Sensei’s Writings

The sky is high, the river is long… It reminded me of a family, home for the Christmas holiday. Everyone greeted each other warmly with smiles and hugs. In the middle of the group was Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Juku, Hitohiro Saito Sensei standing healthy and tall. Over 250 people gathered in Reno, Nevada for this seminar hosted by …

Matsukawa Kyougaku Taiko Drummers US Concert Tour Reflections. There wasn’t a dry eye as the group said its farewells to Nippon Kan student Jim Bailey who had served as driver and friend for the length of the tour. Jim donated his services for this week-long event and the use one of his company’s fifteen passenger van and trailer. He took …

As the plane landed at the airport in Managua, Nicaragua, I peered out the window for my first glance at this new country. Along both sides of the runway were many grown over man-made mounds with openings near the tops that looked like open mouths. As we neared touch-down, it looked like the mounds themselves were approaching the plane in …

by Gaku Homma Kancho written Aug 10th, 2004 About two hours outside of Mexico City is the city of Cuautla; population 30, 000. Cuautla is a city that has been somewhat bypassed by the tourist industry, making its charm and local flavor that much more real and alive. Latin American cities I have visited all seem to be built in …

I have heard this before, I reflected. “When I started practicing martial arts there were no instructors here and no one else to practice with. I learned by reading books, and practicing on my own”. I first heard this I think in Mongolia from the current Chief Instructor and President of Kyokushin Karate, Mr. Chinzorig. I was hearing it again …

It is not by accident that this article is linked from the Aiki Shrine Yearly Festival (Aiki Jinja Tai Sai) report. Some of the observations and insights in this article feel a little bitter on reflection, which I wanted to balance with experiences I have had in Japan which reveal some of the magic that is true to the true …

My first visit to Italy this April 2004 was hosted by Samuel Onofri Sensei and his wife Aurora of Nettuno. Through the narrow streets of Rome they guided us, steering us skillfully through throngs of lost tourists and busy natives. It was a testimonial to their native prowess, they were very good ! Using both hands to gesture in typical …

Reflections on Attending Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shurenkai Founding Celebration. February 21st, 2004, Iwama, Japan Where to begin. I have just returned from a trip to Japan where I attended Hitohiro Saito Sensei’s Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shurenkai Founding Celebration. It was an occasion for celebration, and yet there were undercurrents of gray that at times shadowed the event. “About …

“That Korean guy sure cooks good Chinese food, and he can speak Japanese!”… “That Chinese guy sure cooks good Korean food, and he can speak Japanese!”… That is how I have been referred to at times over the years at the Denver Rescue Mission, a facility that cares for the homeless in Denver. I used to try to protest these …

by Gaku Homma, Nippon Kan Kancho Four and a half years ago, Marcos and his wife Bernadette began their practice of Aikido. Bernadette has a very good job at a bank in Rio de Janeiro, and her husband Marco is a professional musician. He is not a rock musician however, he is a classical musician and one of the instruments …

Fundraising Seminar for Children with Cancer in Mexico City. November 2003. By Gaku Homma Nippon Kan Kancho As has been known to happen from time to time, three different high profile Aikido Shihan scheduled seminars in Mexico City in less than a four week period. In October, Fujita Shihan from Aikikai Hombu dojo, USAF’s Yamada Shihan from New York, and …

Inspired by Students in Ostrava, Czech Republic 10-29-03 By Gaku Homma Nippon Kan Kancho I am fairly sure that even twenty years ago, keiko-gis (practice uniforms) were not white. They were not bleached, and when brand new was the cream color of hemp. Today, finding uniforms of this color is rare. It used to be, that the only people in …

by Gaku Homma Nippon Kan Kancho October 14, 2003 Having just returned from the Aiki Expo 03 in Las Vegas, I set about putting my thoughts in order. It was an honor to be asked to participate in the Expo and I learned many things throughout the experience. I was impressed by the demonstrations that were held at the Expo, …

By Gaku Homma Nippon Kan Kancho 9-05-03 Bolivar Ramirez Sensei began practicing the martial arts at the age of five. At twenty-seven today he is a man with a very muscular physique. When I first met Ramirez Sensei at the San Juan Airport, he was wearing a horizontally striped shirt, and at first glance, an image of Popeye flashed through …

8/5/03 The countdown has begun, and Aikido Journal on-line marks the days as the Aiki Expo draws near. Sponsored by Aikido Journal and its founder and chief editor Stanley Pranin, this event will be held Sept 19-21, 2003. This week, the Aiki Expo schedule of classes and events was posted online revealing a well-orchestrated plan that must be keeping the …