| Sensei Henry Ellis Co-Author of the new book | | | | teachers themselves, who very often mislead |
| Positive Aikido.- 2005. A direct student from 1957 | | | | their students to the extent that they almost |
| of the legendary master Kenshiro Abbe Sensi | | | | believe that Ki is a form of magic. The following is |
| 1915 - 1985..PART 1At first sight of the above | | | | one prime example from a very prominent Aikido |
| title I am sure that a lot of Aikidoist's will be | | | | magazines letters section.Title: The Spirit of |
| angry, they will assume that this is yet another | | | | Protection |
| attack on the credibility of Aikido by other martial | | | | I am a carpenter and 2nd kyu in Aikido. I was |
| artist's. | | | | working in a large new home doing repair work, I |
| On this occasion they are totally wrong, I have | | | | had finished my job and was heading for a long |
| been a student of Aikido since 1956, In those | | | | staircase when I noticed the owners two year old |
| early days I first started Judo in 1955 at the | | | | son was heading for the same stairs from the |
| Kenshiro Abbe School of Budo, I studied Karate | | | | opposite direction. |
| with Harada Sensei and Kendo with Tomio O'Tani | | | | As he approached the top of the stair he was |
| Sensei, so with my background I feel that I have | | | | watching me and not where he was going. I was |
| something to offer to this debate.First | | | | too far away to grab him, so I shot to him (irimi) |
| ImpressionsThe Aikido that I first saw being | | | | and stuck my arm straight out to him, my "Ki" |
| demonstrated by Abbe Sensei in 1956 was | | | | went through the little boys' face and out the |
| without doubt a positive martial art. | | | | back of his head, he fell backwards and started |
| I was immediately impressed by its positive | | | | crying. |
| techniques and power, and in those days my | | | | His mother heard the crying and came up the |
| fellow martial artists and I were in no doubt that | | | | stairs, when I told her what had happened, she |
| we were witnessing a devastating new form of | | | | thanked me, |
| self-defence as demonstrated by Kenshiro Abbe | | | | I said "Don't thank me, Thank Aikido".That poor |
| Sensei. | | | | child may well now be as disturbed as the |
| Abbe Sensei had begun his martial arts career at | | | | writer.Harry Potter RyuThere are many such |
| the age of five and became a legend in his own | | | | misguided examples which I will refer to in future |
| lifetime. At eighteen he was the youngest ever all | | | | articles, it is this kind of nonsense that brings |
| Japan Judo champion and also the youngest ever | | | | Aikidos credibility into doubt I am fully aware that |
| 5th Dan at the world renowned Kodokan. He later | | | | every martial art has its own version of " Harry |
| became the oldest ever all Japan Judo champion | | | | Potter" in their ranks, what I fail to understand is |
| at the age of thirty three.When Abbe Sensei | | | | that there are more of them in Aikido than all the |
| arrived in the UK in 1955 he was 8th Dan Judo, | | | | other martial arts combined.The reason that I am |
| 6th Dan Karate, 6th Dan Kendo, 6th Dan Kyudo, | | | | so critical and vociferous about Aikido is that |
| 6th Dan Aikido, | | | | every day I see these people watering down this |
| the question must be asked; would this Budo | | | | great martial art that I have spent most of my |
| master have studied Aikido if he did not believe it | | | | life studying, teaching and promoting for the past |
| to be a martial art?It is my opinion that Abbe | | | | 46 years. I am often asked "Sensei, which do you |
| Sensei would not have studied Aikido as it is | | | | think is the best and worst martial art".I always |
| today.Please break my fingerAs a direct student | | | | make the same reply " All the martial arts are |
| of Abbe Sensei I asked one day whilst we were | | | | good, if there is a problem with any martial art, |
| traveling to a seminar | | | | then it can only be the people who represent that |
| "Sensei, how did you first become a student of | | | | particular art who misrepresent their |
| O'Sensei and Aikido"? | | | | ----------------PART 3The ConvertedIn articles |
| He smiled as he reminisced for a few moments; | | | | parts one and two I have covered the |
| then told me the following story:He said that he | | | | introduction of Aikido to the West, and the impact |
| was a young man at the time and the Judo | | | | on other Martial Artists, Aikido progressed and |
| champion of all Japan and traveling on a crowded | | | | developed in the UK by visiting existing dojos of |
| train across Japan to yet another Judo competion. | | | | all the various Martial Arts and offering to |
| Sitting opposite him in the same carriage was an | | | | demonstrate and teach for free in the hope of |
| old man who was trying to make some | | | | starting a small class in the more receptive dojos, |
| conversation with him, Abbe had his eyes closed | | | | as one can imagine this was no easy task as |
