| ive Aikido | | | | wanted an impressive display from the Aikido |
| Interview by Arthur Lockyear - Fighting Arts | | | | people. Whilst we were waiting to go on, a Judo |
| International - Issue 93 | | | | Dan grade approached Otani, who was speaking |
| Where and when were you born, Henry? | | | | to he Japanese Ambassador, and said: "Hey, |
| I was born in Yorkshire, in May 1936 in a little coal | | | | Smiler". I couldn't believe the disrespect and took |
| mining village called Brampton, near Rotherham. A | | | | him to one side. We were in a confrontational |
| place where you had to fight your way to and | | | | situation when Derek Eastman, who had been |
| from school each day. | | | | outside smoking a cigarette, called me to inform |
| When did you begin your study of Aikido? | | | | me that we were due on stage immediately. We |
| It was in 1957, I was studying Judo and Karate at | | | | rushed on to the stage and as I performed the |
| the 'Abbe School of Budo' at the 'Hut' in Hillingdon, | | | | first technique, Mr Eastman's cigarettes and |
| Middlesex. My direct teacher was Mr Ken Williams, | | | | matches fell from his gi, on to the stage. I was |
| who was 3rd Dan (3rd degree black belt) Judo, | | | | already upset from the previous incident, and now |
| and we were all students of Kenshiro Abbe | | | | this embarrassment was the final straw. I |
| Sensei, 8th Dan Judo, 6th Dan Aikido, 5th Dan | | | | smashed Mr Eastman all over the tatami (mat) |
| Karate, and 5th Dan Kendo. At this time no-one in | | | | and back again. When demonstrating knife |
| the United Kingdom had heard of Aikido. Abbe | | | | defence, the knife went through my gi and I felt |
| Sensei told Mr Williams that he had received a | | | | the blade against my stomach and thought: "My |
| letter from O'Sensei Morehei Ueshiba, stating that | | | | God, it's in me!". I dropped on to my knees with |
| all instructors outside of Japan now had permission | | | | Mr. Eastman in immobilisation as I withdrew the |
| to teach Aikido to anyone who wished to learn. | | | | knife from the hole in my gi. I expected blood to |
| Mr Williams was his first student and he then | | | | flow but... nothing! It turned out to be just a graze. |
| selected a hard core group of Judo students to | | | | I looked at the front row, and staring at me with |
| study Aikido - this was when I started. | | | | shock and horror was her Ladyship, and I knew |
| Abbe Sensei made Mr. Williams National Coach for | | | | by her face that any hopes we had entertained |
| Aikido and I became Mr Williams' assistant, a post | | | | of securing her sponsorship for Aikido had |
| which I held for approximately 15 years. | | | | disappeared. In fact, Her Ladyship was quoted as |
| Abbe Sensei and Williams Sensei then brought | | | | saying: "That was the most horrific display of |
| eight of us special students up to 1st Dan, the | | | | violence I have ever witnessed". |
| only Aikido Dan grades in Great Britain at that | | | | The Japanese Ambassador, on the other hand, |
| time, and all in one dojo (place of training)! | | | | congratulated us on an excellent display. |
| All the Dan grades were hard training and strong | | | | In those days, the style we practiced was hard |
| with no 'bandage men' amongst them. | | | | and positive, as well as being defensive. If I had |
| Sunday morning practice was for Dan grades only | | | | only known then some of the things I was later |
| and Williams Sensei would lock the doors to the | | | | to acquire from Nakazono Sensei's teachings, this |
| dojo - it was then that the serious practice | | | | could have given Aikido a major boost in the UK |
| started, with real fighting. He would allow the | | | | Could you talk about your own philosophy of |
| younger black belt grades to try and prove | | | | Aikido and feeling on Budo (the 'Way')? |
| themselves against him - without success, I might | | | | I still practice the old, original Aikido, which appeals |
| add. It was at that time that Williams Sensei | | | | to my positive nature and attitude. |
| started to visit other dojos to introduce Aikido. | | | | The early traditional style of Aikido is that of |
| I have heard that Aikido training was harder back | | | | O'Sensei as a young man - a fighting man. My |
| then... | | | | own understanding of O'Sensei's life of Aikido was |
| In the early days the training was extremely | | | | that he developed Aikido as a fighting art as well |
| difficult, with the emphasis on very strenuous | | | | as a positive form of self-defence. His life |
| exercise. My students and I used to train four or | | | | changed as he became older and so did his Aikido |
| five nights a week as well as on Sunday mornings. | | | | - he became more involved in he philosophy of his |
| Immediately after taking the students running for | | | | art. I have heard and read of other Sensei who |
| several miles, we would return to the mat and | | | | were close to him, who said they could |
