The Long and Winding Road - A True Aikido Story
A True Aikido Story The Long and Winding Road Reprinted with the approval of the magazine Martial Arts Illustrated And the magazines Aikido correspondent Keith Morgan Sensie Interview with Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman April issue 2006 Sorry this is not a dedication to Lennon / McCartney, but continuing the theme of early pioneers of the martial arts in the UK. It gives me great pleasure this month to talk to Henry Ellis, pioneer of Aikido, International teacher and author. Keith Morgan: Hello, Henry, thank you for this opportunity, without being rude, how old are you? Henry Ellis: I was born May 3rd 1936, so I will be 70 this year. Looking at Henry Ellis, believe me this was hard to believe . KM: So what got you interested in Aikido ? HE : Well, I never really was at first. Although I was quite athletic, cycling was my passion. I wasnt really into club cycling, but competitive racing. I entered my first race in 1951. I have always been competitive, I guess you had to be in those days. Being brought up in the war years and post war years, you had to fight for everything. Nothing was ever given to you, and that still holds with me today. Coupled with that was my actual upbringing. My father was a Yorkshire coalminer and I was brought up with an iron fist. That made me hard. KM: So how did you get involved in Aikido ? HE: A friend of mine invited me to a Judo club, this was in 1957, at the Hut. Now I really wasnt too bothered about it. It didnt do too much for me. I was cycling 50 miles a day then. But I went with him anyway. KM: Who was teaching the Judo ? HE: A man called Derek Tubb, I did actually enjoy it. I then started to watch the Aikido, and one guy there called Hadyn Foster. Hadyn had just started Aikido just a few months earlier. Hadyn still teaches at the Hut today. Isnt that amazing! KM: When did Aikido first start in the UK? HE: This is very important to get correct, as this is history, our heritage, that unfortunately is being corrupted to either promote others alleged history. Aikido was officially introduced to the UK by Kenshiro Abbe in 1955. He was originally brought over by the London Judo Society ( LJS ) He was a great Budo man, skilled in Judo, Kendo, JuKendo ( bayonet ), Iai, Karate, and of course Aikido, having been a personal student of Ueshiba for 10 years. Kenshiro Abbe Sensie gave Aikido demonstrations at the London Judo Society dojo and at the Royal Albert Hall in 1955. This is a documented fact ! Anyhow, when I saw it at the Hut, I didnt even know what it was, but I loved it. Of course in those days, they were not looking for numbers in terms of membership. KM: And Abbes connection with the Hut ? HE: The Hut became the Abbe School of Budo, and believe me it was tough. Abbe Sensei would visit quite regularly, and he always wore his old brown pin-stripe suit. We used to call it his de-mob suit”, because thats what it looked like. In fact it may even have been one, picked up second hand from somewhere. Anyhow he would just kick off his shoes and come on the mat dressed just like that, teach a technique or two, and then leave! KM: How very eccentric ! HE: Absolutely. He also used a shinai ( split bamboo sword ) His English was atrocious and he struggled with the language. He would stand on the mat and in pigeon English, would say, My English is very poor, My Shinai speaks perfect English! And you know , hed whack us with it all night long to correct us. We used to go home with welts on our legs, our arms and lumps and bumps on our heads. But I loved it. To me it was just as hard as my childhood. I was used to beatings. I didnt take exception to being shouted or hollered at. The training was rigorous too, with bunny hops around the dojo, press ups on the wrists to strengthen them up. Yes, it was tough. But there was a different breed of people training in Aikido in those days, and that is probably true of the other arts. You know, we had market traders from London, tough labourers and a few lets say dubious characters. These were naturally tough men who had grown up in tough areas in tough times. KM: People today cannot even hope to comprehend this. How often were you training ? HE: Five nights a week and Sunday mornings. I was hooked. ! We all trained so hard, and not just for grades either. Today, people seem to chase grades and get them far too early. KM: I totally agree with that sentiment. HE: You know, the hardest grade then and still is in our schools , is third kyu, or green belt. Green belt is without a doubt the hardest grade and the most important. Its at this point that a student is beginning to lean what the art is all about. You are bringing together the principals you have learnt as a novice. Back then, as a green belt, you would be taken on by a Dan grade as his uke, or assistant. I became assistant to Ken Williams Sensei who was running the Aikido then at the Hut. In about 1959, Ken Williams and I did one of the first public displays of Aikido in the UK at the invite of Graham Burt. Graham went on in later years to introduce Aikido to Canada in 1965. KM: Thats something. Aikido was spreading worldwide, not only from Japan, but from the UK as well. HE; Yes, I suppose that is right. These early displays or visits were to Judo clubs initially. Abbe used to hold a summer camp every year for just one week. It was mainly Judo., with the Aikido being relegated to a small room somewhere, and the Karate usually outside. On the last day, we were usually allowed onto the mats to give a display. Consequently we would make our contacts with the Judo boys and then visit them at their dojos. These boys were tough too, and we had to prove the effectivness, in no uncertain terms, of Aikido to them; to educate them ( laughs ). KM: That tough ? HE: Yes, Sunday mornings, the Black Belts ( Aikido ) would turn up at the Hut, and wed lock the door and get stuck in, and we soon found out what worked and what didnt . I remember once, Ken Williams caught me with a good blow to the chest and I went down to the