A list of Senseis writings.
I paid a visit, after 3 years, to Sombato Tapanya Sensei, who is not only a psychology professor at Chiang Mai University, but also an Aikido instructor at a university dojo as well as Renshinkan dojo at his house. Sombato Tapanya Sensei has been practicing Aikido for over 30 years, and there are many Aikidoists who have learnt Aikido …
Children at Bilay House have been growing up in nature, and they have naturally developed good coordination, great reflexes and overall wonderful motor skills. However, their weakness is in how they use their motor skills. Today’s class focused on helping one another to foster a sense of teamwork by practicing to evacuate under an emergency situation.
On the 2nd day to teach a youth class during my visit to Bilay House in Thailand, I am reminding myself to get back to the basics. This class is for youngsters and young adults aged 15 and up to 19, and I find it not so easy to teach a group of youths with such a wide age …
About a 250km drive on a highway to the west from Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, and on the western side of Ratchaburi province (Changwat) near the border with Myanmar, there is a village called Tako Lang Village. A farm road, that is somewhat eroded by rain water with wild groves encroaching upon it, leads to Bilay House …
For Aikido training will soon be commenced at Nepalese military schools, Aikido demonstration was performed in front of over 3,000 students. Aikido training program will also be commenced at Nepalese military academy. Aikido training within the Nepalese Armed Forces got its start in 2006 with the initial focus on training the members of the Nepalese Army Rangers in Aikido, …
This fish startles almost everyone who sees the fish for the first time, but this fish is very delicious. I visited Hitohira Saito Sensei in Iwama after a long while. When I told him before about a seemingly tasty fish what I had watched on Japan TV in the U.S., he said, “When are you gonna come the next …
This time veggies for meals for 100 people were prepped after the morning practice to be cooked the next morning, and the meals will be delivered to the usual site to be served from 11:30 AM. Over 98,805 free meals have been served to those who are in need since 1992. We agreed on eating together once in a while, …
“Let’s make Japanese curry together before Aikido practice.” The day I make curry when I visit the Bilay house with everyone. Good job!
Aikido classes are about to begin!Since Bilay House was inaugurated 12 years ago, I have been telling the children that I am just a restaurant owner and I have never told anyone about my Aikido side; however, because how information spreads has drastically been changing nowadays, some children seem to have found out about the other side of who I …
By Gaku Homma Founder & Kancho of Nippon Kan The last Beginner’s Class at Nippon Kan was taught almost 2 years ago in March 2020 before all classes were put on hold due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Photos attached are from Aikido Nippon Kan’s Beginner’s Class from 40+ years ago. Notice all the wonderful smiles of the …
The coronavirus pandemic, which has created chaos throughout the world, seems to have become more under control recently in different regions. As such, many of us are trying our best to bring back the pre-COVID normalcy while continuing best practices for infection prevention measures. Since early 2020, Aikido Nippon Kan has had to be resilient and adaptive given disruptive waves …
Lately, I’m getting requests for advice from fellow Aikidoists I have not even met for various struggles they are experiencing because of the coronavirus pandemic. There are quite many people who have had to close their dojo due to sudden decrease in the number of students, and there are also others who have lost the place to practice because public …
Hitohira Saito Kaicho has recently issued a Notice to the attention of every member of Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shuren Kai to preserve the dignity of the legacy of his father and former Aikikai Aikido Shihan & Iwama Dojo-cho, late Morihiro Saito Shihan (hereafter, ‘Morihiro Shihan’). Although I am not a member of Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shuren Kai, I totally agree …
Prologue: This article is the third in this series, “Words of the Founder”. This series of articles detail lessons I learned from the Founder and my experiences as the last uchideshi and otomo to the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. The first two articles: This Old Man Doesn’t Need it Anymore; Words of the Founder I Do Not Teach Budo if You …
The last years in Iwama… In the last years of his life, the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba lived at the Aiki Shrine dojo in Iwama, Japan. He lived in Iwama until the end of his life when he was moved to Hombu dojo in Tokyo for more intensive medical treatment for liver ailments. During those last years, the Founder …
