Sept 19-27, 2008
Seminar practice.
In September, five people from Nippon Kan and 10 people from AHAN Mexico, accompanied Homma Kancho to Japan to attend the 40th Year Anniversary Celebration of the Aikido Kobayashi Dojo. (Founded by Yasuo Kobayashi, Dojo Cho http://www.cup.com/kobayashi-dojo/english/index.html ). The first event attended was a special practice held at the Meiji University Aikido Club, instructed by Kobayashi Shihan. This practice was followed by another special practice instructed by Aikikai Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba. There were over 500 aikidoka that attended this special practice. Both practices were followed by a banquet dinner for 400 people who had come from all parts of Japan and around the world to attend this 40th Year Anniversary Celebration of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo.
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- Practice at Meiji University.
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- 40th Year Anniversary Celebration Party.
Homma Kancho was a special guest and sat together with Kyoichi Inoue Sensei, (Metropolitan Aikido Shihan, former Yoshinkan Kancho). Shudo Maruyama Sensei (Aikido Koki Kai Founder), Hitohiro Saito Sensei (Dento Iwama Ryu Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai Founder)and Kosaku Takano Sensei (Aikido Azabu Dojo Cho). A lively discussion ensued among this group of leaders about Aikido; past, present and future, and a good time, was had by all.
There was a poignant moment after practice at the Meiji University when Shudo Maruyama Sensei and Kobayashi Shihan met again for the first time in 45 years. It was a touching reunion and a wonderful chance to get reacquainted after all these years.
After the 40th Anniversary Celebration came to a close, our group from Nippon Kan and AHAN Mexico moved on to a whirlwind tour of Kyoto, Nikko and other sites of Japan before returning home. It was a short but wonderful trip, with enough memories to last for a long, long time.
Written by
Theresa Kroll
Nippon Kan General Headquarters