The Budo Masters
Memories of Henry Ellis Senses - 1957 - 2007
Over the past 50 years are very lucky to not only meet, but with many of the great masters of budo studies that have visited in Italy and Europe. Let me share my memories on the disk, in the hope that one day might be of interest to others in the Martial Arts.
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985: I started my martial arts journey in 1956 with the now famous Hut Dojo. I started with Judo under the guidance ofSensei Ken Williams. Abbe Sensei in the UK in 1955 came at the invitation of the London Judo Society (LJ). He would soon become disillusioned with the LJ and Otani Sensei Matsutaro that would lead to the formation of the British Judo Council (BJC) - British Kendo Council (BKC)
British Aikido Board (BAC). Williams was there with Abbe Sensei Sensi beginning of this exciting time in British history of martial arts. The newOtani Sensei Sensi association with Abbot would be a frequent visitor to the dojo of the hat. The soon to be renamed The Abbe School of Budo. I first saw the Abbe Sensei, when he got a score on the hat. I also understood this was the first time in the presence of someone very special was. Abbe Sensei I felt like a wonderful man. I would later come to know and learn more about Sensei enter into a conversation, even though his English was very bad. Many say today, wereFriends of Abbe Sensei, I have never seen a person who was a friend of Sensei, we were all privileged students. I want to start immediately and would be Sensei Aikido Aikido and Judo both classes to see. I was also a regular at your own sandwich Abbe Sensei Dojo Street in Kings Cross. London.
At that time, Abbe Sensei in his 40 years and still a force in randori or competition was to be treated. I was not the LJ, if this happens, Sensei thought that he had receivedRespect for a man of his stature and power line, has all 31 Dan Judo rank and ran the route and said to them, individually, what technology to use it on them and if left or right, has done just that, it is went to the line and beat each dan.
One day, when we were all students the locker room and Abbe Sensei's dojo was also changed, he was there to speak with students with a nude top, and, althoughhis 40 years seemed very fit.
All young people around him were also in a very happy with the broad shoulders formed by the usual constriction at the waist, not so much with the Master Abbe looked like a vertical line from the reservoir behind it, his body was almost like a refrigerator box And there was the appearance of a very powerful man.
I later became the personal assistant to Williams Sensei and I would be asked to visit the house in Stuart Street Otani
Acton, London, where the Abbe Senseihad his own room. My visits were for various reasons, and sometimes Sensei to the airport or a seminar. Derek Eastman and I were regular, as they had become good friends with Tomio Otani Sensei. It 'been trampled on one of these visits, I knocked on the door Sensei and asked me to come up, I was surprised to see many wild birds in the area, there were pigeons - Sparrows - a blackbird and a robin, was more birds on the window sill and the birdsseemed perfectly relaxed and were not of my entrance, usually with wild birds, the slightest noise or movement, and have been disturbed, I have always loved birds and was lucky enough to see them several times.
On another occasion, when I see Abbe Sensei when I went in his room, he was just the Cricket World Series, even though I've always been an athlete and sports crazy, I do not really like cricket, I like watching grass grow. I was not pleased to see the manI admired so much to watch cricket, I politely asked: "Sensei, how do you cricket", he replied: "No, I look stupid game every day, trying to figure out stupid game, but never understand, do not they call the World Series the world, only countries of the British Empire were "colonized ... ... .. Very deep ... ... ... ...
Kenshiro Abbe Sensi was eighth Dan Judo - Kendo 6 Dan - 6 Dan Aikido - Dan Kyudo 6 - 6 Dan Karate.
Abbe Sensei to see the showin art has always been a great experience. There is an episode I will never forget, was the BJC Championships at City Hall Acton, London in the early 1960s came Abbe Sensei and Tomio Otani National Coach of BKC on stage to sword technique, Derek Eastman and monster sat in the front row as the Swordsman one another were cut after a few techniques Abbe Sensei, Tomio did a head flashing, I swear I never like me and your eyelids TomioAudience thought that the Master had a fatal mistake, as the blade to make contact with the face seemed made Tomio, Tomio never recoiled when a large chunk fell of his thick black border on the ground. Back in the dressing room I asked him, he had been afraid, he replied: "Why should I be afraid, I am with my teacher" ... ... ... .. This is probably one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced in martial arts.
