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25thANNTRSARY TENSHINI(AI FEDERATION EDITOR'SNOTE: turesrtngarticle aboutAilcido lnn- guage.

From Canada,BruceMcleoQ com- municatesnews from Tenshinkai. In addirtontu Bruce'scontribution, his two children who studyAilcido have contributed two interesting thoughts.Genevieve Mcleod wrttes about herfeminine experience with Ailcido. Her brother Alexander shareswith readerchis experience TnX is a specialyear and edi- of Ailcido and self-defense. tion of 'AilcidoInsights." Why is it special?Bec ause Tens hinl(ni Aikido Mike Meezanwrites an interesting Federationwas founded by Sensei article about theAilcido-Ai Semi- Dang ThongPhong twenty -fii eye arc nar with lkeda Senseigiven in ago. This is a CelebrationYear! Whittier, CaWrnia. He and the otherparticipants wereimpressed In orderto commemorate this time, by the "beeutiful Waza" demon- SenseiPhong has invited dffirent stratedat theseminar. Ailcido Dojos from Canada and ADVANCEMENTS: the UnitedStates. Josephlill shareswith readersan informedc omp aris on of Tae Kw on KYU 7 #94O. This specialissue of Do RichardE Desbiens 'Aikfulo In- andAilcido. #968. JulianVu stghts"will bring a number of dif- #971. AdamJ. Lee ferentAilcido expe riential learnings Theloys of Ukemiby Martin Dinel #991. MiguelA. Fuentes from growing Ailcidoka. In addi- rJ an interestingarticle from the #998. JohnLewis Banks tion,you will seepictures about the perspectiveof respectmaniftsted in #999. HoangK. Tran #992. ValerieSan beginning of Tawhinkni Luis Aikido Fed- Ailci"do. #993, PatrickSan Luis eration. #995. BrianBao Nguyen I wantto tlank Maftin Dincl,Dnng #1000.Lincoln Nguyen First,I want to say that Richard Dinh, Ioseph Jill, Mike Meezan, #1001. AlanG Stean #1003. Smith'sinteruiew with SerueiPhong Jim Ogbont,Richard Smith, Bruce ThucUyen Nguyen #1004.Timothy is veryinteresting. Ngo Senseishares the Macleod,Genevieve Macleod, Al- #1005.Ann Christine Crill historyof TenshinkaiAilcido Fed- exanderMacleod, Neta Wenriclc, #1006. Christopher Crill eration. Erb Womackand lastbut not least, #1OO7.Titfanny Anh Thu Nguyen Dang ThongPhong S ensei their #1008.Khoi Minh Nguyen for #1009.Chau Iim Ogbornshares with readershi, many tirelesshours and resources MinhTran #1012.Steve Sharp experience of the Seminar in in bringingto you, the reader,this #1013.Gina Ngo Oakland. It was taught by Sensei issueof 'Aikklo Insights." #1016. MarkGuy Bessette Phong.Among the attendeeswere #1019. TuanBui #1021.Danny SenseiHoa Newens(a former stu- HapW New Yearto you and wishes Nguyen #1025.Eric Vu dent of SenseiPhong) and Sensei that you continueto grow Tran in the #1031.Shawn David Weddle Kim Peuser. wayof Aikido. May thisyear bring #1032.Sean Morgan you harmony.! #1057 BryanLee Heather Richard Smith comtributedan in- continuedon page8... ,l'*wenrick TENSHINKAI AIKIDO FEDERATION 25th AI\INTVERSARY Interyiew with SenseiDANG THONG PHONG

By Richard L. Smith During the 1960'sin Viet Nam, Sensei Dang Thong Phongfounded the Tensh- inkaiA iki do Federation.He wasffi ci ally entrustedby SupremeMasters Morihei Ueshibaand DoshuKisshomaru Ueshiba to developAikido in a spirit of love and peace.In honorof2|thAnniversary ofthe TenshinkaiAiHdo Federationod in honor of the SthAnniversary of the Federation in the UnitedStates, I interviewedSensei Phong to provide insights regarding the Federationand its leader.

R.,S..'When and by whomwas Aikido in- troducedto Vietnamfor thefirst time?

SenseiPhong.' The first man to introduce Aikido to Viefiramwas lvfaster Dang Thong Tri. In ,during the decadeof the 1950's,he was trained by the foremost RichardSmith interuiewing Founder Sensei Phong disciples of Supreme Master .They were the well knov"nAikido grand masters Mutsuro Nakazono, Xuan Vy. In 1960,he foundedthe Viet- Aikido. In addition, he took chargeof NobuyoshiTamura, and TadashiAbe. nanreseAikido andJudo Association whose training for Nguyen-Trai Intermediate office was at No. 94 Phan Thantr Gian Youth Training School, Gia-Long Girls In 1958, Master Tri returnedto Vietnam Street,3rdFloor, Saigon,Vietnam. Here High School,ild SaigonCultural Center and worked for the Youth and Sports he alsoestablished one eighty sqlnre meter Gymnasium. Ministry whose minister was lvlr. Cao Dojo on the fourth floor to teachJudo and R,S.: Pleasetell us howyour Tenshinkai Aikido Federationcame into being.