| as he tried to sleep. | | | | more often than not our efforts were not an |
| The old man said to him " I know who you are" | | | | open invitation to most dojos. |
| Abbe Sensei replied rather modestly " everyone | | | | In the end the positive style of the early Aikido |
| knows who I am, I am Kenshiro Abbe champion | | | | won through, and this is a very important point to |
| of all Japan" he politely asked the old man who he | | | | make in the early development of Western Aikido |
| was, the old man replied | | | | was that most of the new students of Aikido |
| "I am Morihei Ueshiba founder of Aikido" Abbe | | | | were from other Martial Arts. I do not believe |
| Sensei nodded politely and suggested that they | | | | that we could have converted other Martial |
| now try to get some sleep, the old man suddenly | | | | Artists to Aikido had it not been so strong and |
| stuck his hand forward and offered the smallest | | | | effective.Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 8th Dan Judo, |
| digit to this powerfully built young man, Abbe was | | | | 6th Dan Karate, 6th Dan Kendo, 6th Dan |
| stunned as the old man said " | | | | Aikido.Bad breath!I have referred to the many |
| please break my finger" Abbe thought I will | | | | changes in Aikido over the past 46 years from its |
| break his neck if he doesn't go to sleep, he was | | | | history to training and choreography and Ki Aikido |
| now becoming irritated by this old man, he | | | | and also the many Harry Potters of the Aikido |
| immediately grasped the old mans finger in an | | | | world, as a direct result of these articles I was |
| attempt to shut him up, he freely admitted that in | | | | contacted by a Aikido student in the UK to tell |
| his frustration it was his intention to break the | | | | me that she had now stopped training in Aikido |
| offending digit. To his total amazement he was | | | | because her teacher stated that he was now |
| suddenly slammed onto the carriage floor. As he | | | | going to teach the students "To breath through |
| lay prostrate and unable to move he knew he | | | | their toes".Lets DanceThe most important of all |
| had to study with this master. He asked O'Sensei | | | | the changes that have taken place in the past 46 |
| if he could study with him, O'Sensei agreed and | | | | years have to be the changes in technique and its |
| Abbe stayed with O'Sensei for ten years.O'Sensei | | | | application, the early style of Aikido was very |
| had spent many years studying various martial | | | | compact and powerful. From the day of its |
| arts, I believe that the art of Daito-ryu and | | | | introduction to the UK, Aikido was always taught |
| Ju-jitsu had more influence on the development of | | | | as a circular moving Martial Art with Tori at the |
| Aikido than anything else he had studied, and we | | | | centre of all movement. |
| know he went to Mongolia to fight and this would | | | | As Uke (the attacker) made his attack, Tori |
| be the perfect opportunity to test his many skills | | | | would turn within his own circle making it possible |
| in a real situation, so we can be in no doubt that | | | | to carry out the technique in a very small area of |
| this incredible man was a true warrior and modern | | | | maybe four square feet. Today the fantasy |
| Samurai.A knife for my enemyIt was this early | | | | aikidoist need a football pitch. |
| positive style of Aikido that Abbe Sensei brought | | | | I have seen some so called "masters" twirling |
| to the UK in 1955, at this time there was also the | | | | Uke around on the end of one finger and |
| first Japanese master to Europe, this was Tadashi | | | | pirouetting several times before being thrown the |
| Abe Sensei 6th Dan who was based in France, he | | | | full length of the mat.HarmonisingKenshiro Abbe |
| was a small man even by Japanese standards, | | | | Sensei always taught that Uke would only "go" if |
| but to my mind he was the hardest man I have | | | | the technique was effective. I often hear and |
| ever met.He was very similar to Kazuo Chiba | | | | have seen some of these people who say they |
| Sensei who I met with in London's West End last | | | | can throw an opponent without touching them |
| week, When he traveled he always carried a | | | | and sometimes by breathing and projecting their |
| knife with him, this was not for his own | | | | "Ki". |
| protection but to hand to his shocked opponent, | | | | You cannot do that if someone is attacking on |
| he would say "please, this is for you". | | | | balance, I have never seen anyone do that to a |
| He said that an opponent with his bare fists was | | | | student of mine. Of course if you do attack on |
| no challenge, but a man with a knife was "very | | | | balance you will then be accused of "Not |
| interesting".I think we can safely assume that as | | | | harmonizing".Aikido for realI have read various |
| these teachers were so hard and positive then | | | | accounts of the first Americans to practice Aikido |
| this must have been the style of Aikido that was | | | | in the early 60's. There were Americans practicing |
