October 16-18, 2009
Homma Kancho and Ali Sensei donate proceeds to Bursa Street Kid Foundation.
Homma Kancho returned from Morocco to Turkey on October 13th. I have heard Homma Kancho mention that he would like to spend a few days relaxing in Istanbul someday without teaching and work to be done.
After Homma Kancho returned from Morocco, I, Megumi Machi, AHAN Turkey Coordinator and my husband Vecihi took the opportunity to take Homma Kancho by car to visit the Black Sea. We also spent time in Istanbul doing a great deal of research on Turkish cuisine for Homma Kancho’s restaurant in Denver by visiting many local restaurants!
Homma Kancho was also shown the sights of Lake Iznik by one of Ali Uludag Sensei’s senior students, Seha Iscan who owns his own travel agency in Istanbul. Homma Kancho enjoyed his time on all of these local adventures and the chance to relax for a few days.
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- The fish were very fresh at the local fish market.
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- Cooked and served on the spot!
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- Sever Sensei measuring the size of coffin from the Roman Empire.
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- At the gate of a Byzantine era fort with Seha.
Beginning October 16th, Homma Kancho taught two seminars in Bursa, marking the opening of a new branch dojo in Bursa for Ali Uludag Sensei of Turkey Aikikai. A portion of seminar proceeds were donated to the Bursa Street Kid Foundation. In special attendance at these seminars was Mustafa Aygun Sensei who trained together with Ali Uludag Sensei as original students of the Founder of Aikido in Turkey, Kenji Kumagai Shihan, currently living in Tanabe City, Japan. Today both Uludag Sensei and Mustafa Aygun Sensei head their own organizations in Turkey, but came together to practice at these landmark seminar.
Turkey Aikido is made up of a number of practicing dojos and supports many activities. There are many people with many ideas, which makes it difficult to organize as one sole organization. There can be danger in an Aikido organization when organizers do not practice Aikido themselves and seek to control activity for personal gain or benefit.
From left; Ali Uludag Sensei, Homma Kancho, Mustaf Aygun Sensei.
Homma Kancho offered his advice to Ali Uludag Sensei and Mustafa Aygun Sensei, “Both of you are original students of the Founder of Aikido in Turkey, Kumagai Shihan. You now both have your own organizations but today you practice here together. This sends a good message and offers a positive example to your students. As direct students of Kumagai Shihan, respect each other’s individual activities yet work together toward compounding your directions; both of you with your own organizations, instructors with individual differences but with the same ultimate goal; to see Aikido in Turkey develop in a healthy strong way. This is the way to say thank you to your teacher, Kumagai Shihan.”
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- Practice in Bursa.
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- Group photo at Bursa dojo.
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- Bokken practice at second seminar location
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- Attending students.
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- Time to relax with an after practice celebration.
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- Homma Kancho and Ali Sensei clowning around!
Every time Homma Kancho teaches in Turkey, he begins his teaching by stating clearly, “Turkey Aikido was founded by Kumagai Shihan of Aikikai Aikido. I am here as a friend of Ali Uludag Sensei, here to practice together with you. It is never my purpose, or the purpose of Nippon Kan to try to organize branch dojos here in Turkey. I am here to share with you and learn from you. That is my only purpose.”
This philosophy of Homma Kancho’s is one of his highest priorities. His purpose is to teach, not to become involved with any organization’s policies or politics.
Thank you Homma Kancho for your positive advice and inspiring practice.
Written by
Megumi Machi
Nippon Kan AHAN Turkey Coordinator