I was especially excited to attend the 2nd annual Japan Bridge Seminar in Kumamoto and felt it was an absolutely great experience.  After an all day Shinkansen (Bullet Train) ride from Tokyo I was met by Sakabe Sensei and Ikeda Sensei at the Kumamoto train station and the adventure began. We went to one of the two dojo’s Sakabe Sensei teaches at in Kumamoto for his Thursday night class followed by a great dinner at a local Izakaya. The next day was … Continue reading →

It was a wonderful and special experience for me to be able to attend the first Aikido bridge seminar held in Kumamoto, Japan.  I had been excited about this seminar for a year since the seminar was announced, because the previous Aikido bridge seminar I attended was a great experience, in the concept of the seminar, instructors, and attendees.  This time, I had a special feeling about this seminar, not only because Kumamoto is the town in which I used … Continue reading →

This seminar gave me a lot of thoughts and realizations.  Although each Sensei had a different way of teaching, I felt the core of Aikido sprit was the same.  I felt like I have peaked what Sakabe Sensei always says, “Protect, Break and Separate”. Practicing with attendees from other dojos and especially attendees from other countries, I realize how I practice Aikido and it was very interesting, and I enjoyed this experience a lot. I believe the best thing about … Continue reading →

One of the main reasons for this trip to Japan was for us to attend the International Aikido Bridge Seminar in Kumamoto City, Kyushu Island, with Ikeda Sensei, Sakabe Sensei and Shimizu Sensei. Sakabe Sensei and his group did a very fine job organizing the event.  Since our hotel was so close to the training hall, we were able to walk there rather than take a trolley.  However, when we passed the trolley stop, we noticed three younger Japanese guys … Continue reading →

Katsuyuki Kurachi (Aikido 4th Kyu) November 3rd , 2011 On the second day of the seminar, I was refrained from training with people from outside Japan. I thought they have come a long way to train and I was wondering if they think I’m not good enough to train with them. “They came long way to learn Aikido, not to teach an inexperienced person like me.” I felt sorry they were wasting time and their money. However, they were very … Continue reading →