Wednesday, 1 May 2024

 Welcome to the home of the " Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido "


Please visit our new Facebook page at  " Henry Ellis Aikido ".

Both Derek Eastman and Henry Ellis are the last two of the original 1950s pioneering students of Traditional Aikido Training in Aikido,  as it was introduced and taught by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1955 - Yes ! - there was/is  kicking and punching in Abbe's style of true Traditional Aikido .
 Many of the early Aikido dan grades worked as doormen on London night clubs. anyone practicing ``Wokiodo ` couldn't do any of that. The Hut Dojo`wasn't called the Hell Dojo for nothing. 
Both Ellis and Eastman have spent much of their final years working to preserve the legacy left in our care by the legendary Kenshiro Abbe. 
There are some devious people in the world of Aikido,  ones that have attempted to change our proud documented lineage, it is with the aid of the internet - Teaching - writing books - articles - YT videos - we have been able to spread the truth for the future generations to follow.
Henry Ellis is the only UK student to have his dan grade diploma's signed by ` Kenshiro Abbe Sensei -` Morihei Ueshiba (1st &  2nd dan  - Moriteru Ueshiba ( shihan ) - Mutsuru Nakazono - Kazuo Chiba.

Saturday, 17 February 2024

  Click Title to visit Amazon.

NEW

 The Long and Winding Road of a Budoka ,  - Amazon £5-99p



Henry Ellis the last survivor of the original group of five Aikido pioneering students of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from the 1950s.

Ellis Sensei tells many stories from his 70 years of travelling and spreading the word of Aikido and Budo.

The stories bring to life many of the people from those incredible times, the stories vary from serious to hilarious .

  Ellis Sensei has spent his final years documenting in several           Amazon books the history of British Aikido, 

The life of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei .

  BELOW; The first comment on the new book " The Long and       Winding Road of a Budoka,"

Jason White
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read

    Reviewed in the United States on 10 February 2024

This is a short, easy to read book. It's interesting reading about Henry Ellis & his path through budo. I was originally just going to put it on a shelf with the rest of my collection but I decided to read the first page & couldn't put it down. I wasn't expecting it to keep my attention the way it did but I'm glad I ordered it now.

Monday, 1 January 2024

 Click  for Video  >Rik Ellis  -  AIKIDO - MMA     

British UK1 MMA  Light Heavyweight Champion title holder   2012

Rik Ellis ~ Aikido Shodan - Demonstrating.

Uke / Training Partner 

Nick ``Head-Hunter`` Chapman . UCMMA Champion


Sunday, 5 November 2023

 Click here ->  British Aikido History Site  

The Amazon books ` Kenshiro Abbe Sensei ` - `British Aikido History` - The Founding of Jujitsu - Judo - Aikido in the UK` The books are written by Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman two of the last of the surviving direct students of Kenshiro Abbe from the 1950s. - Co-author Abdul Rashid. 

If you are interested in the factual history of British Traditional Aikido as documented by a direct student of  Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei from 1955. Please visit the British Aikido History site, take a look at the Amazon book " British Aikido History "  a great book with many photos of past and present teachers both British and Japanese.

Read the recently resurfaced Mutsuro Nakazono letter from 1966. This letter was received by Ken Williams Sensei at a time of great upheaval in British Traditional Aikido, and the break up of the `British Aikido Council` BAC . This was just months before the arrival of TK Chiba Sensei. 

Wednesday, 13 September 2023

  New Amazon Book now Available.  In card-back £12-95p.

KENSHIRO ABBE SENSEI  1915 - 1985 - The Forgotten Budoka 

Amazon page  Click Image.

Published by Amazon 20th - May - 2021
Compiled by the Martial Arts researcher Abdul Rashid.

This new book is a thoroughly researched and detailed, documented  history, including a personal interview with Henry Ellis one of the last surviving direct students of Abbe Sensei from the 1950s.



A new book published by Amazon Books -.  This book is  an in-depth look at the life and times of this legendry man of Budo, from his childhood to his time as a captain and Brigade Commander in the Imperial Japanese Army during WW2 - his time at the Busen - Butokukwai - His competition successes in front of the Japanese Emperor, his defeat of the great Judoka Kimura also his time in the UK and Europe. This will complete our `library` of British Martial Arts history as associated to the influence of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 8th dan Judo - 6th dan Kendo - 6th dan Aikido - 6th dan Ju-Kendo. 

