Kenshiro Abbe Budo master came to UK 1955.
8th dan Judo ~ 6th dan Aikido ~ 6th dan Karate ~ 6th dan Kyudo ~ 6th dan JuKendo ~ 6th dan Kendo.....KyuShinDo a theory of circular movement in Judo, KSD not a martial art, it was developed by Kenshiro Abbe circa1939.
This Blog by genuine direct students of K Abbe to protect Sensei's name from all those that claim they were taught KyuShinDo - Ju-Jitsu - Butokukwai self defence privately. - We are not associated with discredited British Aikido Board.
Wednesday 1 May 2024
Welcome to the home of the " Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido "
Both Derek Eastman and Henry Ellis are the last two of the original 1950s pioneering students of Traditional Aikido Training in Aikido, as it was introduced and taught by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1955 - Yes ! - there was/is kicking and punching in Abbe's style of true Traditional Aikido .
Many of the early Aikido dan grades worked as doormen on London night clubs. anyone practicing ``Wokiodo ` couldn't do any of that. The Hut Dojo`wasn't called the Hell Dojo for nothing.
Both Ellis and Eastman have spent much of their final years working to preserve the legacy left in our care by the legendary Kenshiro Abbe.
There are some devious people in the world of Aikido, ones that have attempted to change our proud documented lineage, it is with the aid of the internet - Teaching - writing books - articles - YT videos - we have been able to spread the truth for the future generations to follow.
Henry Ellis is the only UK student to have his dan grade diploma's signed by ` Kenshiro Abbe Sensei -` Morihei Ueshiba (1st & 2nd dan - Moriteru Ueshiba ( shihan ) - Mutsuru Nakazono - Kazuo Chiba.
Henry Ellis the last survivor of the original first group of five Aikido pioneering students and dan grades of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from the 1950s.
Ellis Sensei tells many stories starting from the origins of the legendary Hut Dojo. Memories from his 70 years of travelling and spreading the word of Aikido and Budo.
The stories bring to life many of the people from those incredible times, the stories vary from serious to the hilarious .
Ellis Sensei has spent his final years documenting in several Amazon books the history of British Aikido, Including The life of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei -
Henry Ellis a student of K Williams - K Abbe - T Abe - M Nakazono - M Noro - K Chiba - N Tamura - M Harada - T Otani.
This is a short, easy to read book. It's interesting reading about Henry Ellis & his path through budo. I was originally just going to put it on a shelf with the rest of my collection but I decided to read the first page & couldn't put it down. I wasn't expecting it to keep my attention the way it did but I'm glad I ordered i
The Amazon books ` Kenshiro Abbe Sensei ` - `British Aikido History` - The Founding of Jujitsu - Judo - Aikido in the UK` The books are written by Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman two of the last of the surviving direct students of Kenshiro Abbe from the 1950s. - Co-author Abdul Rashid.
If you are interested in the factual history of British Traditional Aikido as documented by a direct student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei from 1955. Please visit the British Aikido History site, take a look at the Amazon book " British Aikido History " a great book with many photos of past and present teachers both British and Japanese.
the recently resurfaced Mutsuro Nakazono letter from 1966. This letter was received by Ken Williams Sensei at a time of great upheaval in British Traditional Aikido, and the break up of the `British Aikido Council` BAC . This was just months before the arrival of TK Chiba Sensei.
Wednesday 13 September 2023
New Amazon Book now Available. In card-back £12-95p.
KENSHIRO ABBE SENSEI 1915 - 1985 - The Forgotten Budoka
Published by Amazon 20th - May - 2021 Compiled by the Martial Arts researcher Abdul Rashid.
This new book is a thoroughly researched and detailed, documented history, including a personal interview with Henry Ellis one of the last surviving direct students of Abbe Sensei from the 1950s.
A new book published by Amazon Books -. This book is an in-depth look at the life and times of this legendry man of Budo, from his childhood to his time as a captain and Brigade Commander in the Imperial Japanese Army during WW2 - his time at the Busen - Butokukwai - His competition successes in presence of the Japanese Emperor, his defeat of the great Judoka Kimura also his time in the UK and Europe. This will complete our `library` of British Martial Arts history as associated to the influence of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 8th dan Judo - 6th dan Kendo - 6th dan Aikido - 6th dan Ju-Kendo.
