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AIKIDO SHINRYUKAN NZ

Event Reviews

New Caledonia
Shumeikan National Summer Seminar Jan'08
with guest Instructor Simon Puffett Sensei

Shumeikan Headquarters - Noumea French Military Administration Bldg

President of Shumeikan Nouvelle Caledonie Marc Cessio Sensei, extended an invitation to Simon Puffett Sensei to become their guest instructor for the Shumeikan National Summer Seminar held in January 2008.

Shumeikan National Summer Seminar
Guest Instructor Simon Puffett Sensei

Following in the foot steps of Nobuo Takase Shihan with developing friendship between New Caledonia and New Zealand Aikido practitioners.

Simon Puffett Sensei held seminars in Noumea and Koumac in the north. The 17 day stay gave Simon Sensei the opportunity to travel and teach in New Caledonia, courtesy of Marc Cessio Sensei.

The seminars were attended by practitioners from numerous Aikido clubs throughout New Caledonia.

The atmosphere was ecstatic and fun with numerous opportunities to learn new and fun techniques.

The ongoing friendship between Shumeikan New Caledonia and Shinryukan New Zealand has developed through the continued efforts of Marc Cessio Sensei and Nobuo Takase Shihan.

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Kimori Dojo Annual Gasshuku September 2007

Kimori Dojo Annual Gasshuku September 2007
In attendeance from Aikido Shinryukan NZ Aaron McConnell / Richard Halson / Alex Natelli / Roland Stettler

My last visit to Kimori Dojo, nine months ago, had revived my interest in the practice of Aikido, which I felt had been merely idling along for so long. With that in mind I decided to try again, with Sawada Shihan’s consent, joining to the Dojo at their annual Gashuku at the Yumori Dojo, in the forest about 100 kms from Nagoya.

This area is in itself a marvelous environment in which to join Kimori Dojo in their training. Set in a picturesque location in the mountains, added to which is the local specialty ‘Castelo’ (my spelling of this may be off for which I apologise) a type of baked cake. Something also very special is the Kanji at the Kamiza in Dojo, having been written by O’Sensei.

As to the training, words cannot do justice, this was for me the highlight, seeing and feeling Sawada Shihan in his element. The merest hint of this we have seen in his demonstrations at the New Zealand seminars.

The almost ‘magic’ of his movement must be seen/felt to be believed. He has connected the ‘Buki’ and ‘Taijustu’ completely, maintaining them as one practice, not the separate items they have become over the years. The sense of lightness is what is inspiring, the ‘clash and bash’ has given way to a greater sense of movement and being lead exactly where ‘Uke’ did not wish to be. Meanwhile ‘Nage’ has the feeling of being lightly centered the whole time much to ‘Uke’s’ detriment.

The feeling of responsiveness, of being connected to Uke, either via Bokken and Jo, or with the open hand, is what I particularly remember. This connection to Uke was shown again to be light and centered and very responsive.

We were all given a treat during the Gashuku when the ladies of the Dojo dressed in Yukata and Obi performed various songs etc much to the admiration of the visitors.

It was an absolute pleasure to be allowed to train with the Kimori Dojo once again, let alone socialise with all there. For myself I felt just like a beginner again, and that to me was fantastic!

Thank you again to Sawada Shihan and the members of Kimori Dojo

Richard Halson, Wellington, New Zealand

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It's been two whole weeks since I returned from my first trip to Japan, and I'm still searching for the words that will adequately describe the appreciation I have for both Takase-Shihan and Sawada-Shihan for allowing me to have that experience.

Visiting Kimori Dojo opened my eyes to how that school conducts itself. I am most inspired by how Kimori strives for excellence in everything they do. Whether they are training, keeping the dojo clean, or enjoying food/drinks/laughs, everyone contributes with a spirit of teamwork. As a guest, I found it very easy to relax and join in. To say that people were very friendly and warm is to put it mildly.

Yumori Waterfall next to the dojo

The gasshuku was amazing. The Yumori venue supplied us with an excellent place to train, eat, sleep and socialise. We trained for many hours in the heat and humidity, and people kept going back to the dojo for more practice afterwards. They were so eager to share and to learn, the enthusiasm was contagious. I was humbled by their dedication and skills. I learned early on that despite my many years of training, that there is still much to learn. I've returned to New Zealand with renewed inspiration.

Alex Natelli, Wellington, New Zealand

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I had day-dreamed of going to Nagoya since the Gassuhku in Auckland earlier this year. I had been talking to Richard Halson about Sawada Sensei when he told me that he planed to go to his seminar in early September. At that time I couldn’t commit myself to anything. I had just moved to Queensland and had started my first job after finishing my degree. I had been quite busy with my new job and life in general but I kept thinking about Sawada Sensei’s seminar. Then, one day I decided that I needed a holiday anyway and got in touch with Richard and Aaron.

