Roy Suenaka Passes Away

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[AikiWeb System]

Posted 2020-03-28 09:27:14 by Jun Akiyama
News URL: https://lowcountryfuneral.com/tribute/details/24369/Roy-Suenaka/obituary.html

I just got word that Roy Suenaka (Wadokai Aikido, Charleston SC) passed away on March 8, 2020. He started aikido in the early 1950's, attending demonstrations by Koichi Tohei and going to Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1960 to study with Morihei Ueshiba (from whom he received menkyo kaiden in 1961). He founded Wadokai Aikido in 1975 and taught Suenaka-ha Tetsugaku-ho Aikido ("Suenaka style, philosophical way"). His obituary may be read here (https://lowcountryfuneral.com/tribute/details/24369/Roy-Suenaka/obituary.html).

My condolences go out to his family, friends, students, and loved ones.

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[PeteDiscenza]

Please pardon my ignorance but I have not encountered the term 'menkyo kaiden' before and have not found it in any of the several sites I pulled up. Meaning, please?

[Ellis Amdur]

Please pardon my ignorance but I have not encountered the term 'menkyo kaiden' before and have not found it in any of the several sites I pulled up. Meaning, please?

This is a term from Japanese classical traditions, which is a certificate of complete understanding of a system. What Suenaka sensei received from O-sensei and how that fits within the ranks given to other aikido teachers is something I do not know. But that is the general meaning of the term.

[PeteDiscenza]

Thank you. I suspect I won't encounter the term very often.