floor, screaming aaarrgh . Well everyone knew me, I never screamed, or murmured from a punch or throw, Ellis never did, and they all stopped. Ken came over and bent over me to check me and I went whack and grazed him! But that is what it was like, he never did that again, and in fact from that point on he called me The Fox . KM: Well, a little deceit does no harm ! HE: Yes, but there was no animosity, we were working-out together. But it did get out of hand once. I remember, David Williams, Kens brother, well lets just say he was a dangerous man. I was having in the pub with David one night and it basically ended up in the pub car park. Well I got David down and the point was proven. As I helped him up he smashed me in the face and broke my nose,. There was no need for it. He couldnt say good technique . Just hit me with a sucker punch, He did lose the respect of a lot of the boys after that. Another time, I wanted to train with Eric Dollimore, one of the original Dan grades. Youve got to remember, I was quite an arrogant sod in those days. Sorry, cant oblige today, Ive got lunch at my girlfriends at 12 ,” he said. I said to him Yeah, I thought you would say that , and turned away smiling to myself. A little later, Eric appeared at the changing room door, less his hakama, and said, You ready then ?” Its a quarter to twelve” I said Havent you got to go ?” It wont take that long he answered , I thought to myself , It wont mate! So we set to against each other, and he caught me with a beautiful technique, got right underneath me and sent me flying across the mat, right off it in fact, and crash, right through the wall of Ken Williams office, who happened to be working in there at the time! I just lay there, plaster and dust and bits and pieces falling all over me. Ken didnt even blink, he just looked over his desk and said Ellis, theres a bloody door there, use it! KM: Good stuff! HE: Yes, and it gets better, When Derek Eastman first came to the Hut with a friend, the first lesson he saw was me blindfolded, being attacked with shinai, and having to defend myself just using my senses. Derek was so taken with all of this he joined, whereas his mate , who was the one who really wanted to come along, buggered off! Well Derek , even as a beginner showed great potential, and his ukemi ( break falls ) were superb. In those days, as mentioned earlier, you had to be a green belt before you could become a Dan grades assistant, but I wanted Derek. Despite the protests, I basically stamped my feet and stood my ground, and I got Derek as my uke, Weve been together ever since, over forty years. You know he is still so loyal, that even on seminars today he goes to carry my bag, I have to tell him off, that I can carry my own bag, and we are just like two grumpy old men arguing. KM: You very rarely see that sort of loyalty today. Sorry for switching, but I have just noticed your Dan grade certificates on the wall, and it is numbered. When did you take it? HE: Gosh, around 1959, although I cant be that certain now,. The certificate is numbered 394, and signed and sealed by Morihei Ueshiba. So I guess I must have been the 394th Dan grade. KM: That is a fabulous piece of history there. HE: In those days, and still, everybody who graded, a bona fida grade that is, at Dan grade level in Aikido, was registered with the AikiKai Hombu in Japan. But there are so many groups now that are not associated with the Hombu. So many things change and not always for the better. KM: I agree with that. HE: Take even preparatory exercises. My own dojo have always done press-ups on the backs of the wrists at different angles. You now get people who say these are bad for you. In all the years I have taught, and all the students I have had, I have never had anybody complain of wrist injuries. These people basically havent got the courage, the discipline, determination, and resolve to achieve this level of training. KM: Unfortunately thats true of many of the arts today. Students dont seem to want to put the work in, and of course you get the associations or clubs that are all too willing to dish out the grades simply for money and numbers. Its frightening, but you can still become a black belt and still be a couch potato. People dont want to train hard, and in some instances hide behind Best Practice policies. Even in the B.A.B., Instructors argue over the teaching of locks to children. Just because you teach them doesnt mean you have to apply them. Just teach the shapes. HE: Absolutely, People are too soft and too scared today. KM: So how did The Hut and Aikido progress at that point in time ? HE: Well, Abbe Sensie was obviously still our main teacher, and his style was very direct, very linear. Then in 1963, we had another Sensei visit us, Noro. Now he was very different. White hakama,white dogi. He had a lot of movement in his techniques, lots of circling and swirling. We used to call him the White Tornado ! He was fast, dynamic, but he would tell us off for not moving, so we would change. But another teacher who was also with us at the time, Nakazono, would then come over to us and tell us off for having too much movement! It was very confusing. We went through a few different phases in these early years. Even to wearing black gis, that we had to dye ourselves, because you just couldnt get black in those days. We then changed back to white within a few months, very frustrating, too. But the great thing that Noro brought with him from Japan was the Forms These were the basic 9 forms that simplified teaching. A great way to teach. Unfortunately these have been abandoned now by many schools, but we still use them to this day. To us then, It was a revelation, and wherever we went, we taught these forms. KM: So how did Aikido become national ? HE: It was Ken Williams idea really. We had been attending Abbes summer schools, and getting invites to visit other dojos, and it progressed from thereto the point that, at Kens request , Derek and I took a year off from work, got into my car and just drove off. We literally travelled for 12 months