BIRANKAIEUROPENEWSLETTER MM UU SS UU BB II

Issue 7 July 2013

Chiba Sensei believes regardless CONTENTS of style should always enrich lives

1 Aikido should enrich lives raveling is strongly self-developmental and extensively, allows itself to develop harmoniously 2 Editorial I have seen with the environment and various Tmany styles of human conditions. Idealistically and 4 Kan Zen In Dojo in Aikido in the hopefully, we have to rely on the con- Zurich world. Some science and sincerity of the individual of them were Chiba Sensei teacher. In other words, whoever is 6 Encounter with a warrior beyond my involved in teaching has to be compe- imagination to be called Aikido. I used tent, with a strong foundation and 8 Teacher student to worry about this, and think about responsible in their teaching. relationship what I should do about it. But gradual- Furthermore, I believe it is important ly I became less and less worried, and to have a historical sense of this 10 Sesshin in fact I am no longer worried about it profound art left to us by the genera- at all. tions before us, supported by deep 11 Birankai officially First of all, there is nothing you can conviction and respect. recognised do about it - you can’t be responsible There is a Japanese expression for it. Secondly, I came to the realiza- ‘mixture of diamonds and rocks’. 12 Jo-Ha-Kyu tion that as long as the people practis- Of course I see that in the Aikido ing enjoyed it, and as long as Aikido world today. So what does it matter? 13 Birankai Europe Youth enriches their lives or is meaningful in A diamond as a precious stone carries Seminar 2013 their lives, I should be pleased and its own value and beauty. At the same happy regardless of its physical form. time, a rock also carries a value and 14 5th JAC course Of course we should not be blind to use. If Aikido is the path that truly what’s going on in the Aikido world reveals the principles of nature, we 16 Notice-board today. We should strive hard to main- should be able to live with the contra- tain and preserve the quality as best diction between order and freedom. we can. However, the nature of Aikido continued on page 3

Please send submissions for January 2014 issue by Photo: Beata Darowska 1 December 2013 Chiba Sensei, Polish Summer Camp, August 2006 BIRANKAI EUROPE Technical Director Shihan TK Chiba 8th Dan

European Birankai Shihankai Norberto Chiesa 6th Dan, Birankai France Editorial Photo: Franco Gabriel Valibouze 6th Dan, Birankai France Dee Chen 6th Dan, British Birankai Tony Cassells 6th Dan, British ast year at the BE summer school in July Chiba Sensei informed Birankai us that Birankai France under the leadership of Shihan Patrick 6th Dan, British Barthélémy, President and Anne Ducouret, Vice President was Birankai Lgranted Hombu full recognition in line with the other European MIke Flynn 6th Dan, Scottish and Birankai organizations. In June this year Anne Ducouret organized Borders Birankai a course in Paris when the Hombu certificate was presented by Shihan Daniel Brunner 6th Dan, Birankai Didier Boyet - see article on page 11. We are also pleased to announce that Birankai under Amnon Tzechovoy, Chairman, has also Patrick Barthélémy 6th Dan, received Aikikai Hombu full recognition. Birankai France Joe Curran 6th Dan, British This year the Birankai Europe Teachers’ Course and Aikido Summer Birankai School will be held at University of Worcester, . Chiba Sensei had agreed that for economic reason the Teachers’ course should be Member Countries combined with summer school. The Teachers’ course 26-27 July is open Birankai Austria to Birankai certified teachers and head of dojos only and this year there Birankai France will be no course fee charged for this extra day of classes for those Birankai attending the full week of Summer School. Hellenic Birankai Birankai Israel Shihan Etsuji Horii 7th Dan from Aikido Kobe Sanda Dojo, will Birankai be our special instructor and he will be assisted by Birankai Europe Birankai Shihan and Shidoin. We will miss Chiba Sensei who is unable to be with Birankai Switzerland us this year as he has taken an official leave of absence until May 2014 British Birankai while he sorts out his health issues. We all send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery. BE Musubi is published twice a year in January and July. Thanks to all the contributors who submitted articles and photos for English edition available on this issue. A reminder that Dojos should send in a list of Dan/Shidoin/ www.britishbirankai.com and Fukushidoin promotions and any new development in their organization/ the French edition on Dojo together with articles for the next issue due in January 2014. ☯ 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 Editorr. Dee Chen

Editor: Dee Chen [email protected] Assistant Editor: Didier Boyet [email protected] Sub Editor: Chris Howlin [email protected] Design Consultant: Franco Chen

© Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Reproduction is prohibited without express written permission. 300713

