Sunday 18 February 2024

            NEW BOOK by AMAZON - CLICK TITLE to VISIT AMAZON

 The Long and Winding Road of a Budoka ,  - Amazon £5-99p

Henry Ellis the last survivor of the original first group of five Aikido pioneering students and dan grades of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from the 1950s. 

Ellis Sensei tells many stories starting from the origins of the legendary Hut Dojo. Memories from his 70 years of travelling and spreading the word of Aikido and Budo.

The stories bring to life many of the people from those incredible times, the stories vary from serious to the hilarious .

  Ellis Sensei has spent his final years documenting in several           Amazon books the history of British Aikido, Including The life of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 

Henry Ellis a student of K Williams - K Abbe - T Abe - M Nakazono - M Noro - K Chiba - N Tamura - M Harada - T Otani.

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  BELOW; The first comment on the new book " The Long and Winding Road of a Budoka,"

Jason White
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read

    Reviewed in the United States on 10 February 2024

This is a short, easy to read book. It's interesting reading about Henry Ellis & his path through budo. I was originally just going to put it on a shelf with the rest of my collection but I decided to read the first page & couldn't put it down. I wasn't expecting it to keep my attention the way it did but I'm glad I ordered it now.

Monday 1 January 2024

                           Click  for Video  >Rik Ellis  -  AIKIDO - MMA - VIDEO     

British UK1 MMA  Light Heavyweight Champion title holder   2012

Rik Ellis ~ Aikido Shodan - Demonstrating.

Uke / Training Partner 

Nick ``Head-Hunter`` Chapman . UCMMA Champion.

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NEW AMAZON BOOK  ~ £5 - 99p

CLICK ->  ``The Long and Winding Road of a Budoka``

Henry Ellis began his Martial Arts training 70 years ago at the now legendary `` Hut Dojo `` the first Aikido Dojo in the United Kingdom.

Henry first began with Judo and shortly after joined the small Aikido section under the direct teachings of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and many other highly respected Budo masters such as Tadashi Abe Sensei - Mutsuro Nakazono Sensei - Masamichi Noro Sensei - Kazuo Chiba Sensei - N Tamura Sensei -  M Harada Sensei (Karate)  T Otani (Kendo ) All of Henry's books have one main aim, to preserve the true traditional spirit of the Traditional Aikido first taught by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1955. This book tells of Henry's 70 years of amazing anecdotes - memories - experiences . from a time when there were just 5 students in the first Aikido class to a dojo in almost every town and city.

Henry Ellis - dan grade certificates signed by OSensei Ueshiba - Moriteru Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Mutsuro Nakazono - Kazuo Chiba Shihan. .

 


Sunday 5 November 2023

 Click here ->  British Aikido History Site  

The Amazon books ` Kenshiro Abbe Sensei ` - `British Aikido History` - The Founding of Jujitsu - Judo - Aikido in the UK` The books are written by Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman two of the last of the surviving direct students of Kenshiro Abbe from the 1950s. - Co-author Abdul Rashid. 

If you are interested in the factual history of British Traditional Aikido as documented by a direct student of  Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei from 1955. Please visit the British Aikido History site, take a look at the Amazon book " British Aikido History "  a great book with many photos of past and present teachers both British and Japanese.

 Read the recently resurfaced Mutsuro Nakazono letter from 1966. This letter was received by Ken Williams Sensei at a time of great upheaval in British Traditional Aikido, and the break up of the `British Aikido Council` BAC . This was just months before the arrival of TK Chiba Sensei. 

Wednesday 13 September 2023

British Aikido History  -  From 1955 - Book price £6 - 64p.

The new book " British Aikido History" - Click on image in R/H column to go direct to Amazon Books for a free preview. The book is available in both Black B/W and colour versions. Aikido - 1955 - 2015 - For those that studied with Sensei's  Kenshiro Abbe - Tadashi Abe -Masahilo Nakazono - TK Chiba Sensei in those early days will remember their Aikido being true Budo, something that very few will ever see again - read " Aikido Then and Now - 1955 - 2015.


