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The book Positive Aikido....
I recently purchased a copy of the book Positive Aikido…. A book about the early days of aikido in the UK in the 1950's and onwards…….. Having read it and relating to it, I can to some extent well understand the difficulties and challenges that would have brought. I started aikido in 1975 when it was still relatively unknown in the UK.
The aikidoka of today have a great debt to these pioneers. It should be bought as a valuable reminder to the true realities that so many aikidoka of today take for granted….. A book really well worth reading and a definite no no to all those who prefer to dance, do yoga and generally do not understand the true worth of this devastatingly effective martial art. Having now read the book I am better able to see why Sensei Ellis frowns on so much that is offered as Aikido today...I really enjoyed it's no nonsense approach to Aikido as a Martial Art.. I hope to meet Sensei Ellis and Sensei Eastman and have the book signed one day very soon, and also buy them the pint(s) of their favourite beer that I should have bought them both 34 years ago for a great and rewarding session of aikido at the Winchester Judo & Martial Arts club !! Which I am sure Ellis & Eastman Sensei's don't remember as well as I do!! |
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Isn't the meaning of the kanji 'bu', essentially 'to protect from harm'?
And weren't the samurai - at least nominally - cultured gentlemen, whose understanding of martial arts was derived from the necessity to protect others/society? So, to understand the purpose of a 'devestating martial art', was absolutely essential: it's no use being able to kill - or do anything, for that matter - unless you understand why. With power comes responsibility, etc. |
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Yes bu means military
Bujutsu = "military science" Budo = "military way" Also has connotations as to stopping the halberd....? |
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I am pleased that you enjoyed the book " Positive Aikido" . Of course the warning on the inside cover does not apply to you :straightf ... I do remember teaching at Winchester all those years ago, I just do not remember the students :sorry: Derek and I would always be pleased to have a pint of beer with you, as you are paying....and of course we will sign the book.. I am not happy with Amazon UK charging more than Amazon US. To all the people who have emailed me, I am in the process of having copies of the book shipped over to me, and I will sell them from my home address... Henry Ellis British Aikido History www.british-aikido.com |
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Would you be so kind to reserve one for me? I wouldn't like to miss out if it's as good as the 1st !! http://www.british-aikido.com/i/posi...-cover-big.JPG http://www.british-aikido.com/news.htm PS I remember Derek Sensei's kotegaeshi well !!!!! Very powerful, clean and nice to experience.... |
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As I said: the kanji shows a spear being stopped - 'the original intent of bu was to stop war, to protect people from weapons' (ibid). 'Budo was intended to preserve the orderliness of society, not to promote the use of indiscriminate violence or brute force.' (ibid) '...generally do not understand the true worth of this devastatingly effective martial art' |
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I will put your name on the order list. Clark Bateman is recognised as an avid collector of books on Aikido, and if I recall ? - the first person to order the book " Positive Aikido" on its release......Thanks again Clark ..... Henry Ellis British Aikido History www.british-aikido.com |
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Ellis sensei,
Please put me on the list as well!!! I am fascinated by Aikido history in general, but with your wealth of experience and interesting history this should be a should be a great read! |
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I hope to get the same opportunity with the new one. I give you my word, you certainly will ;) Henry Ellis Positive Aikido http://aikido-books.blogspot.com/ |
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I have not forgotten our earlier pms..the same will apply with the new book...My student and long time friend Dave Rogers is an ex newspaper editor and journalist. when I am in NM we sit with a beer and chat for hours in those beautiful evenings, Dave with note pad and pen in hand, so I think he now knows more about my history than I do :) Although there will be history, there will be so much more... Henry Ellis Positive Aikido http://aikido-books.blogspot.com/ |
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Hi All,
I enjoyed the book too, especially the historical aspects. Allow me to put the cat among the pigeons, or the softie among the rough necks... Sensei Ken Williams is mentioned (very respectfully) in a few of the anecdotes, as Abe Sensei's most senior student. After Abe Sensei left the UK, Sensei Williams spent a period without a teacher then went off to train with Tohei. He later set up the Ki Federation of GB which his wife now runs, with Sensei Williams still teaching (late 70's now). He teaches the whole ki and mind-body coordination stuff, emphasing softness and relaxation. He does not emphasise martial applicability, but teaches that if you have the ki, then the martial stuff is there. I don't really have a question as such, but I do find it curious that I have never heard/seen this defection to the soft side of Kenshiro Abe's top student mentioned by the old-schoolers. I'd certainly be curious to hear a response. Regards, (and respect for the hard and the soft approaches) Jon. P.S. I'm off-line for a week or so, so won't be able to respond immediately. |
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I am pleased that you enjoyed the book `` Positive Aikido ``. I hope you will be encouraged to order book 2 " Positive Aikido - Hidden Knowledge " ?? Ken Williams Sensei is now 80 years of age and still teaching. He was, as you say, the first student of Aikido with K Abbe Sensei. I was discussing Sensei Williams with the last pioneers Derek Eastman and Haydn Foster Sensei just a few months before Foster Sensei died. We were all agreed that Williams Sensei was a rather special man at a very special time, we were also agreed that none of us would have been as able, as he became, to take Aikido from a total nothing to a nationally accepted martial art. The object of " Positive Aikido " was to historically record the facts. I was Williams Sensei's personal assistant, believe me Williams Sensei was a hard man, he had to be, we fought for real many times as we tested each other all the way....no ribbons, just snot and blood. Jiro Nakazono said to me recently, as a schoolboy in Paris France, his father the great Masahilo Nakazono would go to teach in Britain, he would wait for his father to return to relate the wonderful stories of the brave Budo warriors of Britain. ( his words not mine ) From 1955 until 1967 I was with Williams Sensei until he moved from the `Hut` to Wales and at a later date he began his journey into ` Ki Aikido `... In 1967 I also left the `Hut` and Williams Sensei and joined Chiba Sensei.. I could never have gone the Ki road, not for me.. Unlike so many coming into Ki Aikido - Sensei Williams had, and still has, a very strong BASIC background in strong traditional Aikido...Sensei Williams was by far the best of Abbe Sensei's Aikido students and the man most suited for the position of natioanal coach. Henry Ellis Positive Aikido http://aikido-books.blogspot.com/ |
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