Sensei Phong: In 1964, the Monterey Gymnasticand SportsClub in California invited Mr. Tri to teachfor them. For the threemonths during his absence,Mr. Tri askedme to take chargeof the Dojo and nrn the VietnameseAikido and JudoAs- sociation. I was embarrassedby his re- questbecause at the time I was attending an intensiveTaekrvondo instructor cotuse at the Military h[artial Arts and Gymnas- tics Schoolin Thu-Duc. The schoolwas designedto developmanial ans, sports, andgrmnastics cadre for the ArmedFores of the Republicof Vietnam, and the train- ,.ffir,, ers were Korean high ranking mastersin Sensei Tri transferringleadership of VietnameseAikido the Korean ExpeditionaryForce. As a and Judo Association fo SenseiPhong, Saigon, Vietnam, trainee, f was being trained five hoursa 1964. day overa twelve month period in orderto -3- grcduate as a first deglee black belt in- 1965to 1967the numberof membersat- and each time I have been chosen chair- structor. tending my Aikido courseswas greater man. than 600. The increasein the numberof R.^S.: What did you decide to do regarding studentsbrought about problems regard- R.^S.: What was your role in the develop- Mr. Tri's invitation? ing degreepromotion, so to solve these ment of the TenshinkaiAikido Federation problemsI arrangedto go to the Hombu following its recognition by the Vietnam- Sensei Phong.' Despite my involvement Dojo for further training. In 1967 my eseMinistry of Youth and Education? with Taekwondo, I decided to accept Mr. dreamcame true, and I traveledto Tokyo Tri's invitation, although I knew I would whereSupreme Masters Morihei Ueshiba Sensei Phong: I taught Aikido for ten be ovenvorked. I took over the Dojo with and DoshuKisshomaru Ueshiba trained yearsbefore the fall ofthe South Vietnam- 25 traineesfrom Mr. Tri, and it was not me. I devotedall my time to training with- ese Government in 1975. During that easy going from the Dojo to the martial out missinga singleclass. There was not time, the total number of trainees from arts school every day to be trained in eventime to go shopping. various military and civilian institutions Taelsvondo. It involved two bus transfers, totaled more than 10,000. Most of the and the schedule was very tight. R.,S.: Whendid you return to Vietnam? trainees were members of the military intelligensia and officers in the Republic I tried my best to perform the task en- Sensei Phong' After passingthe third of Viet Nam Armed Forces. Among them trusted to me by Mr. Tri as I thought it was degreeblack belt examination,I returned were seven Generals. The Tenshinkai a great honor for me to have an opportu- to Vietnamand started preparing the pro- Aikido Federation continued to develop nity to run and train such a martial arts as- visionsand regulations for thefoundation and flourish from L970 until the end of sociation, and it was also a chance to of TenshinkaiAikido Federation.It was April I97 5 when the Communists took evaluate my good will and energy. How- SupremeMasters Morihei Ueshibaand over South Vietnam. ever,three months laterMr. Tri decided to DoshuKisshomaru Ueshiba who named settle in the United States which placed the VietnameseAikido affiliation "Ten- R.,S.: BesidesAikido, did you teach mili- me in a new dilemma. I could neither drop shinkai." Theyentrusted me with the re- tary trainees any other martial arts skills? out ofthe intensive Taelcrvondocourse nor qponsibilityto organizeand dwelop Aikido give up running the Association. Finally in Vietnamin a spiritof loveand peace. In Sensei Phong.' In the Armed Forces of the I decided to continue carrying out both 1967,the VietnameseMinistry of Youth Republic of Viet Nam I was in charge of tasksalthough I would have to face a lot of and Educationissued an official decree sweral coursesto teach close combat fight- diffrculties and endure tremendous hard- permittingthe Tenshinkai Aikido Federa- ing to offrcer cadets. These coursesem- ships. tion to developits activitiesthroughout phasized Taekwondo, Judo, and Aikido the Republicof Vietnam. skills. At the Military Martial Arts and R.^S.: When did you obtain your first de- Gymnastics School I trained more than gree black belt in Taelcwondo? R.^S.: How are the administrativemem- 3000 students. After graduation, they bersof the TenshinkaiAikido Federation returned to their parent units to train their Sensei Phong.' In L965, one year after chosen? troops. At the civilian gyms, emphasis accepting the responsibilities of running \r'as placed on Aikido because I was in the VietnameseAikido and Judo Associa- SenseiPhong.' The prorisionsand regu- charge of the Dojo at the Federation Head- tion, the number of trainees at the Dojo lationsof theFederation mandate that the quarters. grew to over eighty; however, I succeeded exeqltiveboard be selected er'ery hro years, in graduating first degree black belt in R.S..' Please tell us the Taekwondo. I was among nineteen out of various martial arts roles sixty-nine examineeswho passedthe ex- you played while in Viet amination. nam.

