Saturday, October 24, 2009

Aikikai Foundation Newsletter - Hombu Instruction Tour 2009

The article below is a reproduction of a newsletter from the Aikikai Foundation website written by Fujimaki Hiroshi shihan on the Hombu Instruction Tour in February 2009.

The Hombu Instruction Tour 2009 is a milestone for Aikido in Brunei as it is the first time Hombu Dojo includes Brunei Darussalam in its Instruction Tour Programme. In this way Brunei is able to receive instruction directly from Hombu Dojo as part of its technical development as well as to foster relationship with the Aikikai Foundation. It is an invaluable experience for all aikidokas in Brunei.

It is hoped that the Instruction Tour can be an annual event in Brunei.


Hombu Instruction Tour
A Southeast Asia Instruction Tour: 15 Days in the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia

Fujimaki Shihan and Suzuki Shidoin's Whirlwind Trip: Dan Promotions at Every Stop

Fujimaki Hiroshi shihan and Suzuki Koujiro shidoin visted Southeast Asia between February 10-24 for an instruction tour that took them to the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia.

The first seminar was in Cebu, the Philippines, at the Sacred Heart Aikido dojo, run by Mr. Benson. Six classes were held over three days and people came from places including Manila and Mindanao island. Around 70 participants attended each class, practicing vigorously and deepening relationships through Aikido that wouldn't otherwise occur. Two people received their shodan grades during examinations.

Then it was on to Manila on the 13th for a seminar that began immediately. About 150 people attended the first class, over half of whom were yudansha, giving us the feeling that Aikido is flourishing in Manila. A seminar of six classes was held at the PJA Dojo, where 180 participants practiced strenuously, including some who came from Cagayan de Oro island. During examinations, 22 people passed their shodan tests, while 7 received nidan and 2 received sandan.

We arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Kingdom of Brunei, on the evening of the 16th, and were met by Mr. Sabtu, head of the Aikidamashii Dojo, and Mr. Ahmad. We held seven classes during a three-day seminar at the Aikidamashii Dojo, attended by 23 people. Fujimaki shihan concentrated on teaching kihon waza.

This year marks the fifth year since the introduction of Aikido in Brunei. There are four dojo in the Brunei Darussalam Aikido Federation (Mr. Harris, president), created three years ago. The highest level in the kingdom is shodan. Participants include women who cover their heads with scarves, demonstrating the pervasiveness of Islamic culture. Brunei is an abundantly green country, full of polished gold mosques.

On the 20th, we arrived in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, having transferred in Singapore. We were met by Mr. Poetiray of the Yayasan Indonesia Aikikai, and Mr. Ferdiansyah of the Keluarga Beladiri Aikido Indonesia (KBAI).

The seminar on the 21st, sponsored by the Yayasan Indonesia Aikikai, was held in a basketball gymnasium covered with mats. About 140 people from 45 dojo participated. Practice focused on tai sabaki and the importance of ukemi. The second half of the seminar was devoted to examinations; 22 people qualified for shodan, 11 for nidan and three for sandan. After the examination, Fujimaki shihan presented Mr. Poeitiray with his godan certificate awarded during this year's Kagami Biraki ceremony. The second day of the seminar was sponsored by the KBAI at the American Club in Jakarta. About 130 people from 42 dojo participated. At the examinations, two people qualified for shodan, 5 for nidan, 2 for sandan and one for yondan.

The last day of instruction began at 8 a.m. on the 23rd at Indonesia's military
headquarters for a one-hour seminar attended by 15 people. We departed that evening, having completed everything according to schedule, and arrived back home.

(By Fujimaki Hiroshi, Hombu shihan)



The actual newsletter can be read here.

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