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On April 16, 2010 Hagihara Sensei and the members of the Long Island Aikikai hosted Yamada Sensei (USAF Shihan) for a special class which was held at the Bay Shore dojo. This was Yamada’s Sensei’s first visit to the Bay Shore dojo, and in anticipation of his arrival Adam Pilipshen, Long Island Aikikai’s Dojo Cho went to great lengths to insure that everything was well coordinated. For my own part I had volunteered to provide Yamada Sensei with transportation for the round trip between New York City and Long Island. I arrived at the New York Aikikai well ahead of schedule and was lucky enough to meet Mike Abrams, a well respected officer of the United States Aikido Federation’s Board of Directors. Mike was very cordial and asked that his best wishes be passed on to Hagihara Sensei. Not unexpectedly, Yamada Sensei was ready to depart on schedule. It was at this point that I learned that Yamada Sensei was to be accompanied by two noteworthy members of the New York Aikikai, Noriko Oba (Yondan) and Mike Jones (Nidan) who manages the New York Aikikai’s dojo. The trip out of the city on that Friday afternoon wasn’t overly onerous, but the eastward crawl along the various eastbound highways of Long Island left something to be desired.

We arrived at the dojo just minutes after 5:00 PM, leaving plenty of time for Yamada Sensei and Hagihara Sensei to exchange greetings and to catch up on events since their last meeting. Ever attentive to Yamada Sensei’s needs, Noriko disappeared shortly after arriving at the dojo only to return minutes later with a large espresso which Yamada Sensei seemed to relish greatly. Students began to arrive at the dojo shortly after 6:00 PM, and by 6:45 the mat was full from one end to the other. Yamada Sensei bowed in at 7:00 PM and humbly expressed his thankfulness to the students for the invitation extended to him. He then began with Kokyu Undo, a set of breathing exercises that is used to settle the mind (spirit) and create a sense of awareness. Yamada Sensei then began with a ryotetori tenchinage technique, off-balancing nage into a backward stretch. Shortly after this, Yamada Sensei had the students complete the technique, with the ukes falling and rolling wherever there was space. After a short period Yamada Sensei stopped class to provide explanation on the three basic ways of entering into a technique. From there, he progressed into to a katatetori kokyunage technique. After observing the class for several minutes, Yamada Sensei further elaborated on nage’s preparedness to extend and put “power into the arm”. After demonstrating this technical explanation on Noriko and Mike, Yamada Sensei selected a few of the other students to grab his wrist in order to gain a clearer and more concrete understanding of what he was looking for. Being one of those fortunate students I certainly gained an immediate sense of Yamada Sensei’s technique, and as we continued to train I looked to impart that basic understanding to my other practice partners. The class progressed into several other techniques, including an interesting kaitennage. At this point I was paired up with both Noriko and Mike J., and was pleased when the intensity of training was raised by a notch or two. I enjoyed being thrown by Mike J., whose pace was quick and techniques were executed with a good deal of well controlled power. Noriko kept the pace going and I was not surprised when her techniques were just as powerful as Mikes. Needless to say their ukemi was also at a high level, making my techniques look equally smooth and competent.

Yamada Sensei continually walked the length of the mat space, stopping here and there to offer a comment or a quick demonstration to a pair of students. Looking around the mat I was pleased to see that all of the students, from senior dan ranks to new white belts were smiling and enjoying the class. As with anything that is greatly enjoyable, the class seemed to end before anyone wanted it to.

Festivities were planned and after a quick change a large group of us departed for Shiki, a Japanese restaurant just a short distance from the dojo. Adam had reserved the large tatami room, but it was still a tight squeeze, and we ended up with some students at a separate, nearby table. Yamada Sensei was cheerful throughout dinner, and he and Hagihara Sensei enjoyed a good laugh now and then with lively interaction with many of the students seated nearby. Mike J. and Adam exchanged some basic information on dojo management, student retention and training in between mouthfuls of sushi. Ever mindful of his heavy schedule, Yamada Sensei eventually had to say his good-byes.

