Last year, Aikikai was able to hold countless seminars and anniversaries both within Japan and also overseas. It may seem that the events are not so different than the year before, however, I believe it is important to remember that each event, anniversaries are the result of years of endurance and promotion of Aikido by our predecessors.
Aikido, the techniques and philosophy of the founder, Ueshiba Morihei became open to the public from the late 1940s by the efforts of the second Doshu, Ueshiba Kisshomaru. Aikido has seen its popularity grow not just within Japan, but to many countries around the world. Notably, the spread of Aikido amongst the University student was the strong wish of the second Doshu Ueshiba Kisshomaru, who devoted his time and efforts to their training. The All Japan Student Aikido Federation was the founded for this very purpose, which has marked its 50th year. The foundation began in 1961with just 13 Universities in the Kanto region, and 3 Universities in the Kansai region. Now, the foundation has grown to encompass over 120 Universities throughout Japan from Hokkaido to the Shikoku region. It is deeply moving to think that the foundation has developed so much in just the 50 years. At the same time however, the number of students within each University club has been observed to have decreased over the years. This is not just in Aikido, but is a general trend in University clubs throughout Japan. Although a growth is seen in the number of Aikido and martial arts practitioners overseas, there seems to be a negative trend within Japan, which is also seen in the All Japan Student Aikido Federation. I sincerely hope that the coming developments in the education sector will help the young generation to cherish, and also take pride in the Japanese culture.
Along with the All Japan Student Aikido Federation, there were seven University clubs that celebrated its 50th year of foundation. I attended many of the anniversary events, at which I felt the strength and power which supported the history of the club. I am certain that the strength of these clubs not only originates from the current university students, but also through the cohesive support of the graduates who increase in number as the years pass. Also, many of the student graduates have helped promote Aikido through regional and senior volunteer programs. These efforts have, in effect, helped promote Aikido further and I hope that the current University students will also follow the path and continue training in there own path even after graduation.
To cherish what has been developed by our predecessors, I believe, is also the same spirit as cherishing not just Aikido, but the Japanese culture. Budo recently has become a core physical education curriculum in the secondary schools in Japan. It is said that we can learn the Japanese tradition and culture through Budo. I believe the spirit underlying each, are the same.
This year, the Aikido Hombu Dojo will celebrate its 80th anniversary, and the Aikido Foundation, its 70th year. Aikido was founded by the late Ueshiba Morihei through the extracting the essence of the Japanese traditional martial arts, and through further spiritual endurance which progressed it to the current form. I believe Aikido gave birth from the earths of Japan, and is one of the many culture of Japan that we can take pride in. In the 80 years that the Aikido Hombu dojo was founded, Aikido has spread to over 95 countries throughout the world through the efforts of Aikido second Doshu Ueshiba Kisshomaru, and other predecessors. We continue to see visitors from countries far away that travel to Hombu dojo, and it is at these moments, when I feel the circle of Aikido spreading further to the world.
In reflection of the development of Aikido over these years, I also feel that it is the countless small efforts take over the history that is important. Therefore, I would like to continue to make these small steps, rather than to try to take giant leaps.
The year of the rabbit is said to represent the works of the spring amongst the Chinese zodiac. With the grass sprouting and curtaining the earth, and as the season awakens to the spring voice, I hope, we can all move forward this year with a fresh spirit and mind.