 BE MMUSUBIUSUBI July 2013 . . . Aikido enrich lives continued from page 1

This world is so interesting. It is so dynamic and beautiful in its as-it-is- ness, because there are things like diamonds and rocks coexisting without conflicting against one another, and everything is in its place in its own right. Needless to say, this should not be our excuse to avoid responsibility. The law of nature, of cause and effect, is evident and inescapable, and there- fore what is to perish will perish in its natural course. ☯

Shihan TK Chiba 8th Dan Birankai Founder San Diego, California

Article originally published in Summer/Fall 1994 issue of Sansho - the Aikido Journal of the USAF

Western Region and precursor of Photo: Beata Darowska Biran. Chiba Sensei, Polish Summer Camp, August 2010 Photo: Beata Darowska Photo provided by Jürgen Schwendinger Chiba Sensei, Austrian Summer Camp, Dornbirn, July 2008 Chiba Sensei, Polish Summer Camp, August 2009

July 2013 BE MUSUBI 3 The birth of Kan Zen In Dojo in Zurich Stephan Corstenʼs dream comes true with help from the villagers

witzerland had two Birankai Dojos,S one in Lausanne and one in Bern though there was a small Stephan Corsten group of Birankai members in Zurich without any Birankai Dojo close by. These people trained in several Aikikai Dojos. Quite a few of them stopped training for some time, maybe because they

couldn’t practise what they were com- Photo: Jasmina Ritz mitted to. In 2005 Stephan Corsten was allowed to teach once a week in the Aiki-Kai Zurich Dojo. Finally the group had a platform to practise Chiba Sensei’s Aikido. Since we had the space only for one evening (Friday training) everybody was depending on additionally training in the Aiki-Kai style. We quickly realized it’s very confusing to train one day in this style and then on another day in a different one. We have to admit though, it does open the mind. But it is very difficult to embody the movements. In addition Photo: Stephan Corsten our agreement with the Aiki-Kai task. Real estate prices as well as wanted a real and permanent Dojo. foreclosed any recruiting or grading their rents are at the level of London The identification with a compact place of students. There was quite a gap or Manhattan. Of course we were also where you train, sweat and bleed in is to Sensei’s vision of the practice thinking of a gymnastic hall or any a strong bearer of the spirit of Budo. of Aikido. room we could lay out our mats for For three years Stephan has been In 2009 Chiba Sensei and Daniel the training. But the longer we were looking for a place big enough for Brunner Sensei suggested finding our searching the clearer it became that training and small enough to finance. own Dojo. In Zurich that’s not an easy we should find our own Dojo. We In 2012 he was not able to join Photo: Jasmina Ritz

4 BBEE MUSUBIMUSUBI JJulyuly 2013 summer school in Worcester, UK. For us, members of the Kan Zen In, Keep looking for your own Dojo! ☯ And as if it was destiny in exactly the a new part of the journey has started. same week he found a room which We want to meet the meaning of our Stephan Corsten 4th Dan had been used as a Dojo before. new name and we will fill our Dojo Aikido Birankai Zürich - Everything was there - except for a with the spirit of Birankai Aikido! This Kan Zen In Dojo ceiling high enough… We took it! On is already visible and people entering Limmattalstrasse 354, 8049 Zürich 22 September 2012, the exact day the Dojo realize right away - this www.aikido-birankai.ch when Daniel Brunner Sensei was is a special place and everyone is [email protected] celebrating 50 years of teaching, welcome! 30 May 2013 Aikido Birankai Zurich was founded. Finally we had a room and eight members. Philippe Baur, Matteo Laffranchi, Stefan Wegmann, Christian Schwarzer, Rahel Buchter, Anastasia Stamatiou, Daniel Isele and Stephan Corsten. Of course Daniel Brunner Sensei became our honorary member. So actually we were nine, two more than Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Seven Samurai’. And as a matter of fact we were many more, because we also had many villagers that helped us building up our ‘castle’. A big thank you goes to the Ryu Seki Kai (Daniel Photo: Matteo Laffranchi Brunner Sensei’s Dojo) and to the Shihan Daniel Brunner with Stephan Corsten () partners and friends of our members! We started regular training in October the same year. At the same time we cleaned, tore down, rebuild, painted and installed the new Dojo. We like to call it Misogi. We also set up all administration work and our brand new website, which we proudly present as www.aikido-birankai.ch. 23 and 24 February 2013 was our big moment: the first seminar - the inauguration seminar. Shihan Daniel Brunner and Shihan Norberto Chiesa honoured this remarkable weekend with their excellent teaching. Brunner Sensei named our Dojo Kan Zen In (place were excellence is advanced). We were presented a wonderful Calligraphy by his friend Pascal Krieger, Swordmaster and 10th Dan in Shodo. This was a wonderful week- end. A weekend with lots of emotions and a weekend a dream came true. Photo: Jasmina Ritz Shihan Norberto Chiesa with Philippe Baur (uke) Photo: Matteo Laffranchi

