Turkey

Aikido for Life Published in Turkey; A Celebration
Bursa Street Kid Foundation Assistance Seminar
March 21st-24th, 2008

Homma Kancho’s book, Aikido for Life first published in the United States was translated and published in Turkey this year. This was cause for celebration by all AHAN Istanbul staff involved in this great effort and accomplishment. All proceeds from sales of the Turkish translation of Aikido for Life will be used to support AHAN activities in Turkey. Aikido for Life, first translated and published in English in the United States has been translated into 8 languages around the world.

Bursa is a ferry ride and a 2 ½ hours drive from Istanbul and was the location for a fund raising seminar in support of the Bursa Street Kid Foundation. The seminar was organized by Turkey Aikikai (Ali Uludag Sensei-headquarters Istanbul www.aikidoturkey.com ) and the Bursa Japan Culture Center Uluyama Aiido class run by Mr. Hakan Kaplan. At Ali Sensei’s invitation about 120 Aikidoka gathered for this two day fund raising seminar from all over Turkey.

: 1st day seminar location

: 2nd day seminar location

Ali Sensei is a very active leader of AHAN Nippon Kan Turkey and has organized many fundraising seminars and events on his own to support local charities and children’s assistance organizations. One of the goals of AHAN Nippon Kan Headquarters is to help inspire a sense of community service and wellness in Aikido communities all over the world. It has never been the purpose of Homma Kancho or AHAN to collect the allegiance of other dojos or to establish branch Nippon Kan dojos in other countries. It was evident in the spirit of the students practicing at this seminar in Bursa that Ali Sensei had taught them well; they did not come to get a promotion or rank for themselves, they came with the purpose of practicing to help others in their own communities. This is AHAN, and Ali Sensei understands it well.

Certificate of Appreciation to Homma Kancho from Bursa Street Kid Foundation

Practice at the Bursa seminar

In attendance at the seminar was the Mayor of Bursa, Muhamer Subasi, representatives of the Bursa Street Kid Foundation and members of the Tukish Aikido Association. After the first day of the seminar classes were over, Homma Kancho visited a center where professional Sema Dancing and music is taught. Sema dancing (whirling dervish dancing) is famous worldwide, and to visit the primary training center where Sema dancing is taught was a delightful experience for Homma Kancho who was able to visit with the dancers backstage and even tried a little dancing and playing himself! Homma Kancho was also able to visit a training facility for traditional Turkish military marching bands, boasting a history that included the world’s oldest living military band.

: Friendly and hospitibal people of Bursa

: Sema dance

: Sema musicians practice

: Sema dance goes round and round making holes in the practice board

: World’s oldest living military band.

Homma kancho tries his hand at Sema dancing and music

World’s oldest living military band.

: Military band practice

: This cymbalist is famous all over the world.

Homma Kancho and Ali Sensei returned to Istanbul at the conclusion of the seminar to prepare for their journey ahead to Central Asia, 1st stop: Kyrgyzstan.

Written by AHAN Istanbul Coordinator
Megumi Machi