The following Amazon Book titles may be of interest to the student and teachers who value the true origins of British Martial Arts. " The Founding of Ju-Jitsu - Judo - Aikido in the United Kingdom " --- " British Aikido History " --- " Kenshiro Abbe Sensei the Forgotten Budoka " --- " Positive Aikido " by Dave Rogers --- " The Life - Giving Sword " the life of K Chiba by Leise Klein.
"It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit " Noel Coward
Click on Book Image for Amazon. Book price £6 - 64p.
This book acknowledges the many British Aikidoka and Japanese Budoka that Ellis and Eastman met along their journey to promote the little known martial art of Aikido. from a time when the Hut Dojo was the only Aikido dojo in the UK - There is now an Aikido dojo in almost every town and city.
Click image to enlarge or click image in R/H column to go straight to the Amazon book page for [LookInside] a free preview. The book " British AikidoHistory " this is the story of the last of the original pioneers still involved in the promotion of the true history for future generations. There are many old photos from the 1950s/60s. There are acknowledgments to those that have helped to protect and preserve our origins from the era of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1955.The book is 311 pages of stories - interviews -anecdotes - history - and much more - Please visit the free preview to see what this book has to offer. Over the years I have been asked many times `what was it like to study directly under Kenshiro Abbe Sensei?`, this book will give the reader a taste of that era, a time when Aikido was a martial art and the people who trained were martial artists in the truest sense of the term. Sadly, so many of the Japanese and British early pioneers of Aikido are no longer with us, we will remember as we pay our respects to them, may they rest in peace. The book was published by Amazon on the 7th of March 2021 - Cost B/W £6-35p, or colour version £27-00.
Monday 11 September 2023
New Books Available on Amazon. In card-back £6-85p.
Click Image
Founding of JuJutsu-Judo-Aikido in the United Kingdom`
There are many books on Martial Arts - it is our intention to offer a selection of only the best researched books available.- Abdul Rashid the martial arts researcher has worked tirelessly to research the very origins of the evolution of martial arts in Britain from the 18th century prior to the arrival of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955 and the everlasting influence left by Abbe Sensei [1915 - 1985 ].
There are sadly now just a very small group of direct students surviving to this day. Abdul Rashid has been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with two genuine pioneers from the incredible Kenshiro Abbe Era, Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman were students of Judo in the 1950s and shortly after they became a part of the very first group of Aikido dan grades in the UK.
There are two books available a black and white copy for £6-95p or the enhanced coloured copy at £29-00.
Sunday 10 September 2023
Important new book released by Amazon. In card-back £8-90p.
Past history is an important part of present day life, much of todays lessons of life are learned from the lessons of past events of history.
In the past, and the life we lead today, the facts of history can be lost in time as the people that were an indelible part of any historic events become fewer and fewer, such is the case of the British Budo Controversies .
With the demise of the central figures to our budo history, such as Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Tadashi Abe Sensei - Mutsutaro Otani Sensei - Mutsuro Nakazono, Kazuo Chiba Sensei . We must not forget the many English Budoka that were a part of the early development of British Budo, there are too many to mention here, I must add two of my greatest friends the late Bill Woods Sensei RIP - Gerry Gyngell Sensei RIP. they both worked in the BJC London office with Abbe Sensei, they were a great source for information of those wonderful early days.
As these legendary figures have now passed into history, there are the unscrupulous and shameless characters that will write their own versions of their associations and ``friendships `` with the past Budo masters, their imagination would be more fitting in a sequel of `Harry Potter`.
This book documents two of the most shameless attempts to corrupt our proud heritage and lineage, it also sadly exposes individuals and organisations that to this day offer their full support of many more fraudulent claims . All fraudulent grades and titles are never questioned.
Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman are two of the last few survivors of the Kenshiro Abbe era from the 1950s, with the support of their co-author Abdul Rashid they intend to leave a documented history in all their books of an amazing and historic time of which they were proud to be direct students of Kenshiro Abbe and so many other legendary Budoka from that early era.
