Nepal Aikido Spring Seminar

March 14th-19th, 2008

Instructor Rajesh teaching with Homma Kancho looking on.

It has only been three years since Aikido was first introduced by Homma Kancho in Nepal in 2005, and practice has grown greatly in that time. At this seminar held at the Nepal Budokan (Nepal Multiple Martial arts Hall) the Nepal Minister of Education and Culture, The Nepal Olympic Secretary General, Mr. Jeevan Shrestha and other dignitaries and advisors came to watch the opening ceremonies and demonstrations.

Guests at the opening ceremony

NAC Kathmandu Nepal Aikido Club is led by instructor Rajesh Bista and NAC secretary Pramod Adhikari who have done a very good job organizing and promoting the instruction of Aikido to their new and eager student base in Kathmandu. Nippon Kan General Headquarters has sent four instructors to Nepal to assist them in their teaching, program planning and organizational techniques. The NAC is independently run and operated and Nippon Kan Headquarters only sends instructors to offer any assistance and guidance that is asked for. We are only there to support the promotion of Aikido in Nepal and to support the NAC as it grows as a dojo and an organization. Last year there were about 30 students who practiced on a regular basis, and this year the number of practicing students has doubled to 60. The Nepal Aikido Club is growing strong due to the sincere efforts of Rajesh Bista, Pramod Adhikari and other supporting members.

: Instructor Rajesh Bista and Homma Kancho.

: Homma Kancho teaching Instructor Bista

This seminar event began with demonstrations performed by Rajesh Bista and his students, a women’s demonstration featuring Dayangi Sherpa and Nippon Kan instructor Mariusz Ference, and a demonstration by Homma Kancho from Nippon Kan Headquarters. After the seminar introductions and demonstrations had been held, Homma Kancho began teaching the multiple day seminar event. The 200 tatami mat space at the Nippon Budokan where the seminar was held, was generously donated by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). The Nippon Budokan also houses a large wood floor space of the same dimensions, dressing rooms and offices making a very nice facility for the practice of different martial arts in Nepal.

Kathmandu Nippon Budokan (martial art hall)

Group photos of seminar attending members

Bokken and jo practice

The seminar was held over a three day period, two hours each morning and two hours each afternoon. About 60 students filled the originally requested space of 120 tatami mats but it was so crowded, we were allowed to use the entire 200 tatami mat hall. Participating in the seminar were Nepal Special Task Force and Armed Police Commanders who practiced very hard to learn what Homma Kancho had brought on this trip to Nepal.

With the Minister of Sports and Education and NAC Board Members.

After the seminar came to a close, NAC, Nippon Kan Staff and Homma Kancho joined the Nepal Minister of Education and Sports for dinner. The minister spoke about the martial arts in Nepal, “25 years ago, the martial arts were only practiced by the military or by police; it was illegal for citizens to practice these arts. People who were not in the military or the police practiced in secret, teaching themselves from books or learning from friends who had traveled or studied abroad and learned about such things. They began to form small groups to practice. The first martial arts practiced in Nepal were Kyoukushin Karate and Taekwondo. These groups grew large and had a tendency to fight one another. A wise move was made by the Nepalese government through the Sports and Education Department was to organize and supervise practice space for ALL of the semi-underground martial arts groups to practice at the Ragasta stadium in central Kathmandu. Today there are about 30 different martial art groups and from 700 to 1000 martial artists who practice at the stadium every day. There is no other martial art training facility like this anywhere in the world. The newest martial art to be introduced to Nepal is Aikido and has been brought to us by Homma Kancho. With all of Homma Kancho’s efforts and support, Aikido is growing and is a good addition to the martial arts practiced in our country.”

Written by
Pramod Adhikari