R.,S.: What was the next eventfollowing Sensei Phong.' fn a civil- your graduation? ian capacity, I held such positions as President of Sensei Phong.' After graduating from the the VietnameseAikido and Taelavondo course, I was made Director Judo Association, Direc- of the Military Martial Arts and Gymnas- tor of the Oriental Aikido tics School in Thu-Duc run by the school Clfn\ Dirwtor of the Pttan- CommandantLt. Col. Pham Van Cu. It Dinh-Phung Taelcrvondo was then that I started my martial arts Gym, Secretary General career in earnest. I alternativell' taught ofthe Judoand Taehvondo Judo, Aikido, and Taelfiilondo. I con- Sensei Phong, Saigofl,Vietnam, 1967 Federation, National Ar- ducted eight Aikido courses, and from Dojo office. bitrator of Judo and

-4- Taelavondo,technical consultant of vari- TaberdHigh School.Because this school nextmorning lmkingorfr of theell through ousAikido gJrmsthroughout the country, was overcrowded,I was taken to Trung- a gap,I saw the leavesof the palm trees andPresident and Founderof the Tensh- Vuong High School. Afterwards, I was outside revolving and realized that the inkai Aikido Federation. takento Trang-LonMilitary Basein Tay- kicks to my headthe night beforewere re- Ninh Province.By the end of December sponsiblefor this qymptom. On that very In a military capacity,I held such posi- 1975,I was taken to Phu Quoc Island. morningl wastaken to BattambangPrison tions asMartial Arts Director of the Mili- After six monthsthere I wastaken back of whereI was detainedfor five monthsbe- tary Martiat Arts and GymnasticsSchool the mainland where I laboredat Long- fore being sentback to Viet Nam. In Viet of Thu-Duc,Technical Commissioner for GiaoMilitary Base. Nine monthslater I nam,I wasincarcerated in Chi-HoaPrison the ArmedForces of the Republicof Viet- was transferredto Bui-Gia-MapMilitary for one year and sent to various labor nam Martial Arts General Association, Cunp in Phuoc-LongProvince. After camps.By the end of August 1983I was andcoach and technical consultant for the being in custodythere for oneyoil, I suc- released. The price I had to pay for my Aikido gyms at various military acade- ceededin escapingfrom the camp and bordercrossing was 37 monthsin jail, in miesard combatunits of the Armd Forces went to Saigon. addition to torture and persecution. of the Republicof Vietnam. R,S..'What happened when you reached R.,S.: Whatdid you do afteryour release? R.,S.:Whatwere some of the civilian and Saigon? militarJt institu- Sensei Phong: After being released,I tions that you workedfor the Gym of District 5 as tech- taught at? nical consultant for Aikido and Judo. Subsequently,I returnedto Binh-Thanh Sensei Phong: District where I lived for a time. ThereI The civilian in- helpedto improvethe training curriculum stitutions in- of an Aikido programwhich was headed cluded the Ten- by Mr. Npyen Thanh Cong who was a shinkai Aikido former studentof mine. I wasregarded by Federation Head- the Vietnamesecornmunist authorities as quartersDojq the an undesirableelement of societybecause Duy-Tan Youth of my past crimes such as seacrossings, Activity Center, border crossings,prison escaping,and, the Oriental Aikido c/ass Headquarters Dojo aboveall, being an ex-officer of the Re- Aikido Gym, the Salgon,Vietn?ffi, 1972. public of Vietnam Armed Forces. f was Gia-Long Girls not allowedto hold any key positions,so I High School,the Trung-Vuong Girls High servedas a technicalconsultant. School,the Petrus-KyBoys High School, SenseiPhong: In SaigonI tried to cross the Chu-Van-An Boys High School,the the sea,but unfortunatelyI failed. As a re- R.,S..'When did you finally escapefrom Cong-HoaStadiuffi, and the Long-Xuyen sult, I was arrestedand held in jail for VietNam and cometo the UnitedStates? Aikido Gym. eight months. By the end of 1979I was released,and it was in this year that the SenseiPhong: After 17failures to escape The military institutions included the communistauthorities permitted martial by land and sea,I succeededon the 18th Military Martial Arts and Gymnastics arts,including Aikido, to resumetheir ac- attemptto flee Vietnam by boatto Galang Schoolof Thu-Duc, the ServiceWomens tivities. I openedtwo g5rmsat Hamlet ll , Island Refugeecamp in Indonesia. I ar- School of the Republic of Vietnam, the DistrictI TornD'Ivoir Crymfor Tadruordo rived at the San Francisco Airport on Active OfficersMilitary Academyof Da- and Hawai Gym for Aikido and Judo. February 25th, 1986 and was reunited Lat, the I 8th Infantry Division Headquar- with my wife and two sons after eleven ters,the 5th Infantry DMsion Headquar- R.,S..'Ihhen did you makeyour next at- yearsof separation.Since the massevacu- ters,and the 4th AirForce SquadronHead- temptto leave Viet nam? ation in 1975,my wife and childrenhad quarters., lived in Sacramento.I didn't accompany SenseiPhong: After my gymswere estab- my family becauseas a soldierI couldn't R,S.: I4/hathappened to you a/ter thefall lished, I madeanother attempt to flee my leave my unit. After being reunite4 we of the SouthVietnamese Government? country via Carnbodia. Unfortunately I lived for four months in Sacramentoand wasarrested by Cambodiantroops at Bat- then movedto Orange County. SenseiPhong: At that time, I wasa mili- tambangAirport and deliveredto Viet- t^ry officer, so after April L975I and my namesetroops. Eight Vietnamesecom- R.,S.: Sinceyour departurefrom Vietnam, fellow officers were taken prisonersand munist soldiershit and tortured me the whathas happened to Aikido there? sentto re-educationcirmps. I wasrequired whole night, tryrng in vain to extort gold to report to the communist authoritiesa from me. Finally theyput me injail. The SenseiPhong: As I havementiorcd, martial

