I'm not looking to draw anyone in to political debate so no names etc mentioned however, I'd very much like to hear your thoughts from British Aikidoists on celebrating 50 years of Aikido within the UK. Do you feel it's important to do so, if so why ? Do you feel it's an un-important event, if so why ? Many thanks Dave
Hmm, undecided. I know this is probably in reference to certain other posts but leaving that aside... I personally like events, marking them with celebrations and such like, but when you think about it, its only a passage of time marked out arbitrarily by our ancestors. A multiple of 365 days.
I personaly wouldn't see anything wrong with it. It'd make a good course with all the different schools of thought on Aikido gathered in the one place practicing together. But I have to confess I'm not driven to insist on a celebration. I don't practice to purely to rise another grade. Why would 50 years be so important? It's just another year.
I dont feel it is important dave but it it is something thats very good for the country and aikido. what were you thinking of oraganising maybe a demo on as many style as poss would be great. does this have anything to do with the bab or what ever the organisation are called? as we dont have any real organistion as such in this country our club is directly linked to the Iwama dojo which is the only way i would have it. does this matter to yourselfs
not that i think there is anything wrong in these organisation's they are great for club support and large scale things like whta you are suggesting dave. the bab were the fist to introduce aikido from the Hombu in the uk? Abbe sensei yes? Something should be done next year 50 years is a lot
Please accept my apologise for the delay in my response to your questions, Work, practice, teaching etc; anyway sorry I will attempt to answer one or two questions you guys have posed without embroiling this thread into political debate suffice to say, the following two things won't get mentioned again in this thread.. (unless I'm specifically asked to elaborate) 1) The BAB (as the recognised Governing Body) cannot justifiably organise a "50th anniversary seminar" and be seen as credible. Having previously endorsed a claim of one individual who publicly stated he'd taught aikido techniques to Judo students one year before Kenshiro Abbe arrived in the UK. Abbe Sensei arrived here in 1955 so 2005 is the 50th year but, if the BAB in any way recognise this fact, they stand to make themselves look very foolish based upon their previous actions. 2) The additional claims of this same gentleman would mean that 2002 would have been the 50th year of British Aikido so, in some respects the BAB have already missed the plot. Shame really, but there you go. Ok, now that's been said I want to move away from the 'behind the scenes' issues and look forward to what should be a fantastic year for all aikidoists within the United Kingdom. It's a well documented fact that Abbe Sensei arrived on our shores in 1955 with official permission from the founder to propagate the teachings of aikido so, what a growing number of very senior Aikidoka (including some of those very first group of 8 shodans graded by Abbe sensei) are making initial plans to organise an event that will be fitting of our jubilee of Aikido. This event will be open to ALL students of aikido regardless of style affiliation and politics. We are hoping to have national press publicity and present both a large scale demonstration and seminar at a venue large and well known enough to interest the general public. No other details are available as yet, it is of course very early days however, this is what's on the cards and, at the end of the day it's up to the Aikido community as a whole to support the event and enjoy it. I am currently compiling a database of email contacts to produce an news letter. if any of you would like to subscribe please do the following.. Drop by www.aikido-database.co.uk and either Register on the forums there with a valid email addy or PMsg me from there and I'll add you to my Outlook addylist. Just a note on the forums at the aikido-database site. Yes they concentrate on issues relating to the BAB. Please do not be put off by this fact. I am not soliciting your help in this matter. It is merely an established platform where I can mass email members on aiki related matters, the 50th year being a key issue. If you have any questions, you can email me through dave@aikido-database.co.uk or PMsg me through these forums. Kind regards as always
Hello there Dave. I think it would be a good idea to mark the 50th anniversary of Aikido's introduction by Abbe sensei in 1955. Although we train here and now for ourselves and future generations, it is important I feel to acknowledge and respect the past. Is it essential to have this celebration I suppose some could argue. Maybe not. Is a tribute to the memory of the man who planted the roots of Aikido in this country in accordance with the way of the Martial Arts? Most definitely. All the best Jason T
Absolutely Jason.. The future of aikido is.. with the future, naturally. I'm a traditionalist and like to hold with regard and respect the history and foundations of the discipline I study. Of course I accept and respect those who don't feel the same way however; History is what makes the martial arts what they are, it is why IMHO this history should be preserved for those who want to look back and know the roots of a system they may be interested in. Celebrating the 50th year since aikido began in the UK is not only a fantastic way of doing this but, a great reason to get everyone training together. Dave
If anyone wants to sponsor a Yank to come over there and drink beer with you guys, be sure to let me know!
So I see. This is about the third thread of yours on this topic. We all know you have strong feelings about this but can you, a) Confine it to one thread. and b) Keep your own threads on topic, feel free to post links to your other threads if you wish to kick start them. Thanks, Colin
It's hardly arbitrary that 365 days is the time it takes for the earth to revolve around the sun once.
Colin, Thank you for your post. You obviusly missed this part of my post ? Unfortunately the question I posed at the top of this thread and the unfortunate politics that are intertwined with the reason why I'm asking people to offer me their valued opinion cannot be avoided. I am NOT attemping to draw people into a political debate about the BAB, I merely want to canvas member's opinions of the celebrations of the 50th year and, see if they feel the BAB should be the organisation to organanise it. Nothing more. The secondary reason why I've made another post on the subject of the 5oth year is this.. The website at www.aikido-database.co.uk was hacked recently and everything pertaining to the BAB was intentionally deleted including a subdirectory containing back-ups, the link I'd previously included on this forum pointed visitors to a question similar to the one here. Regards DaveH
Dave > Cool. As to the 50 yr celebration, it can only be a good thing for Aikido in general. Get some big media attention and draw more people into practice. Col
Thanks mate.. Rest assured, although I may from time to time post questions or statements that have underlying issues (especially concerning one organisation) I will not intentionally use this forum as a "mouth piece". That is why I have my own forums which do that job very well. Thanks again Dave
Dave, I'll say this, you certainly have my sympathies regarding the issue in question and the organization in question.
Anyone wanting to talk about that issue with that organisation , can do so here, http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9794 I'm sure Dave will be happy for your input. Col