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, as I said, was a powerful andPeople impressive presence and appearance on and off the tatami (mat). I assure you that there are much larger, should be on the wrong side of his technique, has always known that any technique that you were completely under the control of Abbe Sensei, but he seemed to do effortlessly. Abbe Sensei Judo had become legendary, his aikido was very close and direct, judo, aikido reluctant to use physical contact in their technique, the Abbe Sensei has never been a large movement of the flow that wesee modern Aikido. I have never experienced the feeling of total power with other teachers.
Tadashi Abe Sensei. 1926 - 1984 ..
Tadashi Abe Sensei was a small nation and totally positive. We hear from time to time, that if a Japanese teacher in the samurai era to be born if I've ever met, as a man, Abe Sensei was. During World War II pilot training was a one-man suicide torpedo finished before being called to die for his country the war ended, there was somethinghe would regret for his life, felt cheated of his destiny. It was a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba in 1940 and a great exponent of Aikido. After several years in France, he returned to Japan. And in 1967 they visited the dojo Aikikai Honbu was very interested in Aikido, has observed that there is now taught excited. He watched the class for a while 'before getting up and being careful, as he had awakened all those carefully, he said,aloud: "I want to apologize to all the ladies present, that is not aikido, this is for women," he put his degree Hombu Aikido is on the table and walked away. Abe Sensei said that a man who fights with his fists is not really a challenge at all, but a struggle against an unarmed man with a knife has been a challenge, I understand that it is often a knife and asked if he would offer His opponents say: "Please, this is for you."
Otani Matsutaro Senses. 1901 -1977 (?)
I have not met with the study Otani Sensei, and although I talk to him many times during the visit Abbe Sensei and Tomio his son. Sensei was a very small man about 5 feet 2ins, who had left Japan, I think, at the age of 20 years. He tells me that someone insulted his father, and asked the man with a sword in question, his father did not appreciate this and Sensei had to go home for a while 'to exit. Embarked on a ship that "everywhere" and he opened his round the world to reachGreat Britain. He had studied martial arts and met with the famous Yukio Tani teachers from that time led a life of Budo. It was a 7 Dan Judo and he would take on each, including wrestlers, once on the ground would have thought it was impossible to keep his opponents, had to hold one and the next thing that Sensei `` hidden beneath him and choke out. While most Japanese seem a stern look will stop you from coming too close to them, not so with Otani Sensei, has alwayswith a smile and seemed pleased with himself and everyone around him. It 'was affectionately by most as "Smiler" knows my education, I could not get them to call him, I know I was asked by Abbe Sensei, Aikido show BJC National Championships at the headquarters of the BBC's Lime Grove London. I was waiting in the wings to be called on stage with Derek Eastman, a few feet from me and then Sensei Otani Japanese Ambassadto United Kingdom, both in conversation, whiletalked a judoka Otani Sensei walked past and shouted "Hello Smiler" and went in the locker room, I must be honest and admit I was angry at this display blatant disrespect for the ambassador. I followed the judoka, I did not know in the locker room, I told him what I thought of his lack of respect, he was again much in his thoughts about me.
I smacked him, which unfortunately ended its participation in the event. I took my turnAnger few minutes later the stage, where Derek and I had a very difficult aikido demonstration. Lady Baden Powell, who was sitting in the front row was heard to Abbe Sensei said that our demonstration of the worst manifestations of violence had ever experienced.
On the other hand, the Japanese Ambassador came to me and said it was the best display of Aikido, he had ever seen.