The following Amazon Book  titles may be of interest to the student and teachers who value the true origins of British Martial Arts.  " The Founding of Ju-Jitsu - Judo - Aikido in the United Kingdom "  --- " British Aikido History " --- " Kenshiro Abbe Sensei the Forgotten Budoka " --- " Positive Aikido "  by Dave Rogers ---  " The Life - Giving Sword " the life of K Chiba by Leise Klein.


Tuesday, 12 September 2023

"British Aikido History" the Book.

British Aikido History  -  From 1955


 "It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit "   Noel Coward


Click on Book Image for Amazon.  Book price £6 - 64p.

This book acknowledges the many British Aikidoka and Japanese Budoka that Ellis and Eastman met along their  journey to promote the little known martial art of Aikido. from a time when the Hut Dojo was the only Aikido dojo in the UK - There is now an Aikido dojo in almost every town and city.


Click image to enlarge or click image in R/H column to go straight to the Amazon book page for [Look Inside] a free preview. The book " British Aikido History " this is the story of the last of the original pioneers still involved in the promotion of the true history for future generations. There are many old photos from the 1950s/60s. There are acknowledgments to those that have helped to protect and preserve our origins from the era of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1955.The book is 311 pages of stories - interviews -anecdotes - history - and much more - Please visit the free preview to see what this book has to offer. Over the years I have been asked many times `what was it like to study directly under Kenshiro Abbe Sensei?`, this book will give the reader a taste of that era, a time when Aikido was a martial art and the people who trained were martial artists in the truest sense of the term. Sadly, so many of the Japanese and British early pioneers of Aikido are no longer with us, we will remember as we pay our respects to them, may they rest in peace. The book was published by Amazon on the 7th of March 2021 - Cost B/W £6-35p,  or colour version £27-00.

Monday, 11 September 2023

 New Books Available on Amazon.  In card-back £6-85p.


Click Image

Founding of JuJutsu-Judo-Aikido in the United Kingdom`
 
There are many books on Martial Arts - it is our intention to offer a selection of only the best researched books available.Abdul Rashid the martial arts researcher has worked tirelessly to research the very origins of the evolution of martial arts in Britain from the 18th century prior to the arrival of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955 and the everlasting influence left by Abbe Sensei [1915 - 1985 ].

There are sadly now just a very small group of  direct students surviving to this day. Abdul Rashid has been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with two genuine pioneers from the incredible Kenshiro Abbe Era, Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman were students of Judo in the 1950s and shortly after they became a part of the very first group of Aikido dan grades in the UK.

There are two books available a black and white copy for £6-95p or the enhanced coloured copy at £29-00.


Sunday, 10 September 2023

Important new book released by Amazon. In card-back £8-90p.

Click for free Amazon page view.



The British Budo Controversy

Past history is an important part of present day life, much of todays lessons of life are learned from the lessons of past events of history.

 In the past, and the life we lead today, the facts of history can be lost in time as the people that were an indelible part of any historic events become fewer and fewer, such is the case of the British Budo Controversies .

With the demise of the central figures to our budo history, such as Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Tadashi Abe Sensei - Mutsutaro Otani Sensei - Mutsuro Nakazono, Kazuo Chiba Sensei . We must not forget the many English Budoka that were a part of the early development of British Budo, there are too many to mention here, I must add two of my greatest friends the late Bill Woods Sensei RIP -  Gerry Gyngell Sensei RIP. they both worked in the BJC London office with Abbe Sensei, they were a great source for information of those wonderful early days. 

As these legendary figures have now passed into history, there are the unscrupulous and shameless characters that will write their own versions of their associations and ``friendships `` with the past Budo masters, their imagination would be more fitting in a sequel of `Harry Potter`. 

This book documents two of the most shameless attempts to corrupt our proud heritage and lineage, it also sadly exposes individuals and organisations that to this day offer their full support of many more fraudulent claims . All fraudulent grades and titles are never questioned.

Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman are two of the last few survivors of the Kenshiro Abbe era from the 1950s, with the support of their co-author Abdul Rashid they intend to leave a documented history  in all their books of an amazing and historic time of which they were proud to be direct students of Kenshiro Abbe and so many other legendary Budoka  from that early era.

Quote;  " If you tell the truth - You don't need to remember anything." - Mark Twain.

Henry Ellis

 . 

