In spite of last year’s very difficult situation, we have managed, both in Japan and abroad, and with the Aikikai Hombu as the centre, to hold almost the same number of seminars and anniversary celebrations as in other years.　I believe that these solid and enduring activities are achieved through the diffusion and promotion of the aikido founded by Morihei Ueshiba.
What is presently called the ‘Hombu Dojo’ was built by the founder, Morihei Ueshiba in 1931, and was called ‘Ueshiba Dojo’. As Aikido developed for the following 10 years, it reached its limits as a personal dojo. Because of this, “Kobukan Foundation” was established in 1940.
In 1941, WWII occurred. When Tokyo suffered a massive air raid by U.S. Forces in 1945, Doshu Kisshomaru protected the dojo at all cost with the neighborhoods’ help. The neighborhood was a sea of fire in this air raid. If it had burned down at this time, there could not have been any revival of aikido in the postwar period, or that revival might have been severely delayed. It might not have spread through 95 nations throughout the world in these 65 years since the war.
Because of the extraordinary efforts of seniors senpai, Aikido continues to expand in a great circle. I would like to hold the postponed events, ‘The 80th anniversary of the aikido Hombu Dojo’ and ‘the 70th anniversary of Aikikai Foundation’ in September, and understand the history of aikido correctly and transmit it to posterity with greater clarity.
In addition, every 4 years the IAF congress will be held in the Yoyogi Olympic Center. It is hard to estimate how many aikido practitioners will participate because of the nuclear plant issue. I hope we can unify our hearts and make it fruitful.
Last year in November, their Royal Majesties the King and Queen of Bhutan visited Japan. I think that there are not few Japanese who were moved with his dignity, a warm eye and a benevolent, pro-Japanese speech.
I was impressed with “You displayed the true qualities of Japan and her people. What would have shattered other nations and caused anarchy, chaos and lament − was met by the Japanese people with quiet dignity, confidence, discipline and strength of heart, even under the worst of circumstances. In our present world, this combination of excellence − with strong roots of culture, tradition and values − is almost impossible to find. [. . . ] These values and qualities were not born yesterday − but were born from centuries of history.”
He wished friendship between Bhutan and Japan in his 13 minutes speech. I was touched by his sympathy, as though Japan was his country, and felt the friendship in King Jigme Khesar of Bhutan’s speech.
Japan was beaten by natural disasters and the nuclear plant issue. But we are able to realize that our beautiful and precious soul exists. The King told us that the soul is born from our history in the number of centuries. We should learn our ancestors’ spirits and re-realize our positive points. I was taught through his speech that those engaged in aikido move forward and unify with the Wago soul.
In their own language and shown on their flag, ‘Bhutan’ means ‘the country of the thunder dragon’. This year is the year of dragon. Let us go forward strongly with the warm support of the country of a dragon for one year, this year.