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Tomio Otani Sensei 1939 - 1991 National Coach of the British KendoRat: character and was a good company to be with. I remember how we traveled with Tomio on the London Underground between Acton and Abbe Sensei dojo on a sandwich, Kings Cross, as the train rattled and rolled through the tunnel we would all compete to see who could keep their balance longer than before grasping the belts. Tomio always won .... Derek and I studied kendo Tomio and turned to the study of Aikido, Tomio took my knowledge of not being classified asAikido. I'm surprised to see if people who have been in aikido classified by Tomio Otani claim? . Derek Eastman and I Tomio Kendo classes to go to Acton, Tomio so fast that if we had competition, he would hit you several times while you were thinking with the shinai to hit him. One night, Derek had some practice with Tomio seriously, he was very determined to beat
wore only once, Derek Kendo full body armor, Tomio Derek shot in the headwith a shinai (bamboo sword) of Shomen (head center) Derek just collapsed and was used for counting. Derek says, when he recovered, as if that is not wearing his men (head guard), also said he felt as he felt killed agree with Derek that we have never realized that you both have someone knocking with a shinai and its true, Derek felt, and I've seen.
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Mikoto Nakazono Sensei Masahilo :1918-1994 .8 th Dan Aikido. 6 Dan in Judo. 6 DanKendo.
Nakazono Sensei was sent to Europe by OSensei Morihei Ueshiba in 1962 He was the European and North African AikiKai representative. Sensei came to the UK at the invitation of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Nakazono Sensei was a very hard teacher and very demanding, he was to become one of the favourite of all the Japanese teachers by all the Hut dan grades, he is still remembered with respect and affection today. Nakazono Sensei made his first visit to the UK and the Hut Dojo in 1963. We were all advised that Abbe Sensei had asked Nakazono Sensei to regrade all the 8 Hut Dan grades to meet with the modern day standards of the Hombu HQ.
After the grading one second dan was demoted to first dan, Sensei said to him “ Necessary sell your gi while prices are high “ non of us could understand the reason for this as he was one of the best dan grades at the Hut , he became very disillusioned and left after a few months, maybe the reason was that he was too young ?. Sensei did say that we all could go to the Aikikai and practice on equal terms with the best there.
As we got to know Sensei better I asked sensei if I were to aske, would he give me a letter to visit the Hombu Dojo ? He looked at me and asked “ Why “ , I thought that my request did not need an explanation, so I tried to say that I would like to study there. Nakazono Sensei said “ There are no good teachers left at the Hombu Dojo, they are all teaching in the West.”
Nakazono Sensei attended the Grange Farm Summer School 1963. I thought we trained hard at the Hut Dojo, It was nothing compared to what we went through with Nakazono Sensie. In a way the problems were ours, we taught and trained hard, Abbe Sensei had told us not to ` go ` for sensei as that would show disrespect. Sensei did not see it like that at all , his impression was that we were ` all ` testing him. Abbe Sensie allowed this to go on for a full week before explaining to Nakazono Sensei. I am sure that from then on he had a lot of respect for us. One day I was invited to punch sensei, I thought I had cleverly pulled my punch as I did not want to hurt him, he was very angry, I think he had now had enough, he told me to hit him 100%, I did, I finished up with my head up the chimney of a large old English fireplace with my gi covered in soot, of course the other dan grades found this most amusing.
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Masahilo Nakazono Sensei.
There are so many stories of Nakazono Sensei many of which I have told in other articles. The one thing that we learned very quicly was that he was a most powerful and talented master of Aikido. In the Hut Dojo there were many tough guys who were either Bouncers or market traders. At the Grange Farm Summer School there was one guy in particular who was not so sure about the real power of Sensie, his name was Morris. In the pub that night he turned to Big Tony who was the biggest and strongest guy on the course and said “ Tony, I think you are all submitting yourselves out of respect rather than the power of the technique, I don’t believe he could take you Tony if you did not want to go down ? “ Tony laughed at Morris and said “ Look here Morris! I know what I feel and I am not stupid enough to try to resist Sensei Nakazono, NOW ! if you want to try ? then feel free to try “..
The next morning Nakazono was teaching and he was looking for a big guy, for whatever reason he ignord big Tony and picked on Morris, everyone was aware of Morris’s feelings as Nakazono Sensei took him in Sankyo, true to his own stupidity Morris totally resisted and amidst the scream from Morris was the sound of all the bones in his right hand breaking, there was no sympathy for Morris as he was taken to hospital. It was also the end of the course for Morris. I have always said that the best teachers of Aikido come from a Judo background as Kenshiro Abbe did, Nakazono sensei was a Judo 6th dan from the Kodokan.
