Takemusu Aikido Society

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 an...

Today, we dedicated our class to honouring Nemoto Sensei , who turned 75 this Wednesday. On the hottest days of July, he would lead hard, fast-paced, and mind-blowing classes focused on flow and the continuous execution of multiple techniques. In tribute to his inspiring energy and unique teaching style, we followed one of his favourite sequences in our training. We began with foundational movements to open the class: 🔹 Tai no Henko 🔹 Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare 🔹 Morotedori Kokyuho Then we moved through an evolving series of sequences, each building on the previous one and testing our fluidity and mental focus: Sequence 1 🔹 Katatedori Kokyuho 🔹 Katatedori Kaitenage Uchi Sequence 2 🔹 Katatedori Kokyuho 🔹 Katatedori Kaitenage Uchi 🔹 Morotedori Kokyunage 1 🔹 Morotedori Kokyunage 2 Sequence 3 🔹 Katatedori Kokyuho 🔹 Katatedori Kaitenage Uchi 🔹 Morotedori Kokyunage 1 🔹 Morotedori Kokyunage 2 🔹 Shomen Uchi Iriminage 🔹 Shomen Uchi Kokyunage Sequence 4 🔹 Katatedori...

Today in the Balbriggan dojo we welcomed a guest from Australia, a former uchideshi of Nemoto sensei, Trevor Jones. Today we focused on the iriminage techniques and at the end of practice, Trevor also taught us a few techniques.    Tai-Jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Morotedori Kokyuho Kosadori Iriminage Katatedori Iriminage Jodan Katatedori Iriminage Gedan Shomen Uchi Iriminage Ryotedori Tenchinage Trevor's teaching: Shomen Uchi Kokyunage (similar to the entrance to kaitenage with irimiage-like finishing) Shomen Uchi Kaitenage Soto Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: Ken no Kamae Shiboru Undo Tanren-Shiboru Picture taken 29 September 2018 in Tsukuba Shurenkai. Trevor is second from the right in the front row (with a logo on the chest) #aikido #aikidobalbriggan #aikidofingal #aikidodublin #aikidoireland #iwamaaikido #aikidoaikikai #nagewaza

This day was very important because Nemoto sensei adjusted his teaching schedule in Tsukuba Shurenkai to allow me to meet him. I greatly appreciate that he was so kind to think about me. Since Nemoto sensei got a stroke several years ago, he teaches only once a month at each location where his groups practise. So it was a big gesture from his side to demonstrate his favour and affection. Some people from other dojos also came to see me and Nemoto sensei. Some people such as Komeda san and Megumi san were expected to come, but some others made a big surprise by coming. I never expected that Sakatani sensei, leader of Tsuchiura-Tsukuba Aikikai, would come to meet me. I also did not expect to see Miura san, the father of Megumi san and one of the instructors of Tsuchiura-Tsukuba Aikikai. I greatly respect these people and appreciate that they found time to travel the long distance to meet me. Other people came with unhealed injuries for the same reason. I do not know how to repay all of t...

On the third day in Japan, I visited Tsukuba Shurenkai, the dojo where I practised four years before coming to Ireland. Everybody was very excited to see me, especially O. san who literally jumped on me and hugged me. Everybody was very interested to know as much as possible about our dojo and students. Special interest was in F., whose teacher was in close touch with Saito sensei and Nemoto sensei, and Y., who does all his best to learn a slightly different Aikido style. So I gave the best introduction I could.  Techniques covered today: Tai jutsu: Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Mororedori Kokyuho Mororedori Ikkyo omote Mororedori Ikkyo ura Mororedori Nikyo Ura Mororedori Nikyo Ura Ku no Nagare Mororedori Iriminage Mororedori Iriminage Ki no Nagare Shita kara Ue Mororedori Iriminage Ki no Nagare Ue kara Shita Zagi Kokyuho Bukiwaza: 13 no Jo awase 1-3 Ki no Nagare 4-6 Ki no Nagare 7-9 Ki no Nagare 10-13 Ki no Nagare 1-13 Ki no Nagare