Rinjiro Shirata Sensei Demonstration on Youtube

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Posted 2008-11-19 11:52:36 by John Stevens
News URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blChgJTgdhE

A 1986 Shirata Sensei demonstration is now up on YouTube here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blChgJTgdhE). According to its description, "Filmed on 11/16, 1986 at the 10th All Japan Traditional Budo Demonstration in Sendai, Japan. Shirata Sensei, 74 years at the time, was representing Aikido. The first uke is John Stevens."

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[TomW]

Wow, thanks for posting that Jun.

[akiy]

My pleasure. Thanks to John Stevens sensei for submitting the news item!

-- Jun

[Allen Beebe]

Daito ryu and many others also demonstrated at that one. I can't remember if Kondo sensei represented Daito Ryu or not. I think they broadcasted it on local TV but of course edited it down quite a bit.

(Tom I have the whole thing on tape somewhere if you want a copy. I could probably find it once I sort everything out on my new shelves! ;) )

Allen

[Allen Beebe]

BTW, it is nice to see Prof. Stevens posting.

In 1986 he was teaching Aikido at Tohoku Fukushi Daigaku out of a Quonset hut (Cold, Cold in the winter, Hot, Hot in the summer) shared with the Judo club. He had many students and they were a particularly "strong" group that year.

I remember showing up for the first time. Class had already started and I stood about outside at a bit of a loss as to the "proper" thing to do. Suddenly, John stuck his head out of the door and, with a big grin on his face, asked, "Wanna train?"

I ended up training mostly with Hanzawa sensei that summer but my visit at Steven's sensei's dojo was both memorable and fun. As a former Tohei Koichi Aikido guy entering the Japanese Aikikai "world" unconditional warm welcomes were much appreciated and are long remembered.

Allen

[Allen Beebe]

One last thing (sorry). Even at 74 Shirata Sensei was a marvelous technician, a fierce martial artist, a physical "force of nature," a true gentleman (in the best sense of the word), an honorable - dedicated student, and a marvelously clear teacher. This really didn't change up until his death in 1993.

What a tremendous exemplar of the ideals of Aikido.

Those of us (there were quite a few in Yamagata) that had the good fortune to train under him have quite a lot to live up to.

I'm still working on it.

All the best,
Allen

[TomW]

(Tom I have the whole thing on tape somewhere if you want a copy. I could probably find it once I sort everything out on my new shelves! ;) )

Allen

Yes.

[Ethan Weisgard]

What a beautiful demo by Shirata Sensei! I found an old All-Japan Demo clip with Shirata Sensei from 1978 on YouTube, too. The true mark of a master - Shirata Sensei's aikido is, to my eyes, more powerful, graceful and clear at 74 years of age then in the earlier demo clip. Truly marvelous! I wish I had the chance to train under him myself.

In aiki,

Ethan