-5- you beginyour present lease was signed on January artsofvarious kinds have been allowed to R.S.:Whendid The first acrtvities and will expire on January developon a largescale since 1979' At TenshinkaiAilcido F ederation 1.5th,1988 intendto renewthe leasefor preseniin Vietnam,the numberof Aikido in the UnitedStates? 15th Lgg3.I That is why our Federa- studentsis secondonly to Taekrryondo. another term. after a ceremonyto honor Headsof Aikido schoolsin variousdis- SenseiPlnng: One anda half years tion is organizing of the Tenshinkai trictsare students whom I trainedprior to moving to Orange CountY,I oPened the 5th Anniversary be the United States. !975. SinceL975,they have had no quali- the first Dojo in the United Statesto Aikido Federationin be of the fiedmasters to learnfrom. Consequently' calledTenshinkai Dojo, but it hadto It will alsobe the }sthAnniversary TenshinkaiAikido the ExecutiveBoard would like me to closedafter 40 daysbecause the land- establishmentof the makea visit to Vietnamso that the heads lord reclaimedhis properly. TUo months Federation. of the variousschools will havea chance later,I leasedanother place with 3,000 degreesyou have to further their skills. squre feet to useas the Dojo and named R.S.3Please tell us what attainedin themartial arts andwhetheryouhave anY intention to further Your skill.

SenseiPlwng I have at- tained my 5th degreein ,""'i,t ;'i:i:iiiilil:iii' 'h,,,. Judo, my 6th degreein Taelnvondo,and mY 5th degree in Aikido. At present, I am training studentsin Aikido andam devoting all mY time to the developmentof this i: i:. served Aikido Demonstrationat OfficerGraduation ' NationalOfficer Academy , Dalat, Vietnam martial art. I have Aikido for more than 1974. it Budo Center. It hassince been re- thirty yearsand havetried to developit Supreme To complywiththeir request,Iwould like namedAiki-Budo Dojo andnowserves within the expectationsof my Doshu to returnto Vietnamin the nearfuture to asthe main Dojo andheadquarten office MastersMorihei Ueshiba and geat belief improvethe skillsof my former students. for TheTenshinkai Aikido Federation. Kishomaru Ueshibawhohad the taskof They are thosewho havesacrificed alot The numberof studentswho haveat- in me and entrustedme with in for the developmentof Aikido. They tendedclasses so far amountsto 1120, organizing and developing Aikido re- observetheway of the TenshinkaiAikido but the number of regular students Vietnam during the 1'960's.I have school, Federationand remain subordinateto averagesabout L70. mained faithful to mY mother con- the mother schoolthat is . the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, and mY tribution to Aikido may be accurately s$t: assessedby the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. .111141}i.'

R..S.;Thankyou very much SenseiPhong for taking the time to answerthese ques- tions. I am sureyouranswers will provide great insightsr'egarding the Tenshinkai Aikido F ederation andregarding your role in its development.It is hopedthat the studentsof our Federationwill follow the goodercample you haveset through your sacificesand dantbn actmdingover three- fourth of your lifetime. It isfurther hoped that ourstudents will makegreat contribu- tions to Aikido through diligent exercise and unremittingefforts, and that the Ten- shinkai Aikido Federation will become Rg,ikiiiomoion - 18thD,v. S. VietnameseArrry. Long Ktanh, vietnam,1972. evenstronger in thefuture. tl

-6- Aikidolnstitute Seminar

with SenseiDang Thong Phong

by Jim Ogborn

Our trip to Oaklandwas a very memo- rableone, not onlybecause of the shared knowledge,but becausePhong Sensei was reunited with his student from Vietnaffi, Hoa Newens Sensei,(Fifth degreeblack belt). Hoa NewensSensei's job hadtaken him to Northern Califor- nia manyyears ago where he becameinvolved with an affiliateddojo of SaitoSensei, fwama, . We were greetedwarmly by Hoa NewensSensei and his partner Kim PeuserSensei, who had a dojo in Oakland,where PhongSensei was invited to do a specialseminar for one day.It wasa uniqueexperience to seethe differencesin practicesand techniques.For example,Tori would exe- cute a technique twice only right and left, then Uke would trade immediately.The switchingbetween Tori andUke afteronly two timesseemed very aggressive and tiring practice.

PhongSensei instructed all four one-hoursessions, two one-hoursessions before lunch and two sessionsafter. At lunchbreak Newens Sensei and Peuser Sensei invited us to a nearbypark for a nice picniclunch. The weather was a bit cold but the excitementof it all made the weathertolerable. Many of the attendingAikidoists made commentsof the qualityPhong Sensei demonstrated in histechniques. His smoothand flowing movementswere gracefutanO dynamic.