Quote; " If you tell the truth - You don't need to remember anything." - Mark Twain.
Henry Ellis
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Wednesday 7 December 2022
Excellent researched and documented video
The Founding of JuJutsu Judo Aikido in the UK
The full story is ow available on Amazon Books
Scroll down past the books and video information for the blog content as titled.
CLICK The above YouTube video heading the live link will take you to the video of the history of the arrival of the martial arts to the UK from the late 18th century - The video is narrated by Abdul Rashid with many photos and much factual in-depth research. This video is based on the now popular and highly credited book of the same name. The UK visiting Japanese masters from pre - WW1 and post WW2 were - Yukio Tani - Kaneo Tani - Seizo Yamamoto - Taro Miyake - Sadakazu Oyenishi - Akhitaro Ono - Gunji Koizumi - Matsutaro Otani - Kenshiro Abbe - Mutsuro Nakazono - Kazuo Chiba.
Sunday 1 May 2022
"Its discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit" ~ Noel Coward
Martial Arts Books by Abdul Rashid & Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman
Click on Image to Enlarge
The books authors respectfully acknowledge the many `genuine` Budoka involved in the UK origins of Aikido and other inclusive Martial Arts.
L to R: `British Aikido Board Controversy` - `Kenshiro Abbe Bio` - The Founding of JuJutsu - Judo - Aikido in the UK` - `Positive Aikido` - ` My Interviews with Henry Ellis ` - `British Aikido History`
The six books above are all factually honest books, documenting and protecting the legacy of UK Traditional Martial Arts from its UK origins. All the books are available on. Link> " Amazon Books ".
Friday 11 March 2022
"It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit " Noel Coward
This book consists of a interview I conducted with Henry Ellis, a pioneer of Aikido in the UK since the 1950s. With over sixty years of experience in Aikido he shares his views on the above topic, warm-ups with Karate style kicks and punches, daily runs,full contact training, read about what he went through under the direction of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei at the famous "Hut Dojo". You will have a different perception of Aikido after reading this book.
Author: Abdul Rashid.
2022 Release - Amazon - £7-99p.
Cover photo Henry Ellis and son Rik.
Friday 6 August 2021
Scroll down;
For the details of the new book on the life and times of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Most students know a little of the life of this legendary Budoka, now, at last, a factual book on his whole life. by author - A Rashid.
Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman are now sadly amongst the last of a very small group of surviving direct pioneer students of the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe.[1915 -1985]
Anecdotes, stories, historic events are vividly brought to life from the incredible 1950s/60s.
With the encouragement of Martial Arts researcher - author - Abdul Rashid - Ellis and Eastman were inspired to put their personal `documented true factual history recorded in to book form to memorialize all those involved in the early days, never to be lost or forgotten.
The books credit many other Judoka and Aikidoka that were involved from the Abbe Era, honourable people who played a role in the early days when Aikido was a Martial Art, there were so many others that are remembered who later helped to promote and protect the legacy of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.
The following titles are available from Amazon Martial Arts Books
" The Founding of Ju-Jutsu - Judo -Aikido in the UK " ------ " British Aikido History "
" It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit " - Noel Coward
" If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything " - Mark Twain
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei
1915 - 1985
A true story of Traditional `Positive Aikido`. Left: My teacher Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985. Abbe Sensei introduced Aikido to the UK in 1955, Abbe Sensei taught Traditional Aikido = Positive Aikido = Effective Aikido. This is a True story: - It was late evening as Abbe Sensei left the Sandwich Street, Kings Cross dojo, alone, he was just ahead of us ( his students ) Kings Cross was a rough area of London, suddenly several young thugs approached Sensei, the leader demanded " hand over your wallet ! " - without a word, Sensei removed his wallet from his inner coat pocket, he then deliberately casually dropped the wallet between his feet, the thug shouted " Oi, kick it over here " - Abbe Sensei didn't move, as he calmly surveyed the thugs and quietly said " I am prepared to die for my wallet, are you ! ? " - the thugs looked at each other as if in a mutual understanding, this wasn't just any old guy, just as thugs and cowards do, they retreated, stepping back and calling out some defiant abusive profanities as they went away empty handed. How different to much of what modern Aikido has become: [" Aikido is love, You want my wallet ? give me a cuddle and you can have it ". ] -- Admin: Henry Ellis Akikai Shihan
"No matter your pretense, you are what you are, nothing more " - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 8th dan Judo - 6th dan Kendo - 6th dan Karate - 6th dan Aikido - 6th dan JuKendo
Judo History
1933 - Promoted to 5th dan at age 19 years - Japans youngest holder of this grade.