Masamichi Noro Sensei
Noro Sensei visited the UK in 1964 as a 5th dan. He was young and very amiable with very dynamic flowing Aikido, we had never seen this kind of Aikido with large circular movement. This was very different from what we had seen with the older teachers. Noro Sensei was to make several visits to the UK and we in turn visited his dojo in Paris, where Derek Eastman was to receive his second dan from Noro Sensei in 1964 on one such visit. Noro Sensei was not as unapproachable as many of the older teachers and had a good sense of humour. We now had both Noro and Nakazono visiting the Hut at separate times, Nakazono Sensei would teach us his technique and Noro would teach his style, as each one visited they would both ask the same question “ Why are you doing this way !!! “ I did not teach you this “, we did not have the heart to tell one that we were doing the other teachers style. I was on stage in 1963 at The Royal Albert Hall with both Noro and Nakazono Sensei, Nakazono Sensei used Noro in a knife attack, as he immobilised Noro and took the knife from him and raised the knife above his body as if to finish his opponent off, for some reason this made Noro very angry and said it was wrong to do this to another high grade, It should be said that Nakazono was much senior to Noro Sensei. I liked Noro Sensei very much but found it difficult to change to such flowing movement, I did much prefer the style of Abbe Sensei and Nakazono Sensei. Whilst Noro’s style was very nice to watch, I found the technique of Abbe and Nakazono to be effective on the mat and you knew it would also be effective in the street, his was something I was never really sure of with the flowing style of Noro Sensei.
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Mutsusuke Harada Sensei
I first met Harada Sensei when he arrived at the Hut Dojo with Kenshiro Abbe Sensie in 1963.
It was agreed that he could immediately start Karate classes at the Hut Dojo. Initially the classes were small so Derek Eastman and I joined in the training. Harada also liked the Aikido that he saw at the Hut dojo and would add some Aikido movements to his Karate. Harada Sensei had been graded to 5th dan in 1957 by the great teacher Ginshin Funakoshi Sensei. 50 years later he is still 5th dan, stating that any grade above 5th dan is ` totally pointless `. In a time when the grades in the Martial Arts are being devalued this was a refreshing statement to both Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman who agreed with this line of thought and they made the highest grade possible in the ESTA 5th dan. I have known Harada Sensei continually from 1963 and met with him again recently at the TK Chiba 40 Celebration in Oct 2006 where we were both guests of Chiba Sensei at the event dinner.
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H Kobayashi Sensei: Osaka Hombu.
I have a copy of a letter sent to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei by Kisshomaru Ueshiba in 1966 advising him of the findings of a visit by the official Hombu representative for the UK and Europe Mr H Kobayashi of the Osaka Hombu. The Aikikai were surprised at the rapid growth of Aikido in the West. On his tour Koybayashi Sensei had visited the Hut Dojo with Abbe Sensei.
We had never met the man before and as he stepped on the tatami he never smiled or gave the slightest indication that he was pleased to be there. He seemed to sit there stony faced for what then appeared to be a lifetime, as I sat there and aged with legs that now belonged somewhere else, Koybayashi spoke, It was difficult to understand and to be honest I really don’t think we were much wiser for the visit. He looked to be a very hard man. He was now standing and indicating for one of the Hut dan grades to attack him with a bokken, at the Hut one would never attack half heartedly , and with the look of this Sensei it had better be positive. I am sure he did not expect such a strong attack and he was hit on the head, whereas most men would have fell to the mat, not so with Kobayashi Sensei, he looked angry and I can assure the reader that from that point on he never made another mistake. We never saw him again………………
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Haku Michigami Sensei 9th dan Judoka born 1912
Michigami Sensei visited the Grange Farm Summer School in around 1963 and took part in the BJC National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He was a friend of Abbe Sensei and had also trained at the Busen College. He spent most of his teaching career in Bordeaux France. He trained the greatest ever western Judoka Anton Geesink who went on to win the gold medal in the 1964 Olympics in Japan. I met this legendary Judoka but did not study with him. He seemed to be a good friend to Abbe Sensei as they talked, I am sure they spoke of the `old days` just as we all do.