July 2013 BE MUSUBI 5 A tumultuous encounter with a warrior which has inspired Arthur Lockyear for over 40 years

have, over the last few years, had the in- Iestimable honour of meeting and knowing some of this country’s Arthur Lockyear most renowned warriors, most notably that most delightful gentleman Dick Annand of the Durham Light Infantry, who was the Army’s first Victoria Cross recipient of World War II; Harry Errington of the London Auxiliary Fire Service who was awarded a George Cross for saving two of his comrades from an inferno raging in a collapsing building during an ongoing air raid, and John Bridge, a Royal Navy mine disposal officer, who was one of only two men ever to be awarded a George Cross and two George Medals. Knowing these great Photo credit: Shields Gazette and iconic heroes, being acquainted Chiba Sensei with Pat Butler (uke), South Shields Club circa 1967 with the detail of their gallant stories, and indeed counting them as friends, skinny, long-haired -ka, I visited practitioners were partisan to say the has most certainly enriched my life, the Sunderland Martial Arts Academy very least. That first meeting was a and given substance and direction to watch a seminar taught by him. key moment in my life, and I should to my endeavours. However, it has Although Sensei had been resident in like to recount it for those readers who to be said that the warrior who has the UK for quite a short time, a little may be interested. influenced me most deeply and inerad- under three years, his reputation in The venue was the old martial arts icably, is a hero of a quite different ilk, the north-east and, I am sure, other academy which was situated in the my teacher in Aikido – the renowned parts of Great Britain, was legendary. rather less than salubrious setting of Sensei. He elicited the maximum degree of Sunderland’s east-end, where a walk I first met Chiba Sensei in respect from Karate teachers at a time to the Dojo could easily result in a spot September of 1969 when as a young, when even the most open-minded improvised ‘kumite’. I had heard that Chiba Sensei was teaching there on a particular weekend in September 1969, and so I decided to see what all the fuss was about. As I pushed open- ing the heavy, paint peeled wooden door, and entered the old dank build- ing which housed the Dojo, I could hear, the now familiar swish of feet brushing canvas, and the loud ‘report’ of hand greeting mat in breakfall. With each step I took ascending the wide, cold, stone steps that led from the street to the Dojo, my curiosity intensi- fied, building to a crescendo of gut churning expectation - it was almost as if I knew, instinctively, that something unique was about to take place. Knowing that Chiba Sensei held the

Photo: Pat Butler rank of 5th Dan I, as teenager, natural- Chiba Sensei in white hakama with John Hamilton (uke on left) and Stuart Appleby (on ly assumed that he must be an elderly right), at a martial arts festival, City Hall circa 1968 gentleman, possibly even as old as

6 BBEE MUSUBIMUSUBI JJulyuly 2013 forty!! So as I stood in the doorway and purpose – in my case it has of the Dojo, having raised my head lasted more than forty years. from a respectful standing Rei (bow), Looking back over four decades I slowly cast my gaze over the expan- I can see that the potentiality of sive area of tatami (mat), which was his Budo (martial art) was like brimming with people working at an a deep-flowing river, tranquil and impressive rate, and looked for my first fluid on the surface, but with sight of this famous, and presumably tremendous power hidden in its greying, avuncular, old warrior! A care- depths. ful and thorough scan of the proceed- If I was impressed by watching ings brought no result, as the only him walk around the Dojo, non-European to be seen was a young then I was astounded by the Japanese man, who was seated dynamism of his technique. The comfortably, but almost paradoxically cadence of Sensei’s movement, powerfully, in seiza (traditional kneel- although flowing and expansive, ing/sitting position). Despite his very was also concise and focused. martial mien, he looked a figurative In opening each technique oasis of calm amid the tumult of the Sensei presented an over- class, clad in what to me looked like whelming, and awesome explo- a velvet hakama (traditional split skirt sion of energy that, far from worn by the Japanese warrior class) detracting from the poise and (it was wool actually, but that’s another fortitude of his posture, gave story), and a dark blue gi jacket. emphasis and definition to it. Photo: Ian Smith I thought: “Oh, it must be Chiba The devastating martial integrity Chiba Sensei and Arthur Lockyear (uke), 1971 Sensei’s assistant.” of his Budo was clearly and Summer School held at the Chiswick Dojo, London This misconception was soon unequivocally evidenced, as he dispelled as I carefully observed him entering through his partner’s attack, giri - a test-cutting - not of flesh or walking about the Dojo with all the showing the potentiality of his strike. straw, but of the human spirit. natural command of a warrior king, His demonstration was not, though, Had it been any other Aikido Sensei, and the stealth of a panther. As he in any way fear-provoking, it was how- I may well have been impressed, but moved, his posture, although com- ever intensely stimulating - physically, not I think inspired, and certainly not posed, seemed to allow no opening for intellectually, and spiritually. His Aikido motivated to put aside my study of an attack, and he seemed to me to be seemed to energise his uke (partner), Karate for Aikido. I was profoundly and fully aware of all that was happening and allowed that student to fulfil his indelibly impressed by Chiba Sensei, around him, every nuance of the potential in that moment, on that knife who seemed to me to have been born practice. His Zanshin, his martial edge. Chiba Sensei’s control was for the warrior arts. perceptivity and consciousness, was absolute, and his good humour The outcome of this meeting was, for almost tangible. More particularly, decidedly reassuring. me, much more than an overwhelming the imposing and dignified martial His quite singular approach to Aikido adolescent desire to be able to defend presence exuded by Sensei was so was, I now see, the embodiment of myself, or even the genesis of deter- potent, that it seemed to fill the room, swordsmanship without a sword - with mined and undiluted ambition, it was and imbue his students with an each engagement between Sensei a consensus ad idem - a meeting intensely powerful sense of inspiration and his partner being almost Tameshi- of minds. This was one of the great seminal moments in my life, and I knew from that day, that this was what I wanted in terms of Budo. So it was that I made my first unsteady foot fall on the path I still tread - that of Chiba Sensei’s Aikido. I really cannot imagine how my life would have developed without meeting this great and charismatic warrior. Whether Chiba Sensei had any similar feelings about meeting me that day is, I regret to say, unrecorded!! ☯