| perform 200 press-ups on the backs of the | | | | understand maybe 10% of what O'Sensei taught. |
| wrists, which was then followed be general | | | | If that is true, then what chance have we of |
| practice and a further two hours of hard practice. | | | | understanding the depths of his mind? |
| Abbe Sensei's Aikido was the pre-war style of | | | | I have met many Western Sensei who have |
| Aiki Jutsu, which was very physical. Both Abbe | | | | delved so deep they almost think they are |
| and Williams were excellent teachers - they | | | | Japanese. I always tell my students that we are |
| worked very hard to train us, whilst promoting | | | | practising a Japanese Martial Art, but remember, |
| Aikido to a rather unreceptive public. | | | | we are Westerners, and therefore we must |
| When I was graded 1st Dan by Abbe Sensei, | | | | reach a happy compromise between East and |
| Williams Sensei instructed me to take a good | | | | West. I teach some Japanese words, but I don't |
| student as an assistant. The assistant I chose | | | | go 'over the top'. When I was teaching in |
| was a 17-year-old by the name of Derek | | | | America, I was asked to visit a large dojo in |
| Eastman, who is now 3rd Dan and technical | | | | Texas. Everything they said was in Japanese, so I |
| Director of our Basingstoke Headquarters. Mr | | | | tried to look as if I understood, but to be honest |
| Eastman is now 48 years of age and still a loyal | | | | I didn't have a clue, and I don't suppose a |
| friend. It proves one old adage: that you cannot | | | | Japanese person would understand much of our |
| buy or demand respect, you earn it. | | | | Western interpretation of their language either. I |
| At what point did you go 'on the road' to spread | | | | am often asked what are the best books or |
| the 'Aikido gospel'? | | | | videos to buy, and I always point to the tatami |
| When Mr Eastman reached 1st Dan, I was 2nd | | | | and say: "That's where it's at!". |
| Dan and Williams Sensei advised us to spread the | | | | In the beginning, Abbe Sensei would not discuss Ki |
| word of Aikido. | | | | (spirit, mind, energy) - he said you had to be 1st |
| We both gave up our jobs and travelled all around | | | | Dan before you could understand. I still agree with |
| the U.K. It was so difficult trying to introduce | | | | that. What I find a little disturbing in Aikido is that |
| Aikido, because most people had never heard of | | | | some people really believe that Ki is almost a |
| it. Mr Eastman and I left home and headed for | | | | form of magic. Abbe Sensei's method was that |
| the Midlands, without money and with little hope. | | | | you first trained very hard physically to develop |
| In some areas where Sensei Williams had already | | | | your spirit and your mind. He said that when the |
| introduced Aikido, we would find accommodation | | | | body says it is tired the strong mind will override |
| with the students and receive a small fee for | | | | it and carry on. |
| teaching. We would visit Judo and Karate clubs, | | | | Some teachers of Ki Aikido have had previous |
| sports centres, etc. | | | | study of traditional Aikido, and this, along with the |
| In the areas where there was no Aikido at all, we | | | | practice of Ki, is good. But the students who have |
| would take a job for a few days to feed | | | | been taught only Ki style cannot fall back on to |
| ourselves. We had many jobs and in one area we | | | | the good, solid, traditional style when in difficulty |
| worked as assistants to a funeral director. We | | | | with certain techniques. My own students are |
| had to collect the bodies from the mortuary and | | | | aware of Ki and its meaning, but it is not a word I |
| take them back to the chapel of rest. | | | | use very often. I teach students the flow and |
| The boss caught me in the chapel of rest with a | | | | power of breathing as an important part of their |
| young maiden who had no right being there.. she | | | | exercise and Aikido training. |
| being very much alive and well. He was very | | | | During Nakazono Sensei's last visit to the UK, he |
| angry with me, and after many more similar | | | | asked me to be his assistant at a demonstration |
| escapades he assured me I was on borrowed | | | | at a venue in Acton, London, for Otani Sensei. |
| time. | | | | Chiba Sensei was there too, but only as a |
| We got a job as road sweepers, wearing bowler | | | | spectator. Knowing how hard Nakazono was from |
| hats, which attracted a great deal of attention | | | | past experience, I feared the worst and thought I |
| from the girls. In the North of England the girls | | | | was in for a hard time, but Sensei was a little |
| loved to hear a London accent, and this was a | | | | older and had changed dramatically. I think he |
| great help with the invitations for dinner and, if we | | | | threw me only twice, and then we spent about |
| were lucky, accommodation, it was a struggle to | | | | an hour kneeling while Sensei went into some |
| survive. | | | | very deep philosophy which none of us could |