The car ride back to the New York Aikikai was thankfully not as long as the trip out. Yamada Sensei, Noriko and Mike J. were returned safely just after midnight. Yamada Sensei was very thankful for the efforts extended by all the members of the Long Island Aikikai, and I would hope that in the near future he would be willing to come out and visit us again.

John O’Connor

Hi everyone! Dave Norton here. Adam is letting me write a quick blog entry…

On Tuesday, June 16, Hagihara Sensei and members of the Long Island Aikikai presented a demonstration/class to the Grumman Rod & Gun Club (GRGC) at the Levittown VFW hall.

Lew Kelly, president of the GRGC, approached me once after our Wednesday “aikido stretch” (a low-impact aikido workout we do at Northrop Grumman, at lunchtime), and asked about getting a demonstration at the GRGC some time. So I spoke to Sensei and Adam, and they agreed. After some discussion, we thought an appropriate topic would be along the lines of “Pistol Retention” – something Sensei has taught at the Long Beach Police Auxiliary in the past.

After introductions of the LIA members, Sensei gave a brief talk about aikido, and showed a few pistol retention and “holdup” techniques. And then, almost immediately, invited participants onto the mat. After some initial nervousness (and a little cajoling from us), a few volunteers stepped on to the mat. Sensei went slowly through one disarming technique (being mugged from the front) step by step. The group seemed quick to learn, and was soon performing it with ease. So Sensei introduced another technique – with the mugger attacking from the rear. This was also performed with relative ease by everyone. The last technique was a retention technique – preventing a would-be attacker from taking one’s weapon. Again, all the volunteers performed well, and even seemed to have fun in the process. Sensei concluded the class with a quick randori, which is always a crowd pleaser.

Lew then invited everyone downstairs for a quick refreshment, which was very welcome. Lew spent some time talking with everyone about several aikido-related topics.  Though we were having a great time just relaxing and socializing after class, most of us had to work the next day; so we parted early. Before we left, Lew was nice enough to ease some of our curiosities and gave us a quick rundown of the antiques that peppered the VFW hall.

Overall, it was a good time – for us, the participants, and the audience as well. And we might even have a new member as a result. Lew’s grandson expressed some interest in practicing. So, maybe we’ll see him at the dojo some time soon.

Finally, a special thanks goes out to Jasper Kassay – not only for assisting with practice, but for stepping up as transporter of the mats. And thanks to the other members who showed up to assist in practice (Kevin Loughlin, Hal Staniloff) and to take pictures (Caitlin Thurber).

By Julio Escalante

Eddie Hagihara Shihan arrives in México D.F. on Thursday, June 11 to teach a three-day seminar celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Sensei Rocío Agüero and Fernando Róman training in Aikido.  On his first trip to Mexico City, Hagihara Shihan is accompanied by Adam Pilipshen, Dojo Cho of Long Island Aikikai, Tony Fitts Sensei, and Julio Escalante, translator.

As the delegation steps off the plane, agents from the security detail of a high ranking government official greet and lead the group through customs and into the Official Greeting Room at Benito Juarez International Airport. Both Mexican sensei wait patiently for the LI Aikikai Delegation. A 50 minute drive brings the group to Mexico Aikido’s official headquarters in Coyoacan.

Hagihara Shihan and his entourage are hungry and the hosts graciously decide to take them to La Cava, a fine Mexican restaurant decorated as an old hacienda, with an eclectic menu and an impressive wine list.  The first meal is a close encounter with traditional Mexican fare: Aztec soup, crepes with huitlacoche (corn mushroom), young corn and lime soup, filet mignon tips with a special mole sauce, stuffed poblano peppers with huitlacoche and sirloin steak(so tender!).  When the waiter offers coffee and dessert everyone groans.  But a good cup of coffee made with Veracruz coffee beans is hard to pass up. Four cups of coffee, one espresso and one tea.  What a meal!   

