Stewart Letford, Ralph Pettman & Bob Gibbon meet Yasuyuki Suzuki
While training with the Aikikai at the Australian National University,
Yasuyuki Suzuki arrives from Japan to study at the Australian National
University. Stewart, Ralph and Bob are impressed by
Yasu's soft but powerful style and ask him to teach them. The first trainings start unofficially at the
Police Boy's Club (now Police and Citizen's Youth Club)
in Turner, ACT.
Stewart travels to Japan and trains with Takeda Sensei and Shonan Aikido Renmei (Australia) is formed.
After Yasuyuki Suzuki returns to Japan, Stewart decides to search for an
Aikido Sensei that suits him. He trains in Japan with many Senseis, including
private training with Koichi Tohei Sensei, 10th Dan, but decides to seek alliance with Takeda,
Yoshinobu Sensei. Stewart asks Takeda Sensei if he can help with training in
Australia. Takeda Sensei agrees.
Stewart then returns from Japan
and, in discussions with Ralph and Bob, and agreement from Takeda Sensei, Shonan
Aikido Renmei (Australia) is formed. Shonan Aikido Renmei (SAR) basically translates to "the Aikido Organisation
from the Shonan area of Japan".
Stewart starts the first official Shonan Aikido Renmei training at Turner Dojo,
PCYC, Turner.
Bob Gibbon (then based in Newcastle) and Steve Seymour (based in Sydney)
decide to go to Japan for a 3 month training intensive under Takeda Sensei.
Subsequently Steve Seymour founds the first Shonan Aikido Renmei dojo in Sydney.
Takeda Sensei visits Australia for the first time, setting a tradition of
visiting international instructors.
Yoshinobu Takeda Sensei and his wife visits Australia for the first time,
conducting a summer camp at Canberra, followed by recreation at Batemans Bay.
Stewart, Ralph, Bob, Steve and their few students confirm their decision to train under Takeda
Sensei.
Annual visitors to subsequent Australian Easter Camps and Summer Camps
(usually held in Sydney or Newcastle) include many of Takeda Shihan's top
students, such as: Satoshi Takeda Sensei, Hideo Numata Sensei, Yasuyuki Suzuki
Sensei, Seino Sensei, Kadoya Sensei, Yamamoto Sensei and others.
Bob Gibbon Sensei moves to Canberra, founds Erindale dojo while
continuing to help Newcastle students.
Bob Gibbon moves from Newcastle to Canberra for work. He founds Erindale
dojo, which is to become a pivotal place for future annual Easter Camps. Initial
training is first conducted on acro mats in Richardson Primary School while the
current PCYC is being built. The Erindale PCYC Gym Hall is long used as the
venue for annual Easter Camps, prior the the opening of Tengoku dojo in
1998.
Meanwhile Bob continues to travel back to Newcastle to train with Newcastle
students in long grass, in dust, on the beach, and sometimes in successive
dojos, including the University of Newcastle, Toronto YMCA, Mayfield Police Boys
Club, Tighes Hill YMCA, Windale PCYC and Maitland Police Club. For more
information on the history of AKI in Newcastle, refer to Chris Rodgers' History
of Aikido in Newcastle.
Stewart Letford moves from Canberra to the Gold Coast and starts SAR Qld,
including opening the "House of Light", which operates for several
years before closing.
Dave Dempsey moves from Canberra to Adelaide and starts SAR SA. Ken Wilson
moves to Broulee, near Batemans Bay, and starts the South Coast club.
199X
Ralph Pettman Sensei moves to New Zealand and founds SAR New Zealand.
Ralph also publishes his seminal work on Aikido philosophy: "Going for a
Walk in the World: The Experience of Aikido".
Please refer to the Links page for more information on AKI New Zealand.
SAR changes to Aikido Kenkyu Kai International
In order to reflect a
more official international organisation, Shonan Aikido Renmei is changed to
Aikido Kenkyu Kai International, simply meaning Aikido Research Group. However, the
name Shonan Aikido Renmai is still used within Japan.
Stewart opens Tengoku Dojo.
The annual Easter Camp is held at Tengoku
Dojo on Mike Macgregor's property near Captains Flat in NSW, where Stewart
Letford officially opens Tengoku Dojo.
Tengoku Dojo is the achievement of Mike Macgregor (Big Mike) - a full 32 mat
dojo with a beautiful outlook onto a bush valley. Very tranquil and beautifully
crafted. Great for special events and regular training with Big Mike.
Stewart opens refurbished Turner Dojo 28 October 1999.
Stewart opens the refurbished Turner Dojo - almost 20 years after he founded it.
The dojo was refurbished to a tune of $4000. The old 24 mat
half-falling-apart tatami and carpet with canvas covering was replaced by a 32
mat new tatami surface raised on a sprung floor and surrounded by varnished WA
cowrie wood boards.
The sprung floor was made by 3rd Dan Mike MacGregor for a dance company which
later went bankrupt. The floor is worth over $1000 dollars, but we bought it for
$300.
Additional tatami was bought from Steve Seymour, who had some second hand
mats available, as well as getting several new ones from a distributor in
Brisbane. All the wood work and floor construction was done by Shodan Drago
Zovak and his friend Mick.
Overall, an excellent job and lots more room to move - with style!
Bob Gibbon Sensei passes away.
Sadly, one of the most important people in AKI suddenly passes away. There was
considerable mourning in AKI around the world. Please refer to the Bob
Gibbon Sensei tribute pages for more information.
Chris Guthrie and Berin McKenzie return from Japan .
Two sandans return to Sydney after several years of training with AKI
Japan and Takeda Sensei, providing some timely re-energising of the club.
Stewart Letford Sensei retires from Aikido.
After struggling with severe back and leg problems Stewart announces his
retirement from the art. AKI Australia was sad to hear the news, although
Stewart does attend a few seminars in the following years to watch.
Turner Dojo closes.
After 26 years of AKI history, the founding dojo for AKI,
Turner Dojo, closes. Turner PCYC was closed
due to 'structural issues' and moved to Charnwood ACT. The PCYC plans to rebuild
the Turner facility, but we'll wait and see. The passing of the dojo was
celebrated by a special training event where all instructors who had instructed
at the dojo conducted part of the session.
2006
Takeda Shihan receives 8th Dan.
On March 21, 2006, a celebration was held in Kamakura, Japan to honor the
promotion of Yoshinobu Takeda Shihan to 8th dan. Festivities began with keiko at
Hachiman Shrine in Kamakura in the morning. After keiko, a special embukai
(demonstration) was held. After keiko and the embukai, people had time to
freshen up for a party at the Park Hotel, overlooking the ocean.
Representatives from AKI Australia dojos included Stephen Seymour (AKI Sydney),
Chiko Xerri, and Berin Mackenzie (AKI Bondi Beach). Jean-Rene Leduc represented
AKI Canada Dojos and Lia Suzuki represented AKI USA Dojos. Speeches were made by
some of these dojo-cho and also some of Takeda Shihan's senior students,
including Seino Sensei and Numata Sensei.
Congratulations was passed to Sensei and he was thanked for all his support and
inspiration over the years.
2006
Ralph Pettman Sensei returns to Australia.
Ralph Pettman Sensei relocates to Melbourne.
|
|