| being taught at the Hombu dojo in Japan, this was | | | | Aikido in the UK in the late 1950's at "The Hut" |
| the Aikido of O'Sensei as a young man, the Aikido | | | | The Abbe School of Budo. |
| being taught today is that of O'Sensei as an old | | | | The Americans were members of the USAF |
| man, there is no doubt that as people get older | | | | stationed in the UK. they were always questioning |
| they lose the spirit of their youth and become | | | | " How would that work in the street?" and we |
| more philosophical in their approach to life.My | | | | would often finish up in the car park of The Hut |
| father who was once regarded as the toughest | | | | after class and engage in some real Aikido. |
| man in town later in life found his peace taking his | | | | Afterwards everyone would be in good spirits |
| dog for long walks. I believe that we now have | | | | and have a few beers.Sunday mornings were |
| two aikido's, traditional aikido which if truly | | | | always the best practice sessions with the dojo |
| traditional (this word is much abused) is the martial | | | | doors being locked to all but the Dan grades. It |
| side of Aikido, the soft fantasy and dancing style | | | | was then that the Dan grades would fight each |
| of Aikido should simply be categorized as an | | | | other for real. This was the only way to truly |
| "Art".Those who are true traditional Aikidoists will | | | | evaluate your technique. |
| take no offence at this article, yet the dancers | | | | On one occasion I was fighting with Sensei Ken |
| will probably be offended and I care little for their | | | | Williams (The British National Coach) he hit me |
| feelings as I honestly believe that this soft Aikido | | | | hard and I went down clutching my chest and |
| has no more right to call itself a martial art than | | | | moaning loudly in agony. |
| has synchronized swimming has a right to be in | | | | It was known that I didn't go down and I never |
| the | | | | made a fuss, so now everyone was concerned |
| ------------------------PART 2In my previous article, I | | | | for me and as Sensei Williams leaned over me |
| attempted to establish the hard style of Aikido | | | | asking "Harry, are you OK" I lashed out with my |
| that was first introduced to the West in the | | | | fist at his head, just making a glancing contact, he |
| 1950's. I would like to emphasize the fact that I | | | | then stepped back and kicked me in the head |
| get no satisfaction from publicly criticizing Aikido | | | | putting an end to my cunning.The smallest of all |
| and I get a great deal less satisfaction when I see | | | | the Dan grades was Eric Dollimore, he was only |
| Aikido being brought into ridicule.To continue from | | | | about 5ft-6in in height and around 130 lbs. |
| part one.....Hard trainingThe training in and exercises | | | | I always felt that Eric was avoiding me on these |
| in those early days were very hard and physical, | | | | Sunday morning sessions, as he was about to |
| with karate style kicking and punching a very | | | | leave the mat I said to him "Eric, would you like |
| integral part of our warm up, followed by 200 | | | | to try against me" he just turned and said "Sorry |
| press ups on the backs of the wrists, with fingers | | | | Harry, I have to be at my girlfriends home for |
| pointing both inwards and outwards, very often | | | | lunch". As he left the mat I smiled to myself and |
| while you were in the raised position Abbe Sensei | | | | thought "That's what I expected" the smugness |
| would instruct another student to sit on your | | | | did not last long as I heard a voice behind me say |
| back, as we were the only group of five Dan | | | | "OK then Harry, can we make it quick as I must |
| grades in the UK and all in the same dojo then | | | | get away". |
| this was the training in all the Aikido dojos in the | | | | It was Eric; for a moment I was surprised then I |
| UK and today we are the only organization in | | | | thought to myself if you want it quick I will |
| Aikido still doing these press ups.The purists say | | | | accommodate you. |
| "these press ups are bad for you" what they | | | | I moved in to take him out with the one punch |
| really mean is they can't do them, this is all part | | | | and the next thing I knew I had gone through the |
| of the watering down of traditional | | | | dojo office partition wall and I was still lying |
| Aikido.ChoreographyAikidoists are often accused | | | | stunned the office floor when I heard Eric's voice |
| of practicing " Choreographed Aikido" and to be | | | | call out |
| honest I must admit that these claims are very | | | | "See you Monday Harry, gotta go". |
| often justified, with Uke (attacker) preparing to | | | | That was a very important lesson to me, I have |
| break fall long before he makes his attack, and | | | | never underestimated anyone since the little guy |
| most of them attack off balance , therefore | | | | taught me a lesson.The Grading LotteryIf in the |