AIKIDO UK - The History of UK Aikido




Visit - Aikido Books - for `Positive Aikido` 




British Aikido History
1955 - 2012

The official British Aikido History site - Is dedicated to the true history of Aikido in the UK from its inception in 1955 by the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

Right: Kenshiro Abbe Sensei with Ken Williams Sensei at the Hut Dojo.

The site is maintained by AikiKai Shihans Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman -  The last two surviving pioneers from that exciting era of the birth of Aikido in the UK at the famous "Hut Dojo"

Ellis & Eastman Sensei's are co-authors of the book `Positive Aikido` - they are proud to have their diplomas signed by legends - Osensei Morihei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Masahilo Nakazono - Masamichi Noro - TK Chiba - Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.


Right: Mitsusuke Harada Sensei

Left: Henry Ellis - Mitsusuke Harada - Derek Eastman join Harada Sensei at the TK Chiba Celebration in 2006. Harada Sensei was invited to the UK in 1963 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - He held his first classes at the Hut Dojo. Harada had no students to begin with - Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman studied Karate with Harada, he in turn studied Aikido with them - Harada later began to incorporate Aikido moves into his Shotokai Karate as can be seen in his teachings today.

Click here for the British Aikido History Blog > British Aikido History Site





The British Aikido Board - Jack Poole  Controversy Slide-Show

The Betrayal of British Budo

Ken Williams Sensei was the first student of UK Aikido with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955 - If Mr Poole is to be believed ? he claims to have started Aikido three years before the arrival of Abbe Sensei in 1955.


The British Aikido Board Controversy Slide Show.

Documented evidence of the conduct of the UK Governing Body for Aikido.

Detailing the BAB's attempted collusion with one Mr Jack Poole to change forever the true proud history and lineage of British Aikido, from its inception to the UK in 1955 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

Henry Ellis was actually Mr Poole's first teacher as one can clearly see from the large collection of photos and statements, this did not deter the BAB from proudly parading Mr Poole along-side his teacher as a `Pioneer of British Aikido` .

Imagine you are a direct student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and recognised by the Doshu and TK Chiba as a true pioneer of British Aikido - The UK Aikido governing body invite you to receive an award in recognition of this - As you wait to meet the Lord Mayor of Birmingham - you hear a shuffling sound - you look behind - standing there unannounced is one of your old students in line to receive the same award as a pioneer - unbelievable.You could not make this up - The BAB did.

Tuesday 12 September 2023

New Amazon Book now Available. Cardback £12-95p

KENSHIRO ABBE SENSEI  1915 - 1985 - The Forgotten Budoka 

Amazon

This new book is a thoroughly researched and detailed, documented  history, including a personal interview with Henry Ellis one of the last surviving direct students of Abbe Sensei from the 1950s.
Published by Amazon 20th - May - 2021
Compiled by the Martial Arts researcher Abdul Rashid.


A new book published by Amazon Books -.  This book is  an in-depth look at the life and times of this legendry man of Budo, from his childhood to his time as a captain and Brigade Commander in the Imperial Japanese Army during WW2 - his time at the Busen - Butokukwai - His competition successes in front of the Japanese Emperor, his defeat of the great Judoka Kimura also his time in the UK and Europe. This will complete our `library` of British Martial Arts history as associated to the influence of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 8th dan Judo - 6th dan Kendo - 6th dan Aikido - 6th dan Ju-Kendo. 

The following Amazon Book  titles may be of interest to the student and teachers who value the true origins of British Martial Arts.  " The Founding of Ju-Jitsu - Judo - Aikido in the United Kingdom "  --- " British Aikido History " --- " Kenshiro Abbe Sensei the Forgotten Budoka " --- " Positive Aikido "  by Dave Rogers ---  " The Life - Giving Sword " the life of K Chiba by Leise Klein.


Monday 11 September 2023

 New Books Available on Amazon. £6 - 85p.


Click Image

Founding of JuJutsu-Judo-Aikido in the United Kingdom`

Paper back £6-85p
 
There are many books on Martial Arts - it is our intention to offer a selection of only the best researched books available.Abdul Rashid the martial arts researcher has worked tirelessly to research the very origins of the evolution of martial arts in Britain from the 18th century prior to the arrival of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955 and the everlasting influence left by Abbe Sensei [1915 - 1985 ].

