By chance I just read about a new movie about the 47 Ronin: Saigo no Chushingura/The Last Ronin. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0101217a2.html. Even today the story resonates in Japan.

Thanks, Chris. Sugano Sensei was very quiet - perhaps he was shy. And he had great dynamic technique. He was a very kind person like all of these great teachers. I saw that Gayle Fillman Sensei also died in December 2010. I didn't know her but it sounds like she affected a lot of lives too. Yes, ichi go ichi e...

Right, Graham! This is a very interesting subject. The most important thing was their service to their lord. And a romantic gesture - attacking hastily and perhaps dying without success - might be beautiful but it would be meaningless. So normal concepts of name and honour (and marriage!) were unimportant compared to that ultimate (and successful!) sacrifice for honour.

Many great teachers, that have passed on this year, our thoughts go out to their families and loved ones. I had always wanted to train with Sugano Sensei.... Life is so precious, we must cherish our friends, families and teachers. 'Ichi Go Ichi E'

Yes they waited one year and half to kill Kira and then they submitted to the justice and were forced to commit seppuku according to spanish Wikipedia..

Reading the blog account of the story, it seems that the 47 Ronin put revenge above the code of honour - i.e., they chose to pretend that they wouldn't adhere to the code and immediately try to kill the man - because they knew they'd fail, and die in the attempt -, but instead, would wait, so they could be sure to kill him (while accepting that they'd die - but after being successful)...? (Btw: I watched some clips of Sunadomari Sensei - I really like his aikido: reminds me of Endo Sensei's.)

Thank you Carina/Niall: the links are interesting - there's a glowing review of the book from George S Ledyard, so i'm further encouraged in my optimism. I'll let you know if I get it. :-)

Thanks Graham. The wikipedia page has links to a couple of interesting interviews. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanshu_Sunadomari

I hope you'll get it

Kanshu Sunadomari died last month? What a shame. I've had this book in my Amazon wish list for a long time, and been waiting for some money to finally buy it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Enlightenment-Through-Aikido-Kanshu-Sunadomari/dp/1556434871/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292681840&sr=8-1 Having read your blogs, and posts here, Niall, I don't doubt that it is quite the read...I asked for it for Christmas, so maybe i'll finally get it next week...

Thanks Carina. Yes, thetokyootaku's post about Sengakuji is very interesting. Sunadomari Sensei had his own style - the Manseikan in Kyushu - so not many people who trained with the Aikikai teachers will know about him. He showed me the fourth way of doing tenkan I described in the tenkan thread.

Nice of you remembering all this kind teachers Niall, they sure are looking down at you when you are teaching and are smiling because of your learning from them and making sure you are following their path beeing just that kind of teacher to your students as they were for you. When I were in Tokio I visited Sengaku and felt that is was a sacred place.