Arthur Lockyear 5th Dan Founder & Chief Instructor of the

Photo: Franco Chen former Shi Sei Kan Aikido Dojo, Arthur Lockyear with Chiba Sensei at a Weapons course at Shinmei-kan, London Aikikai North East Aikikai, Durham City in 1990 British Birankai

July 2013 BE MUSUBI 7 Jürgen Schwendinge Teacher student relationship is key to Aikido survival

en years ago to the aliveness I made a life surrounding us. changing I believe that Aikido Tdecision. I met my is a wonderful tool teacher in Dornbirn that O-Sensei has Austria and he given to us. offered me the Jürgen Schwendinger Aikido has chance to become become a compan- his student. For me, the saying: ‘When ion in my daily life the student is ready the teacher will and is with me most appear’ was suddenly fulfilled. In 2003, of the time. I am Tony Cassells, one of the best martial very happy to be artists I know, accepted me as his part of Chiba student. This decision has changed Sensei’s Aikido quite a lot in my life. The journey we school called Photo provided by Jürgen Schwendinger have been walking together over the Birankai. Also, I feel Chiba Sensei, Austrian Summer Camp, Dornbirn, July 2008 last ten years has been beautiful, very privileged and challenging, inspirational and most honoured that he named my school in interview he said that he had fallen in important, has always been based on 2008. He has given me a very special love with a beautiful princess whom he care and respect for one other. We name and I still dwell on that name can’t reach or touch. She is far away have always had a real teacher and very often ask myself why he behind a silk curtain and unreachable student relationship, which in my has given me such a name. However, for him but his love for her is pure and opinion, is one of the most important I haven’t found the correct answer yet. forever. So he decided to be the things in the Aikido we practise. I am doing the best I can to honour Captain of her Royal Guard. He prom- Aikido has become a great journey the name given to my Dojo. O Sen ised to protect her and that’s what he to me. Aikido has the ability to wake us Kan has become my heart and my did for the last 50 years. In other up. Just think for a moment about how soul and I hope that one day, I will be words, Aikido for him doesn’t have often you are absent-minded? How a true guardian of Aikido like my its own means to protect itself. It is often do you daydream about certain teacher Tony Cassells. fragile, noble, sensitive and precious. things? How often are we asleep spiri- I believe that through hard and fully I think that the teachers have to tually and mentally? Aikido is able to committed work and through a truthful provide protection for this noble art teach us how to open our inner eyes teacher student relationship, we are and make sure that Aikido doesn’t get able to achieve bastardized. Therefore every instructor many things we of any Dojo has a big responsibility didn’t believe towards Aikido. The chief instructor in before. I also should be the centre of the Dojo. He think that is the example everybody will follow. through this I am fully aware of it and for me, process we my Dojo is like a beautiful circle. In have a good order to create a circle you must have chance to a strong centre. Just think of many transmit the Aikido techniques and how circular art to the next they are in motion and how important generation. it is to have a strong centre while However, executing them. O-Sensei called that Aikido will only ‘true’ centre ‘SUMIKIRI’, which means be able to total clarity of mind and body. I think survive if we this state is not easily achieved at all get committed by anybody, but it is definitely worth students. trying. We all know that O-Sensei Chiba Sensei achieved this through his daily hard once told a practice of the body, mind and soul. story how he I have never done any other martial

