ISSUE 15 BIRANKAI EUROPE NEWSLETTER MUSUBI T whoever is involved in teaching whoever is involved inteaching individual teacher. In otherwords, the conscienceandsincerityof and hopefully, we have torely on human conditions.Idealistically with theenvironment andvarious itself todevelop harmoniously self-developmental andallows the nature ofAikidoisstrongly quality asbestwe can.However, hard the tomaintainandpreserve world today. We shouldstrive to what’s going onintheAikido its physicalform. be pleasedandhappyregardless of intheirlives,is meaningful Ishould long asAikidoenrichestheirlives or people practisingenjoyed it,and as to therealization thataslongthe responsible forit.Secondly, Icame you candoaboutit-you can’t be longer worriedaboutitatall. less worried,andinfactIamno But graduallyIbecame lessand about whatIshoulddoit. aboutthis,andthink to worry tion tobecalledAikido. Iused them were beyond myimagina- Rocks andOrderRocks andFreedom contradiction between and Diamonds offersChiba Sensei asolution to the 9 6 Closing date for submissionfor May 2018 issue:31March 2018 11 Picture review 10 3 2Picture review 1 C Of course we should not be blind Of course we shouldnotbeblind First ofall,there isnothing ontents Kazakstan 2017 Kazakstan 2017 Misogi DiamondsandRocks BB Autumn Course 2017 Paris Course May 2017 in theworld.Some of seen manystylesofAikido raveling extensively, Ihave

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order andfreedom. with thecontradictionbetween nature, we shouldbeabletolive revealsthat truly theprinciplesof value anduse. If Aikidoisthepath the sametime,arock alsocarriesa carries itsown value andbeauty. At A diamondasaprecious stone world today. So whatdoesitmatter? Of course I seethatintheAikido “mixture ofdiamondsandrocks”. deep convictionandrespect. generations before by us,supported lefttousbyof thisprofound the art tohave ahistoricalsense important teaching. Furthermore, Ibelieve itis foundation andresponsible intheir has tobecompetent,withastrong Chiba Sensei There isa Japanese expression OVEMBER 2017 R Alexander VGheorghiu Jean-Luc Busmey

Shihan Wellington Tsang continued onpage2 owan Mason TK Chiba BIRANKAI EUROPE Diamonds and Rocks... continued from page 1 Founder Shihan TK Chiba 8th Dan This world is so interesting. It evident and inescapable, and there- is so dynamic and beautiful in its fore what is to perish will perish in European Birankai Shihankai as-it-is-ness, because there are things its natural course. Norberto Chiesa 6th Dan, Birankai like diamonds and rocks coexist- ing without conflicting against one Gabriel Valibouze 6th Dan, Birankai another, and everything is in its Shihan TK Chiba France place in its own right. Needless to Birankai Founder Dee Chen 6th Dan, British Birankai say, this should not be our excuse Tony Cassells 6th Dan, British Birankai to avoid responsibility. The law Excerpt from article published Chris Mooney 6th Dan, British Birankai of nature, of cause and effect, is in Sansho, Summer/Fall 1994 MIke Flynn 6th Dan, Scottish and Borders Birankai Daniel Brunner 6th Dan, Birankai Patrick Barthélémy 6th Dan, Birankai France Mrs M Chiba, Special Guest at British Birankai Autumn Joe Curran 6th Dan, British Birankai Course 8-9 October 2016 celebrating 50 years since Chiba Sensei came to the UK Member Countries Birankai Austria Birankai France Birankai Photos: Chen Dee Hellenic Birankai Birankai Birankai Poland Birankai Portugal Birankai Switzerland British Birankai Scottish and Borders Birankai

BE Musubi is published twice annually in May and November. English edition available on www.britishbirankai.com and the French edition on www.birankai.eu/shiun_fr.html

Individual article reflects the author’s own views. All submissions may be edited due to space constraints and should be sent to the Editor.

