Genryukan Aikido

Yesterday I visited Thanet Martial Arts Centre for an afternoon and evening training with 4 Sensei who were over from Japan for the World Championships at the weekend.

Senior instructors from Waseda University Aikido Club;
Masanobu Kitayama
Fumiaki Shishida
Shogo Yamaguchi
Tadayuki Sato

Also training were Ken Broome, Eddy Wolput and a large contingent of visitors to the World Championships from Belgium, Russia and Spain.

The visiting Sensei covered atemi waza for kata and toshu randori, and lots of combinations and kaeshi waza for toshu randori.

All in all, a very interesting and enjoyable day was had by all who attended.

Thank you to Dick Todd for hosting the event.

Waseda University Aikido Club (WUAC)
Waseda University (founded in 1883) is one of tow top private universities in Japan. Professor Kenji Tomiki learned there and practiced Judo at the Judo Club while had been learning Aiki-Jujutsu under Master Morihei Ueshiba in prewar days. In 1958, Tomiki, Shihan of the Judo Club and the professor of the institute of physical education, established the Aikido Club independently from the Judo Club at Waseda University. It was the first Aikido club that Tomiki was strongly committed and put all his energy. Main members of WUAC, like Mr. Kitayama and Mr. Yamaguchi, taught aikido sometimes outside at clubs in Tokyo when Tomiki visited there accompanying with them. Tomiki successfully established the system of the Aiki-randori-method with the students in around 1961. From the traditional history, it is said that WUAC is the home of the Tomiki Aikido.

Fumiaki Shishida
Shihan of the Japan aikido association, 8th dan, and the president of WUAC.

Masanobu Kitayama
Mr Kitayama, 5th dan, started to learn aikido at Waseda University Aikido Club (WUAC) in April, 1965. He was the great captain of the club in his fourth-year student when Shihan Shishida was a freshman there. Shihan Kenji Tomiki gave 4th dan to him with praising his gift and energetic activity when he graduated. He was appointed to supervise WUAC from 1973 through 1976 while he worked at the Kaneka, one of large companies in Japan. He teaches aikido now at a school of the nonprofit organization Waseda Club.

Shogo Yamaguchi
Mr Yamaguchi, 8th Dan, is a director of the Tomiki Aikido International Network (TAIN). The agreement of the TAIN was drown up by him when TAIN was launched. He started to practice aikido in 1967 at WUAC and became the vice-captain. He won some randori-bouts at the first student aikido competition at Tokyo, in 1970. He was appointed to supervise WUAC from 1987 to 1991. He has been running as the president of the Kisui-kan dojo in Tokyo. He was promoted 8th dan of the JAA this year, 2011.

Tadayuki Sato
Mr. Sato, 6 dan, started to practice Judo from an infant at Yoshin-kan dojo in Hamamatsu, Japan. The shihan was Gohachiro Sato, his farther. Gohachiro Sato was Kenji Tomiki’s judo mate at Waseda University Judo Club. Therefore Tadayuki Sato was lucky enough to learn both Judo and Aikido under two great instructors. T. Sato entered Waseda Universiy and became the captain of WUAC in 1977, won the student individual randori championship in 1980. He is very respected by many aikido instructors because he can explain the relationship between Judo and Aikido with concrete demonstrations. He is now the Shihan of WUAC, the Kisui-kan, the Shido-kan and other many clubs in the world.

Mick Pratt was with us last night, and took us through his method of performing the following techniques;

Techniques from the Koryu Dai San Tanto Dori;
1. Ushiro ate
2. Gyaku gamae ate
3. Tentai oshi taoshi
4. Ushiro ate
5. Kata gatame
6. Kote gaeshi
7. Tenkai kote hineri
8. Shomen giri gedan ate

Many thanks to Mick for his instruction.

Here is a recap of last night’s training;

Basic 17 (Randori no kata) – Hajime style

Techniques from the Koryu Dai San Tachi Waza;
1. Kote mawashi
2. Uchi tenkai nage
3. Gyaku gamae ate
4. Hiji kime