1936 - Graduated 1st from ` Busen Martial Arts College of Judo` - Kyoto.
Won the main trophy in the all Japan East West Championships.
1936 - Won the 5th dan Championships in the Emperors Imperial Tournament.
1937 - Promoted to 6th dan - the youngest in Japan at 23 years of age.
1946 - Promoted to 7th dan at 31 years of age - the youngest ever in Japan.
1955 - Arrived in Britain as resident master at the ` London Judo Society `.
1956 - Appointed National Coach of the AJA
The great Japanese Judo Champion Takahiko Ishikawa 9th dan described Abbe Sensei as the worlds greatest teacher.
Appointments
Chief Instructor to the Kyoto Police & Doshisha University
Editor of National Japanese Judo Magazine
Director of Kodokan Judo Films.
Director of Kyoto Judo League .
Tech: Adviser and Broadcaster on Judo to Japanese Radio and Television Services.
Superintendent of Kyoto Police
Judo Instructor to Japanese Army Staff College.
Budo - 1955 - 2015 - For those that studied with Sensei's Kenshiro Abbe - Tadashi Abe - Masahilo Nakazono - TK Chiba Sensei in those early days will remember their Aikido and Judo being true Budo, something that very few will ever see or feel again. Abbe Sensei's most Famous Fight Kenshiro Abbe's Senei's most famous fight as a Judoka occured in 1936 in Saineikan at the Imperial Palace - Tokyo. The line comprised of all godan - the best and strongest competitors in all Japan. The best five were selected to fight all contestants , Abbe Sensei finished each opponent in less than one minute, including Kimura Sensei, who at that time was regarded as the strongest Judoka in contemporary Japanese Judo History.
Scroll down the right hand column for ` The Myths of Abbe Sensei ` some rather amusing BS.
BS loading due to the increasing amount of BS from the MayoShinDo group, and many others, claiming to have been associated with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, and KyuShinDo, all of which is an insult to the memory of Abbe Sensei.
My 10th dan BS Award goes to this story.
Extract: Sensei Bloggsworths mother brought Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from Japan to London to personally teach her son - Abbe Sensei stayed at the Blogworths home teaching young Bloggsworth all of the Budo arts - Abbe Sensei was also the godfather to a future baby Bloggsworth.
[ Name changed to protect the Numpty ].
Visit the KyuShinDo Blog to read " W `Bill` Woods Sensei's response to the claims of Mr Alf Bates of the ` Tokushima Budo Council`
Anton Geesink was trained by Haku Michigami sensei and his friend Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - they went to the Japan Tokyo Olympics together in 1964 - Abbe Sensei asked the Japanese champion Kaminaga to meet with him as he could advise him how to deal with Geesinks `favourite technique ` - Kaminaga declined - the result is history.
Kyu Shin Do KSD was Abbe Sensei's theory and principal on the movement and application of technique. This `theory` has been high jacked and used by many, KSD is / was, never a martial art. I now see people with high ranking dan grades in ` Kyu Shin Do ` - Abbe Sensei would be amazed that people now have grades in a theory.
by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 1915 - 1985 Kyu: To Study, or Seek Shin: The Cosmic Nucleul Principal ( precise translation impossible ) . All motion in the universe maybe resolved basically, to a series of circular and semi-circular actions. This only by obeying this fundamental principal of motion: avoiding stiff, angular stances, or postures, that we can achieve the best Judo - Aikido - Kendo - Karate. The three precepts of KyuShinDo are as follows: BANBUTSU RUTEN: All things existent in the universe are in a constant state of flux. RITSU DO: This motion is rhythmic and flowing. CHOWA: All things work and flow in perfect harmony and accord. The human body naturally falls into this ordered state, when we perform physical techniques. We study not only the movement alone, but seek the most basic principals behind the action. One cannot make perfect separation of the spiritual and physical without death resulting through the basic idea of physical application, the spiritual import of the theory should follow naturally. Please regard this very brief explanation, as you would the caption of an illustration, both requiring direct experience for complete understanding. DO: Way, or Path.