Wednesday, 7 December 2022

Excellent Researched and documented video 

The Founding of Jujutsu Judo Aikido in the UK









Due to the increasing amount of BS from the MayoShinDo group and many others who make claims to have been associated with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and KyuShinDo, which is an insult to Sensei's memory.









Kyu Shin Do
by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 1915 - 1985

Kyu: To Study, or Seek

Shin: The Cosmic Nucleul Principal ( precise translation impossible ) . All motion in the universe maybe resolved basically, to a series of circular and semi-circular actions. This only by obeying this fundamental principal of motion: avoiding stiff, angular stances, or postures, that we can achieve the best Judo - Aikido - Kendo - Karate.
The three precepts of KyuShinDo  are as follows:

BANBUTSU RUTEN: All things existent in the universe are in a constant state of flux.

RITSU DO: This motion is rhythmic and flowing.

CHOWA: All things work and flow in perfect harmony and accord.
The human body naturally falls into this ordered state, when we perform physical techniques.
We study not only the movement alone, but seek the most basic principals behind the action.
One cannot make perfect separation of the spiritual and physical without death resulting through the basic idea of physical application, the spiritual import of the theory should follow naturally.
Please regard this very brief explanation, as you would the caption of an illustration, both requiring direct experience for complete understanding.
DO: Way, or Path.



Sadly
This website is dedicated to my teacher Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - the founder of KyuShinDo . It is unfortunate that I ( we) have to also expose the ever increasing amount of BS by people who are seeking some form of credibility by using the name of this great Budoka. 






                G Mayo 10th dan - founder - KyuShinDo or BullShinDo ?

It is sad to see that, despite the facts, the MayoShinDo group still claim on their website Mayo site - Mr Mayo is the ``Founder of KyuShinDo``.

Whilst such crass idiotic claims do little for the memory of Mr Mayo or the integrity of the Mayo group, it is an insult to the memory of our teacher Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 8th dan, a man who was a true budo legend.

The Mayo group make much of a letter acknowledging a one off meeting with Abbe Sensei by Mr Mayo - Mrs Teresa Reeve the widow of Bill Reeve Sensei ( personal aide to Abbe Sensei )states that she clearly recalls that her husband reluctantly typed the letter after advising Abbe Sensei against sending a personal letter to such a man as Mr Mayo. It would appear that Bill Reeve Sensei was a very perceptive man.

Visit the "Aikido Articles Blog"->Aikido ArticlesMr George S. Mayo - Eulogy...
From the MayoShinDo website.

On November 30th 2004 G. S. Mayo, 10th dan, died in his 86th year. Founder of Kyushindo, founding Grand Master of MayoShinDo. The martial arts world lost a great teacher ...



BullShido Investigation into MayoShinDo

Click here -> BullShiDo investigate MayoShinDo KYU-SHIN-DO BAGPIPES ~ PLAYING " Old MacMAYO-SHIN-DO "

The`KyuShinDo Blog` & `Kenshiro Abbe Blog` are fully supported by several surviving ``genuine `` original students of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1955.

MayoBagpipesDo

Take a look at this video example of the MayoShinDo group....KyuShinDo Karate :-) - The use of both names KyuShinDo and Abbe Ryu is an attempt to con the public into believing there is an association with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei...Click link to hear Mr Mayo 10th dan play " Old MacShinDo " on the Bagpipes. Click here.. Abbe Ryu - Japanese Bagpipes playing " Old MacShinDo " Another insult .. KyuShinDo Karate video using photo of K Abbe Sensei # Sad & Disrespectful # "


Saturday, 18 June 2022

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei  &  Kyu Shin Do Judo


Kenshiro Abbe had no association what-so-ever with KyuShinDo Karate - Aikido - JuJitsu.
KyuShinDo is a theory /philosophy of Judo movement created by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - KyuShinDo is ``not`` a martial art - Sooo how do people claim to be graded in KyuShinDo ???- How can you have a dan grade in a theory ???

     Scroll down for KyuShinDo information - Films - Videos - Photos


Visit Aikido Books for `Positive Aikido`

_____________________________________________


British Aikido History
1955 - 2012

The official British Aikido History site - Is dedicated to the true history of Aikido in the UK from its inception in 1955 by the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

Right: Kenshiro Abbe Sensei with Ken Williams Sensei at the Hut Dojo.




