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If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone else will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

Thich Nhat Hanh.

Friendship Seminar, May 2010

Matsusaka - Japan

Master Koretoshi Maruyama

Michael Williams Sensei

Minoru Oshima Sensei

by Daniel James

In late 2008 Hashimoto Sensei sent a letter of invitation to join him in a friendship Seminar in rural Matsusaka Japan with a view to inviting a few organisations to participate in what might become a regular event. It was a happy outcome that Master Koretoshi Maruyama and Michael Williams Sensei from Aikido Yuishinkai agreed to teach together with Minoru Oshima Sensei from the Kodokai Aikido and planning began in earnest.

With a few visits each way to fine tune the details and many many emails, the friendship seminar was realised through the support of Aikido Yuishinkai Australia and many students who wanted to come to practice aikido. With 30 students from Australia, a smattering from overseas including Franco Bertossa from Italy, and a whole group from Singapore as well as plenty of Japanese aikidoka, a fabulous time was had on and off the mat.

Hashimoto Sensei informally opened the seminar the night before with a Sake tasting party and the next morning the seminar was opened for real with some traditional Japanese arts. With high energy instruction from Oshima Sensei, master classes from Williams Sensei and Maruyama Sensei's latest revelations about this fascinating art there was barely time to unwind in the hot baths before doing it all again the next day. The event even made the local TV news.

For instructors Gess and Andrew from Melbourne it was a special moment to be presented with dan certificates in Japan and a rare occasion indeed to see Williams Sensei presented with a 10th Dan certificate as well. Hitomi san and Hashimoto Sensei were awarded senior dan grades and gave a truly inspiring demonstration of their skills.

All too soon the seminar was over - but wait there was more  as many stayed on for a fabulous cultural tour of Japan. There is too much to talk about here but you can read and see plenty more on  http://japanaikido2010. blogspot.com/  and watch Gabby eating Natto as well!

Master Michael Williams

New Zealand Seminar Report

by Alison Lane

We were delighted to be able to host Michael Williams Sensei in Wellington for 2 days on 6 and 7 March. As always, Sensei provided us with a great deal of valuable information and insight. Sensei has an extraordinary talent for communicating the fundamental principles and the application of these to a wide range of techniques.  Among other things, the first day covered many of the applications of the irimi entry movement from many different attacks. A considerable portion of the second day focussed on weapons, including the jo Harvest Kata , which everyone greatly enjoyed. There was also a quick fire session on jo nage and bokken tori techniques, giving everyone a thorough workout and Steve and Alison plenty of ideas for material to practice over the coming months.

On Saturday evening there was a gathering for a potluck dinner where Sensei kindly demonstrated the finer points of drinking sake for the benefit of the uninitiated.

The club is very grateful for Michael Sensei for his time and teaching. It was also a pleasure as always to be joined for the seminar by Mike Stanford Sensei (New Zealand Head Instructor Aikido Yuishinkai) for the weekend. 

 

Byron Bay Aikido Festival

October 2 - 8, 2009

Photo by Iain Maclean, Hobart

Master Koretoshi Maruyama

Michael Williams Sensei

Taiki Okajima Sensei

(Photos by Dean Miscamble)

 

Master Koretoshi Maruyama, founder of Aikido Yuishinkai returned for his yearly visit to Australia to give a series of master classes at Goshinkan dojo. Also hosted were Okajima sensei, Chief Instructor of Kansei district, Japan, and Michael Williams sensei, the International Chief Instructor for Aikido Yuishinkai.   

Students of various styles of Aikido were gathered in the beautiful township of Byron Bay to learn from a direct student of O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba (the founder of Aikido), and garner some of the secrets of Aikido.

 

The seminar was hosted by Jim Nicholls sensei of the Byron Bay Aikido Club, who provided a wonderful experience for all participants. This included a night of music and karaoke, celebrating both Maruyama and Williams Sensei's birthdays on the 5th October.

The seminar enjoyed international recognition with students coming from many dojos, both national and international.

 

Several students were presented with 1st through to 6th Dan black belt grades reflecting years of both dedicated training and service to Aikido Yuishinkai.

International Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai, Michael Williams, Founder of Goshinkan Dojo, who is soon to return to Australia permanently from his present residence in Fiji, gave, as always, most inspiring lessons.

Taiki Okajima Sensei, 8th Dan Aikido Yuishinkai, on his first visit to Australia was well received by all. His teaching sessions encompassed besides aikido, the basics of Daito-ryu, applied techniques of Daito-ryu as well as Sotai-ho and Reiki methods.