Editor (English): Dee Chen [email protected] Editor (French): Jean-luc Busmey [email protected] Sub-editor: Wellington Tsang [email protected] Design Consultant: Franco Chen

© Copyright 2017 All rights reserved. Reproduction is prohibited without express written permission

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2 BE MUSUBI NOVEMBER 2017 Misogi 2017: A great vintage When a raging snowstorm challenges a group of Aikidoists in France there can only be one winner Photos from ollow- ing T K Chiba FSensei’s recom- Patrick Barthélémy mendations, misogi is an op- portunity for a Jean-Luc Busmey limited number of people to establish a close and sustained relationship between partners in contact with natural surroundings. Therefore ideal conditions consist of a wild en- vironment, snow and a tempera- ture never reaching 5°C. Having judged the weather too comfort- able during the past winters, it was decided to postpone the date Ardèche under snow to January so as to benefit from a more ‘suitable’ climate. On storm and that the next this particular point the kamis days are expected to be were to meet our wishes beyond tough; access to the site is expectations. not recommended. In fact Tempo was set from the very a strong wind rose during start. Heavy snowfall made driv- the night and everything ing difficult; trucks stuck across got buried under about 1 the road or a car having trouble m20 of powdery snow. driving uphill and in need of a push Our yurt started to were our lot on the way. Reaching yield dangerously under strenuously the plateau under the enormous snowdrift. constant but windless snowfall, we In time our environ- hear that we are in the eye of the ment changed, we felt like lost in the middle of Siberia. In the morning the weather got even worse and it became impos- sible to prepare After dinner our meals outside. Our field kitchen seemed to soon disappears under the snow have been buried under an and we have to spend as much avalanche and we had then time to find it again. All this wear to carry our outfit inside the us down thoroughly and our head yurt. sometimes feels heavy during zazen. Collecting wood with Trips we are making out to snowshoes is rather hard train are conducted following the and demands three times as principle of the ‘rope’ with one of much energy as usually. The us ahead on a recce opening up wood we have to find, cut the way in the powdery snow and down and bring back (or the others following putting their rather drag back) to camp, snowshoes in his tracks. Visibility After dinner continued on page 4

NOVEMBER 2017 BE MUSUBI 3 Photos from continued from page 3 misogi may be going to last a little longer than expected. is bad and walking made difficult The sweat lodge ritual is a key and potentially dangerous if one misogi moment. The snow brought Patrick Barthélémy gets lost. We keep in mind that this year a special dimension to it. not so long ago, lost people had Holes and trenches we dig in the lost their life on the plateau during snow soon make the place look like heavy snowfall and strong ‘burle’ a battlefield. As it is impossible to (local French name for this kind of find enough material to build it, so wind). then we shall use snow! That is how During drill, we find that snow I learned that snow could with- and wind coming together form stand heat better than I could have a dangerous mixture. Weapons’ ever imagined. Even though the training under snowfall and wind walls are made out of snow and the is really something! Wind squall heat reaches 100°C, we do not end are equal to blows intended to up in a pool of water. What we take throw us off balance and fall; for granted is often contradicted clad as we are in heavy clothing by reality and this can be applied and snowshoes, getting back on Snow? what snow? our feet by ourselves is then very difficult. What a fine opportu- nity to improve centering and body balance! At times the wind becomes the real adversary that we have to confront. Facing its assaults, movement become autonomous while spirit steps back and watches. On the third day, the wind gets the best of Patrick Sensei’s tent which breaks down. This tent was a veteran from Himalaya and the steppe but could not take on the ‘ardeche burle’. Amazing! We begin to think that Fabrice wood collecting

Going out in the wild

4 BE MUSUBI NOVEMBER 2017 Photos from Patrick Barthélémy

Patrick Sensei’s tent (before breakdown)

From left to right: Ivan Peyron, Jean-Luc Busmey, Thierry Moulinet, Patrick Barthélémy Sensei and Fabrice Mahieux

to martial arts: we should experi- In the end this misogi left me ment on a regular basis and never with the feeling of having a bird on rest on certainty. Within the lodge my shoulder (in reality). It remains we let the vapor burn our body as a very outstanding souvenir, and spirit at leisure before releas- especially during the past August Jean-Luc Busmey 4th Dan ing our energy by diving into the heat wave. Now… Every misogi Dai jyo kan snow, thus coming instantly from a being unique, let’s try to imagine Bagnols sur Ceze temperature of +100°C to a minus what the next one is going to be Birankai France something: what a whiplash! like. And have a nice trip! 31/08/2017

