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We reported last year about the fact that Yokohama AikiDojo was among the four dojo who were selected to represent the Kanagawa Aikido Federation at the 59th All Japan Aikido Demonstration held at the Nippon Budokan. This year, our head instructor Guillaume Erard Sensei was asked to perform an instructor enbu (指導者演武) for the federation.

Such demonstrations are usually performed by one instructor, assisted by one or several uke. Of course, one of these uke was our own instructor Mihaly Dobroka Sensei, but in order to display Yokohama AikiDojo’s strong connection abroad, we asked Aurelien Yvart to come all the way from France, just to participate in this demonstration. Aurelien Sensei is one of the teachers at Aikido Aviron Bayonnais, a very dynamic dojo located in the South West of France, where Guillaume Sensei also conducts his yearly summer seminar.

Aurelien Sensei and Guillaume Sensei after a class at Yokohama AikiDojo

Since Aurelien Sensei only arrived in Japan a few days before the demonstration, we had to count on the help of fellow Yokohama AikiDojo instructors Derek Reiman Sensei and Jun Atsumi Sensei to help plan and rehearse the demonstration and make sure that it fitted in the allocated time. They did such a good job that on the day, the very last ukemi and slap on the mat coincided exactly to the sound of the taiko drum that signifies the end of the demonstration!

Guillaume Sensei, Mihaly Sensei and Aurelien Sensei at the Nipppon Budokan

The impression when entering the arena before the demonstration is quite hard to describe. Not only is the presence of a crowd of over 6,000 people quite intimidating, but the pace at which the demonstrations succeed each other make it quite challenging to keep one’s target rhythm. Moreover the feeling of being watched by all the senior Aikikai instructors is also quite daunting.

Aurelien Sensei getting mentally ready, seconds before stepping on the mat.

The day was also a wonderful opportunity to meet many friends and make new ones. For instance, we got the chance to meet with Shioda Masahiro Sensei, the grandson of Shioda Gozo who has recently become a very popular YouTuber. We could discuss many topics regarding Aikido history over drinks after the demonstration and we are in the process of planning a collaboration video.

Guillaume Sensei, Shioda Masahiro Sensei, and Mihaly Sensei

After the event was over, we headed to Shinjuku for dinner with the International Aikido Federation delegation headed by chairman Wilko Vriesman and Dorin Marchis. This year, they had youths teams from France, Belgium and Chile demonstrate as part of the foreign dojo enbu.

Guillaume Sensei organizing the IAF dinner

We finished Aurlien’s short stay in Japan with a few days of tourism around Yokohama and Tokyo and of course, some practice at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. In particular, he got to experience the hardness of the traditional tatami mats at Hombu, which was a bit of a shock to him compared to the softness of the judo mats that equip the dojos in France!

Aurelien Sensei, Guillaume Sensei, and Junhwan Yoon Sensei from Korea Aikido Federation.

We would like to thank Aurelien Sensei for coming all the way from France to participate with us in this event. Also, many thanks to the Kanagawa Aikido Federation for asking us to represent the prefecture and for the trust and support since we started the dojo.

We are already looking forward to next year!

Demonstration by Guillaume Sensei, Mihaly Sensei and Aurelien Sensei at the 60th All Japan Aikido Demonstration