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Judo News Magazine 1964 price 2/6p .( 32p)
The photo on the front cover of the magazine is of all the Japanese Masters who participated in the BJC National Championships 1963 at the Royal Albert Hall. London. Left to right: M Noro – H Michigami – K Abbe – M Harada – M Nakazono.
Sitting M Otani Sensei. I was uke to both M Nakazono Sensei and M Noro Sensei on one of the greatest days in my martial arst career. I have written of all these teachers in this article. This is a rare photo to see so many Japanese teachers together at one time.
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Shohei Hamano Sensei 9th dan Kodokan Judo
I saw Hamano Sensie when he visited the Grange Farm Summer School. He had graded Abbe Sensei to 3 rd dan
so many years ago. He was senior to Abbe Sensei in age and grade and influence, yet we were all surprised how he seemed to treat Abbe Sensei as if he were the more senior. I have little to write of seeing this great Judoka but it was a pleasure to see him and Abbe Sensei together. We had all been informed that this great teacher would be arriving on this particular day.
No one had ever met a 9th dan before. I am not sure what we were really expecting, whatever it was it created a great deal of excitement throughout the summer camp. There was a strange incident during the class that morning with Nakazono Sensei. As Nakazono Sensei was teaching someone kept poking their head through the door and in an excited loud whisper would call to the class “ He’s just arrived “ and a few minutes later the door would open and we would get another loud whispered update. Nakazono Sensei was getting a little agitated by this and had his back to the door when it openend and the whisperer called out that they were just coming into the building. Nakazono Sensei did not look round at this last update. He was still standing with his back to the door when in walked Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Shohei Hamano Sensei. Nakazono Sensei did not look round immediately , we were all tempted to tell him who had just walked in, we decided to stay mute. It now seemed such a long time since Abbe Sensei walked in, yet I am sure it was only seconds when Nakazono Sensei clapped and turned, kneeling, he then bowed. He appeared to bow only to Abbe Sensei, perhaps we were all mistaken.
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TK Chiba Shihan.
I have documented the history of the arrival in 1966 of Chiba Sensei to the UK in several articles to date. I will for the benefit of this article add the more relevant points. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei had returned to Japan for the 1964 Olympics where his good friend Michigami Sensei would win the heavy weight gold with his star student Anton Geesink. Abbe Sensei took the opportunity to visit OSensei Morihei Ueshiba where he discussed the possibility of OSensei sending a permanent Aikikai representative to the UK, to which they agreed. Unfortunately this had never been discussed with Ken Williams Sensei and the dan grades at the Hut Dojo. Williams Sensei was the first student of Aikido for Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and the first in the UK. He had worked hard from that time to build Aikido from absolutely nothing to what it had now become some ten years later. Now Abbe Sensei advises William Sensei that a young teacher was on his way from the Hombu to take control of Aikido in the UK. This situation was a shock to K Williams and the Hut dan grades. Now, it was one thing to have different Japanese teachers visit, but to have one permanently based in the UK was something else.
One can only imagine the situation at the Hut Dojo as Abbe Sensei arrived with Chiba Sensei who was then a 5th dan. So we were not looking at and welcoming a visiting teacher, we were looking at one that was here to stay, not only stay but take control of all BAC UK Aikido. This situation was not the making of Chiba Sensie, I am sure that he had no idea what was waiting for him. He did not receive a warm welcome, simply a mixed reaction from all concerned. To be honest Sensei Williams did try to make the best of this situation. Unfortunately he and Chiba Sensei did not get along. It was obvious that this was never going to work out. Kenshiro Abbe gave the BAC control to Chiba Sensei. It was also a time of undecided loyalties in British Aikido as the instructors around the UK decided which way to ukemi, some were loyal to Ken Williams and some wanted a regular Japanese teacher. I later left the Hut Dojo and joined Chiba Sensie
I was his assistant and we did a BBC world radio broadcast together for 30 minutes. We later did a demonstration on Granada TV. It was a new adventure for me. I had left the Hut Dojo as I was unhappy with some recent events that I did not agree with, the main issue was the issuing of honory dan grades, these were issued as there were only eight Akido dan grades in the whole of the UK and all were in the Hut Dojo. It was decided ( not by me ) probably between K Williams and Abbe Sensei that we needed a dan grade in central areas of the UK, I would agree with that. Aikido had progressed because of the high standard of the Hut dan grades, I tried to explain to Sensei Williams that if we had people that were not of the standard of the Hut dan grades it would make a mockery of Aikido.