around the UK, introducing Aikido wherever we could. We didnt get paid for this, but we got well treated. Ralph Reynolds, at this time too, was travelling down every Sunday from Birmingham to train at the Hut, and dont forget, there were no motorways then. At this point we are joined by Derek Eastman who also contributes to the interview. Derek Eastman: Part of my job in those days was to get to the dojo ( The Hut ) early on Sunday mornings, open up and sweep the mats down. I also had to light the paraffin heaters to take the chill off the place. Ralph and a couple of his early students would always be there waiting for me. HE: Yes, and not many people know that Ralph would travel for over 5 hours to get just three hours training, and glean that little bit of information, then go back again. Thats dedication. KM: Absollutely, I know where you are coming from there. I still travel every week to see Billy Doak, my teacher, and thats over 7 hours driving return trip just for 2 ” 3 hours training. But its worth it. HE: Thats what it takes, Ralph would then work hard in the Midlands to establish Aikido. Anyhow, Ken Ken now thought it was right to spread further. So where do we go? I asked, Wherever there is no Aikido, he answered. And that was it. We literally set off with only about 20 to 30 between us. KM: How did you survive ? HE: We literally had to con our way everywhere. Not with the students of course. Take for instance, wed chat up a pretty girl to get a meal, or just to kip on her sofa for the night. Wed get jobs in every town we went to, road sweepers, labourers, on the railways, any thing. In fact in one town we got jobs as undertakers . We nearly got the sack from that one, when, as a prank, we put a coffin on the roof of our mini, complete with body. We only wanted a photograph of it! Unfortunately, the undertaker came back, didnt quite see it our way. We did eventually get the sack when he caught me with his daughter in the Chapel of Rest. So we had to move from there quickly. We worked everywhere. Even as photographers on the coast. We knew absolutely nothing about photography, but we just bluffed it. DE: Yes, great days, basically, we had made contacts through the summer camps, and we would introduce Aikido to the various Judo clubs. If they liked what we were doing, somebody in the club would probably know somebody who could get us a job or cheap board/ lodgings. We would then stay there a few weeks and introduce Aikido on a bigger scale, teaching perhaps 7 nights a week. HE: This is why it is so important to get this early history right, I mean, we would sometimes sleep in the car if we couldnt find lodgings. People either dont know this or, worse, refuse to acknowledge it, or even change it. KM: Didnt this close proximity, 24 hours a day, cause any friction between you ? HE: Well, Derek and I have know each other now for nearly 50 years, and we have never had a bad word between us bar once. It was during this period of being on the road and we were up North and needed petrol. I asked Derek if he had any money, I was skint, Yes, 2 shillings, 1 shilling for petrol, and 1 shilling for fags. You what ?” I said. A shilling for fags! Are you going to push this car puffing a fag ? Give me that money now before I punch your lights out!” And there we were, arguing on this petrol forecourt. Some total stranger who had been listening, came over, gave Derek a packet of fags with 3 cigarettes in and walked off! DE: Yeah, So I got my fags and we got our petrol. HE: Even funnier though. The next day, we chatted up two girls at the factory and asked them out to the best night club in town. Now Derek and I had worked this routine before. We would argue in front of the girls as to whose treat it was going to be, both of us offering to pay. We would then arrive at the club that night with the girls, but neither of us having our wallets, believing it was the other one who had agreed to pay! This would then spark off another argument in front of the girls, who at this point were keen to get in, and would offer to pay to get in. So we would have a meal, al our drinks paid for, by the girls that we had asked out. That is how we survived. We did this for 12 months, scamming our way around. We were still reporting back to Ken Williams too on our progress. Oh, and I must tell you this one. We were at a working mans club one night, and it was dead, real boring. Well this place had a chicken coup out the back, full of these small bantam chickens. So I got Derek to open all the windows in this club, on the premise that the smoke from peoples cigarettes was upsetting my asthma. I went outside and we shoved all these chickens through the windows. It caused mayhem, but it livened up a really dull night. Of course when I went back inside , the landlord went ballistic, so we had to get out quick, but not before I had helped myself to one of these chickens. I caught one in the toilets, wrung its neck and got to the car. The chicken though, wasnt dead, and driving back to our digs the bloody thing revived and went ballistic in the car. Imagine, two big blokes, in a mini, and a chicken going nutty! Well I grabbed it again and gave it another tug, Quiet. Thank God! We got back to the lodgings , and gave the bird to our landlady to prepare for supper. No sooner had we put the thing on the kitchen table but it revived again, running around the kitchen. Well after surviving all of that, I decided the chicken deserved to live so we took it back. Derek was astounded and said it was the first kind thing he had ever seen me do. They were great days. KM: One can understand the importance of appreciating the history of the arts, particularly in the early years of its acceptance and development within the UK, and obviously having to prove itself against other arts. Even more amazing is that you had no funding, no grants, just your own wits. How do you feel about the general state of Aikido in the U.K. today ? HE: Its changed, and I cant say always for the better. I have been accused of staying locked into the 60s, but what is wrong