Credit: The video below is provided on YouTube by Drew Emmz
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Aikido and Judo
Barry - Wales 1963 The tall uke with Abbe Sensei is John Hepplestone
At the end of the video both wearing hakamas are Abbe Sensei and Bill Woods Sensei.
The rare `Slide-Show` collection of photos from the 1950s/60s located below were loaned to me by Mrs Teresa Reeve - The widow of Bill Reeve Sensei, the first personal aide to Abbe Sensei - There are also photos of many other great Judoka of that time. Bill Woods and Fred Wainwright to name just two.
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Joe Robinson.. 27 yrs of age and 17 stone (238 pounds ) publicly challenged Abbe Sensei who was retired from competitive Judo now aged 42 yrs and weighing just 12 stone ( 168 pounds )..It is clear that Abbe Sensei is the winner.. At this time Joe Robinson claimed to be world Judo champion.
Sensei`s - M Otani - B Reeve - K Abbe.
Bill Reeve Sensei first personal aide to K Abbe Sensei. I am pleased to have received this and many other photos from Mrs Teresa Reeve the widow of Bill Reeve ( centre ).. Reeve Sensei was a big man in many ways, he was a big influence on the early promotion of British Judo. He was also Kenshiro Abbe Sensei's personal aide. He supported Abbe Sensei from leaving the LJS to the development of the BJC and the associated BKC ~ BAC ...Bill Reeve was one of the few people that Abbe Sensei considered a `friend ` !!. Mrs Reeve was graded to dan grade by Abbe Sensei.Mrs Reeve stated that her husband typed the letter to George Mayo that the MayShinDo group claim as a link to the `supposed` friendship between Abbe Sensei and Mr Mayo. Mrs Reeve stated that her husband objected to writing to Mr Mayo as he considered the man no more than a joke, Abbe Sensei thought that the students of Mr Mayo should be given the opportunity to learn true Judo.. Mr Mayo rather than join the BJC for the benefit of his students,decided to re-create himself as ` MayoShinDo ` and for a laugh he also claimed to be the founder of KyuShinDo - proving his sense of humour was the cherry on his cake with a grade of ``10th dan`` Scroll down to Item Four to see the full photo slide show of these treasured photos kindly provided by Mrs Teresa Reeve. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Demonstrating KYU SHIN DO Judo 1950s Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Demonstrating Juno Kata. 1950s Click `` The Judo Review 1955 `` image to Enlarge
The official British Aikido History site - Is dedicated to the true history of Aikido in the UK from its inception in 1955 by the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Right: Kenshiro Abbe Sensei with Ken Williams Sensei at the Hut Dojo. The site is maintained by AikiKai Shihans Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman - The last two surviving pioneers from that exciting era of the birth of Aikido in the UK at the famous "Hut Dojo" Ellis & Eastman Sensei's are co-authors of the book `Positive Aikido` - they are proud to have their diplomas signed by legends - Osensei Morihei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Masahilo Nakazono - Masamichi Noro - TK Chiba - Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba. Right: Mitsusuke Harada Sensei Right: Henry Ellis - Mitsusuke
Harada - Derek Eastman join Harada Sensei at the TK Chiba Celebration in 2006.
Harada Sensei was invited to the UK in 1963 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - He held
his first classes at the Hut Dojo. Harada had no students to begin with - Henry
Ellis and Derek Eastman studied Karate with Harada, he in turn studied Aikido
with them - Harada began to incorporate Aikido moves later into his Shotokai Karate as
can be seen in his teachings today. Click here for the British Aikido History Blog > British Aikido History Site Earliest known film/video of UK Aikido Demonstration - 1963. USAF - UK Air Base - European Judo Championships. Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman - Geoff Goodwin. Click here -> Earliest UK Aikido Demonstration Film
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei introduced Aikido to the UK in 1955.