Right: Mitsusuke Harada Sensei

Right: Henry Ellis - Mitsusuke Harada - Derek Eastman join Harada Sensei at the TK Chiba Celebration in 2006. Harada Sensei was invited to the UK in 1963 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - He held his first classes at the Hut Dojo. Harada had no students to begin with - Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman studied Karate with Harada, he in turn studied Aikido with them - Harada began to incorporate Aikido moves later into his Shotokai Karate as can be seen in his teachings today.

The site is maintained by AikiKai Shihans Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman -  The last two surviving pioneers from that exciting era of the birth of Aikido in the UK at the famous "Hut Dojo"

Ellis & Eastman Sensei's are co-authors of the book `Positive Aikido` - they are proud to have their diplomas signed by legends - Osensei Morihei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Masahilo Nakazono - Masamichi Noro - TK Chiba - Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.

Click here for the British Aikido History Blog > British Aikido History Site


Earliest known film/video of UK Aikido Demonstration - 1963.

USAF - UK Air Base - European Judo Championships.

Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman - Geoff Goodwin.

Click here ->  Earliest UK Aikido Demonstration Fil.



__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The `BAB` is the Governing Body for Aikido in the UK.

British Aikido Board - Jack Poole Controversy Slide Show

The Betrayal of British Budo



The British Aikido Board Controversy Slide Show.

Documented evidence of the conduct of the UK Governing Body for Aikido.

Detailing the BAB's attempted collusion with one Mr Jack Poole to change forever the true proud history and lineage of British Aikido, from its inception to the UK in 1955 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

Henry Ellis was actually Mr Poole's first teacher as one can clearly see from the large collection of photos and statements, this did not deter the BAB from proudly parading Mr Poole along-side his teacher as a `Pioneer of British Aikido` .

Imagine you are a direct student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and recognised by the Doshu and TK Chiba as a true pioneer of British Aikido - The UK Aikido governing body invite you to receive an award in recognition of this - As you wait to meet the Lord Mayor of Birmingham - you hear a shuffling sound - you look behind - standing there unannounced is one of your old students in line to receive the same award as a pioneer - unbelievable. You could not make this up - The BAB did.

CLICK - Tribute Slide-Show to TK Chiba Sensei - 1940 - 2015

" It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit   " - Noel Coward

KYU SHIN DO 
If you or your teacher claim to have been friends of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei ? You are not welcome here

" If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything " - Mark Twain




Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 1915 - 1985

Judo History

1933 - Promoted to 5th dan at age 19 years - Japans youngest holder of this grade.
1936 - Graduated 1st from ` Busen Martial Arts College in Kyoto` Won the main trophy in the all Japan East West Championships.
1936 - Won the 5th dan Championships in the Emperors Imperial Tournament.
1937 - Promoted to 6th dan - the youngest in Japan at 23 years of age.
1946 - Promoted to 7th dan at 31 years of age - the youngest ever in Japan.
1955 - Arrived in Britain as resident master at the ` London Judo Society `.
1956 - Appointed National Coach of the AJA
The great Japanese Judo Champion Takahiko Ishikawa 9th dan described Abbe Sensei as the worlds greatest teacher.

Appointments

Chief Instructor to the Kyoto Police & Doshisha University
Editor of National Japanese Judo Magazine
Director of Kodokan Judo Films.
Director of Kyoto Judo League .
Tech: Adviser and Broadcaster on Judo to Japanese Radio and Television Services.
Superintendent of Kyoto Police
Judo Instructor to Japanese Army Staff College.

Abbe Sensei's most Famous Fight

Kenshiro Abbe's  Sensei's most famous fight as a Judoka occured in 1936 in Saineikan at the Imperial Palace - Tokyo.
The line comprised of all godan - the best and strongest competitors in all Japan.  
The best five were selected to fight all contestants , Abbe Sensei finished  each opponent in less than one minute, including Kimura Sensei, who at that time was regarded as the strongest Judoka in contemporary Japanese Judo History. 


Kyu Shin Do 
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei's philosophy, theory and principal of movement - not a Martial Art


" No matter your pretense - you are what you are and nothing more - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei  - Read the article  - "Trying to Catch the Wind "



This old photo is of the original ` British Judo Council ` badge - The emblem is Abbe Sensei's family crest of the butterfly. The BJC was formed in 1958 - Initially it was the body for Judo - Kendo - Karate - Aikido. Later each would have its own organizing council under the umbrella of the BJC .

Aikido - 1955 - 2016 - For those that studied with Sensei's  Kenshiro Abbe - Tadashi Abe - Masahilo Nakazono - TK Chiba Sensei in those early days will remember their Judo and Aikido being true Budo, something that very few will ever see or feel again.