with that ? I see so much rubbish today. Nakazono was the first high grade teacher to be invited over here and he was brilliant. Today, you see so many 6th and 7th Dans and above around, yet they are not a patch on these early teachers. You know, you get so much rubbish spouted these days too. I once heard one particular women teacher say, I felt this burst of energy within my stomach and rise up through my head and explode. The energy filtered back down me and it felt like a flower opening in my stomach.” What on earth is that all about? Ive even seen an instructor on a seminar, bring out a load of red card arrow markers, and place them on the mat around his uke, to demonstrate the various angles etc, within the technique. It was only while he was trying to apply the technique that his uke pointed out that the arrows were pointing the wrong way. And people wonder why Aikido isnt taken seriously. KM: I appreciate what you are saying, but I dont think it is limited to Aikido. You see it in all the arts now, where self-proclaimed masters ( I hate that term ) with very little experience or depth, are trying to re-invent the wheel. HE: Well, yes, but one of the difficulties with Aikido is that Ueshiba, the founder, went through changes, and the instructors who were around him at these different times reflect this, possibly in a more exaggerated way. You see, you have pre-war Ueshiba where his style is more Ju Jutsu in form, a lot more violent and practical, then there is post-war Ueshiba, where he is more spiritual. The teachers of this era try to emulate this, but fail. There is too much hocus pocus. KM: So you dont take on board easily then the concept of Ki as being a mystical, universal energy, and you down an opponent with just your stare ? HE: Listen, you know and I know this is just bull. I asked Abbe about Ki. He said everything is Ki. when you move, that is Ki, when you think that is KI. Nothing strange. But I have seen some odd things. Abbe lived in Acton and I used to visit him quite often. Now Abbe used to have his windows open, and his room would fill with birds. I dont mean one or two, I mean dozens of them. There would be sparrows, starlings, pigeons, blackbirds, all sorts. They would come to his window sill, then fly into the room and perch there, all of them together. Really weird. They were never afraid of him. KM: So how did you come to found your own schools, the Ellis Schools of Aikido ? DE: Well Id like to answer that one. Henry had a school in Bracknell and one in Slough. Whenever I was home from the rigs I would pop in and train. In fact I first met Chiba at the Slough dojo. I then opened my own school in Basingstoke, I also helped Trevor Jones in two of his schools. We were then asked to be part of the newly formed Martial Arts Commission. But because we were just a small community of clubs rather than an association, we decided to join a larger group. which was run by Kanetska. Kanetska unfortunately left the organisation early on, for several reasons, but one was that various parties within the British Aikido Board did not recognise my grades. Kanetska borrowed a copy of my certificate and asked if anybody at the table could read Japanese. He then pointed out that the signature on my certificate was that of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. How then, could the B.A.B not recognise such a grade ? He then got up and walked out. KM: You are saying that the B.A.B. didnt recognise grades given by the very founder of Aikido ? DE: Thats what Im saying, So we were left out in the cold again. It was Jim Elkin, Brian Eustace and Eddie Stratton who suggested we join in our own right, but we needed a name. So I thought it would be a good idea to call our group The Ellis Schools of Aikido, for exactly the same reasons that Ken Williams called the Hut The Abbe School of Judo. So I contacted Henry for permission to use his name. We had a meeting, he agreed, and he joined us. In effect, he joined his own association. KM: Well, I hope he keeps his dues up to date ! DE: Yeah. ( laughs ) Absolutely, Its a sad fact that the B.A.B. who have gone on record as stating that they have no interest in the history of Aikido in Britain, have criticised Henry for using his own name for his schools, when in fact, in truth, it was me. It is a very sad state of affairs when a governing body, that is there for the promotion of its art, has no interesting its own history, but can make statements concerning others. KM: That is very sad. Yet, if they looked at the history of Ryu in Japan, many were named after their founders, and branch schools were named after their founders too. So its not that arrogant really. HE: Thats very true, but we have consistency. Our organisation has been going now since the inception of the M.A.C. without any splintering or break-away groups. How many organisations can claim that today? On a political level, Aikido is probably the most disharmonious of all the arts. KM: Well that is, unfortunately, probably true. HE: The same applies in Japan though. Even as far back as 1967, Tadashi Abe ( no relation to Kenshiro Abbe ), a powerful man within the Aikido world, returned to the AikiKai Hombu, and was appalled at what he saw as being passed off as Aikido. He shook his head at the changes. He left leaving his certificates on the tatami. KM: Before we get too embroiled in the politics, have you any other stories of the early years ? HE: Hell, yes, In fact, thanks to me and Derek, Aikido was never taken on by the Girl Guides Association, and a host of other Youth associations in Great Britain. That would have been a great boost to the early development. We were asked by Abbe Sensie to do a demonstration at Lime Grove Baths, near the B.B.C. Now this was going to be a very important night with many dignitaries attending, amongst them were Lady Baden Powell, the Japanese Ambassador, Abbe Sensie of course and loads of publicity people. Derek and I never rehearsed our demos, we always just did them, enjoying the spontaneity of technique which made it that more real and