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Updated December 25th, 2001

The relief of Kisshomaru Ueshiba Doshu will be placed in Hombu Dojo after the ceremony in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of Aikido Hombu Dojo.Moriteru Doshu's affirmation of this determination to build a swift and efficient communication using IT to mediate between countries and Hombu dojo in the new century.

  • Hombu Dojo's 70th Anniversary Celebration was held on the 21st October 2001 at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. People from inside and outside Japan gathered on this particular Sunday to attend the event which was also celebrated
    in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Aikikai Federation. Those gathered who happened to be involved in Aikido, either as a lifetime commitment or in their own very unique ways were able to meet by chance for such an occasion. Yamada Shihan and I were invited to attend the celebration among the 1,700 people who came from all over the world. The pinnacle of the event was the revelation of Kisshomaru Doshu's relief by his successor Moriteru Doshu and his son, Mitsuteru Ueshiba. Together, father and son revealed the relief of the late Kisshomaru Doshu.

    Professor Katsujo TERAYAMA(L), University of Nishogakusha University with Yamada Shihan. Professor Terayama recently had his calligraphicexhibition titled 'Zen Hitsu Do' in the United Kingdom. As Professor Terayama reputation grows world-wide, he is also a well known Kendo Shihan of the orthodox and modern Kempo with using Bogu (protector). Professor Terayama is a Kendo instructor of Yamada Shihan where they had their practice at Kohoin Temple near Higashi-Nakano Station of Chuo Line, almost 3 decades ago before Yamada Shihan proceeded to Malaysia.

    Kisshomaru Ueshiba Doshu was inaugurated as the 2nd Doshu at the age of 48
    years old in 14th June 1970 by fate. Coincidently, Moriteru Doshu succeeded as
    the third Doshu when he was also 48 years old. Today Aikido's popularity is the
    result of the the work and efforts of Kisshomaru Doshu. Kisshomaru Doshu was
    gifted with a farsighted view for he was the man who opened the door to various
    walks of life in Japan and to the world. Kisshomaru Doshu overcame the old
    Japanese way which only allows Aikido to a certain group of people. He also
    took the first step to systemize and modernize Aikido whom he was also inspired
    by the piety of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Kisshomaru Doshu's enlightening way of seeing the future and his bold heart overcame the old-     fashioned belief that Budo only belongs to the military world. We applause gracefully to the late Kisshomaru Doshu's distinguished achievements.

    For a Budo to be passed on to a direct third generation is considered to be very auspicious. It is rare even in history and especially in Budo. Mituteru Ueshiba is expected to be the fourth Doshu of the Ueshiba family. I believe that our beloved O-Sensei is standing on ame-no-ukihashi or Heaven's Floating Bridge and looking down with sharp-shinning eyes yet with benevolence at his descendents and Aikido today. (Article by Kimiko Yamada.)

    　

    Updated October 27th, 2001

     

    Yamada Shihan was given a hint to those who are still struggle in Seiza a little longer period, how resumed themselves at comfortable in Seiza at Dojo.Yamada Shihan conducts at Nikkyo Ura-waza at Seminar Hong Kong in 2001. Congratulations to Mr. Kenneth Cottier, a planner of anniversary, out going long time Chairman of Michael Leung, Vice-Chairman of Lawrence Leung, good wishes to Jay Davidson the incoming Chairman and Ms Angela Lee as caring Coordinator. Jay and Louise were very kind, Matoba-san was great guide, All the best to everyone we met in Hong Kong.Original Dojo of Hong Kong Aikido Association in YMCA was renovated to a function room nowadays at where first Aikido training was held 30 years ago. At reception dinner, sitting left: Mr. Somemiya Hiroshi, Mr. Kenneth Cottier and Yamada Jun Shihan back low.

  • It was a memorable occasion to reunite with Kenneth Cottier Sensei in Hong Kong. Kenneth Cottier Sensei is a long time friend of Yamada Shihan. Their friendship began in Hombu Dojo where they trained together in the late 60's. Mr. Cottier and Yamada Shihan sometimes with Mr. H Somemiya used to train together at the worn-out wooden structure of the Hombu Dojo before its reconstruction which is now the current Hombu Dojo building. Yamada Shihan conducted seminar together with Fujita Masatake Sensei and Somemiya Hiroshi Sensei. Yamada Shihan was accompanied by his wife and daughter.(Article by Kimiko Yamada)

    　

    Updated October 16th, 1999 (Inauguration Ceremony)

    The grand hall of Keio Plaza, an international five star hotel in Tokyo, packed with 2000 invited Aikidokas and VIPs from all over the world to celebrate Doshu Moriteru's inauguration. (From left Y.Watanabe, K.Miyamori Senseis and Malaysia's Resident Shihan, Shihan J. Yamada. During the Inauguration Dinner for the third Doshu in Tokyo recently, J. Yamada Shihan had the opportunity to meet an old family friend, Mr. Y. Miyazaki who is one of Aikikai's Managing Directors.

    I would like to share my glorious experience of visiting the Mekkah of Aikido, the Hombu Dojo as an attendant of the inauguration of the 3rd Doshu, Ueshiba Moriteru which took place in Tokyo on the 25th September 1999. The grand hall of Keio Plaza, an international five star hotel in Tokyo, packed with 2000 invited Aikidokas and VIPs from all over the world to celebrate Doshu Moriteru's inauguration.
    With the third DOSHU, MORITERU UESHIBA, we are confident that with his youthful energy, vigor and his proven dedication, he will bring AIKIDO to greater heights of success and development. We believe that the coincidence is an auspicious sign for a bright future.
    (From left Y.Watanabe, K.Miyamori Senseis and Malaysia's Resident Shihan, Shihan J.Yamada.).

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