The British Aikido Board tried to change the true history and lineage by colluding with Jack Poole who claimed he was the first UK Aikidoka in 1952 which is total BS.
This Slide-Show exposes both the BAB and Jack Poole
The British Aikido Board Controversy Slide Show. Documented evidence of the conduct of the UK Governing Body for Aikido. Detailing the BAB's attempted collusion with one Mr Jack Poole to change forever the true proud history and lineage of British Aikido, from its inception to the UK in 1955 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Henry Ellis was actually Mr Poole's first teacher as one can clearly see from the large collection of photos and statements, this did not deter the BAB from proudly parading Mr Poole along-side his teacher as a `Pioneer of British Aikido` . Imagine you are a direct student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and recognised by the Doshu and TK Chiba as a true pioneer of British Aikido - The UK Aikido governing body invite you to receive an award in recognition of this - As you wait to meet the Lord Mayor of Birmingham - you hear a shuffling sound - you look behind - standing there unannounced is one of your old students in line to receive the same award as a pioneer - unbelievable.You could not make this up - The BAB did.
Sunday 27 September 2015
The "Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Memorial Event 1955 - 2005 "
The event was totally sold out with a 425 capacity of students. The event was organised by genuine direct students and indirect students of Abbe Sensei.
There were no BS students such as the MayoShinDo people in sight. There are now so many martial artists that claim some kind of connection to Abbe Sensei as a means of gaining some form of credibility.
You can now view the full event video below.
I have been contacted many times by students trying to verify their often misguided, and more often ludicrous claims of lineage, be it direct or indirect to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. It is important to remember when Abbe Sensei arrived in the UK in 1955 he was `tied` by contract to the London Judo Society `LJS` for approx one year. Sensei amicably ended this contract to join Mutsutaro Otani Sensei - together in 1958 they formed the British Judo Council `BJC`. Abbe Sensei lived at the home of Otani Sensei at 10 Stuart Road Acton London during his time in the UK. Abbe Sensei was in great demand for Judo seminars - in addition to building a 35,000 strong international membership of the BJC - BAC - BKC - IBC.
Kenshiro Abbe loved my mums pie n chips.So, when some clown tells you that Abbe Sensei lived at his, or his teachers home for months enjoying his mothers pie and chips - teaching him all the Budo arts - perhaps, now one can see that these claims are a pile of unadulterated BS.Can you imagine Abbe Sensei staying at someones home giving personal tuition because he prefers mums pie n chips - rather than take care of his 35,000 members. If these people were not so sad they may even be considered amusing. To many people with little or no understanding of the term `KyuShinDo` it sounds very nice and `Japanesy`.KSD is a theory of centripetal Judo application - many have used and abused the term in association with their own Judo - Karate - Aikido, and to some it has become a martial art ?? I have even seen people claiming to have grades in KyuShinDo - How the hell do you get a dan grade in a theory ? To many the use of the word KyuShinDo tries to falsely imply a link to Abbe Sensei. Visit the KyuShinDo Blog KyuShinDo Blog Just one example:A guy recently left messages on my YouTube Kenshiro Abbe videos,he became abusive as he demanded to know why I had never mentioned his teacher, who he claimed was a true pioneer of British Aikido. I explained the reason I never mentioned the guy was simple - I had never heard of him!. He countered with " My teacher was a special student and friend of Kenshiro Abbe for twenty years. I suggested he inform his teacher that Abbe Sensei was only in the UK for nine years. They walk amongst us and breed.