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Nobuyoshi Tamura Shihan:
I first met Tamura Sensei when he visited the Hut Dojo in the mid 60’s. He was quite an amazing aikidoist with a very pleasant nature. I never saw the hard side to him as I had seen in so many other teachers. His Aikido was very strong but his movement was most impressive. 9
When he did Suwariwaza ( Kneeling technique ) he could move faster on his knees than I could on my feet. One day after Suwariwaza I asked Tamura Sensei “ Sensei can I lift the bottom of your hakama up ? “ he gave me a very quizzical look and asked “ Why ! “ I answered “ I have never seen anyone move like you Sensie on their knees, I am sure you have wheels under your hakama “ he laughed and quiet happily showed that there were no wheels.
Left: Tamura Sensei & Ichimura Sensei 1968. I took them both on a tour of London on a wet day with them wear just a pair of zori’s.
I trained with Tamura Sensei several times, but the best was to come when he and Ichimura Sensei attended the Bracknell Summer School in 1968. This event was organised by TK Chiba Shihan. This was a fantastic week with the following Sensei’s Chiba – Tamura – Ichimura – Tada. I had all these teachers at my home and it was summer time and the weather was hot. My wife had cooked a meal for them all and instead of sitting at the table they all went outside and sat on the front lawn chatting and eating, my neighbours were fascinated to see all these Japanese gentlemen sitting in a circle in front of my house.
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1
H Tada Sensei :
Tada Sensei was a very high ranking Karate teacher before joining OSensei at the Hombu Dojo. Personally I saw and felt that added strength in his technique. As the senior UK Akidoist at the Bracknell Summer School I would often be uke to him, in the adjacent photo I am sure he is cleaning the tatami with me. Tada Sensei was a little older than the other teachers and more serious, whereas the others were young and even made the usually serious Chiba
Sensei seem almost jovial. Tada Sensei was the Hombu representative for Italy. After the week at Bracknell I never did meet him again.
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Tochikazu Ichimura Sensei :born 1941 : See also photo above with Tamura Sensei.
I met Ichimura Sensei at the Bracknell Summer School, we were very close in age, I was a second dan at that time.
Ichimura was a 4th dan. I am uncertain of Chiba Sensei’s motives but he would make me work out with Isshamura Sensei, I think he wanted to see his student and assistant against a young Japanese teacher. I thought that I would get hammered by this young 4th dan. I believe that I truly held my own and I did not feel at all phased by this young Japanese. I think he knew what was going on , we had a good feeling about this for the rest of the course.
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Ken Williams Sensei: The first UK student for Aikido.
Williams Sensei was the first Aikido student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955. He later became the National Coach for Aikido and the BAC. He was a third dan in Judo and he was well known on the Judo circuit, this would be important in the future promotion of Aikido. I often see where people attempt to divide Aikido and Judo. It should be noted that Williams Sensei himself was also a Judoka, and many of the early converts were dan grades in Judo. I cannot imagine anyone else other that Williams Sensei a that time who could have taken on the challenge and maintained the build up of the a steam train that was Aikido across the country . Its progress from nothing was quite dramatic and Aikido will always owe a great deal to K Williams Sensei. Sadly we live in an age where our proud Aikido history and lineage is not appreciated. So perhaps by documenting these events there may be a future generation that will .
Williams Sensei had as I have said before a very natural talent for Aikido and I would say he was the inspiration that made the Hut Dojo so internationally famous.
