Articles

These are a few highly informative articles that express the philosophy of my teachers and their backgrounds in Aikido.

Here are some videos of Nishio Sensei and Saito Sensei in various demonstrations.

  • Nishio Sensei - 2nd Aikido Friendship Demonstration
  • Nishio Sensei Aiki Toho Iaido Video Clip
  • Nishio Sensei Bokken Video Clip
  • Nishio Sensei Demo Video Clip
  • Nishio Sensei at Kanagawa University early November,1991
  • Morihiro Saito Sensei Kanagawa University early November, 1991
  • Saito Sensei 1992 All Japan Demos

    These are the tests I took in Japan that I have on tape.

  • First Aikido Shodan Test (Failed) I put this here to show that in Japan people fail tests, quickly. I have seen some terrible tests that go on and on and almost invariably the participants are passed. In this test you will see at least two of the four corner judges as well as the judges at the front table. I was shocked when I started to make this video by the actual time. It felt like at least 30 minutes but it was actually only about 7 minutes. Nishio Sensei held tests four times a year, every three months. He also held them in multiple loctions, first Kanagawa University in Yokohama and then either Takinogawa or Nishi Kawaguchi on the North side of Tokyo the next week. In both locations he would watch from 15 to 25 tests each time probably averaging 20 tests most times. Thats watching more than 40 tests every three months. He probably watched lots of tests whenever he traveled. I don't know if there was or is any other teacher in the world watching that many tests personally every three months. I would guess that for most places 5-6 tests would be considered high volume and that would probably be for a six month period. After years of watching thousands of tests he had a system that could quickly judge people and finish things fast.
  • Aikido Shodan Test (Passed) This Test is three months later. I drilled hard and passed quickly this time. I alternated sections with Mochizuki san from Fukaya Dojo (we practiced together on Thursdays and Sundays). His Uke was Kato san and Ubukata san Uked for me. We both did well.
  • Nishio Style Nidan Test in Japan
  • Hon Iaido Sandan Cutting Test This the cutting section of the Toyama Ryu Hon Iaido test in December of 1996, conducted in front of Tasaburo Tokutomi Sensei (10th Dan) and other area masters plus four judges at the corners. I couldn't set the camera where I normally did cause one of the judges was sitting there. I set it as high as I could with as small a based as I could in the small tatamiarea where Sensei normally sat. It got jostled some cause the area was crowded. There was also a boken suburi section and a boken partner practice section.

    It started out that Sensei was showing me requirements for Nidan, but Erica reminded him that I was leaving in February and he stopped. He thought some and then told her I should try for Sandan. Then he started adding the cuts required for Sandan. If I missed two cuts I would end up as Nidan. I only missed one cut. I went from no rank to Sandan in one test.

    The most exciting things to watch were the sword polisher checking the blade I was using and Sensei writing out the certificate freehand. Just before I was to do the cutting portion, the old sword polishing master checked the blade for sharpness and straightness. It was wonderful to watch him. I had the feeling he merged his spirit with the spirit of the blade. I still get goosebumps remembering it. For the certificate, Sensei took out a big blank sheet of rice paper and wrote the whole certificate himself, signed it and stamped his signature kanji. Then another master stepped up and stamped the center of the paper with a big square stamp, then a third master stepped forward and slid a book under one corner and stamped half on the certificate and half on the book. (The book is the record of who has been advanced in the school.) I don't claim to be any critic or paticularly knowledgeable of Japanese caligraphy, but it is not hard to see the this was masterfully written. These masters were all in their 70's and 80's. I wanted to come to the land of the masters to find the old masters. I accomplished my quest.

    Toyama Ryu Hon Iaido Sandan Certificate


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