Next, a brief stop at the main plaza: El Zocalo. This is a very historic area, surrounded by colonial buildings and Aztec pyramids. In this neighborhood one appreciates the contrast of Aztec and Spanish architecture and its fusion. Sacred and royal Aztec buildings were demolished and the stones used to build Spanish churches and conquistadors’ palaces.  The National Palace (built as a palace for Conquistador, Hernán Cortés) is perhaps the most impressive architectural structure surrounding El Zocalo. Its red color comes from red Tezontle stone blocks used to erect it on the same site where the palace of Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II once stood.  One can not help but want to stop time and travel back to that period.   The Metropolitan Cathedral’s atrium is colorful and vibrant.  Many little children dressed in traditional Indian clothing-red, green, white-dominate the landscape.  Everybody walks around with a grin on their faces.  It’s a fiesta after all!  Hagihara Shihan is enjoying everything he sees.  He approaches a man wearing a federal police uniform and politely asks if he can take his picture.  The policeman generously obliges.

The group takes a detour, going back to the dojo at Casa de los Azulejos (house of tiles) a XVI century palace with a blue tile facade turned into a Sanborns café-store. In 1919, Frank and Walter Sanborn opened a soda fountain giving birth to a national chain: Sanborns.   Once inside Casa de los Azulejos, Adam and Tony follow the lead of Rocío sensei to the cigar counter.  They purchase cigars and head back to the van.  At the dojo, most of the uchi deshi (live-in students) are back from completing their daily assignments.  The boys are ecstatic to meet Hagihara Shihan.   

The altitude of the city is affecting the energy level of the delegation– Mexico City is 7,200 feet above sea level and high altitude affects the human body due to oxygen deprivation. The main physiologic effects of hypoxia (low oxygen) are: altered physical performance, decreased mental performance and sleepiness.  Adam would like to take a nap.  Tony can not believe what he has experienced so far and wants to take a break. Sensei wants to go check out the city some more and make some new friends.

The second day, Friday, is planned as follows:  breakfast at the dojo, a visit to the facilities, Campus of the Tecnologico de Monterrey (where the seminar is to be given), lunch at cafeteria near the Tec, a visit to Teotihuacán (the religious capital of the Aztecs), snack at La Gruta restaurant ( a grotto once used as a food warehouse for the Aztec priests), an interview with the members of Mexico Aikido in the evening, and then a buffet dinner at the dojo.                                                      

The third day, Saturday, rolls around pretty fast. Hagihara Shihan’s first class starts at 9:00 am (the visitors are one hour behind New York City time).  About sixty students greet him on the mat.  Sensei’s warm up begins the class at a normal pace.  Students regard him with respect and interest.  This is his first class in Mexico and he knows that it’s a great opportunity to deliver Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei, the founder of Aikido) teaching to these students south of the border.  Kokyu Dosa is his first teaching.  The class immediately finds partners and sensei walks around, getting to know his new students and correcting when he has to.   Next he explains Kokyu Dosa standing up.  The class now enters a more energetic phase; Mexican aikidoka are doing it dynamically.  “One moment!” Hagihara sensei calls.    Sensei is now breaking down the technique: hanmi, angle, relaxation, proper ukemi-waza, non-conflict approach surfaces.  He feels like he is teaching back in New York. It does not matter the country; the teaching is the same.  He shares a big smile with the crowd.   

Saturday afternoon after lunch, Fernando sensei, the host, begins the afternoon teaching a class.  In it, both teacher and students display a very high level of Aikido.  Soft, dynamic, energetic and colorful moves contrast with the white mat serving as a background to this polychromic, universal, moving painting.

Rocío sensei, the hostess, teaches the second afternoon class.  Her elegant style draws many circles on the mat.  At times her movement and posture resemble a ballerina doing a pirouette.  One should not be fooled by such grace, gentleness and beauty.  It is Aikido she performs.  At the end of her techniques, the attacker is subdued, restrained or projected.