Seven weeks later I arrived in Nagoya. I had arranged that I arrived together with Richard and Alex at Nagoya airport, where we were welcomed by Yamamoto San. He drove us to our accommodation in Nagoya. We were staying right next to the Dojo, in a house used for guests and live-in students. There we were welcomed by Aaron and briefly by Sawada Sensei, whose business is just next door. In fact the Dojo is in the same building above his business. Soon after lunch we changed into Gi and Hakama and went to the Dojo. Aaron went with us through some of Sawada Sensei’s basics. I was very grateful for that, it helped lot during the seminar.

Later that day we met the rest of the "foreigners", a few guys from California and Hawaii. In total we were only seven visitors attending the seminar... there would be not much hiding... we would be in the spotlight all the time... The same evening we were all invited to dinner at Sawada Sensei’s house. It was a very special evening... all the instructors of Kimori Dojo were there... and the food was just amazing.

The next day we left Nagoya for the mountains. The seminar was at Yumori Dojo, which is located in a narrow mountain valley with a river and waterfall nearby. The place reminded me of Switzerland. Training was just great, a few sessions were empty handed but mostly we trained with weapons. At the Gassuhku in Auckland we saw Sawada Sensei’s uke use protective gloves. But then, to me, it didn’t mean much because we were not using them. At Yumori we were using them all the time... now I makes more sense... We were also very lucky that we had two great translators, Aaron and Nelson (one of the Californians), without them everything would have been so much more difficult.

The seminar was not just about Aikido, every evening we had a party. There was always plenty of Japanese food. I didn’t always know what we ate but I always liked it... except for the fresh squid! I tried it... but I decided I can do without it... One evening, most of the girls dressed up in traditional Kimonos and presented Japanese songs. I also remember Kobayashi Sensei opening a Japanese schnapps. And there were the "late evening Aikido sessions" were people, relaxed after a few drinks, started to discuss Aikido and tried some moves on each other. In particular Sawada Sensei enjoyed it, to explain and demonstrate techniques in that informal setting. Fuji Sensei too had fun demonstrating that he really knows how to apply nikkyo, which was less fun for uke!

Both mornings, at 6am, there was a voluntary early morning class. The first one I missed, I slept in... I had set my alarm, but... anyway it was a bit embarrassing. I made up for it by being the first one on the mat the following morning. These morning sessions were not formal classes, people practiced by themselves but Sawada Sensei was present and corrected people in there doings. I got plenty of attention too... and learned a lot... The seminar was over much too soon. The last class finished Sunday morning. After lunch we packed our stuff into the cars and went for a short trip up the valley to a very nice water fall. We were back in Nagoya the same evening and had, you guessed it, another dinner party at the Dojo.

The next morning we slept in, we all needed some rest. But not for long, Sawada Sensei had arranged an afternoon class just for us visitors. Again we did mostly weapons and got plenty of personal attention. After two and a half hours we stopped and had a rest before we went to the normal Monday evening classes. This time we did empty handed techniques. There were quite a number of people on the mats and soon it got hot... I mean really hot... I just managed to hang in there. After the class we had another dinner party, this time in a Chinese restaurant.

The next day, Tuesday, was our last day in Nagoya and the only day where we didn’t do any Aikido. We had a lazy morning and said goodbye to our American friends, who left a bit earlier. Later we went into town and did some shopping and sightseeing. Back at the house we started packing, cleaned our room and later invited Yamamoto San for dinner. He had been a great help during our whole stay. The next morning, we got up early to catch the bus to the airport. Sawada Sensei dropped by to say goodbye and soon after we were on our way. It was a great visit... but much too short... we all learned a lot and I definitely want to go back

Roland Stettler, Gladstone, Australia

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Kimori Dojo’s Annual Seminar is held on the first weekend of September every year and I have been lucky enough to attend 3 of these. It is not only a great opportunity to get to know the members of Kimori Dojo but also an exceptional opportunity to absorb Kimori Dojo’s Aikido.

If you have ever thought about coming to Japan then I highly recommend attending this Gasshuku.

Many thanks to all the old guys (you know who you are!) who attended and made this year’s Gasshuku the best yet. Cheers!

Aaron McConnell, Kimori Dojo, Nagoya, Japan

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New Caledonia
Shumeikan National Winter Seminar Aug'07
with guest Instructor Nobuo Takase Shihan

Shumeikan National Winter Seminar - New Caledonia
Guest Instructor Nobuo Takase Shihan

New Caledonia Shumeikan Dojo held their National seminar during August 2007. The guest instructor for the seminar was Nobuo Takase Shihan the official representative of the Aikikai World Headquarters Tokyo Japan who is based in Auckalnd, New Zealand.

Nobuo Takase Shihan was accompanied by several senior Shinryukan members from throughout New Zealand.

A second seminar was held in Koumac, 400kms north of Noumea with Jean Paul Do Sensei. Members from Noumea accompanied Takase Shihan and the NZ contingent to Koumac.

A wonderful time was enjoyed by all who attended. Takase Shihan demonstrated his unique style of technique focusing on precise entering and blending with uke, while exhibiting absolute control of uke throughout the entire technique.

Nobuo Takase Shihan would like to extended his best wishes and continued support to Marc Cessio Sensei and the Shumeikan members.

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