Photo provided by Jürgen Schwendinger sees his rela- arts other than Aikido. Therefore, my Chiba Sensei with Jürgen Schwendinger (uke) Austrian Summer tionship with next statement is probably question- Camp, Dornbirn, July 2008 Aikido. In that able to many people but I still dare to

8 BBEE MUSUBIMUSUBI JJulyuly 2013 say that Aikido, in my opinion, is prob- we have to know how to take a life. a lot to me in my Dojo. I created ably the most difficult martial art to This is a frightening statement. a formula for myself and my students. learn. We have no contests and there- However, if you think about it deeply It is an easy one to read but a very fore we cannot measure ourselves, you can feel the truth in it. The highest difficult one to practise. we cannot win medals and cannot form in Aikido was expressed through participate in the . That O-Sensei, of course, who said: “I am AIKIDO = CONTACT is one of the reasons why Aikido is the universe and if you want to defeat NO CONTACT ≠ AIKIDO Budo, a martial art and not a sport. For me you have to defeat the universe.” me Aikido is much more than winning O-Sensei was never defeated by any- More and more I realize that all the against someone. I believe that body, but how could anybody defeat basic techniques we practise in the through Aikido we are able to connect the universe? Dojo only work through contact. body, mind and soul. Often we hear the question: “Have Actually they can only be done if Aikido helps us to defeat and also you ever really used Aikido? I mean there’s contact. Both uke and nage challenge our worst enemy. My really used it …” have to work on that contact in order teacher always says: “You step on the This is a fair question. My answer to understand those basic techniques. mat and therefore it has already been is a clear yes. I use it every day. I use Here we realize that we both depend a victory!” The easiest way is not to do it all the time. I use it at home, I use and need one another. Without uke, Aikido, but then we might not be able it at work, I use it while I am talking tori cannot do Aikido. Without to learn how to defeat our worst and while I am walking. Some will students, a teacher cannot teach. That enemy. Some of you will ask yourself now say: “No, I mean used it to fight is why we should connect with our who is this worst enemy? Ten years another person.” Then it is very hard students. Through that connection we ago we chose a Dojo slogan that to explain that the true purpose of have a relationship with each other, perfectly fits with this ‘worst’ enemy. Aikido is not to fight, even though we which is totally alive and something On our Dojo pass, you will read learn how to fight. beautiful can be created. What would Masakatsu Agatsu, which means Just lately I read in a book that Aikido be without committed students? ‘true victory is self-victory’. Aikido was given to us from O-Sensei I think it would be lost. The art of Aikido asks for constant and total in order to make the world a better Aikido can only survive if a teacher awareness. This continuing awareness place where fighting is unnecessary. has at least one student who is able to is very important for every Aikidoka. I also believe that Aikido can make us transmit his art to the next generation. In Japanese it is called Zanshin. ‘better’ human beings, that Aikido is Chiba Sensei’s school has given us Zanshin helps us to care for the able to bring out the best in ourselves. this possibility through the teacher attacker and we learn to have compas- As a skilful Aikidoka one is able to student relationship, which is one of sion for him. In Aikido, we learn to prevent an outbreak of violence in the the core principles within our school. neutralize any attack and therefore we first place or one knows how to stop In the relationship with our students, are able to show any attacker that his violence, which is on its way. When we feel what Ai-Ki-Do can be. The attack is useless. On the highest level we were able to do Aikido on that level teacher and the student feel the love we put every attacker down without I think we become a much better (Ai) and harmony between each other. hurting him but showing him that his person than someone who is not able They feel each other’s energy (Ki) on aggression leads to nowhere. to control the outbreak of violence and off the mat and through a commit- However, as I said, that is the highest and therefore has to hurt the attacker. ment to each other they can walk their form taught by the master teachers How we use and practise Aikido is up path (Do). called Shihans. My teacher always to us, and it is always our own choice Last but not least, we shouldn’t tells me that in order to give a life back to injure or not injure somebody. forget one more important thing. Chiba I always try not to Sensei often emphasised that Shoshin hurt or injure my stu- is one of the most important things dents. Nevertheless, in our Aikido practice. Shoshin – I often challenge beginner’s mind - has become an them above their honest companion and clear mirror in normal limits. As my Aikido practice. Aikido teachers we I must admit that at the moment, have a big responsi- I have the feeling that the more I learn bility towards our in Aikido, the more I realize how much students. They come I am a beginner. ☯ on that mat and give their bodies, their spirit, their attention, Jürgen Schwendinger 4th Dan their full awareness O Sen Kan and only through that Dornbirn commitment we are Birankai Austria

