THE KENSHIRO ABBE 50th CELEBRATION EVENT 14th May 2005 Crystal
Palace Sports Centre London. UK By Henry Ellis

Henry Ellis, a direct student of the legendary Budo master
Kenshiro Abbe Sense, from 1957 describes the great event at the
Crystal Palace Sports Centre, London, to celebrate this great
teacher and his arrival to Great Britain in 1955 and the
subsequent inception of Aikido. Tribute website to Kenshiro Abbe
Sensei at http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com . . .

The Bushido ZaZen International Society Annual Dinner

In February 2004 Derek Eastman and I were invited as guests at
the annual dinner of The Bushido Za Zen International Society by
its Chairman Mr Arnold Davies Hanshi an old student of Kenshiro
Abbe Sensei and a close friend of my own good friend Bill Woods
Sensei. These names alone meant that this evening was to be
something special with so much history and martial arts
background between us.

As we arrived we were met by Mr Clive MacDonald, a member of the
Bushido ZaZen. Mr MacDonald and Mr Davies had been instrumental
in putting together many of the facts to help with the
protection of the true history of British Aikido during the
great British Aikido Board Controversy.

Memories of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

Mr MacDonald immediately brought several pints of beer to our
table and from then on the conversation flowed along with the
beer. As we spoke of our memories of the legendary master,
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, I said ” Do you realize that it is 50
years next year since Abbe Sensei arrived in Britain ! “. We all
discussed the importance of this date, I then suggested that, as
we all belonged to the Essex Aikido Forum ( EAF ), which is a
group of like minded people interested only in Aikido without
its politics, we agreed that we should organise a celebration of
such an important date. Mr MacDonald called over Mr Davies who,
without a moments hesitation, gave the event his full support
and financial backing.

The Organising Committee

Before the evening was over we realised that this event would be
bigger than anything ever previously organised by the EAF or any
other Aikido organisation for that matter. We decided there and
then that we would need a working committee if we were to put
this very special event together. Mr MacDonald approached two
other senior EAF member, Mr Mike Leavy and Mr Eric Gillett, who
agreed to join our organising committee. I then approached Mr
David Humm the administrator of the very popular website the ”
National Aikido Communication DataBase ” . Mr Humm had also been
involved in our efforts to protect the history of British
Aikido. He also became a willing committee member. Mr Rob Peck
agreed to be the secretary We now had a full committee of seven
members who were now totally committed and dedicated to putting
together the greatest Aikido seminar ever in the United Kingdom.
I don’t believe that any one of us on this night were able to
grasp the enormity of the task we had pledged to undertake.

The Venue

As the word spread throughout the Aikido and MartialArts
communities and, from the interest that was now being generated,
we now knew that we would need a prestigious venue After much
deliberation and following a visit to Crystal Palace Sports
Centre, we soon realised that this was to be the final venue.
This was to be a wise decision as, with its great hall and
facilities along with the accommodation blocks and restaurants,
It would later prove to be capable of hosting the planned event
comfortably. The event attracted 430 students. 60 guests, 370
spectators and visitors totalling almost one thousand people on
the day With students from all over the UK – USA – France -
Holland – Germany, Czechoslvakia.

The Teachers of the Day

As this day was to celebrate the arrival in the UK of Kenshiro
Abbe Sensei in 1955, and the subsequent inception of Aikido. It
was decided to invite the five surviving direct students of Abbe
Sensei from the 1950’s/60’s mentioned below.

I, Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman had already agreed, now I had
to approach my old friends, Sensei Ralph Reynolds and Sensei
Hayden Foster, who willingly offered their support.

Sensei Ken Williams, first student of Abbe Sensei, was also
approached. He had to decline due to prior commitments. He did
however provided a letter of dedication to be read out at the
event. I then approached Sensei Bill Smith Shihan MBE, who sadly
had to decline due to health issues. His son Phillip attended to
represent his father and the AikiKai. Now we had a full Aikido
teaching team. The event was officially under-way. We also
received a letter of tribute to the memory of Abbe Sensei from
the Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba ..

The Guests

The guest list was a who’s who of the Martial-Arts world in the
UK. There were 60 guests and, with respect, I am unable to
mention them all but, the following will give some insight.

Mr F Motai of the Japanese Embassy – Sensei Bill Woods Aide /
Secretary to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1955 – Sensei Bill Stopps,
Personal Aide to Matsutaro Otani Sensei from 1947. – Sensei
Robin Otani, Pesident of the British Judo Council. – Mr P, Don
of Sport England. – Sensei N Jones, my personal guest. – Ms
Jenny Earle, World Judo champion.

Mr Ken Cottier Shihan, a member of the Aiki-Kai World Council.
Mr Gigs Shouten, a special guest from Holland. Joe Curran Sensei
who read a letter of tribute to Abbe Sensei from Kazuo Chiba
Shihan.

The Budo Demonstrations

During the mid day part of the event there was a break for the
students while the Budo demonstrations were carried out by some
of the very best exponents of the various arts on display. This
was a unique event where students were now able to witness many
of the Budo arts that they had never seen before.

Aikido -Judo – Karate – Iaido – Kyudo – Kendo – JuJutsu – Ju
Kendo

The Event and The Day

This was a very wonderful and special day for me after almost 50
years of practicing Aikido. On the morning of the event as I
entered the great hall at Crystal Palace Sports Centre to the
electrifying sound of the Taiko Drummers and masses of students
around the mat area plus many more queuing at the door to
register. I walked onto the concourse floor to see all the
various stalls set out. Mr Don Baney a specialist in Japanese
works of art had a fine display of Samurai armour and swords,
for more information visit:
http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido/japanese_swords.htm The
atmosphere was fantastic, an indication of the great day ahead.
I met so many people that I had not seen for so many years.

There was a raffle at the end of the day with a prized valuable
ShinKen sword, presented by Nine Circles Budo Equipment
Supplies. A hand made Tanto presented by Sensei Dave Rogers of
New Mexic,o USA. Other prizes included the book ” Positive
Aikido”, Gi’s, bokkens, shinai’s and many commemorative
T-Shirts.

This was indeed a very special day.

I was privileged to be at the great event in 1963 held by Abbe
Sensei at the Royal Albert Hall in London where I was assistant
to Mikoto Nakazono Sensei. I never thought that I would ever see
another event to equal that one. On this day of celebration and
commemoration of the life of Abbe Sensei, I believe I saw the
event to eclipse all others.

Henry Ellis Event Liasion Officer Co-Author of Positive Aikido
Principal Coach Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido

http://www.EllisAikido.org

http://www.geocities.com/britishAikido

Henry Ellis born 1936. Co -author of Positive Aikido. A direct
student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from
1957. Ellis has had articles published in several International
Martial Arts magazines, he has written several articles on the
proud history and lineage of British Aikido. Protecting the
legacy left by Abbe Sensei from those that have attempted to
alter the facts to advance their insatiable ego’s.