YouTube: Takafumi Takeno at 54th All Japan Yoshinkan Embu

Here is an Aikido demonstration by Takafumi Takeno (9th dan, Yoshinkan Aikido) at the 54th All Japan Yoshinkan Embu in 2009.

Takeno started training at the Yoshinkan in 1968 at the age of 21. He received his 8th dan from Gozo Shioda in 1992 and received his 9th dan in 2007.

What are your thoughts on this video?

-- Jun

Camera was a little shaky. There are better video clips of the 54th around, not sure if any of those are Takeno sensei, though.

I liked that the demo was very directed and had a theme. It seemed like he was specifically trying to communicate concepts with the audience, rather than just doing jiyuwaza for its own sake.

For those concerned he was riding uke's head into the mat: It looks bad, but its not. Uke have their chin tucked and are landing on their shoulder blades. This is not an uncommon form of ukemi and can be practiced tandoku.