For the declining numbers of surviving direct students of the UK early Japanese teachers, we are still saddened by their loss, our sadness is tinged with anger at the amount of  shameless people who will use the names of the deceased Japanese masters in a pathetic attempt to give themselves some form of credibility to their otherwise uneventful life in the martial arts.  

30/9/15 - I have just read of an 8th dan ( same grade as Abbe Sensei :-)  who claims to have trained with Abbe Sensei in the 1970s [ Abbe Sensei was no longer in the UK - he also trained at Chigwell summer schools in the 1970s with Abbe Sensei [ summer schools ended mid 60s ] he also trained with Nokiano [ Is that a mobile phone ? ] which I assume is Nakazono Sensei who had moved to NM USA :-)

My 10th dan BS Award goes to this story.
Extract: Sensei Bloggers mother brought Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from Japan to personally teach her son - Abbe Sensei stayed at their home teaching Blogger Sensei all of the Budo arts - Abbe Sensei was also the godfather of baby Blogger
[ Name changed to protect the Numpty ].

KSD
Kyu Shin Do


Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 1915 ~ 1985
8th dan Judo -Aikido 6th dan - Karate 6th dan - Kendo 6th dan - Jukendo 6th dan.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei article  ->  "Trying to Catch the Wind "






Left Site Admin; Henry Ellis Shihan
Grading diploma's signed by Osensei M Ueshiba (2) - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - M asahilo Nakazono Sensei - TK Chiba Sensei - Miteru Ueshiba Doshu.

It is the intention of the few surviving direct students from the 1950s of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, friends sharing a common bond who still remain in contact with each other, to continue to protect the proud history and legacy for present and future generations of genuine Budoka who will one day want to filter the truth from the depths of the ever increasing cess pit of bullshit .We will continue to protect Sensei's name and legacy from those that would abuse his name for their own devious ends and purposes.




L to R: W Woods Sensei - Hamano Sensei 9th dan - K Abbe Sensei 8th dan. - 1963

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei's ` Kyu Shin Do ` was his creation of the theory and perfection of Judo circular movement.

Yet over the years it has become so many different things to so many disreputable martial artists.
Direct students of Abbe Sensei such as the late Bill Woods sensei and my good friend Gerry Gyngel - Ray Twitchen and others including myself, found it difficulty to grasp the depth of Sensei's teaching.
It is amazing that so many that have never met Abbe Sensei presume to know more about KSD than Sensei himself.
It is with sadness and disbelief that I see people are actually grading each other to dan grade in KSD - how the L do you get a dan grade in a theory ? - I am told there is one guy who claims to be sixth dan KSD - now that is a lot of theory.

Henry Ellis Shihan - Admin.


MayoShinDo Discussion on Bullshido




" " " Outside of Japan the Tokushima Budo Council of Europe is the only authorized guardian of Kenshiro’s legacy of Kyushindo Theory study and practice " " ".


 [ The above incredulous statement by the TBC who  refer to Sensei disrespectfully as ``Kenshiro's `` ]

A Public Reply by William `Bill` Woods - LJS Judo Champion 1954 - Personal Aide and Secretary to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1955 - 1969
Replies to
``Kancho``  Alf Bates of the ` Tokushima Budo Council

Photo left: The late -W `Bill `Woods, 8th dan  -  Right:: The late  Alf Bates Kancho 10th dan (?) 

Today there are more than ever before increasing numbers of claims to have been personal friends of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - or the really bizarre claims to have been left the Theory of KyuShinDo in their personal care.
There are now so many of these claims, the most prominent offenders are the Mayo Shindo Group.
Bill Woods Sensei offers his concerns of the claims of the Tokushima Budo Council.
Sadly there are many who are too willingly believe - but there is always hope whilst there are genuine students that will seek out the truth.

Please read this open letter from my old friend  William `Bill` Woods Sensei.


W `Bill` Woods Public Response to the Claims of Mr Alf Bates
14th  January  2001

In answer to the nonsense printed about the Butokukwai and sent to me by a colleague, I am now setting out the truth of events.


