| Sensei Henry Ellis Co-Author of the new | | | | they almost believe that Ki is a form of |
| book Positive Aikido.- 2005. A direct | | | | magic. The following is one prime example |
| student from 1957 of the legendary master | | | | from a very prominent Aikido magazines |
| Kenshiro Abbe Sensi 1915 - 1985..PART 1At | | | | letters section.Title: The Spirit of |
| first sight of the above title I am sure that | | | | Protection |
| a lot of Aikidoist's will be angry, they will | | | | |
| assume that this is yet another attack on the | | | | I am a carpenter and 2nd kyu in Aikido. I |
| credibility of Aikido by other martial | | | | was working in a large new home doing repair |
| artist's. | | | | work, I had finished my job and was heading |
| | | | for a long staircase when I noticed the |
| On this occasion they are totally wrong, I | | | | owners two year old son was heading for the |
| have been a student of Aikido since 1956, In | | | | same stairs from the opposite direction. |
| those early days I first started Judo in 1955 | | | | |
| at the Kenshiro Abbe School of Budo, I | | | | As he approached the top of the stair he was |
| studied Karate with Harada Sensei and Kendo | | | | watching me and not where he was going. I was |
| with Tomio O'Tani Sensei, so with my | | | | too far away to grab him, so I shot to him |
| background I feel that I have something to | | | | (irimi) and stuck my arm straight out to him, |
| offer to this debate.First ImpressionsThe | | | | my "Ki" went through the little boys' face |
| Aikido that I first saw being demonstrated by | | | | and out the back of his head, he fell |
| Abbe Sensei in 1956 was without doubt a | | | | backwards and started crying. |
| positive martial art. | | | | |
| | | | His mother heard the crying and came up the |
| I was immediately impressed by its positive | | | | stairs, when I told her what had happened, |
| techniques and power, and in those days my | | | | she thanked me, |
| fellow martial artists and I were in no doubt | | | | |
| that we were witnessing a devastating new | | | | I said "Don't thank me, Thank Aikido".That |
| form of self-defence as demonstrated by | | | | poor child may well now be as disturbed as |
| Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. | | | | the writer.Harry Potter RyuThere are many |
| | | | such misguided examples which I will refer to |
| Abbe Sensei had begun his martial arts | | | | in future articles, it is this kind of |
| career at the age of five and became a legend | | | | nonsense that brings Aikidos credibility into |
| in his own lifetime. At eighteen he was the | | | | doubt I am fully aware that every martial art |
| youngest ever all Japan Judo champion and | | | | has its own version of " Harry Potter" in |
| also the youngest ever 5th Dan at the world | | | | their ranks, what I fail to understand is |
| renowned Kodokan. He later became the oldest | | | | that there are more of them in Aikido than |
| ever all Japan Judo champion at the age of | | | | all the other martial arts combined.The |
| thirty three.When Abbe Sensei arrived in the | | | | reason that I am so critical and vociferous |
| UK in 1955 he was 8th Dan Judo, 6th Dan | | | | about Aikido is that every day I see these |
| Karate, 6th Dan Kendo, 6th Dan Kyudo, 6th Dan | | | | people watering down this great martial art |
| Aikido, | | | | that I have spent most of my life studying, |
| | | | teaching and promoting for the past 46 years. |
| the question must be asked; would this Budo | | | | I am often asked "Sensei, which do you think |
| master have studied Aikido if he did not | | | | is the best and worst martial art".I always |
| believe it to be a martial art?It is my | | | | make the same reply " All the martial arts |
| opinion that Abbe Sensei would not have | | | | are good, if there is a problem with any |
| studied Aikido as it is today.Please break my | | | | martial art, then it can only be the people |
| fingerAs a direct student of Abbe Sensei I | | | | who represent that particular art who |
| asked one day whilst we were traveling to a | | | | misrepresent their |
| seminar | | | | art------------------------------------------ |
| | | | --------------------------------------PART |
| "Sensei, how did you first become a student | | | | 3The ConvertedIn articles parts one and two I |
| of O'Sensei and Aikido"? | | | | have covered the introduction of Aikido to |
| | | | the West, and the impact on other Martial |
| He smiled as he reminisced for a few | | | | Artists, Aikido progressed and developed in |
| moments; then told me the following story:He | | | | the UK by visiting existing dojos of all the |
| said that he was a young man at the time and | | | | various Martial Arts and offering to |
| the Judo champion of all Japan and traveling | | | | demonstrate and teach for free in the hope of |
| on a crowded train across Japan to yet | | | | starting a small class in the more receptive |
| another Judo competion. | | | | dojos, as one can imagine this was no easy |
| | | | task as more often than not our efforts were |
| Sitting opposite him in the same carriage | | | | not an open invitation to most dojos. |
| was an old man who was trying to make some | | | | |