convincing, We also used live weapons. Well, there was supposed to be a Judo display on before us, but unfortunately the Judo instructor and I had a run-in back stage, he deserved a bit of a slap, so I gave it to him. This prevented him from going on and we were called up early. Abbe was telling us how important this event was, but I was still riled up from earlier. Ive always had a bit of a short fuse. So Derek and me set to, and clatter clatter, a packet of cigarettes and a lighter fall out of Dereks gi top in the middle of the mat on this stage, half way through our demo, I went berserk and slammed poor Derek all over the place, one throw in particular, and this is true. DE: Oh Christ, yes! HE: One throw in particular took Derek clean off the stage, over the heads of the front row of the audience and back again. But of course, Derek was now getting angry with me and the attacks were getting more ferocious. He picked up a knife, real remember, and launched a full attack at me. He came at me so fast he actually caught my gi, cutting it and grazing my stomach, nothing serious. In fact, that gi now is in a framed case in one of our dojos in the United States. Well, after the show, Lady Baden Powell came up to us and stated That is the most disgusting display of gratuitous violence I have ever witnessed.” But the Japanese Ambassador pushed through and congratulated us on one of the best displays he had ever seen! Unfortunately, we had ruined it, and we have to apologise to the whole Aikido world. KM: So where is Aikido going today do you think ? HE: I dont know, and thats a shame. Years ago students never asked about grades and when the next one was. In fact in my schools they darent. But today, well Abbe Sensei used to say: No matter your pretence, you are what you are and nothing more.” I believe that. If youre a 3rd dan and make yourself a 5th. Well, youre still a 3rd dan really, and probably a poor one at that. You are what you are. DE: Back at the Hut, there were only 14 dan grades. Now it didnt matter if you were a 1st Dan , 2nd Dan,3rd Danor what. You were only referred to as a Dan grade. But today, people are only too eager to tell you what grade they are, or allegedly are. KM: So tell the readers a little about the Kenshiro Abbe celebrations last year. HE: Last year 2005, was the 50th Anniversary of Aikido being officially introduced to the UK. This was a milestone that needed to be recognition. We arranged an Aikido and Budo seminar at Crystal Palace on the 14th of May. We had Aikido, Kendo, Iaido, and Kyudo. We had speeches of support from Dr, Hamada of the Dai Nippon Butokukai, Kyoto. We had a letter from the AikiKa iHombu in Japan. The Japanese Embassy sent an official attach© Mr Motai who read a speech based on material from their own library. We had some of the U.K.s most senior Aikido instructors, including the last surviving four from the original Dan grades from the Hut. All were giving demos and teaching. People came from all over the world, yet the chairman of the B.A.B. who we invited, couldnt even be bothered to be there. There were members of the B.A.B. attending, but none in an official capacity. Now that is a crime. Ralph Reynolds was there teaching. It was great having all these people there, together again in one place to celebrate. It was a piece of history. I even commented to Ralph Reynolds that this would probably be the last time that we would be all together again. None of us were getting younger. see footnote Derek even gave a demonstration of techniques in the manner and style of the original four Japanese teachers that we had. He is probably the only man I know who can do this. It just gave an insight to the younger generations, the difference in style and their influences. KM: That would have been interesting. Do you have a favourite technique at all? DE: No, not really, Just as it comes, although others have commented on my use of Kaitenage, and that I perform it differently than most would expect it. I suppose it is my attitude that I try to get across rather than just the technique, and this is the influence that Ken Williams had on me. He would always apply a technique as if a sword was involved, Kaitenage lends itself well to this application, but very few people actually complete Kaitenage as it should be done, they sort of half do it. And of course there is the self defence application. It is quite brutal, but I havent seen that done for quite a while. KM: And yours, Henry? Have you a favourite? HE: Ah well, I suppose Nikkjo, from any of its forms really, Yes, I quite like Nikkijo, Im sure a lot of other people would tell you that too. KM: How does the training develop in your own dojo? Is it art or more practical ? HE: Very practical to start off with. Still learning basics, obviously, but very practical and applicable. Later on it becomes more art. In fact we have often been criticised that what we do is too near Daito-Ryu.Too hard and too vicious. DE: Yes, thats right, But I, well none of us, have ever studied Daito-Ryu. In fact Ive never been on the matwith a Daito-Ryu instructor. KM: Perhaps that is a sign of the decline of the arts. They are becoming too airy-fairy , too commercial, too easy, and basically put their students in a false sense of security. What advice would you give to prospective beginners to the arts. HE: Simple. Look around, visit as many clubs and styles as you can. Dont just settle for the club nearest your home. Look at their students, how are they? How do they perform ? Does it strike you that its a martial arts club or a social club? How well do the lower grades do? A lot of questions, but it is difficult to find a good teacher. What I do find terrible are these places that have 6 year old Black Belts. KM: Absolutely, that is disgusting. HE: How on earth can a 6 year old be a Black Belt? It demeans the meaning of a Black Belt, It demeans the art, and to me it insults the intelligence of the public. KM: Couldnt agree more. In fact, I would not even consider a club that had children as Dan grades. It cant be much of an art if you