There are sadly now just a very small group of  direct students surviving to this day. Abdul Rashid has been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with two genuine pioneers from the incredible Kenshiro Abbe Era, Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman were students of Judo in the 1950s and shortly after they became a part of the very first group of Aikido dan grades in the UK.

There are two books available a black and white copy for £6-95p or the enhanced coloured copy at £29-00.


Sunday 10 September 2023

 Important new book released by Amazon . Cardback £8-90p

The British Budo Controversy

Past history is an important part of present day life, much of todays lessons of life are learned from the lessons of past events of history.

 In the past, and the life we lead today, the facts of history can be lost in time as the people that were an indelible part of any historic events become fewer and fewer, such is the case of the British Budo Controversies .

With the demise of the central figures to our budo history, such as Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Tadashi Abe Sensei - Mutsutaro Otani Sensei - Mutsuro Nakazono, Kazuo Chiba Sensei . We must not forget the many English Budoka that were a part of the early development of British Budo, there are too many to mention here, I must add two of my greatest friends the late Bill Woods Sensei RIP -  Gerry Gyngell Sensei RIP. they both worked in the BJC London office with Abbe Sensei, they were a great source for information of those wonderful early days. 

As these legendary figures have now passed into history, there are the unscrupulous and shameless characters that will write their own versions of their associations and ``friendships `` with the past Budo masters, their imagination would be more fitting in a sequel of `Harry Potter`. 

This book documents two of the most shameless attempts to corrupt our proud heritage and lineage, it also sadly exposes individuals and organisations that to this day offer their full support of many more fraudulent claims . All fraudulent grades and titles are never questioned.

Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman are two of the last few survivors of the Kenshiro Abbe era from the 1950s, with the support of their co-author Abdul Rashid they intend to leave a documented history  in all their books of an amazing and historic time of which they were proud to be direct students of Kenshiro Abbe and so many other legendary Budoka  from that early era.

Quote;  " If you tell the truth - You don't need to remember anything."

Henry Ellis

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Wednesday 7 December 2022

Excellent researched and documented video of the "History of the Founding of UK -Jujutsu - Judo - Aikido"  






<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WI_QRGvo-k8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Saturday 21 May 2022

  Scroll down past the books and video information for the blog content as titled.

NEW VIDEO -  A Video for all Budoka


The Founding of JuJitsu - Judo - Aikido in the United Kingdom   

CLICK  The above YouTube video heading the live link will take you to the video of the history of the arrival of the martial arts to the UK from the late 18th century - The video is narrated by Abdul Rashid with many photos and much factual in-depth research. This video is based on the now popular and highly credited book of the same name. The UK visiting Japanese masters from pre - WW1 and post WW2 were - Yukio Tani - Kaneo Tani - Seizo Yamamoto - Taro Miyake - Sadakazu Oyenishi - Akhitaro Ono - Gunji Koizumi - Matsutaro Otani - Kenshiro Abbe - Mutsuro Nakazono - Kazuo Chiba.

Monday 2 May 2022

"Its discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit" ~ Noel Coward 

Martial Arts Books by Abdul Rashid & Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman

Click on Image to Enlarge
The books authors respectfully acknowledge the many `genuine` Budoka involved in the UK origins of Aikido and other inclusive  Martial Arts.

L to R: `British Aikido Board Controversy` - `Kenshiro Abbe Bio` - The Founding of JuJutsu - Judo - Aikido in the UK` - `Positive Aikido` - ` My Interviews with Henry Ellis ` - `British Aikido History`

The six books above are all factually honest books, documenting and protecting the legacy of UK Traditional Martial Arts from its UK origins. All the books are available on. Link> " Amazon Books ".  

Saturday 1 January 2022

 "It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit "                                                             Noel Coward


Click   " Is Aikido a Martial Art ? "

This book consists of a interview I conducted with Henry Ellis, a pioneer of Aikido in the UK since the 1950s. With over sixty years  of experience in Aikido he shares his views on the above topic, warm-ups with Karate style kicks and punches, daily runs, full contact training, read about what he went through under the direction of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei at the famous "Hut Dojo". You will have a different perception of Aikido after reading this book.
Author: Abdul Rashid. 
2022 Release - Amazon - £7-99p.
Cover photo Henry Ellis and son Rik.


