Welcome to the Spring 1999 edition of the
Traditional Aikido of Sonoma Newsletter.
Table of Contents:
Doshu Passes Away
Who are we, and who is that?
Yudansha classes
From the Dojo Manager
Dojo Members Lead Workshops
O Sensei's Rules for Training Aikido
Upcoming Events
Call for Articles
|
|
|
| Mr. Kisshomaru Ueshiba (Aikido Doshu, chairman of the
Internation Aikikai Federation, Japan Budo Federation member) has passed away due to
respiratory failure at 5:39 pm on the 4th of January at a hospital in Shijuku, Tokyo, at
age 77. The successor is second son, Moriteru. He was the third son of Aikido founder
Morihei Ueshiba, and took on the role of Doshu in 1969. 
(Image courtesy of Aikido Online
magazine) |
|
|
|
|
| Our dojo’s Aikido lineage can be traced through Saito
Sensei back to O Sensei. Our instructor, Tatoian Sensei, studied in Japan with Saito
Sensei in Iwama, Japan. Saito Sensei studied for many years with O Sensei, who developed
the art of Aikido and gave it its name. We are affilliated with
Aikikai Hombu dojo in Tokyo, which is under the supervision of O Sensei’s
descendents. Our organization is the AANC (Aikido Association of Northern California), and
our division head is Bill Witt Sensei.
Here are some of the key figures in our lineage of Aikido:
Moriehi Ueshiba (O Sensei) - founder and developer of Aikido.
Kisshomaru Ueshiba (Doshu) - O Sensei’s son, who was the leader of
the Aikikai (Doshu) until his recent passing.
Moriteru Ueshiba (Dojocho, now Doshu) - grandson of O Sensei. Formerly
in charge of the Hombu dojo (Dojocho) and now the head of the Aikikai (Doshu).
Moriteru Saito Sensei - Long term uchideshi of O Sensei. Keeper of the
Aiki shrine in Iwama, and our instructor’s sensei.
Hitohiro Saito Sensei - Saito Sensei’s son and heir apparent.
Bill Witt Sensei - Former student of O Sensei and our division head for
AANC.
The other division heads are Frank Doran Sensei and Bob Nadeau Sensei.
Dennis Tatoian Sensei - Dojocho of Traditional Aikido of Sonoma and our
sensei. Student of Saito Sensei. |
|
|
|
|
| We recently began yudansha (black belt) classes on the
second Saturday of each month. Class begins at 8:45. Shodan and above or by invitation
from Sensei. |
|
|
|
|
| As I think about the exchange that occurs between uke and
nage, I think about a gentleman's agreement. O'Sensei's rules and regulations hang on the
wall in our Dojo. These provide our agreement. As I train ...
sometimes I get lost. I go back to the rules, its back to basics ...to tradition. Budo.
Kokyu-rokyu. Tai-no -sabaki. Ki-no-musubi. The rules get you back on the way. Budo is what
we do. Body mechanics. Kinesiology. Moving our bodies through space.
Reread the rules. Do you see the agreement ? We train together.
Cheerfully, respectfully, happily, diligently, hopefully carefully, caringly together. We
all get strong together. Getting strong is giving. Giving of oneself.
You go to Iwama what do you see? You see words of universal love.
Thank you,
Dojo Manager Ian Noel Kennedy |
|
|
|
|
| On February 24, Barry Tuchfeld and Jeff Dooley gave a 2
hour workshop at the Life Learning Center of Memorial Hospital, Santa Rosa. The workshop
was an abbreviated version of their Aikido of Leadership workshop that will be conducted
at the DoJo on April 23. The emphasis was on selected principles
from Aikido that could be useful in creating alternatives to conflict resolution and to
communication in general. The approach included processes that promoted through the body
learning.
Feedback from all 7 persons, men and women, was very positive. One of
the participants is interested in training at the DoJo; his prior experience in Tai Kwan
Do had not given him the tools for everyday life that he said he got from this limited
exposure to Aikido priniciples.
Barry Tuchfeld, Ph.D.
barryt@sonic.net
707.570-1937
fax: 707.570-0323 |
|
|
|
|
| 1.Aikido decides life and death in a single strike, so
students must carefully follow the instructor's teaching and not compete to see who is the
strongest. 2.Aikido is the way that teaches how one can deal with
several enemies. Students must train themselves to be alert not just to the front, but to
all sides and the back.
3.Training should always be conducted in a pleasant and joyful
atmosphere.
4.The instructor teaches only one small aspect of the art. Its versatile
applications must be discovered by each student through incessant practice and training.
5.In daily practice first begin by moving your body and then progress to
more intensive practice. Never force anything unnaturally or unreasonably. If this rule is
followed, then even elderly people will not hurt themselves and they can train in a
pleasant and joyful atmosphere.
6.The purpose of aikido is to train mind and body and to produce
sincere, earnest people. Since all the techniques are to be transmitted person-to-person,
do not randomly reveal them to others, for this might lead to their being used by
hoodlums.
Doshu's addendum to the rules
1.Proper aikido can never be mastered unless one strictly follows the
instructors teaching.
2.Aikido as a martial art is perfected by being alert to everything
going on around us and leaving no vulnerable opening (suki).
3.Practice becomes joyful and pleasant once one has trained enough not
to be bothered by pain.
4.Do not be satisfied by what is taught at the dojo. One must constantly
digest, experiment and develop what one has learned.
5.One should never force things unnaturally or unreasonably in practice.
One should undertake training suited to his body, physical condition and age.
6.The aim of aikido is to develop the truly human self. It should not be
used to display ego. |
|
|
|
|
| 4/17-18/99—Friendship Gashhukku (at
Traditional Aikido of Sonoma) Schedule: Saturday 10am -
Sunday 2pm.
Cost: $30 for one day, $50 for both days, if paid before 4/13/99.
Otherwise, $60 at the door. Observers are welcome at no cost.
5/29-30/99—Divisional Annual Gashhukku Memorial Day Weekend
Sunset Cliffs Aikido
5019 Santa Monica Avenue
San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 222-5085
Cost: $70 before May 1, $80 thereafter
9/10-12/99—Aikikai Shihan Morihiro Saito Visits U.S.
For more information:
Nippon Kan
1365 Osage Street
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 595-8256 |
|
|
|
|
| If you have an idea, an announcement, or something to share
with the dojo, please let Sensei, Noel, or Sid know. We are always looking for material
for the newsletter. Reflections on your experiences or learnings,
training, thoughts about Aikido...any of these you think may be of interest. Our webmaster
has asked especially for stories or pieces relating your experiences in applying
Aikido—either physically, mentally, or philosophically—in real life. You can
e-mail Sid at MaestroSid@aol.com . |
|
TAOS NEWS is a newsletter
for Traditional Aikido of Sonoma, 205 Southwest Boulevard, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. For
further information about the dojo, please call us at 795-DOJO (3656), or send email. Sensei Dennis Tatoian is a 6th
degree black belt instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience. We offer 16
classes per week for adults, plus children’s classes. |