At 4:20 pm, Hagihara sensei is opening the last class of the day.  He wants to teach his 21 count bokken kata.  This kata can also be done in many different ways: couples, groups and with different aikido weapons. In this session, Hagihara Shihan expands on O-Sensei’s Katsujinken principle, the sword that gives life.  He is attacked with the wooden sword and instead of finding an opening and cutting his opponent; sensei goes back and blocks the cut. He is illustrating the meaning of Aikido: peaceful conflict resolution.

“Aikido is love.”  Sensei tells the class. He explains that if we are faced with a choice of doing harm, one should always pick Katsujinken over Satsujinken (the sword that gives death).  The choice is ours.  Aikido shows us the way to love in the midst of adversity.   The class learns up to movement number 10, which is the middle of the kata.  The class is over.  One can see the students are eager to go on.  Some of them continue practicing the kata on their own.  Others hope Sunday will give them the opportunity to learn the rest of the kata.

Beer, pizza and fried chicken is ordered at the dojo for a spontaneous get together.  At dinner, Sensei is happy about his day and continues to extend ki to the group of uchi deshi and soto deshi.  Between the beer and the camera flashes, the night is coming to an end.

Early Sunday morning, the delegation is getting their luggage together.  They will be going back to New York right after the end of the seminar.  Rocío and Fernando sensei come to pick up sensei and his entourage and are headed towards a traditional Mexican restaurant for breakfast.  Time seems to be going faster.  The last class begins at 9:15 am.  About forty children have joined the group and are seating in seiza. After warming up, Sensei asks them to do a lap of shikko (knee walking) around the mat.  Some of the little boys and girls struggle with this samurai way of in-door walking. One of the smallest boys does not want to give up and completes his lap doing a combination of sweeping and hopping movements with his knees.  Adult aikodoka follow doing shikko.

The first technique of this class is Suwari waza shomen-uchi ikkyo (attack to the top of the head, both partners on their knees, first teaching). Children and adults are immersed in the technique.  To even the playing field, sensei now shows hamni handachi yokomen uchi. Children are standing and their adult partners are down on their knees.  Size does not matter at all.  Sensei asks some of the children to demonstrate what they have just learned.  About six couples demonstrate and the 100 people who have come to watch the seminar are applauding them.

Here Hagihara Shihan sees an opportunity to illustrate harmony.  He invites the parents of the children to join the class.  He asks fathers and mothers to do Ikkyo ura, where uke offers the index finger to nage.   Parents and children are working together; parents are helping to instill confidence to their kids and harmonizing in their movement.  They are doing aikido.  Some of these parents never have been on the mat.  Children are asked to be careful with that loaned index finger.  Sensei makes it possible to take the teaching and practice at home.                           

The class ends and everyone is posing for a final group picture.  Dr. Tanaka and his wife are present to collect the donation for Casa de la Amistad (an aid house for underprivileged children with cancer).  Fernando sensei talks about the importance of continuing to support Casa de la Amistad.  Every year, for the last seven years, Mexico Aikido organizes a seminar and part of the collected funds are donated to Casa de la Amistad.

The seminar has come to and end. All good things come to an end.  Hagihara sensei and his entourage are rushing to make their flight back to New York.  They are reflecting on the lessons learned and deep inside cherish the warmth and hospitality received in Mexico Aikido.

Group Photo at Tecnologico de Monterrey

Uchi Deshi Television at Mexico Aikido

Top of the Moon Pyramid at Teotihuacan

Check out the artwork of Veronica Lawlor and an account of her visit to the Long Island Aikikai.

I’d like to send a “thank you” out to all of you that have acknowledged my birthday this past week.  I’d especially like to thank Sensei and Rich for organizing a  party for me.  I was very surprised so many people showed up to celebrate. I had a lot of fun spending time with you all and I am honored to know all of you.

Adam

On December 31, 2008 the Long Island Aikikai had their Etsunengeiko (New Year’s Eve Practice) where dedicated students practice from 11:30pm New Year’s Eve to 12:30am New Year’s Day.  This has been a Dojo tradition since the LI Aikikai’s formation in 1964.  Iriminage is usually the only technique practiced in this class; do to it being one of O’Sensei’s favorite techniques.   As a special treat, Hagihara Sensei made his way around the mat to throw each student.  At the conclusion of class, brave students participated in Misogi no Mizu and doused their bodies with ice cold water.  Afterwards, Hagihara Sensei and his students partied until the sun came up.

