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Aikido
in Turkey, Journey from a Small Book
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 here in Istanbul, Turkey where I sat over
tea with our host, and Aikido pioneer in Turkey Ali-san Uludag
Sensei. Many people, for as many different reasons, I began to
conclude, have begun their practice alone, with books for instructors.
In Mongolia, the reasons for this revolved around world politics.
Before 1991 when Mongolia broke from Communist rule, it was illegal
to practice martial arts in that country. Students who did know
something about the martial arts learned their arts in Russia
where they were sent to study academics. There they found books
on the martial arts which they brought back with them to practice
on their own in secrecy. Mr. Chinzorig told me that the old Japanese
Judo movie “Sugata Sanshiro” was a popular favorite
among underground martial art groups in Mongolia. Once in a while
the group’s practices would be found out, raided and everyone
arrested for “subversive activity”.
For a martial art from as far away as Japan to assimilate into
another country takes a lot of time and effort, especially when
the cultures, languages, arts and religions differ widely. If
the practice is illegal or taboo in some way, the more effort
it takes for an art form to take hold. It is the efforts of these
pioneers who helped the martial arts take root in their countries
that I would like to pay tribute.
Ali-san Uludag Sensei
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This trip we traveled to Turkey May 19th-25th, 2004 to teach
a fundraising seminar for the Losev Foundation for Children with
Leukemia. We were invited by Ali-san Uludag Sensei who currently
is 49 years old and has spent much of his life developing the
martial arts in his homeland of Turkey.
Ali-san began his martial art training in 1971, when he began
practicing Tae Kwondo, Karate and Kick Boxing. During his service
in the Turkish military, Ali-san continued his training in Karate.
His first introduction to Aikido was in 1982 when he discovered
old textbooks describing Aikido Techniques. Ali-san attempted
to contact Aikikai headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, to try to find
out more about this new art to him. His first question for Aikikai
Hombu was a simple one. “What is Aikido?” To this
request for information, Ali-san did not receive any response.
He wrote a second letter, stating that he would like to begin
a practice of Aikido in Turkey and wanted any assistance, or
guidance, or instructional materials that would help him get
started. Again he received no response. Ali-san laughs now remembering
those very early days and reflects “I am not surprised
we did not receive any answer. We were writing from a far away
land, and in those days the world was a bigger place than it
is today.
Ali-san and a few friends decided that they would try to learn
this new art of Aikido on their own, and began their practice
by going over an old, worn Aikido manual that was written in
Japanese, a language that none of them could understand.
A short time later, a Japanese company opened up a branch office
in Istanbul. The office manager that was sent to Turkey to organize
the new office happened to be Aikikai Godan, Kenji Kumagai Shihan.
With Kumagai Shihan’s arrival, Aikikai Aikido officially
began in Turkey with six students; one of which was Ali-san.
When Kumagai Shihan was eventually called back to Japan a few
years later, his six students went on to become instructors that
are still active in Turkey today. Ali-san now has many students
of his own not only in Turkey but also in neighboring countries.
Ali-san has a wise and gentle face, and has created an environment
that is open and positive for his students. In return, the students
Ali-san has are wonderful students that I enjoyed meeting very
much.
The seminar held at the Marmara University gymnasium was organized
by Ali-san and his assistants (especially Sever Sensei and Seha)
and attended by many students from branch dojos in surrounding
cities
in Turkey. One group of students traveled eight hours one-way
to get to Istanbul for the seminar. A tribute to Ali-sans personality
and generosity, students from other organizations also attended
this event. In all about 150 students gathered to attend the
seminar that weekend.
Practice at Ali-san’s dojo.
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Photo
with students after practice. |
Bokken practice at
Mamara University
gymnasium.
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After the seminar we had a little time to do some sightseeing,
and marveled at the city teeming with life. Istanbul is a wondrous
blend of both European and Asian influences, which bombarded
the senses with sights and sounds I found fascinating and at
the same time comfortable and alluring. The city was alive, very
friendly and welcoming. It was a common sight to see people enjoying
conversation over glasses of chai (Turkish tea) or Turkish coffee.
In the evenings outside cafes were busy serving delightful varieties
of Turkish meat and vegetable dishes. Turkey has a special drink,
akin to absinth which turns white when mixed with water. The
atmosphere in the streets and cafes of Istanbul had a sense of
timelessness which I found quite inviting. The history and culture
of this country manifests itself well in it’s peoples.
After we said our good byes to Ali-san and his students, we went
to the coastal town of Izmir where we spent three days exploring
the vast markets, the surrounding countryside and practicing
Aikido with the Izmir Aikido branch dojo under Ali-san led by
Bazar Omarou Sensei.
Before we went to Turkey I had read in guidebooks that Turkey
might be dangerous in some places. The books warned travelers
of places not to go, and situations to be aware of. Even the
Japanese government has issued official travel warnings for Turkey
as well as other countries in the region. Through Aikido, we
were able to meet Ali-san and his students, and the experiences
we had in Turkey were extra-ordinary. I concluded that the incidents
of warning in the guidebooks can be found in any country these
days, it just depends on who one happens to meet. Aikido in this
case was a bridge through fears that brought people of different
backgrounds together for a very special time.
It is impossible to relate in a few short pages a complete history
of Ali-san’s experiences in the Martial Arts and with Aikido,
nor is it possible to describe the complete history of Aikido
in Turkey. There are many other stories, and many other legacies
that have helped to make Aikido in Turkey what it is today.
I very much appreciate having met Ali-san Sensei, seeing his
wisdom and receiving his openness to our ideas about Aikido and
AHAN activities. I would like very much to return to this wonderful
country.
I think it is not incorrect to conclude that there are still
many people in countries around the world that could benefit
from books on Aikido to learn from. I think it could be an important
endeavor to organize a world book campaign. Not only new books,
but used books in any language can be learned from, especially
if there are photo sequences to follow. On your bookshelf right
now there are probably books on Aikido that you have not looked
at in years! Wouldn’t it be nice if these books could be
put to good use? Nippon Kan has always taken books along for
AHAN seminars to be given away or used to start a library in
host communities, but it is only a start. An organization as
large as Aikikai with students and supporters in almost every
part of the globe could accomplish this task on a much larger
scale. The students that could benefit from these books are part
of our future, and an important element to invest in.
Gaku Homma
Nippon Kan Kancho
May 30th, 2004
The marketplaces of Turkey
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The marketplaces of Turkey |
The marketplaces of Turkey
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Sensei, Rick and Scott.
“When in Turkey…”-a Turkish café. |
“Do like the…”-a Turkish
bath.
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