subject: The Golden age of British Budo [print this page] The Golden age of British Budo The early sensei's ~ K Abbe ~ M Otani ~ M Nakazono ~ H Michigami ~ T Abe ~ M Noro ~M Harada ~ Shohei Hamano ~ TK Chiba ~ To name a few On this site you will find links to a wide selection of Budo articles. Factual stories of the early days of British Budo. This period was often referred to as the ` Golden Age of British Budo ` by Masahilo Nakazono Sensei. Believe me, there was such a time. The 1950s & early 60s ~ It was a time before the invention of Plastic and the clutter of soon to follow ``Plastic Samurai``. It was a time before the internet and the abilty to create your own worthless dan grade certificates. No Dishonour. This was when no one would dishonour or dare to grade themselves. This was a time when students earned their grades, at the same time they were proud of their hard earned achievements. It was a time when students trained hard and the thought of Budo as a quasi religeon was the last thing on their minds. It was a time that the Martial Arts shared a healthy mutual respect for each other. It was also a time before a teacher from another dojo would ~up ~ your dan grade if you joined their group or association, known as the " Kellogs Syndrome ". Not a good time for Dancing. This was a time when there was only `Traditional Aikido` a time when tradition was an integral part of the martial arts. This was a time when only a dan grade wore a Hakama which was received on his graduation to dan grade, a time of values and respect for tradition. It was a time before Aikido uke's learned to float & fly, a time before `` no touch throws `` and Aikido with coloured ribbons and music. A time before Ki stood for Ki-dology ,a time before Ki was thought of as a form of magic. It was a much better time for Aikido, and Budo in general. It was a time when the best place for dancing was at the Hammersmith Palais. When Kids were Kids.. It was a time when kids were allowed to be kids, a time before the idiots graded six year old kids to dan grade, it was a time when kids had a `mon` grading system of stripes and colours,a system which allowed them the time to progress slowly and enjoy themselves. It was a time before the ``odd`` people wore designer gi's and Hakamas. It was a time before those awful blue Judo gi's and badges. A Time Before " Friends United " It was a time before Kenshiro Abbe Sensei had so many friends.It was a time before Abbe Sensei went from house to house eating `` my mums pie & mash ``. It was a time before the wannabee plastic samurai who never knew him,took Abbe Sensei's name in vain and added to their shame. When Dan Grades were special. There was such a time in British Budo,it was a much better time. It was a time when a 1st dan was special and a 3rd dan was like a super hero. It was a time when only respected Budo teachers held 6th ~ 7th or 8th dan, Jeeez just look around you now ?? :-( . When I see some of these modern self graded 6 - 7 -8th dans, I just can't help but think ``my god, they compare themselves with the likes of Sensei's Abbe ~ Otani ~ Nakazono. Kellogs have a lot to be responsible for. Plastic Plonkers It was a time before the Plastic Plonker Samurai who had no concept or understanding of the true philosophy of KyuShinDo but thought the name sounded really ``Japanesy `` then added it to anything and everything. There are some that say " There was no such Golden Age of British Budo " How would they know? It was before most of them were born. As a prominent Japanese Shihan said to me " Henry, there very few martial arts clubs, there are many social clubs ". Make a dream come true. It was also a time before Mr Mayo dreamt he was the founder of KyuShinDo and woke up a 10th dan. It was a time before Abbe Sensei developed KyuShin and with the wonderful insight of Mr Mayo who added " Do " or was it " Duh ! " Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido http://kenshiroabbe.blogspot.com/ http://kyu-shin-do.blogspot.com
