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 »