By the end of the daywe were all worn out and gladwe hada shortplane ride to look forwardto insteadof a long drive home.

PhongSensei always encourages his studentsto attend l' seminarswhenever they havethe extratime andwhen it isfinancially feasible. ft is alwaysa wonderful experience to meetother Aikidoists,and feel mysense of Aikido has beenbroadened from suchexperiences. f washonored that PhongSensei invited me and encouragesus all to developourselves to the fullestpotential. D

7- Insights into Aikido words ^T,f*:ffII' By Richard L. Smith l(Yu 7 #1034.Chanh Nguyen ntrbne Every great art or field of knowledge O Kogi Undonor Tune Kogi Undon #1038. Sandor Szabados hasits own vocabularyconsisting of the whichliterallymeans "Boat (Fune) Row- #1042 MichaelSullivan wordswhich describeits concepts,tech- ing (Kogi) Exercise(Undo).n It is also nAma niques,and underlyingphilosophy. Some called No Torifunenwhich means I(YU 6 nBird areasof learning,such as astrophysics, Boatof Heayen.nIt isof Shintoori- #9O4. James C. Holder havesuch a sophisticatedvocabulary that gin andwasdesigned to cleansethe mind #908. Mark Bowie they seemalmost incomprehensibleto and the spirit. When you perform this #92O. ReginaUliana thoseoutside the discipline.Others, such exercise,you areroruing your boat through #933. TeresaPhuong Nguyen aspsychology, have been so popularized the spiritual levels of heaventowards #934. Johson Ba Nguyen ' that everyperson on the streetfeels as if purification. #933. MikeMeezan they have some commandof the field. #949, Ky Minh Lu And then there arethose arts which are Another examplerelates to the wrist #951. Huy Ho deceivingin that theyseemingly may be shakingwe do after Ikkyo Undo, Kote #954. Duy Tran understoodwith only a limited knowl- GaeshiUndo, and Nikyo Undo. Its Japa- #955. Toan Nguyen edgeof the vocabulary. nesename is Tekubi Shindo,and it is #956. Van Nguyen usedas a preparationfor the practiceof #957, Chinh Quoc Nguyen Aikido clearly falls in the latter cate- Aikido during the kanjeido,or winrer #958. Viet Huong Nguyen gory.An individual mayjoin an Aikido months,when studentsof Japanoften #960. Anh Vu Le classwith on$ the desireto learna martial performbasic drills outdoon in the snow. #961. Anh Quan Le art, and theymay do so with or without Its roots may be tracedto Tibetan cul- #962. Tuan Anh Pham knowingthat Aikido is a peacefulmar- ture,through China and India, and it is #966. Thuan Quoc Hoang tial art or without knowingthe philoso- often referredto in the martial artsas a #97O. Thuong Cao Do phy underlyingthat concept.Even after basicway of producinginner heat.It is #976. OracioCrisanto months of study,8n Aikidoist may do invaluablefor stimulatingyour circula- #878, Thu Dong Thi Le quite well if he/shehas just learnedrhe tion, and if executedproperly, should #979. Hai Long Le namesof the techniquesat his/herlevel resultin a pleasanttingling sensation. #982. Huong V. Nguyen and hasdeveloped the skills to execute #984. TiffannyTran them with proficiency. Bur if his/her Simplerinsights come from just know- #985. TammyTran knowledgeof Aikido stopsrhere, he/she ingthe English translation of theAikido #986. Phuc Dao issadly missing out on therichness of the vocabularywe use."Sa5ru Undon trans- #989. Robert Edward Reed art. latesto "Irft and Right exercisenand - MinhTran nKote Gaeshintranslates to nReversing San Huu Tran Only by taking time to familiarizeone- (Gaeshi)the Wrist (Kote)." Other in- selfwith the literatureof the field may sightscome from knowingalternative I(YU 5 onetruly understandthe vocabulary which namesfor thecommon names we know. #271. Quoc Long D.Ngo n givesAikido its depth.Because much of Tklcyo'beomes\Ide OsaenorArm (Ude) #607. Sean Sutter this vocabularyis in Japanese,it may Contnol(Osae)." "Sanlcyon beomes'Koie #721. Nha Duc Huynh appearto be ovenvhelming,but onedoes Hinerinor "Twisting(Hineri) the Wrist #722. Nghi Thanh Huynh not needto be a linguist to masterthe (Kote)."The list goeson and oD,and #726. Quoc Sean Hong pronunciationand meaningof the ma- thereis no limit to the insightswe may #728. MaiChi Hong jor concepts.Many of the texts have gain. #731. DeanPhan pronunciationguides and clearvocabu- #732. DennisPhan larydefinitiolls.To takethe time to explore It doestake an effort on your part to #743. QuangTran thevocabularyofAikido is likegoing on developthese insights. It meanstaking #744. Long Tran a treasurehunt into the vastnessof our timeto read.It meansformulating ques- #647. BaoSon XuanNghiem art. Eventhe simplestthings we do may tions in your mind and askingSensei #752. DavidNguyen takeon newmeaning as we developour Phongfor the answers.But the time is #796. Nghi Nguyen insights.For example,you will unravel well spent,and the rewardsare immeas- #818. LietThanh Tran the meaningof the rowing-likeexercise urable. Et #898. MikeKelly that we do beforeeach class. Its nameis Continuedon page 24...

