BAF Newsletter no 31 - The British Aikido Federation

British Aikido Federation
Technical Director: Minoru Kanetsuka, 7th Dan Aikikai Foundation, Tokyo
Newsletter
November 1998
No. 31
At its International Summer
School held, as usual, at
Chester University College
at the beginning of August
the British Aikido Federation
was particularly privileged
to have as special guest
instructor Moriteru Ueshiba
Sensei, Executive Director
of the Aikikai Foundation’s
Headquarters in Tokyo.
Celebrating the B.A.F.’s 30
Years Anniversary, this
year’s Summer School was,
of course, a very special
occasion. Also from the
Hombu Dojo came Shihan
Yukimitsu Kobayashi Sensei
who had proved a most
popular instructor at the
Summer School of 1997.
Shihan Minoru Kanetsuka
Sensei,
the
B.A.F.’s
Technical Director made up
the trio of distinguished
instructors, so that with three
separate dojos in operation,
there was ample opportunity
for the participants (nearly
300 people came to the
Summer School from 18
different countries as far
afield as South Africa and
Russia) to practise under
high-grade teachers. Doyen
instructors of the B.A.F.,
Ken Cottier (6 Dan) and
Terry Ezra (6 Dan), as well
as Matthew Holland (5 Dan),
Chief Instructor of the
Scottish Aikido Federation,
also took classes throughout
the week.
The B.A.F. has Full Recognition from the Aikikai Foundation (Aikido World Headquarters, Tokyo), President: Kisshomaru Ueshiba;
and it is a member of the International Aikido Federation and of the British Aikido Board.
Head Office: Yew Tree Cottage, Toot Baldon, Oxford, OX44 9NE. Tel. & Fax: 01865 343500.
British Aikido Federation - Newsletter No. 31, November 1998
DOJO-CHO, MORITERU UESHIBA SENSEI, AT THE B.A.F.‘S 30
YEARS ANNIVERSARY SUMMER SCHOOL IN CHESTER
LETTERS ABOUT SUMMER SCHOOL
Impressions of a special occasion
Halesowen, West Midlands
2 September 1998
I was very proud to be at the Summer School in Chester this
year and be part of the 30 Years Anniversary Celebrations of
the B.A.F.
It has been 26 years since I joined the Federation, although it
only seems like yesterday since I stepped into a dojo for the
first time. The three dojos at this year’s Summer School were
thronged with students of so many nations, everyone wanting
to see and learn from our special guest, Moriteru Ueshiba
Sensei, and from Kobayashi Sensei and Kanetsuka Sensei. It
was clear that all three senseis were working towards one goal:
the education in Aikido throughout all countries and cultures.
The teaching of the 2 visiting senseis from Hombu seemed
to express the true martial way blended with consideration for
all the students practising around them. So with Kanetsuka
Sensei’s oft-repeated exhortation ringing in my ears, “Enjoy
your Aikido”, my Aikido seemed to me to take on a much
more relaxed character. I felt honoured to be taken as uke by
Dojo-cho on two occasions. First, for Gyaku-hanmi Irimi-nage,
where there was no sensation of pushing or pulling; only a
strong feeling of rotation, like being in a whirlpool. Once
drawn into it, the only way to go was down. Then for sitting
Kokyu-ho, where again there was not sensation of pushing or
pulling; only a powerful force emanating from the centre of
Sensei’s body, moving forwards and down.
The hand of friendship shown to me by senior instructors
and all students alike makes me fell excited for the future of
Aikido within the British Aikido Federation. And I would like
to say a big ‘thank you’ to all the backroom staff for all their
tireless work over many years and to whoever were concerned
in bringing a great master like Dojo-cho to Britain. He is an
inspiration to us all.
Alan Smith, Sanyokan Dojo
British Aikido Federation - Newsletter No. 31, November 1998
Letter from Morocco
Letter from Russia
St. Petersburg
12 August 1998
Hello, dear friends,
My name is Olga Novikova. I’m from
St. Petersburg. I’ve been studying
Aikido for four years. This year I had
the good fortune to be invited to the
B.A.F. Summer School and to take
part in this important event.
First of all I’d like to thank the B.A.F. General Secretary,
Peter Megann, for his help to me personally, and to all the
organisers for the excellent organisation of Summer School.
While the programme of training sessions during the day was
excellent, the social events in the evenings (disco, linedancing, etc.) were refreshing and provided an opportunity to
meet a lot of new friends. It was altogether a unique experience
for me. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to practice
with Aikido students from so many different countries. Yes, the
atmosphere of the Summer School was so warm and friendly.
It was real Aikido: the way of peace and harmony.
I found it very interesting to have lessons from such
different teachers as Kobayashi Sensei and Kanetsuka Sensei,
as well as from Ken Cottier, Terry Ezra and Matthew Holland.
