An older video of Mukai Sensei demonstrating a few techniques from katate dori

Aiki Shrine Festival

Made the trek to Iwama for the Aiki Shrine Festival yesterday. Mukai Sensei, Yuriko and I linked up with Akashi Sensei and made the four hour train trip and walk to the shrine. Another great ceremony and demonstration by Doshu. Didn't have quite the vantage point I did last year, but still a wonderful event. The weather was awesome. It seemed that there were about 1,500 people there in all, mainly from Japan, but saw a lot of foreign faces in the crowd. Met an lady from Hong Kong who has made the trip for the past seven years. After the ceremony, we all headed off the grassy area where we ate bento and drank sake. Doshu stopped by for a group picture.

After the short picnic and photo with Doshu, all the Isoyama Shihan affiliated folks were invited to his house for a follow-on event. Some great food and conversation with more sake and beer. A few more group shots. Tamaru Sensei asked me to give the final kanpai/toast for the day. I was quite honored as this will be my last trip to the Aiki Shrine Festival for some time to come.

Great Training Today

Great day of training today at Camp Zama. Mukai sensei gave us all a great workout. The ladies recently went to Fujishiro to train with Isoyama Shihan as part of the once a month ladies club. Mukai sensei asked them to demonstrate for the class what they learned.

Darrick made it back today and Mukai Sensei presented him with his promotion certificate. Well done Darrick!

Joint Training and BBQ at Camp Zama

What an incredible time we had today! Friends from the JASDF Air Base at Iruma Dojo and Aikikai Toride Branch Dojo at Fujishiro joined the Camp Zama club in welcoming and training with Tamaru Sensei (6th Dan) who brought his class of high school aikido students. Great training with the staff followed by a BBQ at Camp Zama's Dewey Park.

Timing of the visit was perfect for enjoying the cherry blossoms which are at full bloom at Camp Zama now. Zama is the location of the former Imperial Japanese Military Academy and there is still evidence of the pride in the care and upkeep from that era. The trees are lined with many old and beautiful cherry trees which absolutely fill the entire post with the most incredible beauty for the week or two the blossoms are with us each year.
Our good friend Kyoko-san (1st Kyu) from the Toride Branch Dojo works her techniques on the staff. She is always so much fun to train with as her technique is so good and her spirit is uplifting.

I absolutely love the chances I get to work with Tamaru Sensei. Him and I were delayed today at the train station as we waiting for two of his students coming in off a different train line. During the wait, he took the opportunity to train me on 7 different sword stances/foot work. A bit weird standing outside the ticket counter as a foreigner getting straightened up and readjusted by the sensei on stances for sword techniques. Attracked some stares from onlookers and one kid of about two years old who just stood there with no fear or shame, as only a child can do, and stared at Tamaru Sensei and I. I am going to remember and cherrish these memories forever.



Another joy is to be uke for a someone who is so skillful. Tamaru Sensei is an incredble (yet totally modest and humble) aikido practitioner and teacher. Getting called out to be uke for his demonstration always proves to be exciting, and yes, humbling. It is amazing to me at how quickly and effortlessly these great practitioners can put you down. I had the privilage of being uke for kata dori ikkyo. As he spun me around and I found myself on my face before I realize what had happened, he stretch me out to the absolute limit of what I thought he could take me too. He quietly laughed to me and said he was doing me a favor by giving me a good stretch. He said "smile Sean" as he bent me around just a bit more. Being uke is always a lot of fun. Ok, perhaps in a masicistic sort of way.

The cherry blossoms are at their peak and so incredibly beautiful. What an awesome day!! Thank you to Shannon for putting so much work into this event!

Aikikai Toride Branch Dojo (Fujishiro) Homepage

Fantastic new home page for Aikikai Toride Branch Dojo (aka Fujishiro dojo). Yuriko just got a note from our friend Kyoko with the link: http://www19.big.or.jp/~aikitrd/. Impressive page with some great photos too of Isoyama Shihan's training sessions. Thanks for sharing Kyoko-san!!!