Category Archives: Interview

A Leap of the Spirit – Moritaka (Morihei) Ueshiba in 1932

Kami no Keshin

“Kami no Keshin” (“Embodiment of God” / 神の化身) Kanzou Miura (三浦関造) – Ryuo Library (竜王文庫), 1960 Kanzou Miura was born in Fukuoka, Japan on July 15th 1883, just five months before Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei was born in Wakayama Prefecture. After graduation from Aoyama Gakuin’s Theological School he spent one year working as a Methodist minister in the southwest of Aomori Prefecture, in Hirosaki City. He became … Continue reading A Leap of the Spirit – Moritaka (Morihei) Ueshiba in 1932 »

Interview with Aikido Shihan Yoshio Kuroiwa – Part 2

Kuroiwa at Edogawa Aikido Renmei

Yoshio Kuroiwa (黒岩洋志雄) at the Edogawa Aikido Renmei in 2005 Yoshio Kuroiwa was born in Tokyo Japan in Showa year 7 (1932).  In Showa year 21 (1946) he joined the Nippon Kento Club (日本拳闘倶楽部) founded by the father of boxing in Japan, Yujiro Watanabe (渡辺勇次郎), with the intention of becoming a professional boxer. Forced to give up his dreams of a boxing career due to … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Shihan Yoshio Kuroiwa – Part 2 »

Interview with Aikido Shihan Yoshio Kuroiwa – Part 1

Yoshio Kuroiwa, boxer

The boxer – Yoshio Kuriowa (黒岩洋志雄), 1932-2010 Yoshio Kuroiwa Sensei was one of the most original and innovative students at the post-war Aikikai Hombu Dojo, often integrating movements from his extensive knowledge of boxing into his Aikido.  One of the strongest practitioners at the post-war Aikikai Hombu Dojo, his reputation led to an attempt by Gozo Shioda to recruit him into the Yoshinkan. Although he … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Shihan Yoshio Kuroiwa – Part 1 »

Interview with Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Kato – Part 2

Hiroshi Kato and Morihei Ueshiba

  Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei in 1961, directly before leaving for Hawaii Hiroshi Kato Sensei by the door next to Kisaburo Osawa Sensei Hiroshi Kato was born in Tokyo on March 24th 1935, and entered Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1954 at the age of 18. He was one of the early post-war Aikido students at Aikikai Hombu Dojo, but chose to work as a printer rather … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Kato – Part 2 »

Interview with Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Kato – Part 1

Kato HIroshi Sensei

Hiroshi Kato Sensei (1935-2012) Hiroshi Kato was born in Tokyo on March 24th 1935, and entered Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1954 at the age of 18. In 1975 he formed an informal practice group at the Suginami Ward Koenji Gymnasium near his home, and in April 1987 he established the Suginami Aikikai (杉並合気会) dojo in the Suginami Ward of Tokyo, Japan as a branch dojo of the … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Kato – Part 1 »