KYU SHIN KAN | Leicester Aikido

The Modest Masters

The Aikido course on 16 March 2008 was attended by approximately 25 Aikidoka, of which a well-distributed mix of Kyu and Dan grades trained under the direction of Sensei Pete Brown and Sensei Mike Smith, two 5th Dan Shidoins, at the De Montfort Sports Centre, one of the three venues of the Kyu Shin Kan Aikido club.

The course was split into two halves, the first taken by Sensei Brown. Sensei Brown's reputation for Taisabaki was upheld in top form as the attending aikidoka were shown how to do Aikido, as opposed to how 'to dance'. (As Sensei Smith later remarked, if your uke moves before the application of the technique by Tori, then it is a dance, as oppose to a martial art). Sensei Brown also demonstrated his modesty, as he chose from a variety of kyu grade ukes and performed his advanced techniques in fluid movements which taught his uke through the compassionate disturbance of balance first demonstrated by O Sensei, the founder of Aikido.

Sensei Brown's physical prowess was that of a world class athlete combined with an absolute awareness of an opponent's harmony (or disharmony) between mind and body. One technique introduced to the class is called Uchi Kaiten Nage. As with all Aikido techniques, there are limitless variations; however, Sensei Brown made the technique his own and even to the most experienced aikidoka, there were gasps, as Sensei Brown (tori) dominated the situation with uke, positioning his body like a corkscrew, to reach under and above, as well as in front and behind uke, and then with instantaneous motion, applied each crucial step of the technique. There is no time for escape for the uke, as Sensei Brown uses the full space of the Tatami to manoeuvre himself and project uke without the possibility of counter-attack or accurate anticipation that would give any advantage to uke. The speed, accuracy and power of Sensei Brown's demonstration of technique inspired participants; there was great spirit among the aikidokas, whose talents were all elevated by the 'real life' Aikido demonstrated by Sensei Brown.

The second half of the course was instructed by Sensei Smith, who reminded the class that weapons are at the centre of all Aikido. With energy levels having peaked during Sensei Brown's demonstration, Sensei Smith began with what seemed a simple exercise of the wrist, as tori and uke blended together with Bokkens at 'long sword' (as opposed to 'short sword') positions. In his demonstration, Sensei Smith gently moved his Bokken over and then under uke's Bokken. This was a mind and body exercise, as Sensei Smith took the class through a kata in which tori and uke attacked and defended, taking irumi and tenkan steps to maintain 'two steps to kill' at all times. In his demonstration Sensei Smith demonstrated advanced Bokken technique with the speed of lightening, the agility of a fox and the control of a bird of prey as his wooden bokken seemed to bend in the air to deflect and eliminate any possible threat posed by uke.

After the kata, Sensei Smith brought the class back to themes in the first half of the course as he demonstrated the most challenging part of Aikido: applying the full range of techniques whilst armed with a bokken. As Sensei Smith demonstrated Uchi Kaiten Nage, it was as if the air around the Bokken moved uke, though the technique was finished by a simulated slicing of the back of uke's neck (beheading) in the classic style practised by the Samurai. Sensei Smith glided over the matt, as he blended his mind, body and Bokken together in a harmonious, deadly (in principle), and subtle defence.

In short, the course was a success and the blending of Sensei Brown's and Sensei Smith's teaching made it uncomfortable for aikidokas to practise their old, if perfected, styles against the efforts of a student grasping only a small part of what either instructor demonstrated. The four hours of training was followed up by a presentation of awards in which the instructors bestowed honour upon four aikidokas who have shown diligent progress in their training. Even the smallest disrespect is not tolerated on the Tatami and the great formalisation of award presentation was a fitting conclusion to a day spent in the presence of Aikido masters, whose modesty is only outshone by their great martial art talent.

Dennis Chapman