Endo Shihan in Singapore
March 20-23, 2001

Contributed by Daniel Nishina*

The afternoon view from a downtown cafe terrace, behind a tall glass of vanilla-accented chai good enough to stand out among all the memories of the aikido seminar here in Singapore. The sky stays white and overcast for the most part, with splotches of rain and sun, the air like a big warm pillow. The seminar, sponsored by sensei George Chang and the Ueshiba Aikido Association, is in a community center about a 10-minute drive from downtown Singapore, featuring Endo Seishiro sensei of Aikikai Hombu Dojo.

The practice area is an auditorium with glass walls and doors on 3 sides, and a banner welcoming Endo Shihan on the back wall of the stage. Security's tight. Apparently the doors are not to be opened until just before class, and when they are, almost everyone sits down in line immediately.

Some of the classes are meant to be oriented toward beginners; in these there are mostly blue, orange, and brown belts to be seen, plus a hint of red. The entire room sits down to watch whenever Endo sensei begins to practice with someone, even though it's his normal habit to go around throwing everyone during the whole class. Several times he tells people to continue practicing, but for the most part he humors the attention by demonstrating and talking. In any case, it has been about eight years since Endo sensei last visited Singapore, so simply having everyone attempt to practice what he demonstrates doesn't seem to be the most viable way.

"Keep contact and don't stop your ki," is one of the teachings repeated throughout the seminar. There is also repeated emphasis on perceiving and taking what your partner gives you. "Be soft and concentrate your feeling. Here," says Endo sensei, slapping his belly. "All of the old masters were soft, as well as any professional athlete today." We are told to remain soft and relaxed the whole time, not changing, not becoming afraid or startled if uke grabs strongly or harshly. One point of notice is that Endo sensei claims it necessary to be light, in addition to being soft and concentrated. He demonstrates the concept by exaggerating, practically dancing around his partners during some of the techniques. He also touches briefly on the necessity for beginners to learn kata, but that later we must learn through kata.

Throughout the seminar, Endo sensei demonstrates different ways uke's ki and body might behave. "This is impossible," we hear numerous times as he shows ways that are impossible or difficult to break uke's balance. For example, he says this as he pushes down on uke during ikkyo or before breaking balance in iriminage. "Feel which way your uke's ki is going and just change its direction. Feel what's happening and use it. Sense what your uke gives you and take it."

Several times Endo sensei finds it necessary to focus on ukemi. He demonstrates quite a bit taking the role of uke with many different partners. Once, it is about how ikkyo is not possible if uke does not come in toward nage. Another time, it is about uke's dead arm or lack of participation in yokomen-uchi. On a few occasions the classes get very basic, such as the time Endo sensei covers the footwork and raising of the hands in the circular response to yokomen-uchi. At the other end of the spectrum, he also touches upon his idea that aikido is meditation in movement. "Why did O-sensei name this aiki-do? Because this is learning 'Do' or 'Tao' through aikido."

All of the classes are comprised of mostly beginner level people, which may make virtually impossible the task of teaching Endo sensei's specific principles and concepts, especially when coupled with the fact that he is practically new to everyone. But as with any seminar, the best that can be hoped for is that an opportunity for enjoying practice was made, and that it may provide inspiration for even just a few people, who can keep and digest this fragment of experience in a way that will ultimately be another step in their path.

For more information about Ueshiba Aikido Association, please see their website
at http://home1.pacific.net.sg/~sklow/ or contact:
GEORGE CHANG KOON CHUA
Newton, P. O. Box 0164 Singapore 912206
Phone (65)9710 7886
Fax (65)553 0933
E-mail [email protected]

*Dan is an eight year aikido student currently studying at Aikikai Honbu Dojo in Shinjuku Tokyo, Japan.