Author: Christopher Li

About Christopher Li

Chris is an instructor at the Aikido Sangenkai, a non-profit Aikido group in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. He has been training in the traditional and modern Japanese martial arts since 1981, with more than twelve years of training while living in Japan.

Interview with Aikido Shihan Nobuyuki Watanabe, Part 1

Nobuyuki Watanabe

 Nobuyuki Watanabe sensei at the 42nd annual All Japan Aikido Demonstration Nobuyuki Watanabe was born in Miyazaki Prefecture on July 25th, in Showa year 5 (1930). He began Aikido in 1952, at the age of 22, and is a senior instructor at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. He is famous for his controversial “no touch” Aikido demonstrations at the annual All Japan Aikido Demonstration (全日本合氣道演武大会), which some … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Shihan Nobuyuki Watanabe, Part 1 »

Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Tada – the Yachimata Lecture, Part 5

Tada and Ueshiba

Hiroshi Tada taking ukemi for Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei Rooftop of the Self-defense Forces Dojo in Ichigaya Hiroshi Tada (多田 宏) sensei is currently the Aikikai’s only living 9th dan – at 83 years old he has been called a “Geriatric Genius” by Aikido Journal Editor Stan Pranin. Certainly he remains active and dynamic to this day, some sixty-five years after he entered Ueshiba Dojo in 1948. … Continue reading Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Tada – the Yachimata Lecture, Part 5 »

Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Tada – the Yachimata Lecture, Part 4

Hiroshi Tada Shihan

Hiroshi Tada Shihan Hiroshi Tada (多田 宏) sensei’s family were originally samurai of the Tsushima-han. Initiated into Budo by his great-grandfather, a master of Japanese archery, he went on to study Karate with Shotokan Karate founder Gichin Funakoshi, and then became a student at Ueshiba Dojo in 1948. Here are some impressions of Tada sensei from Ellis Amdur: Tada sensei was an icy, formidable presence when I … Continue reading Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Tada – the Yachimata Lecture, Part 4 »

Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Tada – the Yachimata Lecture, Part 3

Noro, Ueshiba, Tohei and Tada

Masamichi Noro, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Morihei Ueshiba, Koichi Tohei and Hiroshi Tada Hiroshi Tada (多田 宏) sensei is one of the major figures of post-war Aikido, and is currently the only living Aikikai 9th Dan. He became a student at Ueshiba Dojo in 1948. Here is are some of  Yasuo Kobayashi sensei’s recollections of Tada sensei (from “Aikido My Way“): Hiroshi Tada Sensei was the sensei who was … Continue reading Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Tada – the Yachimata Lecture, Part 3 »

Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Tada – the Yachimata Lecture, Part 2

月刊秘伝-多田宏

Hiroshi Tada sensei on the cover of Hiden Budo & Bujutsu magazine Hiroshi Tada (多田 宏) sensei is one of the major figures in post-war Aikido. He entered Ueshiba Dojo in 1948 and was sent by the Aikikai to establish Aikido in Italy in 1964. Like many of the post-war Aikido students, including Ki Society Founder Koichi Tohei, his practice has been heavily influenced by … Continue reading Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Tada – the Yachimata Lecture, Part 2 »