| We also worked in steel factories and carried out | | | | understand. Even Chiba Sensei looked puzzled, and |
| many other jobs around the country, but without | | | | when I think of this particular seminar, I wonder: |
| doubt the worst of all was repairing an old railway | | | | Is this how O'Sensei changed? |
| line. We called it the 'railway of death', the hard | | | | When I saw Nakazono Sensei again in Santa Fe, |
| work and the foremen were like the films we had | | | | New Mexico, he gave me two books he had |
| seen on this subject - needless to say, we did not | | | | written, and signed them for me. I spent about |
| stay there for very long. I must add, as I look | | | | four hours at his home, and he and his wife made |
| back on my life in Aikido, that this was a really | | | | me most welcome, which made me think: Yes, I |
| great time. As with all memories, we tend to | | | | am a privileged student. |
| forget the bad times and remember the good | | | | After 40 years in the Martial Arts, with many |
| ones. We contributed greatly to the promotion of | | | | friends who are bouncers, boxers, fellow Martial |
| Aikido and I do not regret one day of it. | | | | Artists and Street fighters, it is my honest opinion |
| I believe that you also trained under Nakazono | | | | that the hardest man to beat is the natural street |
| Sensei in those early days. | | | | fighter. My assistant for many years and a great |
| Yes that's right. As I said, Abbe Sensei's Aikido | | | | personal favourite of Chiba Sensei, was 'Mad' |
| was all we knew, and when he told us that he | | | | Geoff Goodwin, who disappeared some years |
| had invited a new teacher from Japan to visit us, | | | | ago. Geoff came from Derbyshire and followed |
| we were quite exited as we had not seen | | | | me to London, where he later became my special |
| another Japanese Aikido master. The new teacher | | | | assistant. He was a natural-born street fighter and |
| was Masahiro Nakazono Sensei and he taught us | | | | we had some great battles. |
| for two weeks. It was two weeks of hell! He had | | | | My son, Richard, who studied Aikido from the age |
| us practising on the mat for three hours in the | | | | of 5 and continued until he was 14 years old, is |
| morning and three hours in the afternoon, and the | | | | also a natural street fighter. He has now been |
| Dan grades had to practice an additional three | | | | back into Aikido for a year and is running the |
| hours in the evening. During this seminar there | | | | junior section with great success. We often |
| were many broken bones and other injuries. | | | | practice together and I try my techniques against |
| Our etiquette and discipline could not be | | | | him, and with his natural balance and Aikido |
| questioned, and Abbe Sensei had always taught | | | | training, his reactions and responses are very fast. |
| us to use very strong technique in our Aikido and | | | | It makes you very aware that an opponent has |
| not be thrown, unless the technique was | | | | more than one hand. |
| effective. He also taught us that to be strong | | | | I teach as Abbe Sensei did, that Uke must attack |
| showed respect for your teacher. | | | | on balance, remember at all times that two |
| It is important to understand in those early days | | | | people are practising, Tori to throw, and Uke |
| that we knew no different, we knew only the | | | | Atemi and Ukemi. What I don't allow is the Uke |
| strong fighting art of Aikido. Nakazono Sensei was | | | | attacking with his or her back leg off the mat. I |
| very angry and perplexed with us. He did not | | | | also don't like to see Uke trotting around Tori's |
| understand us and thought we were being | | | | circle on his toes like a trained poodle on a lead, |
| disrespectful to him. It was not until near the end | | | | waiting for the instruction to jump! |
| of his seminar that Abbe Sensei explained to him | | | | You have dojos in the United States affiliated to |
| the reason for our approach to Aikido, and then | | | | your school, I believe. |
| Nakazono Sensei realised we were genuine | | | | Yes, in Dallas, Texas and in Alamogordo, New |
| students with great respect for him and a strong | | | | Mexico. The teachers there, Al Montemar and |
| desire to learn. | | | | David Rogers, were my students in the early |
| In England it is traditional, after a hard practice, to | | | | 1980's when they were with the US Air Force at |
| finish the evening with a pint of beer at the local | | | | Greenham Common. I was fortunate enough to |
| pub. But Nakazono was keeping us on the mat | | | | be able to visit both dojos during 1992 and give |
| until 10.00 p.m., and the pubs closed at 10.30. We | | | | seminars and grading examinations for my |
| were not able to change and reach the nearest | | | | American students. |
| pub before closing time, so Sensei Williams said to | | | | I know that Abbe Sensei told you how he first |
| me; "Ellis, as my assistant, it's your duty to ask | | | | came to Aikido - would you mind recounting that |