-8- ^,4mongthe good points of Aikido is the fact that it could prove useful, North of ForU Nine especiallyfor females,in a progressively violent world. It is good for the physical by BruceH. Macleod self for and produces more stamina.I like the fact that becauseof it, I was stronger than all other the girls in my grade6 class(last years). Oncnagain,it is time for newsfrom the This is of someintrest to me becauso,I North. The Fort SaskatchewanAikido seek to learn what Aikido techniques More interesting than the physicalas- club countsamong its attributesthat: couldbe used to counterstrikesfrom the pectsof Aikido are the mental self for feet. BecausePhong Sensei is propably and producesmore stamina.I like the * it is the closestTenshinkai Club to the theverybestperson in theworldto teach fact that becauseof it, I was stronger people thesetechniques, I nurture the hope that than all other the girls in mygrade 6 class someday,when I have achievedprofi- (last years). More interestingthan the * it is only TenshinkaiClub in Canada ciency in Aikido, I may train directly physicalaspects of Aikido arethe men- underhim. With thadistance separating tal aspects.According to a bookwritten For those you who read the Spring Edmontonand Westminster,I am aware by SteventrC Hayes, a martial artsmaster issue(AikidoInsights, Spring T2,Y ol.#2), that suchtraining is unlikelyto be regu- could perform Kokpr nageon a oppo- youwill know that PhongSensei blessed lar or prolonged,therefore, I wasvery nent without touchinghim. How is this his Canadianfollowers with a visit and interestedto learn how Van had man- posible? Definitelynot jtnt anyonecould

seminarin February of thecurrentyears. aged. do it. You would have to havea very Sincethat time, there havebeen a few highlydeveloped mind whichcan result changesNorth of Forty Nine. He providedthe answerover a lengthy from manyyears of Aikido practice.! dinner time discussion.He practicedhere by GenevicveS. Maclcod,12 Yr. OId The Fort SaskatchewanAikido Club now with variousgroups in orderto refinehis practicesmainly in the City of Edmon- basictechniques. Then, each time Phong ton. Although we haveless total areaat Senseivisited, he worked hard, many Do you useAikido for selfdefen ce? our facility in Edmonton,we havecon- hours per duy, to put the Tenshinkai If an attackerattacks you, vour first in- siderablymoremat area. polish Ifyou haveever on them.Apparently,Phong Sensei stinctshould be to disablerhem. When practiced in close quarters, was you will more than willing to arise early in someonebroke my collar bone(Iwon't appreciatethat we appreciate the the extra morningand practicetill late at night. mentionany names)I didn't wantto use room to movein. Aikido to hurt anyone,but, now that it's Is a namechange in the offing? Students Probably herehave a slightlyeasier time broken,I wouldwant to hurt someoneif not, evenif we are now primil than Van ary in the did. We have a rigourous, they attcked me again. Would you? If styleof our instructor,Van competent Duong,(the instructorwho hasvery high you are preparedto break someones's stylePhong Sensei.) standards. Given the distance Even so, it is comforting to arm then Aikido is somethingto use. between(Edmonton) and me to Westminster knowthat, if I amwilling to put in Shouldyou reallybreak their arm ? ! and I have often wondered the work, how Van I too may benifit from the by Alcmnder T. Machod, 9 Yr. OA picksup the finer points of instruction direct instructionof our master.E over suchdistance.