| conversation with him, Abbe had his eyes | | | | In the end the positive style of the early |
| closed as he tried to sleep. | | | | Aikido won through, and this is a very |
| | | | important point to make in the early |
| The old man said to him " I know who you | | | | development of Western Aikido was that most |
| are" Abbe Sensei replied rather modestly " | | | | of the new students of Aikido were from other |
| everyone knows who I am, I am Kenshiro Abbe | | | | Martial Arts. I do not believe that we could |
| champion of all Japan" he politely asked the | | | | have converted other Martial Artists to |
| old man who he was, the old man replied | | | | Aikido had it not been so strong and |
| | | | effective.Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 8th Dan |
| "I am Morihei Ueshiba founder of Aikido" | | | | Judo, 6th Dan Karate, 6th Dan Kendo, 6th Dan |
| Abbe Sensei nodded politely and suggested | | | | Aikido.Bad breath!I have referred to the many |
| that they now try to get some sleep, the old | | | | changes in Aikido over the past 46 years from |
| man suddenly stuck his hand forward and | | | | its history to training and choreography and |
| offered the smallest digit to this powerfully | | | | Ki Aikido and also the many Harry Potters of |
| built young man, Abbe was stunned as the old | | | | the Aikido world, as a direct result of these |
| man said " | | | | articles I was contacted by a Aikido student |
| | | | in the UK to tell me that she had now stopped |
| please break my finger" Abbe thought I will | | | | training in Aikido because her teacher stated |
| break his neck if he doesn't go to sleep, he | | | | that he was now going to teach the students |
| was now becoming irritated by this old man, | | | | "To breath through their toes".Lets DanceThe |
| he immediately grasped the old mans finger in | | | | most important of all the changes that have |
| an attempt to shut him up, he freely admitted | | | | taken place in the past 46 years have to be |
| that in his frustration it was his intention | | | | the changes in technique and its application, |
| to break the offending digit. To his total | | | | the early style of Aikido was very compact |
| amazement he was suddenly slammed onto the | | | | and powerful. From the day of its |
| carriage floor. As he lay prostrate and | | | | introduction to the UK, Aikido was always |
| unable to move he knew he had to study with | | | | taught as a circular moving Martial Art with |
| this master. He asked O'Sensei if he could | | | | Tori at the centre of all movement. |
| study with him, O'Sensei agreed and Abbe | | | | |
| stayed with O'Sensei for ten years.O'Sensei | | | | As Uke (the attacker) made his attack, Tori |
| had spent many years studying various martial | | | | would turn within his own circle making it |
| arts, I believe that the art of Daito-ryu and | | | | possible to carry out the technique in a very |
| Ju-jitsu had more influence on the | | | | small area of maybe four square feet. Today |
| development of Aikido than anything else he | | | | the fantasy aikidoist need a football pitch. |
| had studied, and we know he went to Mongolia | | | | |
| to fight and this would be the perfect | | | | I have seen some so called "masters" |
| opportunity to test his many skills in a real | | | | twirling Uke around on the end of one finger |
| situation, so we can be in no doubt that this | | | | and pirouetting several times before being |
| incredible man was a true warrior and modern | | | | thrown the full length of the |
| Samurai.A knife for my enemyIt was this early | | | | mat.HarmonisingKenshiro Abbe Sensei always |
| positive style of Aikido that Abbe Sensei | | | | taught that Uke would only "go" if the |
| brought to the UK in 1955, at this time there | | | | technique was effective. I often hear and |
| was also the first Japanese master to Europe, | | | | have seen some of these people who say they |
| this was Tadashi Abe Sensei 6th Dan who was | | | | can throw an opponent without touching them |
| based in France, he was a small man even by | | | | and sometimes by breathing and projecting |
| Japanese standards, but to my mind he was the | | | | their "Ki". |
| hardest man I have ever met.He was very | | | | |
| similar to Kazuo Chiba Sensei who I met with | | | | You cannot do that if someone is attacking |
| in London's West End last week, When he | | | | on balance, I have never seen anyone do that |
| traveled he always carried a knife with him, | | | | to a student of mine. Of course if you do |
| this was not for his own protection but to | | | | attack on balance you will then be accused of |
| hand to his shocked opponent, he would say | | | | "Not harmonizing".Aikido for realI have read |
| "please, this is for you". | | | | various accounts of the first Americans to |
| | | | practice Aikido in the early 60's. There were |
| He said that an opponent with his bare fists | | | | Americans practicing Aikido in the UK in the |
| was no challenge, but a man with a knife was | | | | late 1950's at "The Hut" The Abbe School of |
| "very interesting".I think we can safely | | | | Budo. |
| assume that as these teachers were so hard | | | | |
| and positive then this must have been the | | | | The Americans were members of the USAF |