At the grand grade of 3rd kyu I became assistant to Williams Sensei, It was tough but I progressed very quickly. There is no doubt that those early years of Aikido at the Hut Dojo were very special, and still are.
There are only four of the original dan grades still teaching – K Williams – H Foster – H Ellis – D Eastman. Sadly time has taken its toll on many of the other teachers.
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William `Bill` Woods Sensei
This documented article and my memories would not be complete without adding a well deserved credit to Bill Woods Sensei. Bill was a small man in stature, but a giant of British Martial Arts. I believe, and have stated in other articles that Bill Woods probably had more influence on the development of Martial Arts in the UK than any other Englishman.
When Bill met Abbe Sensei he was already a 3rd dan with the LJS and a Judo Champion. He would leave the LJS and join with Abbe Sensei. He became the secretary of the BJC – BKC – BAC – BKC. These organisation at one point reached some 35,000 members world wide with his guidance. He was the first graded Kendo student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei with certificate number one and Tomio Otani number two. This photo in 2003 shows Bill centre with Derek Eastman on his left and Henry Ellis on his right. I saw Bill again at the Kenshiro Abbe Memorial Celebration in May of 2005 where he made a supreme effort despite his serious illness to be there to pay his respects to his teacher. Sadly this was the last time I would see my old friend as he passed away just a few months later. He will never be forgotten.
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Jiro Nakazono Sensei
It was a great personal pleasure and honour for me to teach alongside Jiro Nakazono Sensei the son of one of my most respected teachers the great Masahilo Nakazono 45 years earlier. We were both at the celebration Memorial event in Neath Wales “ Masahilo Nakazono Memorial Aikido Event “. I spent some quality time with Jiro Nakazono where we spoke of his father and his influence on Aikido in Europe and in particular the UK
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Dang Phong Sensei
I was also privileged to teach alongside Phong Sensei at the “ Masahilo Nakazono Memorial Aikido Event “. Phong Sensii had travelled from California USA to attend this event to the memory of his teacher. I found Phong Sensei to be a most remarkable man. His personal history along with his impeccable lineage makes one wish they could spend a great deal of time with him just listening to the stories he has to tell. His Aikido is very traditional and powerful.
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Henry Ellis Sensei:
Henry Ellis started Judo in 1956. In 1957 after seeing Kenshiro Abbe demonstrate Aikido with Williams Sensei he joined the small Aikido class, he still continued with his Judo classes for another year before deciding to concentrate fully on Aikido. He became the first assistant of K Williams Sensei and he was also a direct student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. After leaving the Hut and joining with TK Chiba Shihan he was to become assistant to Chiba Sensei from 1967 – 1970.
The Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido ( ESTA ) was officially formed in 1962 by Derek Eastman Sensei who asked me if he could name the organisation in my name, I agreed and effectively joined my own organisation. making it one of the first Aikido organisations in the UK. The ESTA were members of the MAC and founder members of the British Aikido Board ( BAB ). Along with other member associations it was hoped to create an organisation fit for the members of the UK Aikido community. In the year 2000 the ESTA decided that the BAB was not fit for purpose and the ESTA resigned.
The ESTA is a small organisation, not by circumstance but by design. The ESTA has a small group of dojo’s in the UK with dojo’s in the USA. The dojo’s are located in Dallas Texas and Alamogordo New Mexico.
Henry Ellis recalls being invited to a seminar which he accepted. He was invited to sit on the grading panel, he declined. As he watched he saw more people being graded to dan grade in one day than he and Derek Eastman Sensei had graded in the past 50 years.
Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman have only graded 14 people to dan grade. They are very proud of the loyalty of their dan grades, they have never had one dan grade leave or breakaway from the ESTA since it was
formed in 1962. It is the intention of the ESTA to continue to teach and preserve the true traditional Aikido as taught by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from its origins in the UK.
Henry Ellis
Co-author of Positive Aikido.
Available from Nine Circles.co.uk
http://www.EllisAikido.org
http://www.british-aikido.com
http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com
http://www.nakazono.aberaikido.org.uk
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