The highlight of our training was at the Sekiryu kan, the oldest aikido dojo in Japan.
The Sekiryu kan is part of the Shofukuji Temple. (The oldest Zen Temple in Japan)
This is the same dojo where Jigaro Kano sensei practiced Judo
and Kenji Tomiki sensei practiced aikido.
This is also the dojo where Yamada sensei learned judo from Kano sensei and
where Yamada sensei learned the Tomiki style of aikido from Tomiki sensei
after learning traditional aikido directly from Ueshiba sensei as one of his live-in students.
We would like to thanks our old friends and our new friends
for making this visit to Japan so memorable:
Yuka Cooper our Japanese tutor for all her help;
Yamairi san and Miyoko chan for aquiring the sumo tickets for us;
Akira Jindo for traveling to Kyoto to meet with us;
Yasuko-chi san and Ushizima san for their special friendship;
Kurihara san for her hospitality in her tea garden;
Yamasaki, Hamatsu and Takashi san for the vigorous aikido workout;
Naoki " Frank" Sumida for taking care of us at the Sumo Basho;
Yasuhiko "Bob" Kishimoto for taking care of us in Beppu;
our old friend and classmate Kotaro for driving 5 hours to see us in Beppu;
the staff of the Miyukiya Ryokan for their wonderful service and outstanding meals;
the anonamous lady at the Beppu tea room for the demonstration of her love for her art
and Hiro san and Taka san for taking care of us in Osaka;
and a special thank you to Yamada Sensei
for his leadership, friendship and inspiration by example
of the true Japanese spirit and code of bushido.
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