| Sensei if we can leave the mat at 9.00 p.m. so | | | | particular story? |
| we have time to get to the pub". What a fool I | | | | I'd be happy to. Abbe Sensei was All Japan Judo |
| was! I did ask Nakazono Sensei and he was angry | | | | Champion at the age of 18, prior to World War II. |
| with me and said he had travelled across the | | | | He told me that he was rather arrogant at that |
| world to teach us Aikido, and all we wanted to do | | | | time, having achieved fame so young. |
| was go to the pub! Well, when he put it like that, | | | | Anyway, it was during a train journey in Japan |
| it made us feel bad. However, he didn't seem to | | | | that he first met O'Sensei. Abbe didn't know who |
| understand that this was our vacation from | | | | he was and he reacted to Ueshiba Sensei looking |
| work... I reminded Nakazono Sensei of this incident | | | | at him, saying: "What are you staring at, old |
| when we met in Santa-Fe recently, and we were | | | | man?" Ueshiba replied: "I know who you are". to |
| able to laugh about it. | | | | which Abbe modestly retorted: "Everyone knows |
| The important thing I have not mentioned so far | | | | me, I am Kenshiro Abbe, Champion of All Japan". |
| is the vast difference in technique between Abbe | | | | O'Sensei then introduced himself as the Founder |
| Sensei's old style and Nakazono Sensei's new | | | | of Aikido, and was told by Abbe that he didn't |
| style, which was a far more flowing movement - | | | | look strong enough to be a Martial Arts Master. |
| it seemed so much softer and yet so strong. We | | | | O'Sensei then offered Abbe his little finger, and |
| quickly adapted to this new style, and it was then | | | | said: "But young man, you look very strong |
| that Abbe dropped a 'bombshell'. We would all | | | | indeed. Please break my finger". |
| have to be re-graded to meet with the present | | | | Abbe at first declined, but eventually accepted the |
| standards of the Aikikai Hombu (Headquarters) in | | | | challenge, presumably to shut this old man up. |
| Tokyo. | | | | Abbe Sensei told me that, as he took hold of the |
| The grading was physically and mentally | | | | old man's finger and tried to break it, he found |
| demanding, and at the end of it he lined-up all | | | | himself on the floor of the carriage and totally |
| eight Dan grades and said he accepted all our | | | | immobilised. Whilst on the floor, Abbe asked the |
| grades with the exception of one. He looked at | | | | Founder for permission to study under him. This is |
| this student for what seemed an eternity, then | | | | my understanding of Abbe Sensei's story. |
| said: "Necessary sell you gi (uniform) while price is | | | | When you were in my 'local' earlier, you told me a |
| high". | | | | couple of interesting stories about one of your |
| Even after 37 years that sentence has not been | | | | former teachers. Could you repeat them for this |
| forgotten. He took away that students grade. | | | | interview, please? |
| In 1963 I was Nakazono Sensei's assistant at a | | | | Certainly, but I think its better that we don't print |
| national Martial Arts demonstration at the Royal | | | | the man's name. Well, he was a 2nd Dan in Aikido, |
| Albert Hall in London - that was a very proud | | | | under Ken Williams, and also held equivalent ranks |
| moment for me as a young black belt, and also a | | | | in Judo and Karate. He was a strange character |
| proud moment for my parents, as this was the | | | | and used to speak in an affected, Japanese |
| first time they had ever seen me in an Aikido | | | | broken English, and one day he said to me: "Mr |
| demonstration. | | | | Ellis want come my house for supper?" So I said: |
| Abbe Sensei then brought over from Paris a | | | | "Yes, Sensei, I'll come for supper, thank you". I |
| young 5th Dan, Masamichi Noro Sensei. This was | | | | went along to his home, knocked on the door and |
| the first time we had seen a Sensei (teacher) in a | | | | it was opened by this guy wearing a black silk |
| white hakama (traditional uniform), and Noro | | | | kimono (traditional Japanese gown) and geta |
| turned out to be perhaps the most graceful of all | | | | (clogs). I was a little taken aback by this, but |
| the teachers I have seen to date. There followed | | | | went in and we sat down. |
| many other fine teachers, like Hiroshi Tada Sensei, | | | | After a couple of minutes, Sensei clapped his |
| Tadashi Abbe Sensei and Nobuyoshi Tamura | | | | hands and his wife came trotting in from the |
| Sensei. | | | | kitchen, also in a kimono. So, the first thing he did |
| For me the most effective of all the Japanese | | | | was to slap her across the face three times. Her |
| masters was, without doubt, Kazuo Chiba Sensei. | | | | head rocked back and forth but she didn't say a |
| I was with him for several years and once | | | | word, or even cry. I just looked on in total |
| partnered him on television. At that time Chiba | | | | amazement... it was unbelievable. He told her to |