Translated by Jean-Luc Busmey/Norberto Chiesa

NOVEMBER 2017 BE MUSUBI 5 Photo from Birankai Kazakhstan OVEMBER 2017 OVEMBER N There are three quick observa quick three - are There at the airport greeted were We school in July 2017. These charac- school in July Slamenik, Ali, Fero Izram ters were Theyand Alexander Gheorghiu. further Sadek joined by were (Aïkido Strasbourg Khettab Sensei with his France) Eurométropole, and Nebinger, student Olivier Kan, Ren (Shu Yiannis Zorgianos invitation of Chris at the ) who was heading Shihan Mooney the seminar. tions one makes when one arrives plane as the Firstly, in the country. the former capital Almatyover flies one sees the shear snow-capped mountains forming a rim around the country an extraordinary valley, Kazakhstan is is beautiful. Secondly, not a desert of or forgotten vestige humanity on the edge of the world. people, plants, and build- are There Finally, in a rich variety. ings here of this is unique to it is hot. Part Almaty as the Altau mountains lock - is result climate there in whatever hot summersing in extraordinarily and cringe inducing cold winters. hosts for the next week, our by and eclectic mixan exceptional of a variety of people showcasing sons. Kazakhstan’s - Ei Mei Kan Dojo (Birmingham, Kan Dojo Mei Ei UK) has existed for almost thirty and during this time, manyyears through blown odd characters have the doors, but none quite so strange to the that travelled as the group central Asian subcontinent to attend Kazakhstan summerthe Birankai to teach in the country some years decade several the next Over prior. Birankai teachers made the different Kazakhs and in 2007 the journey, Sadly, invited the dragon himself. unable todue to ill health he was sent Chrisgo, so in his place he the same time At Shihan. Mooney Sensei, Trusov another student of left his teacher Sobbotin, Sergei in to see Chiba Shihan and went became too USA. He Diego, San at a seminar in uchi-deshi. Finally, to which the Kazakhs in 2010, Israel instructedattended, Chiba Shihan that he was to take Shihan Mooney Kazakhstan. over responsibility has Shihan since then Mooney Ever to the countrybeen travelling once sometimes twice, to support a year, in the Currently the aikidoka there. ninth largest country in the world dojos, mean four Birankai are there as much asing some of them are two days apart.

Alexander Gheorghiu Alexander

ago,

years any

BE MUSUBI MUSUBI BE Chris Mooney Shihan’s (Ei Shihan’s Mooney Chris

Alexander Gheorghiu reports Gheorghiu Alexander his trip on Kazakhstan Chris over spirit of the As spreads the importance stresses Shihan Mooney of kihon

first of Chiba Shihan’s students ever students Shihan’s Chiba of first

Valibouze Shihan, who was the was who Shihan, Valibouze

He returned in 2003 with Gabriel Gabriel with 2003 in returned He

Sensei when he came to France. France. to came he when Sensei

seminar, though he had met Trusov Trusov met had he though seminar,

Kazakhstan began in 2001 with a with 2001 in began Kazakhstan

Mei Kan, UK) involvement in involvement UK) Kan, Mei

back with them. with back

they brought Chiba Shihan’s work Shihan’s Chiba brought they

uchi-deshi. When they returned returned they When uchi-deshi.

Dimitry Kakotkin and they became they and Kakotkin Dimitry

his students, Oleg Agibalov and Agibalov Oleg students, his

his way to San Diego with two of two with Diego San to way his

seminar. Subsequently, he made he Subsequently, seminar.

where the master was teaching a teaching was master the where

made his way to the south of France France of south the to way his made BochkaryovYury Sobbotin, Sergei and Nikolay left Aikinov, right: Dimitry to Kakotkin,From Oleg Agibalov,

and wanted to join his school so he so school his join to wanted and

had heard of Chiba Shihan’s work Shihan’s Chiba of heard had

by the teacher. Viktor Trusov Sensei Sensei Trusov Viktor teacher. the by

would live, and in those days, be fed be days, those in and live, would

Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Kazakhstan and dojo where students from both from students where dojo