Photo provided by Jürgen Schwendinger able to connect with May 2013 Shihan Tony Cassells, Austrian Summer Camp, Dornbirn them. At the moment, August 2007 this contact means Essay submitted for yondan grading

July 2013 BE MUSUBI 9 Through the haze and pain of Sesshin Ian Grubb waits for the bell and vows to return for more

arrived at the again for another half day. I thought previously blocked from my memory, Sesshin at it strange that the person who had there had been over twenty I was sure, I Shin Juku in sat next to me throughout had later or perhaps this was my mind playing IBurton on Trent thanked me for sitting so well and tricks on me. on the morning of supported him in his sit. The first session of the morning was Saturday 1 June Yet here I was, persuaded by the kin-hin, walking meditation where 2013 with some Ian Grubb fact that Zazen is one of Chiba everyone stands close behind the trepidation. I had Sensei’s three pillars; part of our train- person in front. Led by Genjo Ossho arranged to arrive late, after the course ing to understand our own body and the zen priest we walked in step with had started on the Friday, due to work mental state. As one of the senior each other; sometimes slowly, some- commitments. I did not want to inter- instructors I felt duty bound to support times quickly, sometimes almost at rupt so waited in the car until breakfast the cause for which numbers have a stop, all dressed in our dark clothing had finished. always been in short supply. Anyway, not speaking, hands held together I am reasonably flexible and sitting at least it would be warmer this time across our front. A pleasant start. is not overly uncomfortable for single since the Sesshin was in June! As we prepared for the first sit sessions, but the last Sesshin that As I walked in I was warmly I quickly scanned the chant sheet to I had attended was over four years welcomed with quiet smiles and hand- see what was on it and try to famil- before, and I did not have pleasant shakes while people moved around iarise myself with what was there so memories of it. I had left on that occa- preparing to clean the Dojo and that I knew where to read from when sion in the knowledge that I had given prepare for the next sit. I placed my we had to chant. Having arrived late, it a try for a second time but vowing sleeping bag in the hall with all of the I had missed the introductions and that I would not do it again. I remem- others, arranged my zabuton, zafu, instructions on the order of events, bered that the cold had gone right to teacup, food bowls and chant sheets in I was just going to have to wing it and my core as we sat in February with the manner that all of the others were hope for the best. Since this was my windows open. During the last sit of neatly arranged and mentally prepared third Sesshin I was aware of most of the second day I had shivered uncon- myself for what was to come, while the chants and what to look for when trollably dressed in T-shirt, Gi and everyone else quietly bustled about the Genjo announced what we were to black jumper which seemed to give their chores. While I knew that there chant at the various parts of the sit. no comfort or warmth. I was mentally would not be many people there I was Still I had to hum in time to the chants fighting the urge to get up and walk out disappointed to see that there was at times as I desperately scoured the at that moment never to return, let only twelve other sets of cushions set alone sleep on the mat and then sit around the mat. At the last Sesshin, continued on page 11 Photo: Josh Hill

10 BE MUSUBI JJuulyly 2013 Anne Ducouret, Birankai France Vice-President Paris Seminar follows recognition by Aikikai Foundation

n the art. The training during this seminar important recognition by the occasion was fueled by the energy of its partici- International Aikido Organization will of its pants. Their obvious and continuous encourage teachers and students of Orecognition by involvement during the whole duration Birankai France Dojos to be more the Aikikai of the seminar will remain a precious diligent when training. ☯ Foundation, memory. Several of the participants Aikido World Anne Ducouret also prepared the Saturday night Headquarters, dinner. The Hombu Certificate presen- Tokyo, Birankai France invited Didier tation gave us the opportunity to thank Boyet Shihan, 6th Dan to teach a the document messenger, Didier Boyet seminar. This seminar, open to all Shihan, and all of those who have Aikidoka, took place on 1-2 June 2013 been working hard all these years on Anne Ducouret 5th Dan at Ann Jyou Kan Dojo in Paris. About behalf of Birankai France. Such recog- Birankai France Vice-President 40 people from various French Dojos nition of our French organization, Ann Jyou Kan, Paris took part in the seminar which was Birankai France, shows an acknowl- Birankai France dedicated to Chiba Shihan. We send edgement of the work done and also June 2013 Chiba Sensei our deepest gratitude for strengthens our connection with the his teaching and his dedication to our Aikikai Foundation. Let’s hope that this Translation: Didier Boyet Photo provided by Anne Ducouret