| Sensei and I were teaching Aikido at our dojo, | | | | prepare the meal, and she returned to the |
| which was situated at 'The Times' newspaper in | | | | kitchen. When his wife had left us I told him that I |
| London, and were asked to take part in a | | | | thought he was out of order. This chap replied |
| 30-minute World Service broadcast on BBC World | | | | that Abbe Sensei had told him that it was a |
| Radio. Sensei asked me to do the talking, because | | | | Japanese tradition to slap one's wife every |
| at that time his English was not so good. A | | | | morning to teach her humility! I pointed out to him |
| television producer heard the broadcast and asked | | | | that he was not Japanese - but to no avail, as he |
| if we would do a demonstration on Anglia TV, to | | | | slapped her again when he ordered our drinks! I |
| which we agreed. Whilst we were waiting for our | | | | was never the same with him after that..... it was |
| 'slot', they took us to the hospitality room, where | | | | incredible behaviour. |
| the bar was stocked with just about every drink | | | | You did, in fact, come to blows with this particular |
| you could imagine. The hostess asked if we would | | | | man later on, didn't you? |
| like a drink, and I thought a whisky would go | | | | Yes, I did, Arthur. We were in this pub after |
| down well. I asked "Sensei, can we have a drink?". | | | | training and he said to me: |
| He said we could, but before I could order, Sensei | | | | "You think you can take me, don't you?" I told |
| had asked for two orange juices. | | | | him that I'd never thought about it, to which he |
| Some Aikido I have seen in recent years | | | | replied: "Oh yes you have, you think about it all |
| depresses me because it can be carried out only | | | | the time". Again I denied this, it was just bloody |
| by two Aikidoka who practice together on a | | | | rubbish, but he would not let go. He kept baiting |
| regular basis, like a couple of dancers who know | | | | me, saying: "You want to try?" and I said to him: |
| each other's movements. I honestly think that the | | | | "You know, Sensei the only person troubled by |
| majority of students take up Aikido for self | | | | this is you. It is you who are unsure about me, |
| defence, so if I wanted Yoga I would study Yoga, | | | | not I about you". So he said: "Let's go outside", |
| and if I wanted to dance I would take dancing | | | | and out we went. |
| lessons. | | | | Outside the pub he put himself in Aikido posture, |
| I believe Aikido not only has to look good, but | | | | so I just stood there as relaxed as possible, and |
| also has to be effective. | | | | waited. As soon as he came for me, I hit him and |
| Abbe Sensei not only taught Tori (performer of | | | | put him on the deck. As he went down I dropped |
| technique) to have good posture and balance, but | | | | and immobilised him with my knee on his neck. At |
| Uke (receiver of technique) had to attack on | | | | this point he said: "O.K., that's enough, let me up". I |
| balance also, since it is easy to throw when he | | | | said: "Is that it? Is this incident finished?" He replied |
| comes in off balance. He used to teach with a | | | | that it was. Well, I'm a very straight man, and if |
| Shinai (bamboo sword), with which he would hit | | | | someone says it's finished, then for me it is |
| and say: "My English is not very good, but my | | | | finished. So as soon as I let him go, he smacked |
| shinai speaks fluent English". | | | | me straight in the nose and broke it - I was |
| You can tell a student twenty times what he is | | | | covered in blood and in a bit of a mess. He lost |
| doing wrong before he gets it right, but the shinai | | | | not only my respect, but that of everyone who |
| speaks only once, with incredible results. I still | | | | had been present. He moved from the area soon |
| occasionally teach the high grades with a shinai. | | | | after that, and I've never seen or heard of him |
| In the early 1960's I was asked to carry out an | | | | since. |
| Aikido demonstration at the British Judo Council's | | | | Finally, Henry, do you have any advice that you |
| National Championships in London. | | | | would like to offer to Aikido practitioners? |
| It was to be the most important Aikido | | | | I would urge them to visit other clubs and look at |
| demonstration to date. The VIPs were the | | | | other methods. You don't have to like everyone's |
| Japanese Ambassador and Lady Baden-Powell, | | | | Aikido, but if you can take away a little from |
| wife of Lord Baden-Powell, who was then the | | | | each dojo you visit, it will help make your own |
| head of the World Organisation of Boy Scouts. | | | | Aikido complete. Also, I would say - stay clear of |
| Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Masutaro Otani Sensei, | | | | 'fairy' Aikido - remember it's a Martial Art and |
| 8th Dan, another Japanese Judo Master, | | | | must work. |
| emphasised how important this evening was, and | | | | |