Jun Yamada Shihan 40th Anniversary Seminar, held in October 2012, was sponsored by Japan Information Service of the Japan Embassy in Malaysia and Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur.

The First Seminar 1971


The First Hombu Dojo

Congratulations on your celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of Academy Aikido Jyuku in Malaysia. Forty years ago, Yamada Jun Shihan was passionately practicing Aikido in the morning class of Ueshiba Kishomaru [the 2nd Doshu] at Hombu Dojo. Within that same year, Yamada Shihan brought that same passion to Malaysia and planted his Aikido "roots" - nurturing it with his blood & soul - a deep commitment from which today we can clearly witness the result of his many years of dedication. Forty years ago, the development of Aikido within and outside of Japan was done only on a small scale. Today however, Aikido is enjoyed and practiced in over 95 countries by people from all walks of life and by all age groups from young children to senior/silver folk . This is the direct result of the direct result of the dedication of instructors in perpetuating the spirit & philosophy of Aikido as from when it was first handed down from our Founder, Morihei Ueshiba to the 2nd Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, then to me, and so on down through to each individual Aikido practitioner.  Credit should be acknowledged where deserved - to instructors such as Yamada Shihan who left their home country of Japan to spread the teachings of Aikido and who have thus contributed significantly in the development of Aikido in foreign countries. Today, there are many dojos outside Japan that have accomplished laying a solid foundation of Aikido - dojos that have grown not only in size but with the development of their craft, significantly contributing to the historical development of Aikido and also cultural appreciation of Japan in foreign lands. Academy Aikido Jyuku is one such entity, having developed a strong following-many practitioners of whom are now actively committed to extending and carrying on the perpetuation of the art. Establishing a 40-year history of Aikido in Malaysia is truly a remarkable achievement.  I hope this beacon of Aikido in Malaysia, established through the painstaking efforts of Yamada Shihan over these last four decades, will be cherished and protected, and that the circle of Aikido continues to flourish and touch the lives of many more in the future.

HE Shigeru NakamuraFirst of all, I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to Academy Aikido Jyuku on its celebration of 40 years of establishment in this country to commemorate this special occasion. This year 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the Look East Policy, which was introduced in 1982 by then Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir. Under the look East Policy, many young Malaysians have further studied in Japan and subsequently contributed to the human capital development in both our countries. Throughout this year, we are celebrating this significant milestone and today's demonstration is one of the anniversary events.  The word 'Aikido' is made up of three ideograms: "合(Ai)"- to meet or join together,  "気(Ki)"- energy, spirit; and  "道"(Do)" - path or road.  Combined together, 'Aikido' could be loosely translated as 'a path one follows in the practice of uniting one's energy or spirit'. Aikido is a holistic endeavour that not only incorporates physical self-defense techniques, but also emphasizes the development of positive human qualities, hence improving the individual and society as a whole. Combined together, 'Aikido' could be loosely translated as 'a path one follows in the practice of uniting one's energy or spirit'. Aikido is a holistic endeavour that not only incorporates physical self-defense techniques, but also emphasizes the development of positive human qualities, hence improving the individual and society as a whole.  I sincerely hope that this two-day event will serve to cultivate future generations of Aikido-ka or Aikido athletes who will grow and continue to interact with each other across the borders of different nationalities and organizations. O am certain that participants will engage meaningfully with the spirit of Aikido and deepen their understanding of the spirit of Aikido by appreciating the masters' beautiful posture, dignity and elegance of their movements, and even to draw inspirations from them to develop their character.   With the 30th anniversary of the Look East Policy as an excellent opportunity to further develop Japan Malaysia  relations in various fields, I envisage a further in which our bilateral relations will be taken a higher level, thereby playing greater roles in the international scene and tackling various challenges from the global perspective.

 


 

Jun Yamada Shihan 40th Anniversary ended successfully after a two-day seminar on the 20th and 21st October 2012.  It was held at the Olympic Council of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. As part of the 30th anniversary of the Look East Policy which was introduced by then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir in 1982, this seminar was sponsored by Japan Information Service of the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia and Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur. This event was also held in conjunction with the "Third Aikido Fellowship" South East Asia (AF-SEA), whereby Academy Aikido
Jyuku was the host.

Led by Arai Shihan (8th Dan), Fukakusa Shihan (8th Dan) and George Chang Shihan (7th Dan), the seminar saw faces of five high-levelled Dan participants from Gunma Aikido Federation, passionate aikido practitioners from Hong Kong. Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, UAE, UK, and USA and enthusiastic practitioners from the local dojos all around Malaysia. In all, there were about 200 people whose appearances made this event a memorable one.

      George Chang Shihan

 

 

   

    

    
The organizer would like to thank every individual who helped made this event a success.

Dato Sri Effendi Norwawi, the former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of The Economic Planning Unit, was present during the demonstration at the seminar. In the later part of the event, Datuk Norah Abdul Rahman, who is a member of the Parliament of Malaysia for the Tanjong Manis constituency in Sarawak, graced the dinner party.

   


Jidoka

 




22nd to 23rd October 2011, Jun Yamada Shihan 40th Anniversary Seminar was held at the Swinburne Universtity, Sarawak campus. Kuching was where Jun Yamada Shihan started teaching Aikido in 1971.


 

For information on the previous 35th Anniversary celebration, click here.


Updated 30 November 2012