Respect Henry Ellis Co-author of `Positive Aikido`. British Aikido Board Blog - Click here ->BAB Blog - BAB Blog A very interesting Japanese article on Kenshiro Abbe Sensei translated by Mr Syd Hoare Click here > Kenshiro Abbe Article
Mutsutaro Otani Sensei 1896 - 1977
M Otani Sensei 7th dan Judo - Sensei worked for many years as a swordsmith for the `Wilkinson Sword Company` London. I recieved the photo on the right from a member of the Wilkinson family. Sensei is actually making the sword used by Kirk Douglas in the film Spartacus. Kirk Douglas visited the Wilkinson factory where Otani Sensei presented the sword to the actor. Kenshiro Abbe sensei From the memoires of Bill Stopps Sensei aide to Otani Sensei from 1947. O ne further example of this remarkable man’s approach to life was during the first time Kenshiro Abbe came to this country and devastated the best of our dan grades in the country. People who remember him taking on black belts at the Royal Albert Hall display in 1963 still speak of it with reverence. However, on returning to our dojo Mr Otani announced that his own Judo was now old fashioned and obsolete and we must now learn Mr Abbe’s method and in this he included himself. T o me it was shattering, here was a man who could calmly throw away a lifetimse work and start again at the beginning without turning a hair. At this moment my esteem for my instructor crystallized and I knew whatever happened in the future, that incident would cancel anything. Mr Otani began to study these new techniques but fortunately Mr Abbe spotted what was happening and pointed out that the style and method of Mr Otani was now so rare that he must keep teaching it to preserve such a unique skill and knowledge. Judo expands and so does the problems T ime passed and other clubs began to spring up, new members joined and suddenly the Jubilee Club seemed to be torn with bickering and argument. One Sunday morning we were about to practice when Mr Otani called us together and demanded to know what the grievances were about. After one or two minor complaints one of the new members boldly suggested the reason for the trouble was that one of the committee members was coloured (this member was missing that morning) Many of the old members including myself were dumfounded and it was then that I saw another side of Mr Otani’s character He said angrily “ You forget I am also a yellow colour , Judo is for all, let nobody here forget that,”! This was one of the very few occasions I saw my teacher furious. Shortly afterwards that complaining person and his faction left and a harmonious period again resumed
Henry Ellis 6th dan AikiKai Hombu - Co-author of "Positive Aikido". Relates stories of training with the early Budo Masters. 4 Articles - featuring 1st Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 2nd Masahilo Nakazono - 3rd Masamichi Noro - 4th TK Chiba CLICK the ARTICLE of YOUR CHOICE 1st - Article: Kenshiro Abbe _____“Trying to Catch the Wind”_____ Click Here - AikiWeB Article - "It Had to be Felt".~ Kenshiro Abbe - "Trying to Catch the Wind".
2nd - Article: Masahilo Nakazono ______”A Man of Peace and Pieces”______ .Visit Aikiweb Click here >- Aikiweb - Nakazono Sensei Article
3rd - Article: Masamichi Noro ______The White Tornado__ Visit Aikiweb - Click Here - "The White Tornado"
Henry Ellis a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1957. "AikiWeb" has published 4 articles to add to their popular Ellis Amdur article collection of "It Had to be Felt" `IHTBF`.
Henry Ellis - Anniversary Dinner - TK Chiba's 40 years in the UK.
Henry Ellis Sensei joined Chiba Sensei in the 1960s shortly after his arrival in the UK.
Friday 25 September 2015
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - A Victim of Too Many Myths Scroll Down Right Column for More Myths
Left:Click photo to enlarge: - The Kenshiro Abbe Memorial Event May 14th 2005. Fully booked with 425 students and 700 spectators. There was not one `friend` of Abbe Sensei in sight - Not one single god-child - Not one Kyushindo expert - Just privileged direct students and their students. This site was intended as a memorial site to our teacher Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. It is sad that we have to spend so much time and effort protecting the good name of Abbe Sensei from the growing number of unscrupulous plastic samurai,people who shamelessly use Abbe Sensei's name in an attempt to add some credibility to their sad lives.
In a recent Judo article in an Australian Martial Arts magazine,there were several crass claims, the most bizarre being; "After the war my teachers mother brought Abbe Sensei to England to teach her son Judo - Aikido - Kendo. Abbe Sensei lived at Moorehouse Sensei's home for several years". (This one registers high on the BSometer)
Here is a another "My teacher was taught by Abbe Sensei in 1950 in Germany"
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei came directly to the UK from Japan in 1955 under contract to the London Judo Society `LJS`.
Although it is not possible to keep up with the increasing crap from these people, we will highlight the myths when ever possible. Take a look down the right hand column to read some of the more popular myths.