can become a Black Belt at 6 years of age, or even at 10. Putting it bluntly, Its absolute b******s. HE: Well its just commercialism. It makes a good story for the local press and TV. But you know, Its really child abuse to me. You make a child a Dan grade, publicise it, giving the kid false confidence and hope, and with very little ability really, and you make them a target for all the school bullies or hard boys. What better credibility for a school hard nose than to beat up a Black Belt! That is sad for the child and they are putting that child in danger. DE: Well we still practice the Mon system for children. And even if they reach brown belt as a junior, when they reach working age they go back down to green belt for when they come onto the senior class. You have to for their safety and welfare. KM: Thats good practise. You are no longer part of the B.A.B. although you were one of the founding members, and definitely a pioneer of Aikido in Britain, Why? HE: Very simple again. My own principals and truth. The B.A.B. although not interested in its own history or the history of Aikido in Britain, decided in 2000, to give awards to members for long service in Aikido. They awarded those whose history was basically fictitious, and could be proven so, The B.A.B. despite my protests, and this misrepresentation of the truth, which slurs the memory and hard work of the original Dan grades from the Hut, continued to support this lie. I had no option but to resign. But it got to the point, because the B.A.B. were trying to shut me up, that a meeting was arranged with the U.K. Sports Council. The B.A.B. had to give me a full written, public apology. I dont want to bore the readers with all this political nonsense and the maliciousness that certain B.A.B. executive members sank to, but information can be seen on http://www.geocities.com/BritishAikido . I will never rejoin them, but it is important to get history recorded and recorded correctly. KM: Without a doubt. I must admit as a columnist for M.A.I. The B.A.B. as I was their publicity officer at the time, insisted on vetting my articles before submitting them to Bob Sykes. Bob has given me nothing but full support, and consequently I resigned my post from the B.A.B. rather that be subjected to what amounts to censorship. It is too easy to forget and not to consider the effort it took to establish any of the arts in the U.K. and the thanks and gratitude that thousands of people owe pioneers such as yourself. We can just walk into any sports centre, or community hall today, and be met with an astounding array of various martial arts, and just take it for granted that they are there, with no thought of how they arrived. Crikey, I even get prospective students complain that I dont teach on a certain night in a particular area! What sort of commitment are they now showing. HE: Yes, its now too easy, but history has to be known, A lot more of the history can be seen on the above website and the other various links. Also, in my book Positive Aikido there is a lot more, articularly concerning some of the early Japanese instructors. KM: Well, Henry, Derek, this has been a very full and fascinating day and I am sure the readers of M.A.I. will enjoy this look at the early days of British Aikido. Thank you both for such a laugh too. HE / DE: No, thank you for the opportunity. FOOTNOTE: The title The Long and Winding Road was to reflect the long and arduous route of the development of Aikido in the U.K. and those who were responsible and the sacrifices they made. As stated it is all too easy to take for granted what we have today. This interview itself took on a life of its own, and believe me, there are many stories that I could not simply fit into this article. I suggest you read Positive Aikido . History, roots are important, in fact vital. Its not enough to know that your prospective teacher is an XYZ Dan, but where have they come from? Whats their history? What are their roots? Can it be verified? The history of the arts are a long and winding road. Ironically, while preparing the draft of this article, the sad news of the death of Ralph Reynolds was relayed on to me. Prophetic words indeed between Ralph and Henry at the Abbe Celebration last year. A more poignant point to the importance of getting the history recorded for posterity could not have been made. It is with Henrys permission that I dedicate this months column to the memory of Ralph Reynolds, a pioneer of martial arts himself. For him, his road has now come to an end, but hopefully through the students he has inspired, the journey will continue. For more information on the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido, visit, http://www.EllisAikido.org For the history of British Aikido visit. http://www.geocities.com/BritishAikido
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Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido was a direct student from 1957 of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985. Ellis was one of the first Dan grades ( black belts ) in the UK.
British Aikido Board National Nepotism Seminar
The British Aikido Board Disastrous National Nepotism Seminar 2004 — 99 Students By Henry Ellis ( BAB Founder member - now resigned ) Co-author of Positive Aikido. For many years The British Aikido Board ( BAB ) have shown no interest whatsoever in the true history of British Aikido, to be fair to the BAB, they have in the past shown a great deal of interest and support for the false history of British Aikido for which they have now publicly apologised, the apology to Henry Ellis by the chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter can be viewed on www.geocities.com/britishaikido. