International Instructor Seminar Series 2005

Featuring;
Ali San Uludag Sensei
President of the International Uludag Foundation Aikikai
From Istanbul, Turkey
June 27-July 5th, 2005
Written by Emily Busch
Nippon Kan Vice President

Ali San Sensei teaching at Nippon Kan. (photo album at end of article)

Ali San Uludag Sensei, President of the International Uludag Foundation Aikikai, headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, visited Nippon Kan Headquarters in Denver, Colorado to instruct at a two day seminar event this past June 29th-30th.

Ali San Sensei’s visit to Denver was sponsored by AHAN (the Aikido Humanitarian Active Network) as a cross-cultural opportunity to share American and Turkish cultures through the practice of Aikido. Ali San Sensei teaches at his many dojos in Turkey, Iran and other former Soviet Satellite countries in the Middle East.

In May of 2004, Homma Kancho visited Ali San Sensei’s headquarter dojo in Istanbul, Turkey where he instructed an AHAN semina to benefit children with Leukemia in Turkey.

About Ali San Sensei’s visit to Denver, Homma Kancho said the following: “The purpose of Ali San Sensei’s visit to the United States is of course to share our practice of Aikido and to learn technique from Ali San Sensei, but this visit is also an opportunity for students at Nippon Kan to be able to touch another culture through Aikido. Especially in post 9-ll times, I think it is important for students to know in person teachers from Islamic cultures. This is an opportunity to reach across political boundaries through Aikido and understand each other on a personal level. I invited Ali San Uludag Sensei to the United States so that we could learn from him, and so that he could experience America and Americans on a one to one basis. It is my hope that he will take good experiences of America with him to share with his students at home in Turkey.

A few years ago in Denver I was coming out of a popular department store at the mall. Two young women passed me on their way into the store. They had their heads and shoulders covered with a black turban, as is customary in their country of origin. Behind them followed two young American boys. As they passed by me I could hear them as they loudly taunted the girls, “Hey” they shouted at the girls. “Where do you think you are? This is the United States! Why are you wearing those things on your heads!” the yelled. The girls looked frightened and huddled together for protection. The boys with their short-sighted understanding and tolerance made me angry, yet I said nothing as I left.

Outside of the store I regretted that I had not stood up for the girls. I should have said something to the boys even if an altercation landed me in jail. I knew through experience however that the repercussions of an altercation could be serious and the costs high. This I thought sadly was the reality of the situation.

I have not forgotten that day, and have thought deeply about what I could do to improve situations like the one at the department store in a productive way. It is within my lifelong study of Aikido that an answer came. By sharing our Aikido with others from far away places, my dream is to promote a deeper cultural understanding between students of all countries. This I decided was a loftier goal than chastising a couple of loud mouth kids at the mall.

The first step has been for me to go personally to countries around the globe to experience for myself the personal worlds of other Aikidoists. I have tried to go with an openness of mind and heart to experience their worlds beyond religious, cultural or lifestyle barriers. The second step has been to share my experiences with my students and to give them the opportunities to share in other cultures by inviting special instructors from other lands to come to Nippon Kan. The third step has been the development of AHAN to provide many opportunities for students to participate in humanitarian and cross-cultural exchange projects around the world.

In the early 1940’s, before the end of WWII, Japanese Americans living in the United States were having a very difficult time. Sixty years after the end of WWII however, most conflicts from that era have been solved, and time has healed most wounds. Today the relationship between the United States and Japan is on solid ground, as is the relationship between the United States, Germany and Italy. Throughout our history, the actions of a vicious few have caused hardship for entire countries and nationalities. Since WWII, the wars in Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia, the cold war with the USSR, and the fall of communism symbolized by the tearing down of the Berlin Wall are just a few examples of events in our history that have marked a time of struggle and hardship for those directly involved. Through action to right wrongs and with the passage of time, many of these struggles now belong to the past, belong to history.

In a post-9-11 world we face many new challenges; challenges that I hope we can meet with individual steps toward understanding. In our own small way, this seminar is a gift to peace in our world. Turkey is a country that physically and metaphorically lies between the worlds of East and West. It is our hope that Ali San Sensei will be able to take home to his country, a new and truer understanding of America directly from his heart.

Ali San Sensei’s classes were full of serious technique delivered with charm and humor. Ali San Sensei connected well with Denver students and everyone seemed to enjoy his classes immensely. Ali San Sensei and his assistant Banu had a chance to visit and talk with many students, advisors and staff at Nippon Kan, and also got a taste of the “Wild Wild West” with visits to the Colorado Rockies, the Royal Gorge and other attractions.

Ali san Sensei brought with him an abundant assortment of bokken, jo, weapons bags, hakama and towels that were made by Ali San Sensei’s company in Istanbul. Ali San Sensei distributes his popular line of Aikido gear widely in Europe and the Middle East. These goods he donated to AHAN and agreed to have a special sale for Nippon Kan students to raise funds for on-going and future AHAN projects in the Middle East and Former Soviet Satellite Countries.

Accompanying Ali San Uludag Sensei was his student and assistant Banu Alisverisci from the capitol city of Ankara Turkey. Banu was a delight to meet and everyone loved her energy and enthusiasm. Best of luck to Banu teaching children’s classes in Ankara!

This visit by Ali San Sensei was made possible through introductions by Nippon Kan Alumni uchideshi Scott Roney. Translation services were provided by Nippon Kan member Mehmet Kazgan and his wife Hande. Their help was an extraordinary, and we owe many thanks to Mehmet and Hande for their tremendous efforts. Many thanks also to Nippon Kan Instructor Scott Olson for helping to serve as tour guide, and to all Nippon Kan students for their support in attending the seminar and welcome parties.

Ali San Sensei’s thank you letter posted after the photo album.

Photo Album

Comments on His Visit to the United States.
by Ali San Uludag Sensei
President of President of the International Uludag Foundation Aikikai,
From Istanbul, Turkey
July 10th, 2005

The time I have spent with Nippon Kan members has been one of my biggest experiences I have ever had. Even though I did not know English, there was not even a language barrier with people.

This was like a trip to a part of my heart. Sharing Aikido techniques with Nippon Kan members and getting their hospitality and smiles in return are the things that I will never forget.

Aikido was just a tool we have used to communicate with each other and exchange our cultures in a way.

We have seen lots of beautiful places, natural environments and many interesting views of United States. I have enjoyed every second of my trip.

I would like to thank first Gaku Homma Sensei providing me and my assistant this wonderful opportunity to meet great members of Nippon Kan, work together, and visit beautiful places. I would also thank to Emily Sensei for her time and assistance, and all members of Nippon Kan organization for sharing their time with me.

I wish to see everyone again soon with future AHAN organizations.