Each one had his own unique character, and so each lesson was
different. I particularly enjoyed the stretching exercises we did
with Kanetsuka Sensei, because this kind of exercise is not so
common in our dojo in St. Petersburg.
But, of course, the sessions with Dojo-cho were for me the
most impressive. His graceful yet dynamic movements and the
way he explained things were unforgettable.
What else can I say? Only that I must thank my good fortune
which gave me such a rare opportunity to make another step
forward in the Way of Aikido.
Domo arigato!
Rabat, Morroco
3 September 1998
Dear Mr. Megann,
I returned to Morocco via France a few days ago after our stay in England, of which we have the pleasantest memories. I would
like very much to express my thanks for all the kind help that was given to me and my family during our stay in Chester, which
could not have been better. I would like personally to thank the British Aikido Federation for having permitted me to participate in
this International Summer School and to express my sincere congratulations to all the people responsible for the general
organisation and for the training programme of this important event. It was an enormous success and I was keen to tell my fellow
students about it at the first practice after my return home.
With warm regards
Amal Berrada
The B.A.F. International Summer School 1998 enjoyed the
support of the European Commision’s Eurathlon
programme, which encourages sports projects and
programmes with a European dimension. The British Aikido
Federation was very grateful to the Associacion para el
Formento de Aikido of Spain, the Aikido Federation of the
Netherlands, the Aikikai d’Italia, the Swedish Budo
Federation and the Scottish Aikido Federation for their
prompt and enthusiastic backing of the B.A.F.’s application
for Eurathlon support. In addition, we greatly appreciated
the hard work of Peter Alexander, of Ryusuikan Dojo,
Chester, in drawing up the project which was approved by
the European Commission.
B.A.F. NEWSLETTER
The B.A.F. Newsletter is received not only by B.A.F.
members and members of other Aikido organisations
throughout the United Kingdom, but currently by Aikido
enthusiasts in the following countries: Argentina, Belarus,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt,
Finland, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland,
Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Morocco, Norway,
Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain (including
the Canary Islands), Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and USA.
Katate-dori
UCHI-KAITEN-NAGE
Demonstrated and explained by Kanetsuka Sensei
The form of Uchi-kaiten-nage explained in this
article is with basic Katate-dori contact; but it can
also be performed with Kata-dori contact, as well as
against Shòmen-uchi attack or from Tsuki. By
practising Kaiten-nage from Katate-dori, you are
practising Kokyþ-hò and Shihò-giri at the same
time.
Kaiten-nage may be translated as ‘rotation
throw’. With Ikkyo we learn how to control our
partner through his elbow and hand (an arm pin),
and also study entering with our body and using our
hips. Thus, when you understand Ikkyo, you can
understand Shihò-nage, Tenchi-nage and now
Kaiten-nage.
Photo 1: The movement starts here with Tori in migi
gyaku-hanmi. This is essentially the same posture as
when holding a sword; both hands on the same line,
each of them making the shape of a sword, so to
speak. Your back foot, your centre, your elbow and
your hands in chu-dan pointing towards your partner
(from his neck to his eyes) are all in line. Maintaining
this line is important. Your partner takes your right
hand and tries to control you, as a prelude to a strike
or kick The omote form of the technique illustrated in
this article is performed when you partner pulls you.
British Aikido Federation - Newsletter No. 31, November 1998
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2
Photo 2: At this moment you move forward in response,
not directly towards your partner, but at an angle of about
60 degrees to the attacking line to his left side. At the same
time you make atemi, which means attacking in a wider
sense your partner’s centre, not necessarily hitting, but
maintaining the correct direction from your back foot.
Tori’s right hand does not cut down, but stays in front of
his centre with the same feeling of expansion as at the end
of the sitting kokyþ-hò exercise or when pinning Uke at the
end of Ikkyo (see below). The hand is turned inwards, the
arm making a circular formation. This is an important
point when countering tsuki from your partner, protecting
yourself with your right forearm as you step aside.
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British Aikido Federation - Newsletter No. 31, November 1998
Photo 3: Keeping a low posture, enter with your left foot
in a movement termed uchi-kaiten (‘inner rotation’). At the
same time your right arm cuts up very much as in shihònage, though of course in kaiten-nage it is the outer arm
which is rising. You step through with your left (inside)
foot, under your partner’s shoulder, making atemi to your
partner’s ribs with your left elbow as you do so. There
should be no feeling of pushing in this movement. It’s a
matter of swinging up your arm from the centre of your
body as you move to the side.
