was a very good year for us at Aikikai. |
合気道道主 植芝守央 |
Tanabe
Shi International Seminar
This year the international seminar,
which is held once every four years, will be held in Wakayama
ken, Tanabe shi., O-Sensei's birthplace. The last two times it was
held at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, but this year it has been
40 years since O-Sensei's passing, and the seminar will be held
in his birthplace to honor him. At present people in 90 countries
around the world are practicing Aikido. The International Aikido
Association has more responsibilty every year, therefore it is important
for the me to act as a center point for the Aikido world and yet
still allow it's members to act freely. This is a difficult task,
but it is my responsibility and an inherent part of the development
aikido.
The Purpose of Martial Arts
in Schools
Last September the Central Education
Council's Special Committee, put forth a proposal to include martial
arts training and dance classes for boys and girls in the junior
high schools. They said, "We hope doing this will give the
students a better understanding of Japanese culture and tradition."
I am sure that the students will enjoy having martial arts as part
of their ciriculum. The idea is that if the students are given an
introduction to martial arts in junior high school their interests
will continue through their high school years. It is important that
the system used to teach the students incorporates not just the
techniques of martial arts, but imparts to the students the true
spirit that lies within the martial arts,Japanese traditions and
Japanese culture. Of course to teach correctly we will need
to draw upon our wealth of knowledge, and it will also require that
we have a deep understanding of human nature.
Living in Harmony
It is important to be harmonious
in Aikido. Part of being in harmony is to observe and accept people
as they are. To find harmony one must be accepting, giving, and
correcting with a feeling of kindness. In Aikido both partners play
the role of being uke and nage. In this there is an opportunity
to feel compassion for the other person, this in turn allows your
spirit to grow. Through training with one another we develop our
respect and appreciation for each other. By learning the things
O-Sensei has passed on to us and by training hard every day we hope
to improve ourselves. It is my responsiblilty to preserve these
teachings in the future. We must learn to treasure one another
and in teaching martial arts in the education system we have a responsibility
to teach this. The "way " is without limits and
so is Aikido. This year go forth with a humble heart. |
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