6 of Kazakhstan. It was a permanent permanent a was It Kazakhstan. of

school in Almaty, then the capital the then Almaty, in school

who founded a dojo in a in dojo a founded who

Viktor Trusov, Trusov, Viktor

the name of name the

teacher by teacher there was a was there M Oleg Agibalov Sensei is the most senior Aikidoka in the organiza- tion in both age and training as the only Yondan in the country, and he is well respected. He is Russian- Kazakh, short with broad shoulder, strong build, short white hair, and a persistently quiet and kind expres- sion. In Aikido, he is like a cloud; no force is required to work with him, only good tai-sabaki. Photo: Alexander Gheorghiu Sergei Sobbotin Sensei is younger than Agibalov Sensei, and is Sandan in Aikido. He too is Russian- Kazakh, but big and formerly trained in Systema meaning his whole body is completely soft until he needs it to be solid. He is open and has the kind of laugh that jumps out of the body and infects Banquet at home of Biysen Kuranbek, Vice President of Birankai Kazakhstan, the listening crowd. (standing left of Chris Mooney Shihan) Yermek Daytov is affectionately known by Sensei as the horse-man. In Kazakh culture, the horse is a respected animal and though Yermek is only Shodan in Aikido he was elected the President of the organization due to the care and balance with which he handles Photo: Alexander Gheorghiu himself. He is native Kazakh and has the typical thick darker skin, jet black hair, and dark eyes. Anton Kosarenko is the young- est of the hosting group, he is the secretary of the organization, Ikkyu in Aikido and a student of Sobbotin Sensei. Exceptionally tall he gave me quite a fright when he came up continued on page 8 Entertained by the Doombra (only about 150 people in the world can play it)

On the way to the Master’s Lodge in the countryside near Tekeli for a traditional sauna

NOVEMBER 2017 BE MUSUBI 7 continued from page 7 to us at the airport, but he is open, importance of getting the basics not a west-end musical, dancing friendly and always ready to help. right, otherwise Aikido becomes doesn’t work. Therefore, so many Four hours away from Almaty is dancing or as Chiba Shihan once years ago Viktor sought out Chiba the small village of Tekeli where the wrote ‘a living yoga’. In one of the Shihan, he needed something that seminar was being held. The dojo body art classes he taught there really works. During this night- was big and spacious with tall north was no nage. This one was the time bonding, high above on the facing windows; a big mat split most intense of the week, simply balcony we see Mooney Shihan still into two yellow squares by a frame developing basic tai-sabaki. This deep in meetings. of blue formed the tatami. When summer I have followed my teacher A longer and more detailed we entered we were immediately to three different summer schools, article about our trip is available impressed by the number of chil- he taught the same class each time, at www.eimeikan.org.uk/kazakh- dren that were there. During the he teaches the class every year in his stan2017.html. following week we were continually dojo, and each time it is extraordi- delighted by the seriousness with narily revealing. which they took their training. A Sitting outside one warm night testament to their teachers. with Yiannis, Fero, Sasha, Anton, Each day started with three body Sergev Sensei, and several litres of art classes, first one taught by one beer, the Kazakhs told us that in of the Kazakh teachers, second this country fighting is a part of life. one taught by Khettab Sensei, and Not necessarily out of animosity or finally a class by Mooney Shihan. crime, but just because that’s the We had lunch and then back to way things are. Therefore, martial the dojo for two weapon classes, arts are on the rise, one must learn a bokken class and a jo class, both how to defend oneself. However, taught by Mooney Shihan. During only real budo will survive as if the these afternoon classes, the children art isn’t effective they’ll know soon would usually work with either enough. Boxing, Karate and Judo Khettab Sensei, or Izram, so that are popular and have been for a the more senior attendees could long time – Aikido is just start- work on more advanced material. ing. Reflecting on this I have seen Some of the body art classes were Sensei do some fancy things, big also split, and occasionally teachers throws, which go round and round were taken outside for a small and and round and up and down and more focused class. Yiannis taught round again, in the past. These body art on the final afternoon. are for conditioning at the dojo. Alexander V Gheorghiu, Mooney Shihan’s theme for the At this seminar, everything was 4th Kyu week was made very clear from the direct. Anton and Sasha’s warn- Ei Mei Kan, Central start. The importance of kihon, the ing is that Almaty night life is British Birankai

