|
|
|
|
|
                                   |
Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969), O Sensei |
|
My Experience with O Sensei in 1967 In mid-1967 I stopped at the New York Aikikai on my way from my job with Shell Oil in London to my new posting as Head of Computer Services for the Shell Companies in Singapore and Malaysia. When I told Yamada Sensei that I intended to spend a few days in Tokyo and visit Hombu he was kind enough to write a letter of introduction. The administrator introduced me to O Sensei as Yamada Sensei’s student and I bowed low. That day and in the days that followed I took classes taught by the Founder’s son Kisshomaru, Kisaburo Osawa Sensei and Morihiro Saito Sensei. During Saito Sensei’s class, O Sensei suddenly appeared on the mat and everything stopped. He began talking and demonstrating using Saito Sensei, who looked like he weighed at least 220 pounds, as Uke. The frail man I had met was transformed into someone able to move at the speed of a twenty year old with the fluidity for which he was famous. He demonstrated extension by letting Saito Sensei try to push is arm and then felling him with a small hip movement, a lead and a form of Irimi Nage finish. I do not speak Japanese and could not understand the explanation but it was amazing to watch his technique. After a while, one of the Deshi replaced Saito Sensei as Uke, but the result was the same. I ached to be thrown by O Sensei but there was no opportunity to get up and participate. One of my clear contact lenses popped out and a Deshi reached out and returned so that I could continue to observe. The instruction and demonstration lasted a short time, as I recall, and I cannot remember if we returned to practice or how the class ended. It was an opportunity of a lifetime just seeing O Sensei in action up close. |
|
More on O' Sensei For the history of Aikido, please visit Aikido on Line and click on "The History of Aikido". |
|
 |
| Members Log On | |
My phone at the Okura Hotel ($12/night) rang around 5 AM as I planned to take the early morning class. The concierge provided directions in Japanese for the taxi driver and off I went. Upon arrival I presented Yamada Sensei’s letter. A person in administration read the letter and started directing me to the dressing rooms. O Sensei had just gotten up from praying for some time on the mat and was walking slowly like the 84 year old man that he was (he appeared thin, about 120 pounds). 
For a chronology of Aikido, please visit