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All Just about FishingThe Kenshiro Abbot Fiftieth Celebrations
by:
Henry Ellis
THE KENSHIRO Abbot Fiftieth CELEBRATION EVENT
Fourteenth May 2005 Crystal Palace Sports Centre London. UK
By Henry Ellis
Henry Ellis, a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbot Sense, from 1957 describes the great event at the Crystal Palace Sports Centre, London, to celebrate this great teacher and his arrival to Great United kingdom in 1955 and the consequent origin of Aikido. Tribute website to Kenshiro Abbot Sensei at http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com . . .
The Code ZaZen International Society Annual Dinner
In Feb 2004 Derek Artificer and I were invited as guests at the annual dinner of The Code Za Zen International Society by its Chairman Mr Arnold Davies Hanshi an old student of Kenshiro Abbot Sensei and a close friend of my own nice friend Bill Woods Sensei. These names alone meant that this evening was to be thing
special with so more history and martial arts background between us.
As we arrived we were met by Mr Baron clive MacDonald, a member of the Code ZaZen. Mr MacDonald and Mr Davies had been instrumental in putt together galore of the facts to help with the protection of the true history of British Martial art
during the great British Martial art
Board Controversy.
Memories of Kenshiro Abbot Sensei
Mr MacDonald instantly brought several pints of brew to our table and from then on the speech flowed on
with the beer. As we spoke of our memories of the legendary master, Kenshiro Abbot Sensei, I aforesaid “ Do you realize that it is 50 years next year since Abbot Sensei arrived in United kingdom ! “. We all discussed the importance of this date, I then recommended that, as we all belonged to the County
Martial art
Forum ( EAF ), which is a group of like minded folk interested only in Martial art
without its politics, we in agreement that we should organise a celebration of such an important date. Mr MacDonald called over Mr Davies who, without a moments hesitation, gave the event his full keep and fiscal backing.
The Organising Committee
Before the evening was over we accomplished that this event would-be be bigger than thing
ever antecedently
organized by the EAF or any another Martial art
organisation for that matter. We distinct there and then that we would-be need a working committee if we were to put this really special event together. Mr MacDonald approached two another senior EAF member, Mr Microphone Leavy and Mr Eric Gillett, who in agreement to join our organising committee. I then approached Mr David Humm the administrator of the really popular website the “ National Martial art
Communication Information “ . Mr Humm had besides been involved in our efforts to protect the history of British Aikido. He besides became a willing committee member. Mr Rob Peck in agreement to be the secretary We now had a full committee of seven members who were now wholly committed and dedicated to putt together the greatest Martial art
seminar ever in the United Kingdom. I don’t believe that any one of us on this night were able to grasp the enormity of the task we had pledged to undertake.
The Venue
As the word spread throughout the Martial art
and MartialArts communities and, from the interest that was now being generated, we now knew that we would-be need a prestigious venue After more deliberation and following a visit to Crystal Palace Sports Centre, we shortly accomplished that this was to be the final venue. This was to be a wise decision as, with its great hall and facilities on
with the accommodation blocks and restaurants, It would-be later prove to be capable of hosting the planned event comfortably. The event attracted 430 students. 60 guests, 370 spectators and visitors totalling about one thousand folk on the day With students from all over the UK – USA – France – Netherlands – Germany, Czechoslvakia.
The Teachers of the Day
As this day was to celebrate the arrival in the UK of Kenshiro Abbot Sensei in 1955, and the consequent origin of Aikido. It was distinct to invite the five living direct students of Abbot Sensei from the 1950’s/60’s mentioned below.
I, Henry Ellis and Derek Artificer had already agreed, now I had to approach my old friends, Sensei Ralph Painter and Sensei Hayden Foster, who volitionally
offered their support.
Sensei Ken Williams, 1st student of Abbot Sensei, was besides approached. He had to decline due to prior commitments. He did however provided a letter of dedication to be see out at the event. I then approached Sensei Bill Smith Shihan MBE, who sadly had to decline due to health issues. His son Phillip attended to represent his father and the AikiKai. Now we had a full Martial art
teaching team. The event was formally
under-way. We besides received a letter of tribute to the memory of Abbot Sensei from the Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba ..
The Guests
The guest list was a who’s who of the Martial-Arts earth in the UK. There were 60 guests and, with respect, I am unable to mention them all but, the following wish give several insight.
Mr F Motai of the Japanese Embassy – Sensei Bill Woods Aide / Secretary to Kenshiro Abbot Sensei 1955 - Sensei Bill Stopps, Personal Aide to Matsutaro Otani Sensei from 1947. - Sensei Robin Otani, Pesident of the British Martial art Council. - Mr P, Don of Sport England. - Sensei N Jones, my personal guest. - Ms Jenny Earle, Earth Martial art champion.
Mr Ken Cotter Shihan, a member of the Aiki-Kai Earth Council. Mr Gigs Shouten, a special guest from Holland. Joe Curran Sensei who see a letter of tribute to Abbot Sensei from Kazuo Chiba Shihan.
The Budo Demonstrations
During the mid day part of the event there was a break for the students piece the Budo demonstrations were carried out by several of the really better exponents of the various arts on display. This was a unique event wherever
students were now able to witness galore of the Budo arts that they had ne'er
seen before.
Martial art
-Judo – Martial art
– Iaido – Kyudo – Kendo – Jujitsu – Ju Kendo
The Event and The Day
This was a really fantastic and special day for me after about 50 years of practicing Aikido. On the morning of the event as I entered the great hall at Crystal Palace Sports Centre to the thrilling sound of the Taiko Drummers and masses of students about the mat area plus galore more queuing at the door to register. I walked onto the concourse floor to see all the various stalls set out. Mr Don Baney a specialist in Japanese works of art had a fine display of Samurai armour and swords, for more information visit: http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido/japanese_swords.htm The atmosphere was fantastic, an indication of the great day ahead. I met so galore folk that I had not seen for so galore years.
There was a raffle at the end of the day with a prized valuable ShinKen sword, bestowed by Nine Circles Budo Instrumentality Supplies. A hand ready-made Tanto bestowed by Sensei Dave Rogers of New Mexic,o USA. Another prizes enclosed
the book “ Positive Aikido”, Gi’s, bokkens, shinai’s and galore commemorating T-Shirts.
This was so
a really special day.
I was privileged to be at the great event in 1963 control by Abbot Sensei at the Royal Albert francis charles augustus emmanuel Hall in London wherever
I was assistant to Mikoto Nakazono Sensei. I ne'er
thought that I would-be ever see another event to equal that one. On this day of celebration and commemoration of the life of Abbot Sensei, I believe I saw the event to eclipse all others.
Henry Ellis Event Liasion Officer
Co-Author of Positive Aikido
Principal Coach Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.geocities.com/britishAikido
Henry Ellis born 1936. Co -author of Positive Aikido. A direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbot Sensei from 1957. Ellis has had articles promulgated in several International Martial Arts magazines, he has written several articles on the proud history and lineage of British Aikido. Protective
the bequest left by Abbot Sensei from those that have unsuccessful
to alter the facts to advance their insatiate ego’s.
Henry Ellis co-author of Positive Aikido.Principal of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido.Direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbot Sensei from 1957. Ex-Assistant National Coach for Aikido. Henry has written galore articles on the history of British Aikido, several being promulgated in international Martial Arts magazines.
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