Wednesday 28 July 2021

 BRITISH AIKIDO HISTORY - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  

The new book `` British Aikido History ``  tells the true history of the birth of Aikido in the UK.  The book pays credit to many people who in their various  ways contributed to the earliest promotion of Aikido and just as importantly pays gratitude to those that supported and protected the amazing legacy of what was an incredible era.

Acknowledgments to the following UK Sensei's .

Ken Williams - Dave Williams - Eric Dollimore - Haydn Foster - Lennie Ballard - Peter Dowden - John Caldwell - Andy Allen - Hamish McFarlane - Ron James - Ron Russel - George Stavro - Les White - Jon Stokoe  - BJC Judoka - Clive McDonald - Gwynn Jones - David Humm . - Fred Wainwright - Ken Cottier - Ralph Reynolds - Reg Bleakman - Tom Weir - William Coyle - Joe Curran - Tomio Otani - Robin Otani, [ USA - Jei Nakazono - Leise Klein ] - and so many more worthy of a mention in the book.

Many of the above are sadly no longer with us - we remember them, may they rest in peace.



The Kenshiro Abbe Era ~ Book Collection.

Visit ``Books on Martial Arts ``


Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman are now sadly amongst the last of a very small  group of surviving direct pioneer students of the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe.[1915 -1985] 
Anecdotes, stories, historic events are vividly brought to life from the incredible 1950s/60s. 

With the encouragement of Martial Arts researcher - author - Abdul Rashid - Ellis and Eastman  were inspired to put their personal `documented true factual history recorded in to book form to memorialize  all those involved in the early days, never to be lost or forgotten. 


The books credit many other Judoka and Aikidoka that were involved from the Abbe Era, honourable people who played a role in the early days when Aikido was a Martial Art, there were so many others that are remembered who  later helped to promote and protect the legacy of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. 

The following titles are available from Amazon Martial Arts Books

" The Founding of Ju-Jutsu - Judo -Aikido in the UK " ------  " British Aikido History "

" Kenshiro Abbe the Forgotten Budoka" ----  " Positive Aikido ".    

Wednesday 13 June 2012

AIKIWEB Articles - K Abbe - M Nakazono - M Noro - TK Chiba




THE BUDO MASTERS


Kenshiro Abbe ~ ~ Masahilo Nakazono ~ ~ Masamichi Noro ~ ~ Kazuo Chiba
Henry Ellis 6th dan AikiKai Hombu - Co-author of "Positive Aikido". Relates stories of training with the early Budo Masters.
_______4 Articles - featuring 1st Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 2nd Masahilo Nakazono - 3rd Masamichi Noro - 4th TK Chiba_______


______________________________________CLICK the ARTICLE of YOUR CHOICE_____________________________

1st - Article: Kenshiro Abbe _____“Trying to Catch the Wind”_____
Click Here - AikiWeB Article - "It Had to be Felt".~ Kenshiro Abbe - "Trying to Catch the Wind".

2nd - Article: Masahilo Nakazono ______”A Man of Peace and Pieces”______
.Visit Aikiweb Click here >- Aikiweb - Nakazono Sensei Article

3rd - Article: Masamichi Noro ______The White Tornado__

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 Visit Aikiweb - Click Here"The White Tornado"

4th - Article: Kazuo Chiba ______Two Handsome Young Men___Click here - "Two Handsome Young Men"

Henry Ellis a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1957. "AikiWeb" has published 4 articles to add to their popular Ellis Amdur article collection of "It Had to be Felt" `IHTBF`.




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Henry Ellis speech - Anniversary Dinner - TK Chiba's 40 years in the UK.

Henry Ellis Sensei joined Chiba Sensei in the 1960s shortly after his arrival in the UK.