| making any multiples of techniques possible with | | | | 1950's and 60's you saw a 5th or 6th Dan you |
| the minimum of effort and of course this makes | | | | would be in awe of him. I now see so many multi |
| Tori (defender) look "fantastic".What is really sad | | | | grades and to be honest they would not be |
| is that these people believe that this is good | | | | graded first Dan in the old days. They make |
| Aikido. | | | | these claims knowing that if they are ever |
| Kenshiro Abbe Sensei would always say to us | | | | challenged and prove their mettle they know they |
| that "two" students are training at the same time, | | | | can claim that this is against the principals of |
| one is Uke who is learning and improving his | | | | Aikido. |
| attacking techniques and his | | | | Another favourite of these people is to juggle |
| opponent Tori is also learning and improving his | | | | around with their grades and come up with |
| defensive techniques, whilst we were training with | | | | multiples of matching grades, for a prime example |
| Abbe Sensei if Uke's foot or heel came off the | | | | of this abuse check out the article "British |
| mat as he attacked Abbe Sensei would give the | | | | Aikido-The Controversy" on the web-site Harada |
| offending leg a good whack with a shinai (bamboo | | | | Sensei "5th Dan" |
| sword) he would then say " My English is very | | | | Harada Sensei was my Karate teacher in the |
| bad but my shinai speaks fluently!".If Uke attacks | | | | 1960's, he was then and still is a 5th Dan at the |
| on balance then it is obvious that Tori's technique | | | | Shotokan dojo in Tokyo. he was graded by the |
| must be good and strong to throw him, and as | | | | founder of modern day Karate Gichin Funakoshi |
| Abbe Sensei said so many times " two students | | | | Sensei. |
| are training" . | | | | He taught Karate to the USAF at the Kodokan |
| Mark Eastman a strong young Dan grade with | | | | dojo after the second world war. He was graded |
| me went on a seminar recently where there was | | | | 5th Dan by Funakoshi Sensei in 1957 and is still 5th |
| a 6th Dan. The 6th Dan refused to use him as | | | | Dan after 45 years, stating that "Any grade |
| Uke stating " I can not use you as you do not | | | | above 5th Dan is totally pointless". |
| harmonize with me", he was not being awkward | | | | This is exactly the feeling of Sensei Derek |
| or difficult just attacking on balance.Diluted | | | | Eastman and myself, although we are two of the |
| trainingToday all of these traditional exercises and | | | | only remaining four of the original group left of |
| training methods have now changed to a simple | | | | Kenshiro Abbe Sensei's group from the 1950's, |
| warm up routine with jumping up and down on | | | | we both agreed that there were too many |
| the spot and lots of deep spiritual discussion. | | | | "Harry Potter" grades around, we then decided |
| Hard exercise is now considered to be | | | | that like Harada Sensei we would make 5th Dan |
| aggressive and not in harmony with the true spirit | | | | the highest level in our organization.Serious studyI |
| of Aikido.Abbe Sensei said that hard training | | | | will take a break now that these articles are |
| developed the spirit, he also referred to Ki during | | | | complete and do some serious "Toe breathing".I |
| those early days as he demonstrated the power | | | | do not know what direction the Martial Arts will |
| of his technique, when asked to explain the | | | | take when all the "Old Timers " are gone.As one |
| meaning of Ki, he said not to worry about Ki as | | | | of the comments (to the Cyberkwoon site |
| that would be a part of our training and | | | | forum) said "We can still make a difference".To |
| development.He then said "Only when you reach | | | | the one who asked after my father, he was not |
| first Dan will you be able to understand the true | | | | a martial artist, just a hard man who started |
| concept of Ki as a further extension of your | | | | working at the age of 13 years two miles |
| Aikido." | | | | underground in the South Yorkshire coal |
| I still believe that line of thought, and the | | | | mines.Sensei Henry Ellis 5th dan. regardsHenry Ellis |
| instructors in our dojo's very rarely speak of Ki | | | | Co-author of Positive Aikido book |
| although it is taught as a important and integral | | | | |
| part of our training and study.Ki AikidoAlthough Ki | | | | Ellis started Judo in 1956 at the now famous Hut |
| is generally recognized as the spirit and breathing | | | | Dojo UK before starting a long career in Aikido in |
| during the application of technique, every teacher | | | | 1957. he was one of the first of 5 dan grades ( |
| and student will offer a very wide and varied and | | | | black belts )in the UK. he was a direct student of |
| sometimes bizarre interpretation of the meaning | | | | the legendary master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and |
| of this much abused word. | | | | the Co-Author of the new book Positive Aikido.. |
| The main problems arise and are created by the | | | | |