-9- athleteswith big egos.Elite profession- AIKIDO-AI SEMINAR als at the top of their sport who berate otherspublicly, give their sport or them- With Ikeda Sensei selvesI "bad name". These men I sat at the deli were quite the opposite, MilQ Richard with by Meeza,n and whenwe returnedto the dojo after lunch my bow to the Founderand Ikeda of SePtember During the weekend Senseiwasindeed a bow of deeprespect' Dojo, Whittier 25,26& n, Aikido-Ai The afternoonsession was weaPons by IkedaSensei(6 Dan) hosteda seminar training.AgainIwas a little nervous,this Thiswasthe first Aikido of Boulder,co. :::':::.:::t,t:i.i:i:i:::::i.:::.i:ii::t:::::t,::ti:t:t:l:titi;l:;.i::::t::i:i:i:::i:::r:,:,:':::;IWOUId be the fifSt time seminar for trlg, and I was some- ffi -*",i.',,,-r"rffi''=iu,il ever I would lol9 2 what apprehensive.The first eve- ffi Of JO' I aSked :.ii:.:.'::.::,:':::,:.:!:':,:i::':''.,::.:,,,.::::::.:::::.:,:.',,''..."'.'I BOkkgn ning was to be a 2 hour training ffi a fellow studentfrom waited sessionI arrived,changed and ffi the Budo center if this silently on the mat with about 40 ffi would be within mY in others who looked experienced ffi ability or shouldI sit the art of Aikido. of those seated ffi this one out. "It andwaitingabout35wore hakama' ffi shouldn'tbe too bad, I was one of the five and felt that give it a try and see perhaps my timited training and skill what happens."he said" ievet would not be uP to what the So I did andonce again Senseiwould show. QuietlY, Ikeda my fearsproved to be "high Senseitook his Place on the unfounded.From the seat" of the mat. We bowed sol- beginingtraining ses- emnly and thenbegan a briefwarm- sion,Ikeda Sensei seemed up. His first demonstration hadbeen stressing "Spirals, Spirals, Spi- evenfor me. I found a technique,was followed by observance simpleenough, rals." A demonstration'practice,more we tried to copy the tech- of Ikeda Senseiof the same technique. partner and demonstrationand more practicefol- us.My nervousnesswas This was repeatedagain and again,with niquehe showed lowed.We finishedthat daywith some dissipateand in its placewas each technique building on a previous startingto seated Kokyu-Ho exercisesand back of enjoyment."Hey, this is fun" technique or move. Observing the Sensei a feeling stretches.I went homewith a senseof At one point IkedaSensei was,to me, almost mystical.So easilydid I saidtomyself. calmI hadn'thad in a long time. me "Here, (he extended he dispatchhis uke. turned toward The lastday was a reviewand blend- to me)hold on." He looked Lunch break came too quicklY, I was hiswrist out ing togetherof all the techniquesIkeda hold?", I noddedand enjoying the training and didn't want to at me "strong Senseihad so masterfullyshown us' At I thought.He turned stop. Phong Senseiwas in attendance. grippedstrongly, the time, the techniquesI could barely wrist and easily flicked me off his He turn to me and said "Come eat with niJ comprehendthe day before' now came Severalother demonstrationsand us." I was dumbstruck, (gulP), me? I arm. to meeasily. His demonstrationswere so followed as his quick wit and changedclothes and met SenseiPhong practices smooth,effortless, and natural-looking flY. All the outside. I walked along with the small Lasy style made the time wonder in amaze- entourageto a and one could onlY Yet during the smalldeli closeto ment at his proficiency. Ikeda Senseiwas the dojo. I sat entire 3 daysseminar to othersfeel- downat thetable humorousand sensitive the feelingthat with Ikeda ingsbut alsoleftyou with possiblewith prac- Sensei, Phong all this is quite easily seminarwas her- Sensei,McGou- tice. The end of the Ikeda Senseito irk Senseiand a alded by applausefor of a shared few others I had return nextyear. Kinship and generous met.Withall my way of life, good feelings and I wassad "Oh wow" feel- spirit to othersabounded to see it end. I came to the seminars while, I and othersremarked about his ing going oil, I noticed something: they nervous,and left it calm and fulfilled. effortlessgrace and the beautyof "waza" didn't have an aura or glow or Thank you to all mY Partnersand to so finely tuned. whatever(not yet anyruay). what they Aikido-Ai of Whittier for your generos- Saturday,the training continuedwith did seemto have was a kind, considarate ity and hospitalitY.SaYonara ! tr about 20 additional studentsin atten- nature. We often hear of professional

10- Comparing Techniquesof Tae Kwon Do originated in China but comesfrom Korea. Practioners Aikido and 75 percent l"g TaeKwon Do -ur" and 25 percent hand techniques. byJoseph Tae Kwon Do is Iill known Aikido, FirstDegree Btack Bett for beinga "hard" rtyle incor- porating TaeKwon Do, Fifrh DegreeBlack Belt circularmovements.

rhere aredifferent martialart styles a "hard" form. In reality,Aikido when Theformsin TaeKwonDo arecalled which have various principles and usedwith an untrained persotr,can Hynng or Poomse.They are prac_ ?ncepB. Someare "soft styles"where be very dangerousbecause the indi_ ticed in order to gain coordination, the energyisreceived and directed to vidual may not know how to fall or balanceand proficiency. an end.Other stylesare "hard" where move with the technique.pain and irsaggressive kicking and punch_ injury may occur. In order for the The similaritiesin Tae KnowDo and !her9 .,hard'; ing. In addition, some styles "attacker" not to sustainserious in_ Aikido are someof the circularmove- mentsand the philosophy.In both of thesestyles there is an emphasison harmonywith the univers".

fn summory,Tae Kwon Do is more aggressiveand mmbative than Aikido. In Aikido the focus of the practitio- ner is to center and neutralize the opponent while in the processat_ lempting to protect the antagonist from harm. I