| style of Aikido that was being taught at the | | | | stationed in the UK. they were always |
| Hombu dojo in Japan, this was the Aikido of | | | | questioning " How would that work in the |
| O'Sensei as a young man, the Aikido being | | | | street?" and we would often finish up in the |
| taught today is that of O'Sensei as an old | | | | car park of The Hut after class and engage in |
| man, there is no doubt that as people get | | | | some real Aikido. |
| older they lose the spirit of their youth and | | | | |
| become more philosophical in their approach | | | | Afterwards everyone would be in good spirits |
| to life.My father who was once regarded as | | | | and have a few beers.Sunday mornings were |
| the toughest man in town later in life found | | | | always the best practice sessions with the |
| his peace taking his dog for long walks. I | | | | dojo doors being locked to all but the Dan |
| believe that we now have two aikido's, | | | | grades. It was then that the Dan grades would |
| traditional aikido which if truly traditional | | | | fight each other for real. This was the only |
| (this word is much abused) is the martial | | | | way to truly evaluate your technique. |
| side of Aikido, the soft fantasy and dancing | | | | |
| style of Aikido should simply be categorized | | | | On one occasion I was fighting with Sensei |
| as an "Art".Those who are true traditional | | | | Ken Williams (The British National Coach) he |
| Aikidoists will take no offence at this | | | | hit me hard and I went down clutching my |
| article, yet the dancers will probably be | | | | chest and moaning loudly in agony. |
| offended and I care little for their feelings | | | | |
| as I honestly believe that this soft Aikido | | | | It was known that I didn't go down and I |
| has no more right to call itself a martial | | | | never made a fuss, so now everyone was |
| art than has synchronized swimming has a | | | | concerned for me and as Sensei Williams |
| right to be in the | | | | leaned over me asking "Harry, are you OK" I |
| Olympics.------------------------------------ | | | | lashed out with my fist at his head, just |
| --------------------------------------------P | | | | making a glancing contact, he then stepped |
| ART 2In my previous article, I attempted to | | | | back and kicked me in the head putting an end |
| establish the hard style of Aikido that was | | | | to my cunning.The smallest of all the Dan |
| first introduced to the West in the 1950's. I | | | | grades was Eric Dollimore, he was only about |
| would like to emphasize the fact that I get | | | | 5ft-6in in height and around 130 lbs. |
| no satisfaction from publicly criticizing | | | | |
| Aikido and I get a great deal less | | | | I always felt that Eric was avoiding me on |
| satisfaction when I see Aikido being brought | | | | these Sunday morning sessions, as he was |
| into ridicule.To continue from part | | | | about to leave the mat I said to him "Eric, |
| one.....Hard trainingThe training in and | | | | would you like to try against me" he just |
| exercises in those early days were very hard | | | | turned and said "Sorry Harry, I have to be at |
| and physical, with karate style kicking and | | | | my girlfriends home for lunch". As he left |
| punching a very integral part of our warm up, | | | | the mat I smiled to myself and thought |
| followed by 200 press ups on the backs of the | | | | "That's what I expected" the smugness did not |
| wrists, with fingers pointing both inwards | | | | last long as I heard a voice behind me say |
| and outwards, very often while you were in | | | | |
| the raised position Abbe Sensei would | | | | "OK then Harry, can we make it quick as I |
| instruct another student to sit on your back, | | | | must get away". |
| as we were the only group of five Dan grades | | | | |
| in the UK and all in the same dojo then this | | | | It was Eric; for a moment I was surprised |
| was the training in all the Aikido dojos in | | | | then I thought to myself if you want it quick |
| the UK and today we are the only organization | | | | I will accommodate you. |
| in Aikido still doing these press ups.The | | | | |
| purists say "these press ups are bad for you" | | | | I moved in to take him out with the one |
| what they really mean is they can't do them, | | | | punch and the next thing I knew I had gone |
| this is all part of the watering down of | | | | through the dojo office partition wall and I |
| traditional Aikido.ChoreographyAikidoists are | | | | was still lying stunned the office floor when |
| often accused of practicing " Choreographed | | | | I heard Eric's voice call out |
| Aikido" and to be honest I must admit that | | | | |
| these claims are very often justified, with | | | | "See you Monday Harry, gotta go". |
| Uke (attacker) preparing to break fall long | | | | |
| before he makes his attack, and most of them | | | | That was a very important lesson to me, I |
| attack off balance , therefore making any | | | | have never underestimated anyone since the |
| multiples of techniques possible with the | | | | little guy taught me a lesson.The Grading |
| minimum of effort and of course this makes | | | | LotteryIf in the 1950's and 60's you saw a |