 

Friday 27 April 2012

AIKIWEB - Kenshiro Abbe - "Trying to Catch the Wind"

Henry Ellis tells of his experiences training and receiving technique from Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Masahilo Nakazono Sensei

Aikiweb - Masahilo Nakazono - "A Man of Peace & Pieces"


The second article on Aikiweb has now been published in the series "It Had to be Felt" - Henry Ellis tells of his time training under the direction of Masahilo Nakazono Sensei from 1960.Visit Aikiweb Click here >- Aikiweb - Nakazono Sensei Article
Henry Ellis a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1957. "AikiWeb" has published an article to add to their popular article collection of "It Had to be Felt" `IHTBF`.
Henry Ellis tells what it was like to train and receive technique from Abbe Sensei.
To read the article, visit the link below.- Henry Ellis 6th dan AikiKai Hombu - Co-author of "Positive Aikido".
Click Here - AikiWeB Article - "It Had to be Felt".~ "Kenshiro Abbe - Trying to Catch the Wind".

British Aikido Board Blog - Click here ->BAB Blog - BAB Blog

Monday 2 January 2012

`Positive Aikido` a true Traditional Story

Techniques - History - Lineage - Anecdotes covering 55 years of Traditional Aikido.

Order a signed copy direct from Henry Ellis Sensei - Email - Henry Ellis Email


Henry Ellis & Derek Eastman 6th dan AikiKai-diplomas signed by: Osensei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Masahilo Nakazono - TK Chiba - The Doshu Moriterue Ueshiba.

Front and back covers.
About the Authors:
Henry Ellis & Derek Eastman both 6th dan AikiKai Hombu. - Diplomas signed by Osensei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Mikoto Nakazono - TK Chiba Shihan - Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba..They are the last two pioneers of K Abbe Sensei's British Aikido from 1955.To purchase the book `Positive Aikido`. Order direct - please contact Dave Rogers Sensei the books main author. Please email
Dave Rogers Email For price and postage.
Book also available on Amazon UK £10-95 free p&p & Amazon USA. $18.


For an in-depth review of "Positive Aikido" click here>Positive Aikido

Visit the "Aikido Articles Blog"->Aikido Articles

Friday 28 May 2010

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei ~ KyuShinDo the Abuse

Visit My Aikido & Judo Video Site ~ Click -> Henry Ellis Aikido & Judo Videos A growing collection of early and modern Aikido and Judo videos..H Ellis - D Eastman - H Foster - K Chiba - M Nakazono - K Abbe - T Abe.

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Visit our new " Tadashi Abe " website -> Tadashi Abe Sensei

Visit the new Nakazono Aikido Blog Click here

Protect British Budo History ~ visit the " Aikido Controversy " blog Click for Aikido Controversy Blog

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The Kenshiro Abbe 50th Memorial Event May 14th 2005.

This movie slide-show offers an indepth look at this very special day of Budo.Narrated by Henry Ellis....I was pleased to be involved in this event with my father ~ Rik Ellis.


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KYUSHINDO


New article ~ KyuShinDo is not a Martial Art


We now see people claiming to have dan grades in ` KyuShinDo ` how can you have a dan grade in a philosophy / theory ?? ....KyuShinDo is a philosophy of the application of Judo - not a martial art.

We have stated many times `` Kenshiro Abbe Sensei developed his philosophy of KyuShinDo as applicable to Judo.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei NEVER repeat NEVER ever taught Aiki-Justsu or Aiki-Budo or JuJutsu or JuJitsu....Anyone making the following claims are talking a load of round objects...He never taught any of the following ``KyuShinDo Karate `` ~ `` KyuShinDo Aikido `` ~ `` KyuShinDo JuJutsu `` ~ KyuShinDo Aiki-Jutsu `` ~ KyuShiDo Aiki-Jujutsu `` ... Visit the Kenshiro Abbe Blog


Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Blog

Dave Delderfield Sensei and Gerry Gyngel Sensei who both worked in the London office of the BJC with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei stated..

" We have never heard Abbe Sensei speak of KyuShinDo JuJutsu or simply JuJutsu !!"..

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British Aikido Origins from 1955 - Narration & Movie Slide-Show by Henry Ellis - Arrival of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei to the UK - Development of British Budo.