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei When Kenshiro Abbe Sensei first stepped on British soil in 1955 he brought with him the knowledge of many Budo arts, Aikido being one of them. Abbe Sensei also brought his Aikido based philosophy of Kyu-Shin-Do. This was the inception of British Aikido. Yet no where in the BAB literature will you find any reference to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei or the origins of Aikido within the UK. In the year 2000 the BAB were happy to help promote Mr Pooles proven fraudulent claims to 47 yrs of Aikido, I am plesaed to add that the BAB have now taken this claim by Mr Poole from the BAB Associations information website. I personally received my invitation from the BAB to attend Mr Poole’s event, that was the start of the long running British Aikido Board Controversy which was resolved at the mediation meeting 6th July 2005 with Sport England/BAB/Ellis. Yet sadly, the BAB have never ever recognised or promoted the true history of British Aikido or its founder Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. The reason for this article is that following the success of the great Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Celebrations 14th May 2005 I am informed that the BAB plan a similar event next year which would be an insult to the memory of Abbe Sensei and to the handful of Abbe Sensei direct students. It should be pointed out that the spate of attacks on the credibilty of British Aikido History - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Henry Ellis have all come from within the BAB, some are executive members along with prominent members of the British Aikido Board associations. These are the very people that the members would expect to promote and protect their proud lineage. The BAB chairman once supported the claims of Mr Poole by stating ” We have no formal records to prove or disprove either claim ” DUH < There were four of Abbe Sense’s direct students within the BAB > Mr John Burn.* BAB Executive *- *BAB Communications Officer* - Very Serious libel attack on the name of Henry Ellis. renews his attack 10th June 2005 stating ” This only serves to amuse me “. Jim Johnston. The then *BAB Press Officer*. Promoting the fraudulent claims of Mr Poole whilst fully knowing the truth. Mr Dominick Foster.* BAB Executive * - Attends the Kenshiro Abbe Celebrations and states to a VIP guest “What is this Celebration all about ” he then states that next year is the true celebration of British Aikido by the BAB. Mr Jack Poole.* BAB Senior Principal Coach *. The Jack Poole Biography..( a catalogue of lies. ). The KenShinKai.* Prominent BAB Association*. Gave 100% Support for the JP Bio..Their open letter taken from the NACD is a classic. Mr Gwynne Jones.* Prominent BAB member *. Dis-credits 6 of the first 8 of the early dan grades in MartialArts Illustrated article ” Bends the Branch..Issue June 05. visit the National Aikido Database for more information. British Aikido Board Statement Damned Forever * The BAB Chairman *Toni Davis stated in the year 2000 “We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History and therefore have no interest in the same” Sadly with the arrival of the new BAB chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter nothing changed, he made the statement below despite the factual information available to him and his executive, We must not forget that Mr Sumpter had the only four surviving students of Abbe Sensei for Aikido within the BAB. On the 17th April 2002 The *BAB Chairman * Mr Vincent Sumpter wrote to Henry Ellis with reference to the history of British Aikido. He then made the following crass statement in his support for the BAB stance on Mr Jack Poole. “The period in question predates the creation of the BAB by a significant amount of time and therefore we have no formal records to prove or disprove either claim.” The Kenshiro Abbe 50th Celebration Seminar May 14th Crystal Palace London 720 Participants —Guests — Spectators At the Sport England / BAB / Ellis mediation meeting 6th July 2004 where the BAB were reprimanded by Sport England and instructed to give Henry Ellis a full public apology. At the end of the meeting ( The minutes for this meeting can be viewed on www.geocities.com/britishaikido ), Henry Ellis appraised Ms Sadie Mason of Sport England of the proposed plans for the Kenshiro Abbe event, Ms Mason suggested that we should involve the BAB in our plans as part of the reconciliation of British Aikido, Henry Ellis agreed. Henry Ellis offered Ms Mason’s suggestion to the Abbe Event Committee, the suggestion was unanimously accepted 100%. The BAB executive were then approached and invited to send a representative ( any one of its 15,000 members ) of the BAB to attend our meetings and report back on our progress, this offer was rejected out of hand. Mr Vincent Sumpter “No matter your Pretence, you are what you are and nothing more!” Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Not deterred, we then invited the BAB chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter to attend The Kenshiro Abbe 50th Celebration as a VIP guest, to pay the respects of the BAB membership of which he represents . There were many BAB members attending, proving that this event was not about personal differences — styles or what organisation you belong to, I was pleased to see students from Mr Poole’s organisation who were also made very welcome. This event was about one thing and one thing only ” Kenshiro Abbe Sensie ” with demonstrations of the early aikido and its proud standards, with Sensei Eastman showing various techniques to show the influences that the different early teachers brought to the UK in those early days. Students trained with other students of various styles and associations with a friendliness not often seen in modern Aikido circles. this event went a long way to promote all that is good in Aikido. I believe that the spirit of Abbe Sensei would be very proud of this special day to his memory. Another crass statement from Mr Vincent Sumpter 27th March 2004 made before the Sport England Mediation meeting 6th July 2005. In an unwarranted attack on the genuine aikidoka who supported the British Aikido Controversy debate in its defence of the true history of British Aikido and the Aikido history of Abbe Sensei and his disciples. Mr Sumpter bleats. “The Boards conscience is clear. like all the practitioners of Aikido