| Tori (defender) look "fantastic".What is | | | | 5th or 6th Dan you would be in awe of him. I |
| really sad is that these people believe that | | | | now see so many multi grades and to be honest |
| this is good Aikido. | | | | they would not be graded first Dan in the old |
| | | | days. They make these claims knowing that if |
| Kenshiro Abbe Sensei would always say to us | | | | they are ever challenged and prove their |
| that "two" students are training at the same | | | | mettle they know they can claim that this is |
| time, one is Uke who is learning and | | | | against the principals of Aikido. |
| improving his attacking techniques and his | | | | |
| | | | Another favourite of these people is to |
| opponent Tori is also learning and improving | | | | juggle around with their grades and come up |
| his defensive techniques, whilst we were | | | | with multiples of matching grades, for a |
| training with Abbe Sensei if Uke's foot or | | | | prime example of this abuse check out the |
| heel came off the mat as he attacked Abbe | | | | article "British Aikido-The Controversy" on |
| Sensei would give the offending leg a good | | | | the web-site Harada Sensei "5th Dan" |
| whack with a shinai (bamboo sword) he would | | | | |
| then say " My English is very bad but my | | | | Harada Sensei was my Karate teacher in the |
| shinai speaks fluently!".If Uke attacks on | | | | 1960's, he was then and still is a 5th Dan at |
| balance then it is obvious that Tori's | | | | the Shotokan dojo in Tokyo. he was graded by |
| technique must be good and strong to throw | | | | the founder of modern day Karate Gichin |
| him, and as Abbe Sensei said so many times " | | | | Funakoshi Sensei. |
| two students are training" . | | | | |
| | | | He taught Karate to the USAF at the Kodokan |
| Mark Eastman a strong young Dan grade with | | | | dojo after the second world war. He was |
| me went on a seminar recently where there was | | | | graded 5th Dan by Funakoshi Sensei in 1957 |
| a 6th Dan. The 6th Dan refused to use him as | | | | and is still 5th Dan after 45 years, stating |
| Uke stating " I can not use you as you do not | | | | that "Any grade above 5th Dan is totally |
| harmonize with me", he was not being awkward | | | | pointless". |
| or difficult just attacking on | | | | |
| balance.Diluted trainingToday all of these | | | | This is exactly the feeling of Sensei Derek |
| traditional exercises and training methods | | | | Eastman and myself, although we are two of |
| have now changed to a simple warm up routine | | | | the only remaining four of the original group |
| with jumping up and down on the spot and lots | | | | left of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei's group from the |
| of deep spiritual discussion. | | | | 1950's, we both agreed that there were too |
| | | | many "Harry Potter" grades around, we then |
| Hard exercise is now considered to be | | | | decided that like Harada Sensei we would make |
| aggressive and not in harmony with the true | | | | 5th Dan the highest level in our |
| spirit of Aikido.Abbe Sensei said that hard | | | | organization.Serious studyI will take a break |
| training developed the spirit, he also | | | | now that these articles are complete and do |
| referred to Ki during those early days as he | | | | some serious "Toe breathing".I do not know |
| demonstrated the power of his technique, when | | | | what direction the Martial Arts will take |
| asked to explain the meaning of Ki, he said | | | | when all the "Old Timers " are gone.As one of |
| not to worry about Ki as that would be a part | | | | the comments (to the Cyberkwoon site forum) |
| of our training and development.He then said | | | | said "We can still make a difference".To the |
| "Only when you reach first Dan will you be | | | | one who asked after my father, he was not a |
| able to understand the true concept of Ki as | | | | martial artist, just a hard man who started |
| a further extension of your Aikido." | | | | working at the age of 13 years two miles |
| | | | underground in the South Yorkshire coal |
| I still believe that line of thought, and | | | | mines.Sensei Henry Ellis 5th dan. |
| the instructors in our dojo's very rarely | | | | regardsHenry Ellis |
| speak of Ki although it is taught as a | | | | |
| important and integral part of our training | | | | Co-author of Positive Aikido book |
| and study.Ki AikidoAlthough Ki is generally | | | | |
| recognized as the spirit and breathing during | | | | |
| the application of technique, every teacher | | | | |
| and student will offer a very wide and varied | | | | Ellis started Judo in 1956 at the now |
| and sometimes bizarre interpretation of the | | | | famous Hut Dojo UK before starting a long |
| meaning of this much abused word. | | | | career in Aikido in 1957. he was one of the |
| | | | first of 5 dan grades ( black belts )in the |
| The main problems arise and are created by | | | | UK. he was a direct student of the legendary |
| the teachers themselves, who very often | | | | master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and the Co-Author |
| mislead their students to the extent that | | | | of the new book Positive Aikido.. |