Seminar: Reverend Koichi Barrish at Kings Beach, CA 8/15-17
Posted 8/08/2008 9:57am [from Steven Dainard]
This August 15-17, Matsuba Dojo will host Reverend Koichi Barrish at Kings Beach, California at North Lake Tahoe. Barrish Sensei is the Chief Priest of Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America located in Granite Falls, Washington (www.TsubakiShrine.org) A long time Aikidoist, he was the first non-Japanese to be awarded the Jinja Shinto priest license. He shares a special insight into the relationship of Aikido and Shinto practices. Contact telephone: 530-546-9388. The seminar will be held at the elementary school located at 8125 Steelhead Avenue. The cost for the three day seminar is $75.00. All styles and affiliations are invited to participate and explore the dynamic connection between Aikido and Misogi.

Article: "Aikido master still teaching after 50 years"
Posted 7/21/2008 10:12am [from Jun Akiyama]
Here is an article entitled "Aikido master still teaching after 50 years" which highlights Dang Thong Phong sensei of Tenshinkai Aikido (Westminster Aikikai) in Westminster, CA. The article describes his efforts to have Vietnam recognized by the Aikikai Foundation, his and his brother Dang Throng Tri's experiences in aikido, and the anniversaries he is celebrating this weekend -- 50 years of aikido in Vietnam (introduced to the country by his brother), 40 years since the founding of the first aikido association in Vietnam, and 20 years of teaching in Westminster himself.

Seminar: Benefit Seminar for Tood Martin in Florence, MA 8/16
Posted 7/17/2008 10:30am [from Jun Akiyama]
There will be a benefit seminar for Todd Martin sensei (5th dan) at Aikido of Northampton on Saturday, August 16th from 10am-4pm. The featured instructors will be Yoshimitsu Yamada sensei (8th dan), Benjamin Pincus sensei (5th dan), Skip Chapman sensei (5th dan), and Vu Ha sensei (5th dan). For more informaion, please contact dopacem@yahoo.com.

Event: Aikido and Zen Art with John Stevens, Phila. PA area, 10/2-10/5
Posted 7/15/2008 3:58pm [from Gary Ohama]
Two days of Classical Aikido training followed by two days of Japanese Zen Art Calligraphy Exhibit/Sale will be held Oct.2-5, 2008 in the Philadelphia, PA area. John Stevens will instruct and curate this event. A workshop on Zen brush calligraphy and a special tour of Nakashima Woodworkers are part of the program. For info contact homeikandojo@aol.com.

Seminar: 4th AikidoNZ Friendship Seminar Auckland 3rd August 2008
Posted 7/15/2008 1:11pm [from Dunken Francis]
4th Friendship seminar Auckland Sunday Aug 3rd 9am to 4.30pm North Shore Music Theatre, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead $15 for all five sessions!! Buffet Lunch included!! INSTRUCTORS: Mike Standford 7th dan, Gail Eder 4th dan, Tony Schaufelberger 4th dan, Dianne Haynes 5th dan, Junichi Nishimura 6th dan. ALL WELCOME! Contact Graham gbapromo@wave.co.nz or 09 573 6217 for bookings. Limited availability so strictly first come first served basis.

Article: "HCMC Hosts 50th Anniversary of Aikido"
Posted 7/14/2008 9:18am [from Jun Akiyama]
This article entitled "HCMC Hosts 50th Anniversary of Aikido" lets us know that Ho Chi Minh City Aikido Club in Vietnam has hosted a 50th anniversary event to ""review the achievements and contributions of Japanese martial art Aikido over the last half century since it was first introduced [in the country]." The event was said to have been organized to honor "Japanese founder Morihei Ueshiba and Vietnamese master Dan Thong Tri, who laid a foundation for the development of Aikido in the city."

YouTube: Kaz Tanahashi Relates Morihei Ueshiba Stories
Posted 7/11/2008 11:07am [from Jun Akiyama]
These three videos has Kaz Tanahashi, calligrapher, relating stories of his training with Morihei Ueshiba sensei: Video #1 Video #2 Video #3 More information on Kaz Tanahashi may be found on his website, www.brushmind.net.