Oshima Sensei Seminar Adelaide May 2007
Recently the Andrew Sunter, Sydney Aikido Yuishinkai and Danny, Griffith Aikido, Brisbane got together with thie sempai John Ward, Adelaide Aikido Yuishinkai to attend a seminar by Minoru Oshima Sensei. Arriving late on Friday night we were greeted by strange stuff falling from the sky, we later learned this was water - something of a rarity in Brisbane and many eastern cities at the moment.
Oshima sensei began his aikido with Tohei Sensei and established the Kenshinkan dojo in Osaka for the Ki Society in the early 1970s. He then joined Maruyama sensei in promoting aikido in Hawaii and continental USA. He established Kodokai Aikido in 1980. We were later to learn that he was involved with John Denver's "windstar" project for many years. Today he has established Kodokai aikido. he seminar itself showed clear links to Ki style aikido which Oshima Sensei has developed and personalised. One of sensei's big focuses was on stretching rather than twisting the body which we were able to experience through waza and aikido technique.
The Aikido scene in Adelaide is a great example of what 'Aikido without Boundaries' can be. We are still uncertain about who actually hosted the seminar, it was such a group effort. It was put together primarily by Joe Pellin with assistance from John Ward. Training was held in the Adelaide Aikido-ka dojo of Gianni Zandel Sensei.
Joe Pellin was able to arrange the seminar through his long-time friendship with Yoshitake Hashimoto Sensei, a high school English teacher and the Kodokai Aikdo representative in Mie Prefecture. Joe and Yoshi-sensei met when Yoshi-sensei travelled to Adelaide as an exchange English teacher. The event was well supported by the Adelaide Aikikai UK, and Aikido Kenkyukai as well. With so many different lineages on the mat one might be tempted to think trainign could be come a little complicated, but very rarely have we felt at home and welcomed with such a fantastic co-operative training atmosphere as provide at this seminar. See Oshima Sensei in action, uke Patrick Crogan Sensei .
One of the unexpected treats of the seminar (apart from John Ward discombulated inspirational verbal utterings that left us scrambling for dictionaries) was the chance to spend time with Oshimi and Yoshi Sensei in John's kitchen. It was fascinating to hear someone speak about the early years before the proliferation of the various Ryu-ha and hearing a few annecdotes of the early years when legends were just being formed.
It was wonderful for Andrew to reestablish contact with Patrick and Yvonne sensei whom he used to train with in Sydney and for Danny to talk with Michael K. Sensei about the very early years at Griffith Uni aikido club and see the odd old photo or two. (previous trips here)
Aikido
A modern martial art developed from the traditional Samurai class of martial arts in Japan. Aikido has no blocks or punches but instead redirects the attackers energy to throw or immobilise them. Suitable for men, women and children. With a good mix of aerobic and weight bearing training its a good way to maintain inner and outer health and pick up some handy skills as well.
Griffith Aikido
A dynamic martial arts club that has been operating on Brisbanes Southside for over 25yrs offers regular beginners courses for newcomers, classes for kids and advanced training for the old hands. Men and women of all ages enjoy training in a co-operative atmosphere under the guidance of Japan recognised instructors and benefit from regular visits by senior instructors from Japan. Start Today
