| “Aiki Shrine Festival” and “the memorial service for the Founder and Kisshomaru Ueshiba Doshu” (2014/6/30) |
AIKI SHRINE FESTIVAL and a memorial service for the Founder and Kisshomaru Ueshiba 2nd Doshu were held at AIKI Shrine in Kasawa city (Old Iwama town), Ibaraki Prefecture at 11:00 on April 29th. Approximately 1,500 people participated.
Doshu’s greeting:
I am pleased that a great number of people have made time in your busy schedules to attend Aiki Shrine Festival and memorial services for the Founder and Kisshomaru Ueshiba 2nd Doshu. 45 years have passed since the Founder passed away and 15 years since Kisshomaru Ueshiba 2nd Doshu’s passing. Aikido is presently practiced in about 100 countries of the world. I believe that our duty is to transmit the great Aikido created by the Founder to posterity.
After Doshu’s speech, Waka Sensei Mitsuteru Ueshiba acting Dojo-cho, and Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu showed hono-embu (Aikido demonstration). The festival was closed at 12:30. |
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| KAGAMIBIRAKI AT IBARAKI BRANCHI DOJO (2014/2/28) |
| The first tsukinamisai (monthly festival) in 2014 was held on January 19th. Doshu prayed at the Aiki Shrine then recited “norito” (prayers) at the dojo and prayed with the participants of Kagamibiraki ceremony. At noon, Kagamibiraki ceremony started with opening greetings from Mr. Ijima, the chairman of Ibaraki Prefecture Aikido Federation, and Doshu made his speech, “I would like to keep practicing while firmly valuing the basics.” |
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Following that, Mr. Isoyama, the Mayor of Kasama city, Mr. Yamguchi, and other VIPs made greetings and complimentary speeches. After the introduction of VIPs, the Kagamibiraki ceremony was carried out. The ceremony began with a toast by Mr. Fujieda and continued in a friendly, lively atmosphere. |
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| 2013 Doshu wo Kakomu-Kai (2014/2/28) |
The last Tsukinami-Sai (monthly festival) in 2013 was held on December 22nd, 2013 at the Aiki-Shrine. Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu, recited “norito” (prayers) at the Aiki shrine and prayed together with around 100 people, who came from Ibaraki Branch Dojo and many dojos of Ibaraki Prefecture Federation and then took a ceremonial photograph.
After the festival, the traditional ‘Doshu wo Kakomu-kai’ was held at the Ibaraki Branch Dojo. At first, the chairman of Ibaraki Prefecture Aikido Federation, Mr. Kazuhiro Fujieda made a greeting. Then Mr. Kouzuki, upper house member, Mr. Iijima, the head of education board of Kasama city, Mr. Yamaguchi, the mayor of Kasama city, Mr. Tsunei, a member of the Ibaraki Prefecture's congress, all made speeches. Then Doshu made a speech looking back on the year.
Mr. Isoyama, an adviser of Ibaraki Branch Dojo, made a toast. After the toast, a good time was had by all participants with Doshu. |
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Step by step, steadily |
New Year Statement Aikido Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba
(2014/2/14) |
I would respectfully greet you with a Happy New Year.
I am very happy that we are able to start a New Year again, calmly. While the world is changing quickly year from year, I spent a year as if it was swept away.
It was not only Japan attacked by forces of nature, such as the extreme heat of last year, local rainstorms, tornados and powerful typhoons. When I think of the people who encountered these natural disasters, I really appreciate that we are able to turn over a new calendar safely and feel happy for that.
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Aikido Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba |
In recent years, especially in the city, we no longer see many people visit to shrines at New Year wearing Kimono. It becomes difficult to feel the beginning of the year in the town. But I am able to greet New Year’s Day with many Aikikai members while practicing etsunen- keiko. We can say that it is the best moment when we greet each other with “Happy New Year” at 0 o’clock on New Year’s Day.
Recently, many recognized dojos or Aikido clubs at universities celebrated their 50th anniversary. I looked back at what Aikikai was 50 year ago.
50 years ago, in 1964, it was the year of the Tokyo Olympic Games. Judo became an Olympic sport as a Martial Art, and Kendo, Kyudo and Sumo were performed as demonstration events, as Japanese traditional Martial Arts. This was in the same place as the ‘All-Japan Aikido Demonstration’ is held in May every year, the Nippon Budokan.
The January issue of the Aikido Newspaper that year said, “This year, Aikido is also expected to make a global leap, spreading its wings still more than other national Martial Arts.” At that time, the wings covered about 6 countries but now a wide age group practice Aikido in 130 countries.
Aikikai, over the last 50 years, has been spreading in a way inconceivable in those days. On the other hand, has awareness of Aikido amongst the general public in Japan leaped dramatically? The answer is NO.
Aikido has been one of the options for the junior high school Martial Arts practice since 2012 and has been adopted by about 40 junior high schools. I feel keenly that I want to improve practical teaching methods in order to correspond to the compulsory Martial Arts curriculum, while we strive to enhance instructors through their teaching methods and practical guidance, we have to create enough awareness of Aikido for the people engaged in education.
In addition, I think it is the one of challenges for us to make school officials and the All-Japan High School Aikido Association understand that Aikido is a Martial Art without competition. I am keenly aware that I should make an effort to help more people recognize the difference between sports and Martial Arts.
If Aikido transmutes into sports or games, washing away in the flow of the times, it is no longer Aikido anymore. We shall not be bent away from the essence of Aikido as we strive to spread it widely to the general public.
I was awarded the Medal of Blue Ribbon for contributions to the dissemination and promotion of Aikido as chairman of the Aikikai Foundation on November 3rd, 2013.
I was able to receive the Medal of Honor awarded over three generations of Doshu. I am very honored by this award because of the recognition for my activities to popularize the way of Aikido and for firmly taking over the organization, which has grown rapidly since 1975, following from Kisshomaru Ueshiba 2nd Doshu. Thank you for your help and to everyone involved in Aikido from the bottom of my heart. I myself study more and would like to hand the basic philosophy and the charm of Aikido on to the next generation and broaden the true comprehension. Nothing could make me happier than if you could support me more than ever in future.
Steadily, step by step. I will proceed slowly but steadily and gratefully expect your support for this year. |
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