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