`Positive Aikido` a True Traditional Story

Techniques - History - Lineage - Anecdotes - 55 years of Traditional Aikido.

Order a signed copy direct from Henry Ellis Sensei - Email - Henry Ellis Email


Henry Ellis & Derek Eastman 6th dan AikiKai-diplomas signed by: Osensei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Masahilo Nakazono - TK Chiba - The Doshu Moriterue Ueshiba.

Front and back covers.About the Authors:
Henry Ellis & Derek Eastman both 6th dan AikiKai Hombu - Diplomas signed by Osensei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Mikoto Nakazono - TK Chiba Shihan - Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.. the last two pioneers of K Abbe Sensei from the inception of British Aikido..To purchase the book `Positive Aikido`. Order direct - please contact Dave Rogers Sensei USA the books main author. Please email Dave Rogers Email For price and postage.

Book also available on Amazon UK £10-95 free p&p & Amazon USA. $18.

For an in-depth review of "Positive Aikido" click here>Positive Aikido

Kenshiro Abbe 50th Memorial Slide Show of a Great Budo Event

Visit My Aikido & Judo Video Site ~ Click -> Henry Ellis Aikido & Judo Videos A growing collection of early and modern Aikido and Judo videos..H Ellis - D Eastman - H Foster - K Chiba - M Nakazono - K Abbe - T Abe.



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_______________________________The Kenshiro Abbe 50th Memorial Event May 14th 2005._________________________________

This movie slide-show offers an indepth look at this very special day of Budo.Narrated by Henry Ellis.


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______________________________________"The Golden age of British Budo"______________________________________________

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei & Bill Reeves Sensei 1960 - Mount Fuji Judo Club - Halifax - Yorks..

NEW !! Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Video

http://youtu.be/PKXhK9OZltY
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British Aikido Origins from 1955 - Narration & Movie Slide-Show by Henry Ellis - Arrival of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei to the UK ~ Development of British Budo.



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Rare collection of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei photos from the private collection of Mrs Teresa Reeve the wife of the late Bill Reeve - The first personal aide to Abbe Sensei.



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A time of respect for self and teacher - A time before idiots such as George Mayo graded themselves to 10th dan - A time before Mr Mayo claimed to be the founder of KyuShinDo and his sad befuddled disciples believed him..A time when grades were earned - not handed out like Christmas cards. and just as valuable when Christmas is over..

Protect British Budo History ~ visit the " Aikido Controversy " blog Click for Aikido Controversy Blog

< Admin: Henry Ellis 6th dan International BiranKai ~ AikiKai Hombu.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 8th dan Judo ~ 6th dan Karate ~ 6th dan Aikido ~ 6th dan Kendo ~ 6th dan KyuDo...The old " Abbe School of Budo " or as it has always been affectionately known as " The Hut Dojo" . This board has hung in the dojo from its humble beginnings, the early dan grades for both Judo and Aikido are named on the board...At the bottom of the board you can see "KyuShinDo". Although this was the " Abbe School of Budo " .Teaching Judo - Aikido - Kendo - Karate.~~ Judo was the only art to involve the theory of KyuShinDo. There are now so many claims to have been a student of Abbe Sensei or to have trained at the Hut Dojo, I often wondered who cleaned the dojo windows.






Henry Ellis admin.

The Golden age of British Budo 1955 ~ 1964

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. At this time there were other organisations that also had the same very high standards.

No Dishonour.
A time 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, the thought of Budo as a quasi religeon was the last thing on their minds.
It was a time that all 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/her 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 or music, or both. 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 London 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 develop,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 blue Judo gi's and those awful badges.

A Time Before " Friends United "
It was a time before Kenshiro Abbe Sensei had so many friends, Abbe Sensei would have been number one on Face Book. It was a time before Abbe Sensei went from house to house eating `` everyones 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 it 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, 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 - 10th dans, I just can't help but think ``my god !!, they actually compare themselves with the likes of Sensei's Abbe ~ Otani ~ Nakazono ~ Michigami Kellogs have much to be responsible for...Mr George Mayo attended ``ONE`` class with Abbe Sensei, he requested the usual opportunistic photo, his ``devoted `` followers claim Mr Mayo to be 10th dan KyuShinDo. ( Reminder, I must add a bullshit icon ! )