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Wednesday 17 March 2010

Great New Aikido Information Sites


British Aikido History Site

Aikido Articles
Aikido Articles
There are many articles of interest on this new Aikido article site. Many articles relating to the true documented history and lineage of British Aikido from its inception in 1955 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. There is the very popular and widely read " Is Aikido a Martial Art ? " with several articles on Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

5 Photo Galleries
There are 5 photo galleries with many old British Aikido photos, there is also a gallery with many rare photos of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.
Please visit the " British Aikido History Gallery " this one link gives you four old photo galleries Click here ~ British Aikido Photo Galleries

Aikido Ellis Video Channel

Aikido Ellis Video Channel

Visit the Ellis video channel for many old Aikido films and several rare films of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

Saturday 13 March 2010

British Aikido History & Lineage


The information contained within this blog and its list of selected links will give the visitor all the information they are looking for in connection with British Aikido History and Lineage. There are many articles available, also photo albums and videos.

Sunday 6 December 2009

British Aikido goes Full Circle

British Aikido ~ ~ Full Circle


By Henry Ellis 6th dan International BiranKai

Aikido Legacy
The history of British Aikido offers a rich and proud legacy for the genuine students of both today and of the future. A carefully documented history from its inception in 1955 by the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. This fully documented factual Aikido history and lineage is now supported and acknowledged by the highly respected Japanese Budo Master - T K Chiba Shihan - a teacher who became the first official resident AikiKai Hombu representative to Britain in 1966, at the invitation of K Abbe Sensei, following discussions earlier with OSensei Morihei Ueshiba in 1964.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 ~ 1885
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei arrived in the UK in 1955, principally to teach Judo, there followed various demonstrations of Budo where he would demonstrate his skills in other Budo Arts, several that had never been seen in Britain before, such as the then unknown art of Aikido, which he had personally learned directly from OSensei Morihei Ueshiba himself in the 1940s. It was this early powerful style of Traditional Aikido that he introduced to the UK during a National Judo Championships at the Royal Albert Hall in 1955. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei then chose a willing Judoka student named Ken Williams Sensei as his first student of Aikido. Williams Sensei began teaching Aikido at what is the now famous dojo, “The Abbe School of Budo”.
Internationally affectionately known, simply as the “ Hut Dojo “.

The UK First Generation Aikidoka
In those early days, Sensei Williams first created what was a solid group of hardcore students, they would be the birth of UK Aikido starting at the Hut Dojo. which soon became better known as the “ Hell Dojo “ . The first five UK Aikido dan grades were as follows, K Williams ~ D Williams ~ E Dollimore ~ H Foster ~ H Ellis. They are often referred to as the “ first generation “. Today there are only four survivors from those golden days of UK Budo from the 1950s with Abbe Sensei, - K Williams ~ H Foster ~ H Ellis ~ D Eastman ( second generation 1958 ).- they are now referred to by Chiba Shihan and others as the “ British Aikido pioneers “.

All dan grades Re-Graded
All of the afore-mentioned dan grades were initially graded by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, to their surprise they were advised that on the instructions of Abbe Sensei, they were all to be re-graded by Masahilo Nakazono Sensei, this was Nakazono Sensei’s first visit to the UK in the very early 1960s. Their dan grade diploma’s are very rare and special indeed, they were approved by both Abbe Sensei ~ Nakazono Sensei ~ signed by OSensei Morihei Ueshiba the founder of Aikido. It just does not get any better than that !

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TK Chiba Shihan ~ Invitation
In 2008 , TK Chiba Shihan requested a meeting with Sensei’s ~ Haydn Foster ~ Henry Ellis ~ Derek Eastman, for a re-union at the “Hut Dojo“. A meeting with the ` old pioneers `. Chiba Shihan cordially invited them all to join as associate members of the ` British BiranKai`.
We were honoured by this request, which we readily accepted, there would be several more re-unions to follow with Chiba Shihan at the Hut Dojo, which is situated at the rear of an old pub “The Hut “ Hillingdon London. The Hut pub in the 1950s was austere with outside tin shack toilets, today the Hut is a very popular up-market pub with an excellent restaurant . In those early days the only food available was a packet of crisps.

