Toyoda Center Accepting Uchideshi Applications in MI

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Posted 2009-10-26 18:41:03 by Toyoda Center/Yushinkan Dojo
News URL: http://toyodacenter.com/aikido-live-in-student-program-uchideshi-grand-rapids-mi

The Toyoda Center of Aikido and Kendo in Grand Rapids, MI is now accepting applications for the uchideshi (live-in student) program. The Toyoda Center has had a successful uchideshi program since 1994 and has openings for 3 new uchideshi. Accepted candidates will participate in the Aikido and Kendo programs primarily, with opportunities to study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA. More information at the link provided.

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[Charles Hill]

"Toyoda Shihan himself was the first uchideshi under the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and is credited with re-establishing such training at Aikido World H.Q., where it had been discontinued with the death of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei."

Hi, I am curious about these comments. Does anyone know about this?

Charles

[Peter Goldsbury]

Hello Charles,

I doubt this very much. Kisshomaru Ueshiba once told me that Morihei Ueshiba had uchideshi only in the Kobukan Dojo and that he himself never had uchi-deshi.

Best wishes,

PAG

"Toyoda Shihan himself was the first uchideshi under the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and is credited with re-establishing such training at Aikido World H.Q., where it had been discontinued with the death of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei."

Hi, I am curious about these comments. Does anyone know about this?

Charles

[Michael Hackett]

I remember reading somewhere that Toyoda and Homma Sensei were both uchideshi at Hombu and spent a great deal of time with Tohei Sensei. I think the source was one of Homma Sensei's articles on Aikido Journal or one of his books. I will see if I can find the source material again and let everyone know.

[afwen]

I remember reading somewhere that Toyoda and Homma Sensei were both uchideshi at Hombu and spent a great deal of time with Tohei Sensei. I think the source was one of Homma Sensei's articles on Aikido Journal or one of his books. I will see if I can find the source material again and let everyone know.

Here ya go. (http://www.nippon-kan.org/senseis_articles/toyoda_memorial.html)

[Michael Hackett]

Thanks, Alvin. This was the article that I recall best (but not well enough obviously). I've seen others as well. I appreciate your quick research - now I have some Saturday time free.

[Charles Hill]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Prof. Goldsbury,

I have read similar things from Fujita Shihan. This is interesting as all the well-known overseas shihan use the word "uchi-deshi."

Alvin,

Thanks for the link. Toyoda and Saotome Sensei coming to "fisticuffs" at Hombu! I wonder what that looked like.
I have read an interview with Toyoda Sensei written by one of his students saying that he was kicked out of Kinokenkyukai.

Charles

[Peter Goldsbury]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Prof. Goldsbury,

I have read similar things from Fujita Shihan. This is interesting as all the well-known overseas shihan use the word "uchi-deshi."

Charles

Hello Charles,

Yes, I regularly heard some of these shihan use the term 'uchi-deshi' when I was in the UK and the US. It was when I came here that I heard some very strong dissenting opinions. Some of the senior Japanese shihans here, who never went abroad, resent the fact that overseas shihan seem to regard themselves as especially 'close' to the Founder, when in fact they saw him comparatively rarely and spent most of their time in the Aikikai under the control of Kisshomaru Ueshiba.

It was the fact of these dissenting opinions that led me to ask Kisshomaru directly. Kisshomaru's answer suggests to me that the term 'uchi-deshi' is used very loosely, especially in relation to postwar aikido. Kisshomaru explained that he himself was not really an uchi-deshi because he was part of the family and did not begin to train seriously until his teens. However, since he lived there, he had a grandstand view of the old Kobukan and direct experience of the life of the early uchi-deshi like Shirata, Iwata, Yukawa, and Shioda. Kisshomaru was adamant that this practice stopped with the end of the old Kobukan and that he himself had no uchi-deshi.

I am aware that some dojo have 'uchi-deshi', but even the Iwama uchi-deshi system is not really much like the old Kobukan practice. It does give students a chance to do some intensive training, but it seems to me that modern 'uchi-deshi' are more 'uchi-deshi' of the dojo, rather than of a particular teacher. I think this is also true of dojo outside Japan. The presentday Aikikai certainly do not have uchi-deshi and have even stopped the practice of having live-in overseas students. I think they get in the way of an organization that needs to function smoothly, a fact that does not go down too well with some overseas shihan.

Best wishes,

PAG