Shioda Sensei / uchideshi-kai

On Monday, July 10th past and present uchideshi, along with Ryu staff and gasshuku visitors accompanied Ando Sensei and family to Gozo Shioda sensei's grave. The Shioda grave is located in the Tokorozawa Memorial Park in Tokorozawa, Saitama (about an hour out of Tokyo).

Thanks to Gozo Shioda Sensei, I and probably anyone who is reading this blog, has gained something in one way or another through training his Yoshinkan. 

Rest in Peace: September 9, 1915–July 17, 1994




From left to right: Akimoto Yosuke, Katagiri Misato, Suzuki Ryoma, Valeriy(Aikido College), Karen (Gasshukusha), Stephanie, Kohei, Mitsuhashi Akira, Ando Tsuneo Sensei, Taihei, Jim Dawes










From 12 to 3pm Ando Sensei invited us to the Shin-Urayasu Oriental Hotel for "uchideshi-kai" - a tradition that dates back to the Iwama days, when Kisshomaru Ueshiba Sensei was running things.

Ando Sensei remembers driving Shioda Sensei to these "uchideshi-kai", where all the now famous Morihei Ueshiba Kaiso past uchideshi would gather, drink, chat etc. Kisshomaru Sensei's desire was that even if it is only once a year, the past deshi should get together and not only maintain, but strengthen their bond. True aiki harmony.