The attendees enjoyed the opportunity to train in dynamic techniques delivered with the trademark positive energy that Maruyama Sensei brings whenever he comes to visit. Maruyama Sensei's philosophy of Aikido without Boundaries, where students from all styles of aikido are welcome to train together in a non-partisan environment made for a joyful meeting and Festival of true Aikido – the Art of Peace.

 

(extract of article sent to Blitz Magazine by John Gam, Capalaba; photos by Dean Miscamble)

More Photos by Dean Miscamble:

Byron Aikido seminar Small files (41 Mb)
http://download.yousendit.com/YkxLU2VwMHc0b0N4dnc9PQ

Byron Aikido seminar Large & Small files (1.17Gb)
https://download.yousendit.com/YkxMc0x3Uzh0TWxFQlE9PQ

Photos by Iain Maclean:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8382725@N05/sets/72157622548210084/

 

 

Master Koretoshi Maruyama

Australia and NZ Tour 2007

has come to a conclusion. Sensei has had a short holiday in Fiji with Michael Williams Sensei and has now returned home to Tokyo. We thank Sensei again for the immense effort he is making in passing on O'sensei's teaching, making it available to us through his own life-long study and insights.

This year's seminar saw another step in the evolution of Aikido Yuishinkai. Aikido being not only a Martial Art, but also a Healing Art, Sensei incorporates many ideas from YUKI (Reiki, Seitai, Soutai) into Aikido techniques. This not only makes the techniques lighter, but also super effective.

DVDs from the Seminar Tour are now available.

Not really "News", but hey

Saturday after class the Goshinkan aikidokas tend to continue on ... lunch, beach volleyball, scrabble at the cafe ...

from left: Natalie, Peter, Stephen, Ben, Lisa and Mark,
and behind the camera: Elisabeth.

Let us know about your social after class activities ...

 

 
 

Maruyama Sensei - World Tour 2006

Reports/Photos

10th Anniversary of Aikido Yuishinkai

On the 11th May 2006 Master Koretoshi Maruyama celebrated the 10th Anniversary of his founding Aikido Yuishinka with a dinner party at Tobu and Mieko Kondo-san writes that: " Maruyama Sensei had a hot time".

She sent the following photos:

Master Koretoshi Maruyama

September 2 - 6, 2005

Byron Bay, Australia

Group Photo

click for Photo Gallery

Closing thanks delivered at the end of the National Aikido Yuishinkai Seminar at Goshinkan dojo, Byron Bay, Australia by Danny James Sensei, Head Dojo Instructor, Griffith University.


To Maruyama Sensei


Its been a great pleasure this past week to experience 'Aikido without Boundaries' As aikido students it been a fantastic opportunity to have no boundary between us and a living source of aikido. Your freely given 'distillation of aikido', your patiently working with us, never tiring at our what must be 'silly questions'. We are delighted to be able to share in the evolution of your aikido brought and revealed to us in very practical ways, your explanation of Ki though exercises, Aikido and even a little science. Your efforts to cross and remove geographic, cultural, scientific and language boundaries to spread Aikido Yuishinkai provide us with inspiration and leadership by example are humbling.


To Michael Williams Sensei

We would like to thank our Chief Instructor for his creativity and efforts in the spread of Aikido Yuishinkai. For us in our own little dojos around the country its wonderful to come together and experience aikido without boundaries because of your efforts. Today we have a direct connection with the source both personally and organisationally, with wonderful resources at our disposal to continue our practice back home. Each year and in particular this seminar, through your efforts we are all able to come together without the boundaries of dojo, distance and aikido style to learn from sensei and each other.


We would like to thank you for your very practical efforts in organising and managing this national event. Today we feel much more connected with our fellow students with a richer experience and part of a greater vision of aikido because of this. Many of us have come out of the 'aikido wilderness' and have been made to feel welcome regardless of background for which we are grateful.

To Goshinkan Dojo

We would like to thank everyone at Goshinkan dojo for their efforts in hosting the seminar and the hospitality extended beyond the dojo. In addition to being able to have such a fantastic dojo to practice in, we have been fed, entertained, invited into homes and generally looked after.

Finally to all seminar participants thankyou for travelling such enormous distances to train in the spirit of cooperation and learning by leaving behind the boundaries of rank, dojo and style. We look forward to growing in our aikido together in the years to come.
http://www.aikidorepublic.com (New website by Danny James, Brisbane, December, 2009)