Beijing Aikikai

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draw me an image of Goji in a hakama slapping the 💩out of Kong

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I fear for the world

My training schedule at Hombu is restabilizing, but I train every day in some way whether or not I go to Hombu dojo. I have also been studying two other martial arts since returning to Japan 12月2020. One is a new 武術 bujutsu and the second a 古武術. I lift weights (a certain way), have access to these new interesting machines here at a company started by friends, swim, run (in a particular way), jump rope, own body weight exercises, stretch, etc etc etc. There is no excuse for poorly trained or out of shape teachers. Anyone can lead a class ... not everyone is a martial artist.

T. Miyamoto: Shomenuchi ikkyo omote T. Miyamoto Shihan of Hombu Dojo at 2015 Birankai North America Aikido Summer Camp in Tacoma, Wash. For more information, visit birankai.org.

When I first arrived in China in 2005 and did my first Aikido class with Suganuma sensei's group at Beijing University and then attended a seminar taught by a young Hombu dojo teacher I knew well ... all locals I met but a handful were white belts. And those new (3 year, long distance) shodans? Well .... they were ... rather ... hmmmm ... "under proved" ... to borrow a baking term.

Since then, when one local outfit has been gifting 6 month 1kyus and 12 months shodans ... without consequence ... well you can imagine the impact on the level of local Aikido.

But is it so different than elsewhere these days? Aikido has changed drastically. Is there now any connection between skill and rank? Who fails an exam? And after 4 dan, isn't it just based on a personal relationship with a teacher?

I remember when I took my 4 dan at hombu ... decades ago .... another foreigner was taking the exam for the 3rd time. He failed again. He wrote complaining the dojo was "racist". (Of course he did.🙄) Naturally, when he said that to me I told him "No; just improve and pass."

Awhile back I awarded a student of mine 5 dan ... but he was on the PRC national Judo team in his youth and understands hard practice and martial arts training. Deserved.

It's nice to include everyone ... but one wonders what are the consequences to the quality of the art?

After I finish my sequel Aikido in Japan Again. I am writing one all about the art in China. It will be a fun read; for sure.

All my dojos in Jikishinkai China continue their training as best as possible under whatever circumstances arise. For us, Aikido is not an amusement or past-time but a rigorous form of self discipline and personal development that is part of our daily lives - and thanks to years of proper training, face-to-face, under genuine teachers, it is an applied martial art as well.

Was my last post really October? Holy 💩😲!

Been to London, Edinburgh, Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing since then and back to Japan for the first sunrise at the beach on New Year's day. Photos to follow. A belated Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Jikishinkai China is still thriving. As I tell my students, no matter what piece of paper someone hands you, you still have to be able to DO aikido. That only changes through proper training, routinely, under real teachers. Fortunately for them, I lived in China 2005-2020,

Come join us in Taipei! Should be excellent. Nicest hosts. Great food!

The teachers and students of Jikishinkai China did a great job organizing this seminar. Miyamoto Sensei was fantastic and taught things (slowly and patiently) that have not been taught in the PRC in Aikido, particularly with this detail. This was not entertainment. This was not Aikido as exercise. This was real budo. Very grateful to sensei for visiting China for the 5th time. This year I withheld promotion of the seminar because the world has been so unpredictable and last year we had many Russian guests coming but when Visa Free was not renewed for Japanese, I cancelled it. The attendance was perfect for the venue and real learning. Proud of the job the Jikishinkai China teachers did and all the students who supported them. We enjoyed having some special guests too.

The Beijing seminar was great. 45 day one and 35 day two - about what I expected. Perfect fit for the mat size and mostly people who know our training (Jikishinkai China dojos joined from 4 cities) and are not there for a social event. Sensei was great and taught things never taught in the PRC in Aikido. A rare treat. We are grateful to sensei for coming back to Beijing for the 5th time!

Sensei will be great. Principles and Possibilities. Challenging opportunity for us all to level up our Aikido.

It will be great to be back in China. An odd year so far that I haven't been able to visit yet. But twice before year's end.

Chinese culture is teeming with wisdom ....

小偷也认为君子是小偷

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Brian Wilson, Beach Boys Co-Founder and Architect of Pop, Dead at 82 Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys co-founder and one of pop music's greatest songwriters, has died at 82.