Rinjiro Shirata Sensei Demonstration on Youtube

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. 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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Wow, thanks for posting that Jun.

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

-- Jun

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

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

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

Allen Beebe wrote: (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.

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