8 BE MUSUBI NOVEMBER 2017 Anne Ducouret Sensei’s dojo tempers vigorous practice with love and friendship Rowan Mason’s first Dojo visit abroad to Paris with Tony Cassells Sensei and Mark Pickering Sensei, 19-21 May 2017

have been wanting to do a past my physical and mental limits. anything so magical. Everyone sang seminar abroad since I was During a class taught by Mark and danced and truly it had the 14 (2013) and was very ex- Pickering Sensei I had the oppor- atmosphere of one huge family. It Icited to finally get the chance. tunity to practise with Ducouret is an experience everyone should Paris itself was a nice city though Sensei. Her practice is focused and feel for themselves and I know I will I found the near constant road rage intense. She truly wants to bring out return many more times because rather funny. The dojo was filled the best in all the students to help these experiences are what makes with an indescribable energy and them achieve more. The training Aikido for me. This is when new from the second I walked in I knew experience overall was incredible friends become like family. I was in for a great weekend. and I really learned a lot. On first meeting Ducouret Sleeping in the dojo was another Sensei, I found her to be very great experience, and being able to friendly, warm and hospitable. talk with new people whom I have Then training began. To say the trained with. Over the weekend I least, it was tough. Despite this, the met so many fantastic people, all quality of the classes was exemplary, with their own interesting back- very high energy and technical. grounds and stories. The food was Rowan Mason 1st Kyu All the teachers on the course did also to die for. The whole dojo Cocks Moors Woods Dojo, a fantastic job; I felt engaged and helped to prepare food on Saturday Central Aikikai connected even when pushing night and I have never tasted British Birankai

Photo courtesy of Ann Jyou Kan Dojo, Paris

NOVEMBER 2017 BE MUSUBI 9 Manchester Autumn Course 7-8 October 2017 Janet Clift Sensei’s precise instruction is reflected in success as Wellington Tsang found out

he British Birankai Photos: TomaszJopek Autumn course in Sale (South Manchester) was Tvery well attended with students coming from as far as London, South Wales, Glasgow and Portu- gal and other organisations inside and outside of the Joint Aikikai Council. Our instructors Chris Mooney Shihan, Davinder Bath Sensei and special guest Janet Clift Sensei, the technical director of Aikikai Greece, gave us complementary lessons in centre line and tai sabaki. Clift Sensei has dedicated her life to Aikido by studying intensely for years at Hombu Dojo and San Diego Aikikai. She is a regular guest instructor in Europe and was invited to the 12th International Aikido Federation Congress where she participated in the Journey of Women in Aikido forum. I briefly trained with Clift Sensei at her Chester class before she left for Athens and her lessons are as clear as ever, something my fellow attendees reflected upon. If you need to know more about Clift Sensei, her dojo is on Facebook (Aikikai Greece), as are Sensei Mooney's (Ei Mei Kan) and Sensei Bath's Dojos (London Aikikai Traditional Aikido). Many thanks to all who made the effort to make this course a success. I know it wasn't easy but good Aikido is not easy!

Wellington Tsang 3rd Dan South Manchester Aikido, North West Aikikai British Birankai

10 BE MUSUBI NOVEMBER 2017 Birankai Europe Aikido Summer Camp 15-21 July 2017, Annweiler am Trifels, Pfalz, Germany Guest Instructor: Etsuji Horii Shihan 7th Dan, Aikido Kobe Sanda Dojo Photos: Achim Goldemann

NOVEMBER 2017 BE MUSUBI 11 British Birankai Summer School 22-28 July 2017, University of Worcester, England Guest instructor: Makoto Ito Shihan 6th Dan, Hombu Dojo, Japan Photos: & Lisa Rowley Stephen Kloda

12 BE MUSUBI NOVEMBER 2017