. . . Sesshin continued from page 10 that I was again willing for the bell. and overcome discomfort through I left Sesshin this year having knowing that it will come to an end. worked through the issues of the last It is like kneading the body, much as sheets for what I was looking for. one, and sat in the pub next door talk- we do on the mat in body art, but there Either no one noticed or were kind ing to Genjo and everyone else, drink is nothing to distract me except my enough not to look disapproving, even in hand feeling grateful that it was own body and mind. though I was sat right in front of Genjo over. On reflection I am glad that Thank you to Chris Mooney Shihan who, naturally, did not need a sheet to I attended. The experience was much for his continued drive to organize and read from and seemed to be watching the same but my frame of mind at the hold Sesshin each year despite the everyone, all of the time through half end and throughout was more positive. small number of attendees and the closed eyes. I still had the times where I wanted to expense, both monetary and personal. Some sits were comfortable, some get up and leave but I knew that each Thank you also to Richard Edmunds very painful. Sometimes in my knees, sit would end. It would be followed by for hosting again, and to everyone but mostly in my neck and shoulders. another sit, but that would end too and who attended without whom there The tension from the stress at work I relaxed into it trying to sink into the would be no Sesshin. I will be back was certainly making itself manifest. sit without trying. There was even again. ☯ Sometimes I counted my breaths, a fleeting moment when I thought of sometimes I did not think of anything. Chiba Sensei talking about dying on Throughout there were times that your cushion. I willed for the bell to ring and then I do believe that there are benefits in when it did thought “well I could have sitting. It grounds me and improves my Ian Grubb 6th Dan lasted a bit longer after all”, then posture. The intensive nature of Mei Jyu Kan, Central Aikikai stretched and sat again only to find Sesshin has helped me to understand British Birankai

July 2013 BE MUSUBI 11 Jo-Ha-Kyu - The three dynamic steps to completion as seen by Malcolm Blackwood

o-Ha-Kyu is a prescriptive principle Jcharacterized by a sense of inten- sifying action. The phrase Malcolm Blackwood Jo-Ha-Kyu describes an idealised dynamic pattern popularised as a key pacing principle by the Noh master Zeami. He viewed it as a universal concept applicable to the pattern of movement of all things. It may be realised in any martial or performance art, including music, flower arranging and the tea

ceremony. Photo: Christopher Walton Zeami likened Jo-Ha-Kyu to a moun- tain stream, becoming a river, ending Ha as intensification; and Kyu as the attack, (2) redirecting the attack as a waterfall. Picture a leaf floating finale. More subtly, Jo might be while and (3) cutting uke to the ground. to the crest of a waterfall, steadily in motion approaching an attacker. The above sequence is not a staccato accelerating and then hurtling down. Ha, changes in speed and/or position. 1-2-3. Nor is it a flat out linear rush. Jo-Ha-Kyu application imposes Kyu, decisive (fast) resolution. Tori’s response is as and through a continuous augmentation to a kata This can better be visualised by contact being made (1) Jo. This inten- or technique. It imposes a pattern into looking at the structure of a simplified sifies, Ha, through (2) and concludes our movement. The Jo-Ha-Kyu pattern Katate Dori Ai-hanme Ikkyo attack/ through (3), Kyu. There is a raising of is essentially tripartite. In its broadest response. Here as uke grabs tori’s awareness and tension towards the sense Jo may be given as introduction; wrist. Tori responds, by (1) absorbing encounter (introduction). This tension becomes action (intensification). This action is resolved (finale). Jo-Ha-Kyu. Delving deeper is possible for those so disposed: Individual actions which make up a given technique or kata can also have this sense of intensify- ing action. The concept is applicable to each sub division of a technique. Complex techniques and kata can be dissected into a number of Jo-Ha-Kyu sequences. For example, an kata could involve Jo-Ha-Kyu for the draw, for each cut, for the chiburi and for the noto. For those readers still with me I can only ask that the next time you practise examine your technique whilst thinking to yourself Jo-Ha-Kyu, and let the pattern be with you. ☯

Photo: Katie Chaplin Malcolm Blackwood 4th Dan Malcolm Blackwood and Anthony Fairbairn (uke) at the annual open day demonstration at Abbey Aikido Durham Teikyo University of Japan based at the University of Durham, October 2012 Scottish & Borders Birankai