Adam Pilipshen
Dojo-Cho
Long Island Aikikai
Bay Shore, New York

To all that have donated to the Long Island Aikikai, thank you. Our seminar was a great success. It is always nice to see how many dedicated members there are. You appreciate the importance of having a place to practice and have shown that you are an integral part of its welfare. Hagihara Sensei is grateful for students like you. After the holiday season, we will be making the various improvements to the Dojo. As I know you have a vested interest in the Dojo, I will keep you informed about our progress. For those that have donated at the highest level, you can expect to see the retrospective DVD and the commemorative t-shirt shortly.

Thanks again for your support,

Adam Pilipshen
Dojo-Cho
Long Island Aikikai
Bay Shore, New York

If everyone were in accord and left things to Providence, their hearts would be at ease.  If they are not in accord, though they would do acts of righteousness, they lack loyalty.  To be at odds with one’s companions, to be prone to miss even infrequent meetings, to speak only cantankerous words-all come from a shallow foolishness of mind.  But thinking of the moment of truth, even though it be unpleasant, one should fix it in his mind to meet people cordially at all times without distraction, and in a way in which one will not seem board.  Moreover, in this world of uncertainties one is not even sure of the present.  It would be worthless to die while being thought ill of by people.  Lies and insincerity are unbecoming.  This is because they are for self-profit.

Though it is not profitable to have others lead the way, or not to be quarrelsome, or not to be lacking in manners, or to be humble, if one will do things for the benifit of others and meet even those whom he has met often before in a first-time manner, he will have no bad relationships.  Manners between husband and wife are not different from this.  If one is as discreet in the end as he is in the beginning there should be no discord.

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure, Early 1700’s

The Long Island Aikikai is coming up on its 2 year anniversary at our new location in Bay Shore, New York.  Getting the Dojo opened for January 1^st 2007 was no easy feat. Myself along with a few dedicated students gutted and built the New Long Island Aikikai in 21 Days. It was a whirlwind of 20-hour days (there were a few 48 hour stints in there as well) with the mats being laid down just minutes before practice.

Every year, since 1964,  members of the Long Island Aikikai practice Aikido with Hagihara Shihan from 11:30pm New Year’s Eve to 12:30am New Year’s Day.  We end each year and start a new practicing what we love.  This is usually includes Misogi and Zazen practice as well.

In a frenzy - due to complications, the Long Island Aikikai had to backout of another location that was originally intended to be our headquarters- to get our new headquarters up and running for this special event, myself and a few close students built the Dojo by hand.   I signed the new lease just 21 days before the impending special class.   In an amazing show of dedication, loyalty and discipline we just barely completed the Dojo in time.  In these 21 days we:

1. Demoed the existing rooms and built changing rooms.

2. Installed a shower, tiled the bathroom and moved the sink.

3. Evened the hardwood floor for the mat installation.

4. Built a reception counter.

5. Built a sofet to cover the HVAC duct.

6. Repaired the burner.

7. Studded and sheet-rocked an exterior wall.

8. Spackled the Dojo and applied the first coat of paint

9. Took down the old awning.

10. Installed carpet.

11. Installed a plasma screen in the lobby.

With just 24 hours left to meet the 10:30pm deadline we applied the 2nd coat of paint,  build the Kamiza, hung the weapons rack, built and installed benches in the changing rooms, hung doors and layed carpet.  At about 10:00pm New Year’s Eve we finally were able to lay the mats.

Now, almost 2 years later, I can still appreciate the the hard work that these people put in to help Sensei and the Long Island Aikikai make this transformation; but more work still needs to be done.  In addition to the obvious finish work that still needs to be completed other important improvements need to be made to increase both the safety and accessibility of the Dojo.