THE JOYS OF (tKEttfit by ttartin Dinet

Baringthe techniquefor nage. I causea gfitch,or imbalanceinto nage'sunlverse, our universe.Nage bringsback harmony into our uni- verse.I feflthe powerof the tech_ nique,the tranferof energy,the are performed in a "soft" manner jury he or sherequires a greatmany effect of a particular movement and hoursof "soft" stylesare executedin a training. whichcause the bafance to tiftback "hard" fashion. untilmy mine and my body give up In Aikido KI or internal energy is and prepareto hit the matwithout Aikido is considereda,,soft" style usedto extendone's internal power harm. where the attack is openly receGd, while simultaneouslybeing fi har_ joined and directedto a lessharmful monywith the attackerand the uni_ The respec,tof Uke conclusion ve$e. for the attacker.ft is be_ Winning in Aikido means Nagebrings bafance back to the lieved by some that Aikido is a pas- changingimbalance to balanceand universe.Nage does not makethe sive style.However, Aikido's origins achiwing harmonyin one'so\rrn mind balancetilt the otherw?y, he merely were drawn by O' Sensei Morihei and body.The intent is to neutralize bringsthe balanceback to itscenter. ueshiba from manydifferent martial an opponentrather than to harm or Noharm was done to Uke,l'to harm art styleslike Judo, Karate, Kendo, kill him or her, andto achievea state was meanttowards Uke, only har- etc. Some of the original stylesare of calmto avoida fight rather than to monyis restoredinto the Universe. extremelyaggressive and executed in provoke one. n

- 11- In Celebrating of Aikklo Tenshinkai Federation's 25th Anniversary, we are introducing a number of photographs showing some activities of the Federation as well as of its leader for the past 25 years. The maiority of photographs and important documents were lost after Phong Sensei's numerous attempts to escapeCommunist Wetnam. The ones shown below will be able to depict the development and growth of the Federation.

(.4bove)From left: General Lam Qtang Tho, SenseiDangThong Phong Colonel Lam Qtang Phong , Col. Lam Qtang Phongis wife.

(Left) Sensei Dang Thong Phong; Fed- eration ffice, Saigon, Wetnaffi, 7969.

(Below) Aikklo class; Federation Head- quarters Dojo, 7971.

-12- Anniversaryof O'SenseiPassing; HeadquartersDoj o, Satgon, Wetnaffi,7974.(left)

Aikido Dojo at Long-Xuyenhovince, Wetnam,7972. (above)

Cong-Hoa Stadium, Saigon, Wetnaffi, 1970. (above) ll t

Dong-PhuongAikido Doi o, Saigon, Wetnaffi,7973.(lefr)

13 - Duy-Tan Aikido Dojo, Saigotr,Vietnam, L972. (right)

5th Division Aikido Dojo, Ben C.at,Binh Duong, Vietnam, L972. (below)

Service Women's School, Saigon, Vietn&ffi, 1972. (bottom)

- 14 - 1972'(above) 1,8thDivision HeadquartersAikido Dojo, Long Khanh Province,Vietnam,

Active Officer Mititary Academy,Dalat, Vietnam, 1974'(below)

I

'o'

- 1s ReserveOfficer School , Thu-Duc,Saigon , Vietnam, 1972.(below)

4th Division Air Force- Aikido Dojo, Binh-Thuy Airbase,Can Tho, Vietnam,1970. (bottom)

- 16 - Aikido Dojo at Fifth District,Saigon, Vietn&ffi, lg7g.This is the first Aikido Dojo after 1975. (above)

Party,Sensei Phong release from I-aborCamp, L980.(left)

Aikido Dojo at First District,Saigotr, Vietnam, 1981.The seconddojo openedafter L975. (below)

17 The third dojo at Binh Thanh District, Saigon' Vietnam, 1985.(above)

Binh Thanh Dojo, Saigon, Vietn&ffi, 1,985. (above and right)

CommunistGoverment giving official permissionfor Aikido training to NguyenTang Vinh Sensei, Saigon,VietnEffi, 1990. (left)

- 18 FirstTenshinkai Doio GardenGrove, California, 1987. (above)

CelebratingFirst Anniversary at new location,Westminster, Galifornia,1989. (above & right)

Demonstrationat FirstAnniversary.

-19- The 22ndGommemoration of O'SenseiPassing at Tenshinkai HeadquartersDojo. April26, 1991 , Westminster,California .

Seminar Westminster,California, 1992.

The 23rdCommemoration of O'SenseiPassing at Tenshinkai HeadquartersDojo. April1992, Westminster, California .

-20- AikidoDemonstration at VietnameseNew Year TET Festival Westminster,California, 1990.

rt li i t

TETFestival Demonstration GoldenWest College Westminster,California, 1991 .

Demonstration ChildrenMoon Festival Westminster,California, 1990.

I

I

ChildrenAikido class Westminster,California, 1 990.

-21- Aikido Seminars with SenseiPhong

i

BudoEducational Center Sacramento,California, 1986

FortSaskatchewan Aikido Club Edmonton, Alberta,Canada, 1992.

AikidoInstitute Oaklaltd,Galifornia, 1992.

Zen Center,Mt. Baldy California,1992

Aikido-Ai Whittier,California, 1 gg2

-22- Self-defense Seminarc for TaeKwon Do Instructorc

,'t I

3 Self-defenseinstructions for Tae Kwon Do black belt candidate, St. Foy, Quebec,Canada, 1987. (left)

7th World Tae Kwon Do ChampionshipITF Montreal,Canada ,1990 (right & below)

I, I

Self-defensesession for Tae Kwon Do black belt instructors, St. Foy, Quebec,Canada, L987. (right)

-23-