12 BE MUSUBI JJuulyly 2013 Despite setbacks Paris hosted a successful Youth Seminar in Paris. Anne Ducouret reports

he 5th proficiency in body art and weapons hearts’ content as there was a huge Birankai practice, the young members were picnic prepared by the adult Dojo Europe able to train for 13 hours, sometimes members and those who accompanied TYouth Seminar collectively, sometimes in a more the children. Then everyone joined in based on the intense manner with the older ones. various games before the lights were theme of ‘Living About 10 of these participants have turned off and eyes were closed for in a Traditional Anne Ducouret been attending this annual event for the night. Dojo and Intense the last five years. Careful management is necessary to Training’ was held from 30 March to During tours around the city and in take care of such a large group and 1 April 2013 at Ann Jyou Kan Dojo in order not to lose anyone in the crowd, the help of parents, adults and young Paris. The 2nd and 4th Seminars took all members were split into three people is crucial. We avoided a few our young members camping in groups of mixed age and different disasters: lack of food on Sunday due Labaroche, Alsace, while the 3rd dojos, with each group carrying its own to the time change, cancellation of the Seminar took place in Landau, flag. Each group was also responsible movie session at the Géode as the Germany, where the 65 plus partici- for the Dojo cleaning on alternate reservations were on the wrong day pants were hosted by local families. days. and the disappearance of a rice cooker This year more than 50 young On the day before the seminar, the which ended in the garbage can! members from Dojos in Colmar, Colmar and Landau groups went to However all when well, and everyone Strasbourg, Landau and Paris came visit Versailles. On Saturday, after in a happy and joyful spirit boarded his together for intense training, visits practice, we sailed up the Seine in or her returning train on time. Later on, and seeing the sights in Paris and a Riverbus from Notre Dame to the back on the mat, we were all, once of course exchanging and sharing Eiffel Tower. The next day, we went to again, able to appreciate the dynamics sessions in the Dojo. the Parc de la Villette, to the Géode, that holding such a seminar and The training sessions were conduct- Europe biggest movie theater, on training bring to our Dojo. ☯ ed by instructors from various Dojos: board the T3 streetcar which circles Didier Hatton Shidoin, Colmar and the Eastern part of Paris. Some of Strasbourg; Alexander Broll Shidoin, the members, exhausted by all these Anne Ducouret 5th Dan Landau; Anne Ducouret Shidoin, Paris; activities took the opportunity to Ann Jyou Kan, Paris, Daniel Wiedmann Fukushidoin, take a nap during the screening of Birankai France Strasbourg; and Irene Cambeis, a documentary on elephant and June 2013 Landau. The group was divided into orangutan care. different groups according to age and Everyone was able to eat to their Translation: Didier Boyet

Junior class, Cocks Moors Woods, Central Aikikai, British Birankai, July 2013 Photo: Amandine Morel Photo: Amandine Morel Mark Pickering and Jake (uke) Katie (right) with Jamie-Luke and Jake (ukes)

July 2013 BE MUSUBI 13 Stuart Loveringʼs Tudor Grange Dojo continues tradition by hosting 5th Joint Aikikai Course

n 12 May 2013 British Birankai Ohosted the JAC course at Tudor Grange in Solihull. For those not Stuart Lovering aware the JAC, or Joint Aikikai Council to give it its full name, encompasses all the Aikikai Hombu recognised organizations in the UK. Since its formation in 2009 the member organizations take it in turn to host a national JAC course each year. British Birankai also hosted the first JAC national course in 2009. The JAC was also instrumental in bringing Aikido Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba to Cardiff, Wales, UK in May 2010. I had the great privilege of organiz- ing the 2013 course. It was a wonder- ful day, seeing several organizations practising so well together and enjoy- All photos on this page by Tomasz Jopek ing each other’s company on and off Shihan Terry Ezra (right), Komyokan Aikido Association the mat, continuing the work O-Sensei and his disciples set out to do all those years ago. The course was opened by Caroline Smith Sensei of the British Aikido Federation who was followed by Neil Blacknell Sensei of Azami-kai. Steve Beecham Sensei representing British Birankai, took the last class of the first half of the course. Shihan Peter Brady of the Aikikai continued after a lunch break. Last but not least Shihan Terry Ezra of Komyokan Aikido Association ended the course with a weapons class. I take this opportunity to thank every- one for supporting the course and for being a part of a great day. ☯

Stuart Lovering 4th Dan Tudor Grange Dojo, Central Aikikai British Birankai Shihan Peter Brady (right), United Kingdom Aikikai

14 BE MUSUBI JJuulyly 2013 All photos on this page by Tomasz Jopek

Caroline Smith Sensei (left), BAF Steve Beecham Sensei (right), British Birankai

Neil Blacknell Sensei (left), Azami-kai

July 2013 BE MUSUBI 15 Notice-boardNotice-board All photos on this page: Beata Darowska Chiba Sensei, Polish Summer School, August 2009 Shihan Patrick Barthélémy. Polish Summer School, August 2009

Chiba Sensei, Polish Summer School, August 2009

16 BE MUSUBI JJuulyly 2013