Photos, photos and more photos

Out doing the japanese at taking photos was a special emphasis of the seminar, most are on facebook but am tracking down the public links

Photos by Danny
Photos from Craig Mils
Photos from Colin set 1

The seminar also appeared on Japanese television,  enjoy

Tenchinage - Kotai to Kontai - 5 levels

Maruyama Sensei continued his progression of techniques through the 5 levels of technique in the Aikido Yuishinkai syllabbus. See the clip and the historical context of the 5 levels of technique

http://www.aikidorepublic.com/blog2010/tenchinage

A demonstration by Hashimoto Sensei

Hashimoto Sensei was awarded his 6-dan by Kodokai founder Minoru Oshima. A part of this was to give a demonstration for his students here are some clips


A demonstration of an ikkyo taigi


Goningake - a five man attack simulation

The Last Supper

Finally the seminar came to a close and for those that elected to go on the tour there was a night at the Asanokan Ryokan (a traditional guesthouse by the sea), near the famous wedding rocks. here we indulged in traditional foods, luxuriated in the Sento (bath house) and attempted to stay connected with the modern world

Another day at the dojo

The day began like many other days at any of a number of dojo, around the world. bowing, taking ukemi (not an optional activity here) and generally giving each other a good thrashing. But nestled amongst the rice paddies of rural Japan there were a few surprises, a 10th dan was presented, and a 4-dan and 6-dan grading followed by a night of celebration at a local Japanese restaurant.

Congratulations Williams Sensei on 10-dan Aikido Yuishinkai

Mistaking Sunter San for Santa-San he is asked for an autograph many times

Bento lunches...very derrishess

Hashimoto Sensei gives a stellar demonstration for 6-dan Aikido Kodokai

No pressure but Maruyama sensei is watching

Fabulous Shabu-shabu followed by sushi, tempura and many other fabulous dishes

Creaking joints and ukemi

Day 1 we all arrived at the Matsusaka budokan, feeling really special only to discover there was a karate seminar on Tonfa and Bo on and a Kyudo practice as well. Enjoying the mayhem of slippers, negotiating the toilets (and yet more slippers) has us all in the change room and onto the tatami in no time. A big sigh of relief for participants as the hard tatami are actually on a sprung floor so its not so bad to take falls on - though can be a little hard on the knees when listening to speeches. The seminar was open by an ikebana demonstration for display on kamiza and then some speeches by Williams, Hashimoto, Maruyama and Oshima and a local town dignitary - it was Shugyo training for some as they battled to maintain seiza - though the wiser opted for sitting cross legged (you can hide anything under a hakama).

Maruyama Sesei was up first and outlined some of the framework of Aikido Yushinkai for the benefit of the other schools attending the seminar and following his class it was time for our Bento lunch (its a kind of Japanese smorgasbord in a lunch box) which we all enjoyed o the steps f the Budokan. Once finished we hurried in side only to find the ladies in our group had been whisked away and were in the process of being dressed in traditional Kimono. (lookout Paul Gabby chose the wedding kimono!)

Second class was held by Williams Sensei who upped the action in what became a Japanese / Australian ukemi competition. By now our bodies were beginning to understand what was happening and get into gear. All to soon the second class was over and there was time for a quick drink and to sneak next door and watch the Kyudoka at work before hustling back to see what Oshima Sensei had in store for us.

What ensured was wht could only be described as a high energy class with the pace building relentlessly right up until it was time for the end of class. See video here of Katedori tenkan Kokyu nage

A quick soak in the local Sento and it was off to dinner at a local Italian restaurant.

Sake with friends

Hashimoto sensei welcomed seminar participants on the eve of the seminar with a sake sommelier or sake tasting party. It was hosted at his mums pub, just a 1k or so from the hotel through some back streets and a couple of wrong turns. A gritty back street establishment frequented by colourful characters. It was a night of good food, plenty of sake (who knew there were so many) and lots of laughter. It was a nice ice breaker for participants. Sensei herded us out at a respectable hour so we would be fit and able for the seminar the next day.