Suwari-waza kokyþ-hò
Ikkyo pin
Photos 4, 5 & 6: Tori has entered with his left foot, while
covering his head. He now makes hanten (according to new
text-books) − or otherwise called tenkai or kaiten. This turning
movement is essentially the same as in Shihò-nage as Tori turns
through 180 degrees, though of course the disposition of Tori
and Uke are reversed. Note that Tori does not commit his
weight to his left foot as he turns: it’s more a case of pivoting
on the ball of the left foot. Be careful not to finish the turn to
the rear of your partner. You should finish at his side; not
parallel to him, but turned slightly towards your partner,
maintaining good contact with his centre. Throughout the
whole of the sequence you should be maintaining some tension
on your partner’s left arm keeping him off balance and
controlling his centre. Your stance is the same as when making
shòmen with a sword, i.e with a straight line running from your
left foot and right foot through your centre, which is at this
point moving forwards.
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5
Photo 7: Tori cuts his right arm down. Do not pull down. Shift
your centre to near that of your partner and make a movement
like deep tori-fune (‘boat-rowing exercise’) with your weight
on your front foot as you swing your right arm downwards with
your whole body behind it (though maintain an upright posture
− don’t bend your back), breaking your partner’s balance to his
front. Then as your partner is brought forwards and
downwards, step backwards with your right foot, keeping your
right hand in front of you. In other words, don’t pull your arm
backwards at the same moment as you step backwards. Keep
your right hand open with the fingers extended as in Photo 6,
and the left hand open in front of your centre.
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British Aikido Federation - Newsletter No. 31, November 1998
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Photo 8: Tori, now in hidari hanmi with a deep posture,
places his left hand on Uke’s head at a point just above his
neck. This action is a natural one as Tori brings his right foot
back. His right hand remains in line with his navel as he
takes hold of Uke’s left wrist. Don’t push on your partner’s
head: just keep control. As you take your partner’s wrist be
careful to maintain the contact with the outside of your right
hand as you take hold of the wrist from underneath, so that
as you bring your partner’s arm up at the end of the
movement you are gripping his wrist from its upper side
with your fingers curling round the base of the thumb.
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British Aikido Federation - Newsletter No. 31, November 1998
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Photo 9 & 10: Tori now brings his right hip forward as he
cuts upwards with his right hand and steps through with
his right foot with a large irimi-ashi movement. Maintain
a low posture with the front knee well bent (as in deep
tori-fune), the weight on the front foot.
Photo 11: The throw is completed as Tori projects Uke
forwards. Maintain zanshin.
Kaiten-nage can, of course, be performed in ura version.
The only real difference is that as Uke takes hold (and
pushes), Tori makes tenkan before resuming the
relationship with Uke shown in Photo 1. Also, at the end
of the movement (Photo 9) Tori can make tenkan, first
stepping slightly behind Uke’s rear foot with his right foot
then pivoting to his left as he brings his left foot back.
Without the good contact and control of shihò-nage, kaiten-nage is difficult to execute effectively. If you study these techniques
carefully you will discover the similarities.
A SECOND COURSE WITH SUZUKI SENSEI IN LONDON
Senseis Suzuki and Kanetsuka enjoy the paired warming-up
exercises
Suzuki Sensei shows Terry Ezra how to parry jo-dan tsuki with
relaxed shoulders
The course which was given by Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei (Hanshi, 8 Dan, Director of Wado International Karate-do Federation)
in London in early January concentrating on tsuki, keri and tai-sabaki for aikido practitioners proved so popular that a
second course was organised for 6 September. Everyone was greatly impressed by Suzuki Sensei’s extraordinary speed,
relaxed body and abundant good humour. He explained that his aim was not to make students of aikido adept at karate, but
to give them some idea of the efficacy of karate attacks and demonstrate a method of dealing with them through skilful taisabaki.
MIYAZAWA SENSEI IN LEEDS
On the weekend of 10−11 October the Leeds University Sports Hall was
the venue for a fascinating course shared by Miyazawa Sensei and
Kanetsuka Sensei that was organised by the Yorkshire Aikikai. Miyazawa
Sensei, President of the Aikido Federation of Argentina and the senior
Hombu representative in South America, likes to visit Britain every year in
the autumn. Much of his teaching was concentrated on traditional swordwork as a basis for Aikido movement.
Nito-ken: Cutting with two swords arm and neck
simultaneously
Performing rei with a sword
British Aikido Federation - Newsletter No. 31, November 1998
At the end of the course Miyazawa Sensei presented to the B.A.F.
General Secretary, Peter Megann, a certificate that attested to what
might be described as the ‘twinning’ of the Argentinian and the British
Aikido Federations.