Henry Ellis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aikido - Then and Now - 1955 - 2014 Henry Ellis - I am often asked the following question. " What is the difference between the Aikido of the 1950s and the Aikido of today ?" 1950s - This was a time when all kyu and dan grades were highly respected, simply because everyone knew that even the lowest grade had been honestly earned through blood sweat and tears, not like today, often given as a Christmas present by your own students, or ordered online from the inept British Aikido Boards website for a modest fee. Students never handed out titles to their own teachers, such as Shihan - Grandmaster - Soke - Hanshi - Doctor - Professor and any others you can think of. - Just imagine being at school and the kids informing the teacher that the class had jointly awarded him/her a PHD, now that would be worth six strokes of the cane on both hands in my school days. Photo Left: Kenshiro Abbe teaching - Henry Ellis centre. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei taught that uke should always attack on balance - today it is more often a ukemi attack with uke being overly compliant and acrobatic. If you attack on balance, then the techniques have to be good to control the attacker - the nod of the head, and no touch throws would then be comical, sadly, many students show as much resistance as an unattached piece of string. Importantly, it was a time when students did not grade their own teachers as so many do today. It was also a time when there was no Aikido with ribbons, if anyone had been daft enough to come into the dojo with a bundle of coloured ribbons ? they would have been found hanging by them from the Hut Dojo roof beams. It was a time when Aikido was a respected martial art, respected by all the other m/a. If Abbe Sensei thought his teaching wasn't getting through - no words were spoken - Sensei would `tap` the offending body part with a crack of a Shiinai - this was a very successful method of teaching, it gained immediate attention, it would be a reminder and an indicator to the student what their problem was, no one ever complained - The Ki people would be in tears today. It was a time when students would train hard, and the techniques would be strong and effective, everyone attacks a little different, therefore you cannot plan what your defense would be, the attacker makes your defense ( or not ) It was a time when people trained hard to understand the techniques - if, as so many do today, trying to scientifically analyze Aikido with engineering and physics, Aikido is natural movement, not for some, for example, if a student asked Kenshiro Abbe or Mutsuro Nakazono anything of a technical nature, they were told to practice with an ` empty mind ` only a clear mind will adsorb the knowledge.
Left: The 4th dan certificate presented to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei by Emperor Hirohito of Japan in the 1930s. 1955 This was a time when Kenshiro Abbe sensei was the only 8th dan in the UK . We now live in a different age, a crazy age, where 7th and 8th dans are like post-boxes, with at least one in almost every town and village in the UK, thanks to the inept - " BAB - you can grade yourself, or ask your students to grade you - and simply add ``British Aikido Board Approved ``. It is like ordering a doctorate online. Aikido training In those early days by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and with alittle encouragement of a Shinai, the traing was very physical, building fitness, fighting spirit, and physical and mental strength, after the warm up, there was always a session of kicking and punching techniques, this was followed with push-ups, depending on grade, with between 20 for beginners and two hundred for dan grades of push-ups on the back of the wrists. It was also a time when all Aikido came under the respected `British Aikido Council` [BAC] overseen by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei. In later years we would see the creation of the so-called governing body for Aikido, the ` British Aikido Board` [BAB] - a body that started with good heart and honest intentions, only to become a an overly bureaucratic body that would recognize its own grandmother as an ` approved ` Hanshi or dan grade, an organisation that would later offer online dan grades for money. The BAB would knowingly recognize well known fraudulent practitioners grades, publicly promote the offenders profile to its membership and the genral public. The BAB allow the endless use and abuse of `` BAB Approved `` for the promotion of self appointed titles of Shihan - Hanshi - Grandmaster - Professor - Doctor - Soke . The British Aikido Board has now become a home for the homeless, the established organisations such as the JAC and the BAA, which are creditable organisations who are all associated with Japan HQ - these organisations have resigned from the BAB. Aikido Dancing - Aikido Ribbon Dance - Nodding Aikido - Fantasy Aikido - Times change, people change, and Aikido will change - but sadly it is not always for the better. `The Aikido Controversy` Admin - Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido` http://britishaikido.blogspot.com/
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