who contribute to this “controversy ” Mr Humm appears to have forgotten the meaning of the word “Aikido ” — Harmony of Sprit to find a Way ” The “Controversy ” website feeds hatred, ill — feeling, bitterness and discord. For my part, as an aikidoka who is passionate about the art and the etiquette that goes with it, I will therefore not add to the feeding frenzy this website generates. I can’t stop what is going on but I can turn the other cheek.” With reference to the above statement by Mr Sumpter I should remind the reader to visit www.geocities.com/britishaikido to read both the Sport England minutes and Mr Sumpters apology to Mr Ellis which can only be considered an apology to all those that supported the “Controversy ” in the name of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei including the named Mr David Humm. In response to our invitation to attend as a VIP guest to the Abbe event Mr Sumpter replied stating that he graciously accepted our invitation. Just before the event he changed his mind without explanation, suggesting that we allow Mr Ralph Reynolds to represent the BAB. Mr Reynolds had a far more important role to play as one of the main teachers at this event where he was delighted to take part as an original student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. This was such an important event with many good students who were members of the BAB, yet, the British Aikido Board were not represented at this event to pay tribute to such a great master and the founding father of British Aikido. If Mr Sumpter had attended he would have seen a Martial Arts Spectacular never before seen in the United Kingdom, where students from many organisations met and renewed old friendships, there were many more that made new friendships. In almost 50 years of Aikido I have never before experienced the special atmosphere that electrified the great hall at Crystal Palace from the moment the Taiko Drummers started to play on this day of celebration in the name of Abbe Sensei. I never ever thought in my life time that I would ever see an event to eclipse the great event at The Royal Albert Hall in 1963 with Abbe Sensei. I knew on Saturday the 14th of May that I was now witnessing the greatest Aikido event in my 48 years of Aikido. I am not an emotional man but I will admit that as I looked over the balcony of the concourse onto the tatami area with the sound of the Taiko Drummers and the hundreds of students and guests gathering below I was unable to stop the trickle of a few emotional tears as I realised I was witnessing something very special. MR SUMPTER, you missed something very special, whilst you sat 40 miles away at home ignoring the tribute to the father of British Aikido, others travelled from all parts of the UK — USA — France — Holland — Germany — Czechoslovakia. etc. Whilst you sat at home it was a wonderful moment when Sensei Bill Woods who was the personal aide to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and without doubt the most influential force in the history British Martial Arts, made a supreme effort despite his serious illness to pay his respects to the memory of Abbe Sensei. Also whilst you sat at home, Sensei Bill Stopps the personal Aide to Matsutharu Otani Sensei who despite his age and ill health also attended and thanked me wholeheartedly for inviting him as a special guest, and for the wonderful day he had experienced. Whilst you sat at home just 40 miles away, Sensei Robin Otani and his two sons, the descendents of Matsutharu Otani Sensei travelled all the way from Devon to attend. Sensei Joe Curran travelled all the way from Newcastle and Sensei Mike Nery travelled from Bristol. Sensei Dave Rogers travelled 7000 miles from New Mexico USA as did Sensei Al Montemar and Mr Chad Hatcher who flew over from Texas USA to pay their respects. Whilst you sat at home there were many others that travelled long journeys to attend. Unlike you Mr Sumpter these people wanted to attend. You missed some of the finest displays of the Budo arts that any martial artist is ever likely to witness at any one event, a truly lasting experience for all those that made the effort to attend. I was always under the impression that it was the sworn duty of any chairman to always do what was best for his organisation and its members. As the previous BAB chairman Toni Davies will always be rembered for nothing more than his unsweving support for Mr Poole. The present chairman Mr Sumpter will always be rembered as the BAB chairman who snubbed the Kenshiro Abbe Memorial to pay tribute to our founding father on behalf of his membership. Try Try Try Again After the disastrous “British Aikido Board Nepotism Seminar 2004″ with only 99 students attending out of a membership of approx 15000, the BAB have decided not to hold it’s 2005 National Seminar . They are of course fully aware of the fantastic success of the Kenshiro Abbe Celebrations. With 720 participants — honoured guests — spectators. The BAB having failed in its four year support for Mr Jack Poole to change the history of British Aikido. They now appear to have a renewed interest in the true history of British Aikido and its founder Kenshiro Abbe. No matter whatever the British Aikido Board do, that damning statement below will hang over their shameless heads for ever and a day. British Aikido Board Statement Damned Forever The BAB Chairman Toni Davis stated in the year 2000 “We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History and therefore have no interest in the same.” “No matter your pretence, you are what you are and nothing more.” Kenshiro Abbe Sensei By: Henry Ellis Co-Author of Positive Aikido. http://www.EllisAikido.org http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido
Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido. Aikido assistant National Coach for ten years, direct student of the legendary master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1957. Principal Coach of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido.
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