Annual Open-Air Bukiwaza Workshop. 27 July 2025

This year's workshop was dedicated to Aiki-ken techniques and held especially close to our hearts, as it coincided with the 75th birthday of Nemoto Sensei. In recognition of his contribution to Aikido, we began the workshop with a special focus on material he carefully compiled and practised.

🔹 Ken Sōhō (剣操法 – Sword Manipulations)
We began with Ken Sōhō—sword handling exercises carefully compiled by Nemoto Sensei based on how Saitō Sensei taught and demonstrated them. This series does not assign individual names to each movement; it exists as a whole to explore the variety and depth of Ken manipulations, aiming to capture the spirit and precision of the Iwama tradition.

🔹 Kumitachi & Henka Nigeki
The second part of the workshop focused on the First Kumitachi and its Henka Nigeki variations, in which the final movement of the Kumitachi sequence is intentionally changed. We examined how these changes affect timing, distance, and positioning, using angle variations of 45°, 90°, and 135° to step off the line of attack.

📝 To deepen our connection to Nemoto Sensei, each participant received a small leaflet with excerpts from an interview conducted by Raman during one of his uchideshi stays in Iwama, offering a glimpse into Nemoto Sensei's background and way of thinking.

🍢 We ended the day with a relaxed barbecue near the Martello Tower—a chance to share food, stories, and laughter. These informal gatherings are just as vital as keiko, nurturing the bonds within our Aikido community.

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🌿 We welcome practitioners of all levels and ages to join us at Takemusu Aikido Society. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned budoka, our classes offer space to grow through sincere, shared practice.

🔗 Visit www.aiki.ie to learn more.

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