My son, Richard, who studied Aikido from
the age of 5 and continued to the age of 14 years old, is also a natural
street fighter. He has now been back into Aikido for a year and is
running the junior section with great success.
We often practice together and I try my techniques against him, and
with his natural balance and Aikido training, his reactions and responses
are very fast. It makes you very aware than an opponent has more than
one hand. I teach as Abbe Sensei did, that Uke must attack on balance,
remember at all times that two people are practicing, Tori to throw,
and Uki Atemi and Ukemi. What I don't allow is the Uke attacking with
his or her back leg off the mat. I also don't like to see Uke trotting
around Tori's circle on his toes like a trained poodle on a lead,
waiting for the instruction to jump!
You have dojos in the United States affiliated to your school,
I believe.
Yes, in Dallas, Texas and in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The teachers
there, Al Montemar and David Rogers, were my students in the early
1980s when they were with the U.S. Air Force at Greenham Common. I
was fortunate enough to be able to visit both dojos during 1992 and
give seminars and grading examinations for my American students. |
I know that Abbe Sensei told you how he first came to Aikido - would
you mind recounting that particular story? I'd be happy to. Abbe Sensei
was All Japan Judo Champion at the age of 18, prior to World War II.
He told me that he was rather arrogant at that time, having achieved
fame so young. Anyway, it was during a train journey in Japan that
he first met O'Sensei. Abbe didn't know who he was and he reacted
to Ueshiba Sensei looking at him, saying: "What are you staring at,
old man?" Ueshiba replied: "I know who you are", to which Abbe modestly
retorted: "Everyone knows me, I am Kenshiro Abbe, Champion of All
Japan". O'Sensei then introduced himself as the Founder of Aikido,
and was told by Abbe that he didn't look strong enough to be a Martial
Arts Master. O'Sensei then offered Abbe his little finger, and said:
"But young man, you look very strong indeed. Please break my finger".
Abbe at first declined, but eventually accepted the challenge, presumably
to shut the old man up. Abbe Sensei told me that, as he took hold
of the old man's finger and tried to break it, he found himself on
the floor of the carriage and totally immobilised. Whilst on the floor
Abbe asked the Founder for permission to study under him. This is
my understanding of Abbe Sebsei's story.
When you were in my 'local' earlier, you told me a couple of interesting
stories about one of your former teachers. Could you repeat them for
this interview, please?
Certainly, but I think its better that we don't print the man's name.
Well he was a 2nd Dan in Aikido, under Ken Williams, and also held
equivalent ranks in Judo and Karate. He was a strange character and
used to speak in affected, Japanese broken English, and one day he
said to me:" Mr.Ellis want to come my house for supper?" So I said:"
Yes Sensei, I'll come for supper, thank you". I went along to his
home, knocked on the door and it was opened by this guy wearing a
black silk Kimono (traditional Japanese gown) and Geta (clogs). I
was a little taken aback by all this, but went in and we sat down.
After a couple of minutes, Sensei clapped his hand and his wife
came trotting in from the kitchen, also in a Kimono. So, the first
thing he did was slap her across the face three times. Her head rocked
back and forth but she didn't say a word, or even cry. I just looked
on in total amazement...it was unbelievable. He told her to prepare
the meal, and she returned to the kitchen. When his wife had left
us I told him that I thought he was out of order. This chap replied
that Abbe Sensei had told him that it was a Japanese tradition to
slap one's wife every morning to teach her humility! I pointed out
to him that he was not Japanese but to no avail, as he slapped her
again when he ordered our drinks! I was never the same with him after
that...it was incredible behavior.
You did, in fact, come to blows with this particular man later on,
didn't you?
Yes, I did, Arthur. We were in this pub after training and he said
to me:" You think you can take me, don't you?" I told him that I'd
never thought about it, to which he replied: "Oh yes you have you
think about it all the time". |