Left : Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

I was the only person to stay with Abbe Sensei throughout his first stay in England. From being a `special student `at the LJS in 1955 until his departure in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympic Games. ( I was LJS Champion in 1954 )

The uke you do not mention with Abbe Sensei is Mick Surgett.( One of my old 3rd dans ). The D
ai Nippon Butokukwai was closed by General MacArthur after the last war ( when judo and other martial arts were banned, and it was never reopened. Former graduates of the Busen ( The Teachers Training College ) included Abbe Kenshiro and Michigami Haku.

The awarding of the ranks Doshi - Renshi - Kyoshi and Hanshi etc is the prerogative of the Emperor of Japan. Before the war it was only given by the Butokukwai. Since the war permission had been given to three groups ( only one Judo ) This was to the Kokusai Budoin ( IMAF )  who awarded me the rank of  Kyoshi ( No 5239 )in May 1997.  I was also awarded my 8th dan Judo ( No 146 ) in July 1999, the only foreigner to be awarded this grade by I.M.A.F.
Would Mr Bates also please give details of his certificates from Japan ? If he cannot then credence should be given to the fact that this resurgence started in America, with all that this implies. Concerning  " The Dream of Abbe Sensie ". He never gave the B.J.C. to Mr Bates.

Left: Matsutaro Otani Sensei.

I was Chief Instructor for Abbe Sensei from the time he left the L.J.S. until he returned to Japan in 1964.

Mr Bates was not known. I was also the 5th secretary ( after Robin Otani left ). Robin was then only 15 years of age, too young to tell grown men what to do. I said this to Abbe Sensei later on and he agreed with me. When I took over and reorganised the O.K. the membership was just over 3,000. Two years later it was over 13,599. After one year I managed to get an office in Denmark Street, off Charing X road. It was 9` x 6` and cost us £2-50p per week. At least I was away from the Otani house in Acton.

Before Abbe Sensei returned to Japan, he always said he would take me with him, but never did. In 1964 he informed me ` that it is not necessary for me to have a secretary when I am not here, only a committeeto run things in my absence`. My friend Tomio took over and with Miss Smith ( both full time )took over a suite of rooms as an office, with a committee consisting of D Delderfield, G Gyngel, and others under the presidency of Matsutaro Otani. ( this story can be checked with them ). Mr Abbe never put the reins of the B.J.C. in the hands of Mr Bates.

Left: Gerry Gyngell.

Mr S Hamano 9th dan and chairman of the Kodokan Grading Panel was only a 4th dan when he refereed a young Kenshiro Abbein a Tournament and they became good friends.

I met Mr Hamano when he visited the Grange Farm Centre to see Abbe Sensei. I took Mr Hamano, Mr Abbe and Mr Nakazono ( an Aikido teacher 7th dan, who had been 6th dan Kodokan when he was 25 years old. I took them to the Budokwai, Fulham, at John Newman's request in Diggers car. ( Digger was an Australian 2nd dan.) Later we all had dinner at Mrs Yamada's House in Clapham.

Photo right: Tomio Otani Sensei.


While at the Budokwai, G Koizumi, G Kerr, and others had been invited.
Tomio Otani was the eldest son of Matsutaro Otani and my best friend. We got our Kendo dan grades together on the same day ( 1961 ) from Abbe Sensei, and although my certificate is No 1 and his No2 Tomio was a great Kendo teacher and left me behind when he went forward to 2nd dan and over. ( I stayed at 1st dan )  Among Tomio's pupils was a remarkable John Shaw who was then 1st kyu. I think he is 5th or 6th dan now. Tomio was in the Territorials as a Paratrooper, not in the Army itself, he would not have stood for the `Bull`.

The New Committee that ran the B.J.C. since 1964 could not answer all the mail and soon got into difficulties. When at Abbe Sensei's insistence I took on the job as secretary I informed him that I had no office experience, but that I would do it for £14,00 per week and a £1,00 rise every 1,000 new members. He agreed to this. I finished up selling all my swords.

After some years in Japan, Abbe Sensei returned to England, apparently when he asked Mr Otani for the return of the B.J.C. Mr Otani refused saying it was his. After Abbe Sensei's exhibition at Crystal Palace, at which I was present, Charlie Clark drove Abbe Sensei to my caravan in Radley, near Abingdon,where I was living, Abbe Sensei told me what had gone on and asked me to go back to London with him and `start again`. I told him that I had no money, a job with British Leyland and lived in a caravan with my family.
Abbe Sensei said that I could get a jobin London and work for him in my spare time. I said ` No` I'd had enough. It was the first time I had refused Sensiebut I was feeling bitter. Abbe Sensei then returned to Japan to live. In 1985 he died following a stroke.

