Affable Old Men’s Visit to Bilay House
June 18, 2019
Touched by Spirituality, Religions and Cultures: Hitohira Saito Jukucho outside the sphere of Aikido
June 18, 2019
I’ve traveled several countries with him. While it was my 20th or so time to visit Nepal, it was the very first time to visit the country for Hitohira Jukucho. As various religions are practiced by the people of the country and as the country is rich with old cultures and traditions, it must have been deeply fascinating and inspiring …
Sensei came back home! Jun 6, 2019 – Bilay House, located on the Thailand near the border with Myanmar
June 9, 2019
To research the current state of being of orphaned refugee children in limbo and how they can apply for and obtain a proof of citizenship and a passport, a group of people gathered their linguistic talents to help with the research and to help the children. From Myanmar, where the children are from, Ms. Nilar, who is AHAN Coordinator …
A Bridge between the U.S. and Japan: ~ A visit by Representatives from the City of Salida from Colorado, U.S.A. to Higashi Naruse village in Japan ~
June 3, 2019
Approximately 150 miles from the city of Denver, less than 3-hour drive through beautiful roads in Rocky Mountains, nestled and hidden in beautiful mountains, the city of Salida, known as the “Heart of the Rockies”, is a hole-in-the-wall like tourist destination that offers various river leisure activities in summer and skiing and other winter sports during winter months. The city …
Istanbul, Turkey: Stopping by at the dojo of a good-ol’ friend, Ali Uludag Sensei, in-between trips
May 15, 2019
Istanbul Over the years, Ali Sensei has traveled with me not only in the U.S. but to Mexico, Mongolia and South Korea, Morocco and Egypt, etc. to help me do seminars in these countries. Not only do I still appreciate his support for those trips we took together, I also cannot thank him enough for his leadership and …
Morocco in 2012, and 7 years later with the same mint tea
May 8, 2019
Casablanca in 2012 It is best to enjoy a cup of mint tea in Morocco if you want to enjoy the passage of time slowly. It easily takes over 30 minutes from when you fill up a kettle to when you have a cup of mint tea in front of you . It’s an extremely slow drink to be served. …
What can be learned from Judo
April 26, 2019
When I was visiting Japan a short while ago, I noticed a poster at a large public Budojo (martial arts training hall), and I couldn’t help taking a photo of the poster. And as the final Judo matches of All Japan Women Judo Championship were on the air on TV Japan the other day, I noticed the catchphrase of MIND …
Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido (December 14, 1883 ~ April 26, 1969
April 26, 2019
Earlier in the morning before he and I left for Aikikai Hombu (HQ) in Tokyo, he worshipped at Aiki Shrine in Iwama and worshipped Amaterasu Oomikami (Sun Goddess) while looking at the Sun, as he had always done. After this ritual, he went around a few small shrines called “hokora (祠)” placed at different locations on the property to offer …
Preparations for establishing AHAN Japan Branch Office of Aikido Nippon Kan, a U.S. Non-Profit Organization:
April 11, 2019
Aikido Nippon Kan’s AHAN Initiatives have been providing educational, medical and humanitarian support for the people in need mainly in Asia, and efforts have been made for the past several years to select a location to establish a branch office in Japan, “NPO (Non-Profit Organization) AHAN Nippon Kan Japan (tentatively named)”, in support of a vision to continue expanding various …
A Visit to Aikikai Aikido Kobayashi Dojo
April 10, 2019
Dan Gurung, Nepalese Army Aikido Lead Instructor and Homma Nippon Kan Kancho visited Aikido Kobayashi Dojo to pay respect, and they were welcomed by Yasuo Kobayashi Sensei, Kobayashi Dojo’s Soshihan, and Hiroaki Kobayashi, Kobayashi Dojo’s Dojocho Also, our much appreciation is toward all the people who helped to make it happen for Dan Gurung to participate in Aikido …
Congratulations to Morihiro II Sensei!
April 5, 2019
His succession to the name of Morihiro as the 2nd generation. Yasuhiro Saito, a son of Hitohira Saito Jukucho of the Dento Iwama Ryu and a grandson of late Morihiro Saito, who had been a worldly Aikido-ka respected throughout the world, has succeeded to the name of Morihiro as the 2nd generation, and a name succession celebration ceremony was held …
You can do it when you believe you can! – Nepalese Women
February 14, 2019
Many female soldiers have been undergoing the training in the Nepalese Army Unarmed Combat Program which is based on Nippon Kan Aikido. The Program is not only a training in a martial art, but an effective way to encourage, promote and support Nepalese women’s social advancement, and it’s a way to pursue and practice the United Nations adopted “International Women’s …
A Visit to the city of Pyin Oo Lwin in Myanmar
February 13, 2019
Homma Kancho traveled to a mountain region in the city Pyin Oo Lwin in the northern Myanmar region to visit the Myanmar Aikikai New Organization’s dojo led by U Mya Sein Sensei. As there are several military bases, including the Army Academy, in the same are, there are quite a number of military persons at the dojo, and Dan Gurung …