Over the next year and several more pub lunches with Chiba Shihan, the ` old pioneers ` shared their collective memories of those ` golden years ` . It was most gratifying to hear Chiba Shihan thank us for what we had achieved in the promotion of Aikido in the UK in those very difficult early days. Earlier that year, at the start of Chiba Shihan’s speech at the British BiranKai Bangor Summer School celebration dinner, Sensei indicated towards the three original pioneers and stated , “ These gentlemen are the true pioneers of British Aikido “!!.

It was also very important to the three of us that Chiba Shihan had personally initiated this re-union in celebration of our proud Aikido history and lineage, which for me justifies the long struggle to protect our proud Aikido heritage from some very unsavoury British Aikidoka.

Jei Nakazono Sensei wrote to me to say that his father considered the early British Aikido dan grades as the “ True Budo men of Europe ! “ . He added “ I was just a schoolboy then, I could not wait for my father to return home after his visits to Britain, to tell me wonderful stories of the brave British Budo men “ .

I recall Masahilo Nakazono Sensei saying to all the dan grades at the end of his first visits to the Hut Dojo “ You could all train at the Hombu dojo on equal terms with all that study there ! “ , that was quite a compliment to us then. and still is today.

At our last meeting at the Hut Dojo in August 2009, we were all very pleased and honoured to receive our 6th dan `International BiranKai` diplomas from TK Chiba Shihan . We all agreed, there is no other Aikido master that we would want to receive such an honour from than TK Chiba Shihan.






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< H Ellis – H Foster – D Eastman . ~ Photos ~ H Foster – TK Chiba – D Eastman – H Ellis .>

Here we were again in the old “ Hut Dojo “, a place with a heart of its very own, a place where so many of the early Budo masters had left their indelible footprints on the tatami, a place where we had all started our Aikido careers in the 1950s. A place where we had forged so many lifelong friendships, sadly, where we had lost some of the early dan grades such as Andy Allen Sensei ~ Hamish MacFarlane Sensei and others. Sad that so many have passed on, yet, the Hut Dojo is still vibrant, alive and full of memories, Britains first Aikido dojo with the first Aikido students. This is where we had been graded by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Masahilo Nakazono Sensei, M Noro Sensei, our treasured diploma’s signed by OSensei Morihei Ueshiba.
Now more than 50 years later, here we are, back at ` The Hut ` where it all started so many years ago, now , proudly receiving our 6th dan diploma’s from TK Chiba Shihan, a direct student of OSensei. The first official resident representative of the AikiKai Hombu for the UK.

For me, that is “ UK Aikido going full circle. “

My Special Thanks !

Special thanks go to TK Chiba Shihan for his valued recognition of the ` Hut Dojo` and the early pioneers.
With special thanks to Haydn Foster Sensei for keeping the “ Hut Dojo “ alive and well for over 50 years.
Special thanks to Dee Chen Shihan for her endless efforts between Chiba Shihan and the old pioneers.
Special thanks to Joe Curran Sensei 6th dan, Honorary President of the British BiranKai, for his valued friendship.


Henry Ellis
Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido
Co-author of ` Positive Aikido `
British Aikido
Aikido UK
Aikido Articles

Thursday 26 November 2009

Aikido UK goes Full Circle

There will soon be added a short documented article of the inception of British Aikido in 1955 to the several meetings of the three original UK Aikido pioneers and TK Chiba Shihan at the dojo where it all started, the now famous ` Hut Dojo ` It was here that Sensei's - H Foster - H Ellis - D Eastman all received their dan grade diploma's from Kenshiro Abbe Sensei ~ Masahilo Nakazono Sensei ~ all signed by Morihei Ueshiba. In 2009 they received their 6th dan diploma's from Chiba Sensei under the International Birankai. After 54 years Aikido in the UK has now gone Full Circle .

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Please Visit the British Aikido History site for 4 Old Photo Galleries.
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Please visit the " British Aikido History Gallery " this one link gives you four old photo galleries Click here ~ British Aikido Photo Galleries

Guests of TK Chiba Shihan

<b>Guests of TK Chiba Shihan</b>
In 2008 Sensei's H Foster - H Ellis - D Eastman were invited by Chiba Shihan ( standing ) as his guests at the after seminar dinner at Bangor Wales.