Nobby Clarke had told me many years before that the B.J.C. was splitting in two. As I had been instrumental in increasing the membership of the B.J.C. I would have nothing to do with it, however Nobby told me that Matsutaro Otani was going to change the B.J.C. to his way of doing things, and if I wanted to continue with Abbe Sensei's way then I had better become technical advisor, which I accepted. As Tommio, Mr Harada ( The Karate Teacher ) and Nobby have died, the above can be verfied by Robin and Henry Otani, Martin and Norman Clake, Miss Smith and D Delderfield.


When Abbe Sensei left the Sandwhich Street Dojo ( Euston ) he gave the dojo called the " Busen " to Sam Collinham and me. I took Judo and Sam the Karate. When I left the dojo later I gave my half to Sam. I always called my Dojo's Busen, when some time later I was contacted I agreed with Robin Otani that he use the Abbe family Mon ( badge ) and I use the Butokukwai Mon.


I have in the past been very tolerent of Mr Bates's wild claims which are probably made to justify his so called grades. But by trying to invoke the name and attributes of the Butokukwai I have drawn the line.
Let Mr Bates tell the truth or keep quiet.
W,S,Wood.
14th - January - 2001.


A Privileged Student.
Photo right:  Derek Eastman - Bill Woods - Henry Ellis - 2002 - It was good to spend time with my old friend Bill Woods at his home which was like a small museum of Budo. I have known Bill from the 1950s. I said to Bill  " There are so many people who claim to have been Abbe Sensei's friend - perhaps you Bill are the only one that could honestly make that claim ?" - Bill replied  " Harry I was never Sensei's friend, but I was a very privileged student ".

Photo right:
L to R:  Bill Woods - S Hamano - K Abbe.

I was at the 1963 Grange Farm Summer School with Bill when Shoji Hamano Sensei 9th dan Kodokan came to pay his respects to Abbe Sensei.


Saturday, 21 May 2022

  Scroll down past the books and video information for the blog content as titled.


NEW VIDEO - A Video for all Budoka


The Founding of JuJitsu - Judo - Aikido in the United Kingdom   

  CLICK   The above YouTube video heading thelive link will take you to the video of the history of the arrival of the martial arts to the UK from the late 18th century - The video is narrated by Abdul Rashid with many photos and much factual in-depth research. This video is based on the now popular and highly credited book of the same name. The UK visiting Japanese masters from pre - WW1 and post WW2 were - Yukio Tani - Kaneo Tani - Seizo Yamamoto - Taro Miyake - Sadakazu Oyenishi - Akhitaro Ono - Gunji Koizumi - Matsutaro Otani - Kenshiro Abbe - Mutsuro Nakazono - Kazuo Chiba.

Sunday, 1 May 2022

"Its discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit" ~ Noel Coward 

Martial Arts Books by Abdul Rashid & Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman

Click on Image to Enlarge
The books authors respectfully acknowledge the many `genuine` Budoka involved in the UK origins of Aikido and other inclusive  Martial Arts.
L to R: `British Aikido Board Controversy` - `Kenshiro Abbe Bio` - The Founding of JuJutsu - Judo - Aikido in the UK` - `Positive Aikido` - ` My Interviews with Henry Ellis ` - `British Aikido History`

The six books above are all factually honest books, documenting and protecting the legacy of UK Traditional Martial Arts from its UK origins. All the books are available on. Link> " Amazon Books ". 

Saturday, 1 January 2022

 "It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty, and how few by deceit "                                                             Noel Coward



Click   " Is Aikido a Martial Art ? "

This book consists of a interview I conducted with Henry Ellis, a pioneer of Aikido in the UK since the 1950s. With over sixty years  of experience in Aikido he shares his views on the above topic, warm-ups with Karate style kicks and punches, daily runs,full contact training, read about what he went through under the direction of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei at the famous "Hut Dojo". You will have a different perception of Aikido after reading this book.
Author: Abdul Rashid. 
2022 Release - Amazon - £7-99p.
Cover photo Henry Ellis and son Rik.


Friday, 6 August 2021

 Scroll down;

 For the details of the new book on the life and times of Kenshiro


Abbe Sensei. Most students know a little of the life of this legendary Budoka, now, at last, a factual book on his whole life. by author - A Rashid.

The Kenshiro Abbe Era ~ Book Collection.