THE B.A.F. NATIONAL COMMITTEE
The Executive Members
(Elected at the AGM)
Terry Ezra (Chairman)
John Czarnuszewicz (Vice-Chairman)
Peter Megann (General Secretary)
Graham Hobbins (Treasurer)
Ken Cottier (Senior Member)
Don Morgan (Senior Member)
The Co-opted Members
Dr. Ken Gannon
Maria Helsby
Peter Gillard
Ian McClarence
Ken Marsden
Derrick Norton
Dr. Alex Megann
Cy O’Hara
Allan Rowley
Stephen Parr
6 DAN*
Matthew Holland (Scottish Aikido Federation)
5 DAN*
Ian McClarence (Seishinkan, Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
Allan Rowley (Gobukan, Macclesfield)
4 DAN
Brian Smith (Swansea University Dojo)
SHIDOIN AND FUKUSHIDOIN OF THE B.A.F.
SHIDOIN
(Senior Instructors)
Ken Cottier
Peter Megann
John Czarnuszewicz
Don Morgan
Terry Ezra
Cy O’Hara
Peter Gillard
Stephen Parr
Ken Marsden
Allan Rowley
Ian McClarence
Alan Smith
FUKUSHIDOIN
(Assistant Senior Instructors)
Arthur Blick
Dr. Ken Gannon
Maria Helsby
Tom Helsby
Stephen Jones
Brian Smith
LONDON RYUSHINKAN SPECIAL NEW YEAR COURSE
TATSUO SUZUKI SENSEI
Hanshi 8th Dan
Chief Director
Wado International Karate-do Federation
invited by
MINORU KANETSUKA
Shihan 7th Dan
Technical Director of the British Aikido Federation
Tsuki, Keri and Tai-sabaki for Aikido practitioners
Sunday, 3rd January, 10.30 am - 1.30 pm
at Summerstown Community Sports Centre, 134 Charlton St, London NW1 1RX
Practice fees: £15 for reservations paid before 13th December; £20 on the day
Booking and further information: phone/fax 0181 451 0721
The address of the B.A.F. Home Page is:
http://www.swan.ac.uk/AU/aikido/baf/baf.html
Dojos wishing to contribute information should contact Steve Hosgood:
Daytime telephone: 01792 295213
Fax: 01792 295811
Email: S.Hosgood@Swansea.ac.uk
The B.A.F. Home Page is linked to the International Aikido Federation Home Page.
B.A.F. SPRING COURSE 1999
Guest Instructor at the B.A.F. 1999 Spring Course will be Hideki Hosokawa Sensei,
7 Dan of the Aikikai d’Italia. It will be held on the weekend of 10−11 April at
Newtown, Powys. Further details will be announced later.
MARTIAL ARTS BOOKS
BOOKS ON JAPAN IN ENGLISH
BOOKSHOP
212 PICADILLY, LONDON W1V 9LD
TEL: 0171-439 8035
FAX: 0171-287 1082
3 DAN
Peter Alexander (Ryusuikan, Chester)
Paul Healey (Wagokan, Manchester)
Norman Wynne (Genbukan, Macclesfield)
Andy Marginson (Ryusuikan, Chester)
2 DAN
Roger Carruthers (Shobukan, Cardiff)
Yuri Chubb (Russian Aikido Federation)
Bill Jackson (Ryushinkan, London & Oxford Dojo)
Charles Judd (Oxford University & City Dojo)
Despina Kyriacou (Ryushinkan, London)
Andrei Mostovnikov (Russian Aikido Fed.)
Ishana Perez Pena (Ryushinkan & Canary Islands Aikikai)
Jane Sabin (Leicester Dojo)
Rebecca Saville (Ryusuikan, Chester)
1 DAN
Amanda Beech (Genbukan, Macclesfied)
Paul Davies (Komyokan, Birkenhead)
Jonathan Diesch (Leeds Dojo)
Robert Jones (Budokan, North Wales)
Simon McAsey (Wa Go Kan, Manchester)
Olga Mostovnikova (Russian Aikido Federation)
Guennadi Slessarev (Russian Aikido Federation)
Stella Stevenson (Komyokan, Birkenhead)
Robbie Tennant (Aberdare Dojo)
Neil Vann (Leicester Dojo)
Gary Vaughan (Aberdare Dojo)
Rafael Villarreal (Komyokan, London)
Howell Williams (Aberdare Dojo)
*Promotions to be announced at the Kagami Biraki
Cermemony at Hombu in January 1999
B.A.F. HOME PAGE ON THE INTERNET
British Aikido Federation - Newsletter No. 31, November 1998
YUDANSHA PROMOTIONS AT
SUMMER SCHOOL
Facing the
cameras at
Summer School:
Dojo-cho,
Moriteru
Ueshiba Sensei
with Kanetsuka
Sensei on his
left and
Kobayashi
Sensei on
his right.
NEW B.A.F. DOJOS
A new dojo has been opened in Eton Wick, Berks. and
has affiliated to the B.A.F. Likewise one in Penarth,
Cardiff.