Shoheijuku Aikido

Shoheijuku Newsletter February 2022

Published · Updated

I thought we greeted each other saying “Happy New Year” just the other day, but it is February already. As Tao Yuanming said in his poem “Time and tide wait for no man,” I am keenly aware of how fast time flies now again.      

At each Shoheijuku dojo, Kan-geiko (winter training) is being held for one week until February 3rd. It is the coldest time of the year, but we have just a few more days. Let’s do our best to achieve our original goal.  

Shoheijuku Kagami Biraki

~ 25 people promoted by recommendation ~

On Sunday, January 16th, we held the Shoheijuku Kagami Biraki ceremony at Tenjin Dojo.

The ceremony commenced at 10:30 AM with the emcee, Mr. Takayoshi Kanato. 

  • Bowing to the shrine
  • Offering a silent prayer to the Founder, Ueshiba Morihei Sensei and the Second Doshu, Ueshiba Kisshomaru Sensei
  • Greetings by Dojo-cho
  • Dedicatory Embu
  • Awarding Certificates

After the Kagami Biraki ceremony, we usually have a zenzaikai (eating red bean soup with mochi), but we cancelled it just like last year. 

At the kagami biraki ceremony, following people were promoted by recommendation:

8th Dan
Hirokazu Honda

7th Dan
Mitsuo Shimada
Hideki Takemura

6th Dan
Hidetoshi Yasukawa
Hiroshi Tanaka
Atsushi Toyoda
Masahiro Nakano
Tomohiro Itai
Anna Helmond

5th Dan
Masaki Matsui, Masayoshi Tashima, Nobuyasu Fujibayashi, Jiro Azuma, Atsushi Maeda, Yukiko Yoshimoito, Akihiro Komatsu, Tadashi Yamada, Koichi Muratsu, Yoshihisa Inada, Nobuhiro Matsunaga, Tsutomu Okazaki, Shi Kin, Yoshihiro Minami, Masamichi Shigematsu

4th Dan
Yuko Haratani

25 people were promoted this time. Their longtime efforts have paid off. Congratulations! 

I hope everyone continues to work hard at maintaining a healthy mind and body.  

Events in February

23 – Beginners’ Seminar
Place: Tenjin Dojo 
Time: 10:00 AM ~ 11:30 AM
Eligibility: white belts / beginners
Fee:2200 Yen
Instructor: Morito Suganuma

23 – Yoga & Zazenkai 
Place: Shoheijuku Hombu Dojo
Time: 2:00 PM ~ 

24 – Omuta Dojo

26 – Seinan Gakuin University

At the exam at Shoheijuku Hombu Dojo in December, Mr. Satoshi Takahashi took his 3rd Dan test at the age of 91. He performed as solid and energetic techniques as young people would do against attacks both with and without weapons.   

Everyone at the exam was moved …

“Those in their 60s and 70s are still snot-nosed. The prime of manhood starts at 100.”

— Denchu Hiragushi, a woodcarver who passed away at 107 years of age.

— Morito Suganuma