Visit ``Books on Martial Arts ``


Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman are now sadly amongst the last of a very small  group of surviving direct pioneer students of the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe.[1915 -1985]

Anecdotes, stories, historic events are vividly brought to life from the incredible 1950s/60s. 

With the encouragement of Martial Arts researcher - author - Abdul Rashid - Ellis and Eastman  were inspired to put their personal `documented true factual history recorded in to book form to memorialize  all those involved in the early days, never to be lost or forgotten. 

The books credit many other Judoka and Aikidoka that were involved from the Abbe Era, honourable people who played a role in the early days when Aikido was a Martial Art, there were so many others that are remembered who  later helped to promote and protect the legacy of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. 

The following titles are available from Amazon Martial Arts Books

" The Founding of Ju-Jutsu - Judo -Aikido in the UK " ------  " British Aikido History "

" Kenshiro Abbe the Forgotten Budoka" ----  " Positive Aikido ".    

Friday, 25 September 2015

Theory-Philosophy of KyuShinDo Judo - NOT - Karate - Aikido or anything else.




Kyushindo was the life's work of my teacher the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Kyushindo can be equated with centripetal force - It is rather sad to see so many who simply have no concept of  the philosophy and application of Kyushindo, who, in their ignorance have high-jacked the name in many cases because it sounds very `Japanesy` - As a direct student of Abbe Sensei I advise that Sensei ``NEVER`` used the name Kyushindo in association with any other martial art than his beloved Judo - It was a theory/philosophy that made him the 5th dan champion of all Japan - he was one of only four people to beat the great Judoka Masahiko Kimura.
There are of course the shameless charlatans who believe that by using the name of Kyushindo will mislead others in to believing they are in some way linked by lineage to this great teacher.
KyuShinDo is a Theory / Philosophy of the application of Judo's circular movement developed by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - We now see people with dan grades in KyuShinDo - HOW CAN YOU HAVE A DAN GRADE IN A THEORY ??

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei only ever applied his theory of KyuShinDo to Judo ~ He never taught KyuShinDo Karate or Kyushindo Aikido.

It is worth noting that M Harada Sensei Shotokai Karate was invited to the UK in 1963 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Harada Sensei began teaching at the Hut Dojo where I personally studied with him for some time - At no time during his years with Abbe Sensei, or after, has Harada Sensei ever referred to Kyushindo in Karate.

Henry Ellis Shihan

Scroll down this page for videos & articles on Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

Thursday, 24 September 2015

________AIKIWEB Articles - K Abbe - M Nakazono - M Noro - TK Chiba________

______________________________________________________AIKIWEB____________________________________________________

Four Articles - Featuring: - 1st Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 2nd Masahilo Nakazono - 3rd Masamichi Noro - 4th TK Chiba Sensei.


__________________________________________________"THE BUDO MASTERS"____________________________________________

_____________________Kenshiro Abbe ~ ~ Masahilo Nakazono ~ ~ Masamichi Noro ~ ~ Kazuo Chiba _____________________


Henry Ellis 6th dan AikiKai Hombu - Co-author of "Positive Aikido". Relates stories of training with the early Budo Masters.
_______4 Articles - featuring 1st Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 2nd Masahilo Nakazono - 3rd Masamichi Noro - 4th TK Chiba_______

_____________________________________________CLICK the ARTICLE of YOUR CHOICE_________________________

1st - Article: Kenshiro Abbe _____“Trying to Catch the Wind”_____Click Here -
AikiWeB Article - "It Had to be Felt".~ Kenshiro Abbe - "Trying to Catch the Wind".


2nd - Article: Masahilo Nakazono ______”A Man of Peace and Pieces”______
.Visit Aikiweb Click here >-
Aikiweb - Nakazono Sensei Article


3rd - Article: Masamichi Noro ______The White Tornado__
Visit Aikiweb - Click Here -
"The White Tornado"


4th - Article: Kazuo Chiba ______Two Handsome Young Men___Click here - "Two Handsome Young Men"

Henry Ellis a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1957. "AikiWeb" has published 4 articles to add to their popular Ellis Amdur article collection of "It Had to be Felt" `IHTBF`.

British Aikido Board Blog - Click here ->BAB Blog - BAB Blog ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Henry Ellis speech - Anniversary Dinner - TK Chiba's 40 years in the UK.

Henry Ellis Sensei joined Chiba Sensei in the 1960s shortly after his arrival in the UK.