Plastic Plonkers
It was a time before the Plastic Plonker Samurai who had no concept or understanding of the true philosophy of KyuShinDo, yet, thought the name KyuShinDo 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 are 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 added " Do " or was it " Duh !? "

Mr Mayo `10th dan` KyuShin Duh
The students of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei studied with the master for many years, I know it was a dissapointment to Sensei that no student fully grasped the true meaning of his theory / philosopy of KyuShinDo. I have never met one `genuine` student who has claimed to completely understand, even after many years of study. Yet, Mr Mayo 10th dan did, after only one lesson, has spawned a large group of clubs teaching " KyuShinDuh ". Was this the start of the Plastic Samurai era ?. Just a thought, why is it when people grade themselves, they grade 8th and 10th dan, why is it never 9th ???
Just curious?

Mr Jack ( Man of Budo ) Poole.

Just as the followers of the late Mr Mayo have promoted him to 10th dan and laid claim to a non existant lineage to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, along with the name of KyuShinDuh, in association with everything they do.

This is a classic example of what the followers of Mr Jack Poole will do. Despite the proven facts showing his claimed history/ lineage to be a total sham. These people will continue to promote this nonsense long after Mr Poole and I are gone..These people will use and abuse all the names of the deceased Budo masters as our infamous man of Budo has done for so many years, perhaps there will be no one around then to tell the truth, and that sham goes on and on.
For facts ~ Photos ~ Video ~ statements.Visit ``Aikido Controversy ``.
Click here Click

Read the letters below.

Henry Ellis admin.



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Read the important letters below from Robin Otani Sensei ~ President of the BJC...Also a very important letter from Mrs Teresa Reeve the widow of Bill Reeve Sensei the first personal aide to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

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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.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 # "

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Read new article at bottom of this page " KyuShinDo is not a Martial Art " Click here to go to main site for this article
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Visit our new " Tadashi Abe " website -> Tadashi Abe Sensei

Visit the new Nakazono Aikido Blog Click here

Visit
"Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Memorial Site".Articles ~ 4 Large Photo Galleries ->. Click here

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I, G.S. Mayo - Founder of KyuShinDo

.. Big Chief Mayo im speakum heap big porkies with forked tongue.

Quote:"I, G.S. Mayo, am the founder and developer of the art of Kyushindo and this letter is addressed both to the students who have left me in the past". ...Unquote:
Quote: ""Round Hairy Objects !"" Henry Ellis. Unquote:

It is a sad reflection on the martial arts of today that students of MayoShinDo believe this bs. Not only do the believe it, they promote it, they grade in it, they have no respect for true lineage.

To set the record straight, please read the letters on this page from Robin Otani Sensei President of the British Judo Council. Also the very important letter from Mrs Teresa Reeve Sensei, widow of Bill Reeve Sensei who was Abbe Sensei's aide from 1955. For anyone who is under the illusion that Kenshiro Abbe Sensei was ever associated with Mr Mayo other than a one off meeting involving opportunistic photos, or that Abbe Sensei ever taught such a thing as KyuShinDo Karate to anyone, and that includes the man who liked to be known as ``Chief`` Mr Mayo?. certainly never happened !!.
Abbe Sensei never referred to KyuShinDo in any other subject than Judo. He demonstrated Karate at his Budo displays, he would teach kicking and punching as a part of his Aikido teaching / instruction. In the early 1960s Abbe Sensei brought Mitsukie Harada Sensei to Britain to teach Karate at the now famous Hut Dojo. I was there when Harada Sensei arrived, I studied with both Abbe Sensei & Harada Sensei, there was never a student named G Mayo to be seen anywhere but in his own dreams.

Dan grades in KyuShinDo ?. How on earth can you have a dan grade in a theory / philosophy ? Gerard Gyngel Sensei BJC Judo Champion ( 3 times ).

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BullShido Investigation into MayoShinDo
Click here -> BullShiDo investigate MayoShinDo





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Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Blog Site. Click here -> Kenshiro Abbe Sensei











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Our Sincere Apology
We apologise if we have failed to add your name to the list of great personal friends of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei? ~ Please forgive our ingratitude if your teacher sat for many hours discussing philosophy with Abbe Sensei whilst he slept ~ Or, if we have not mentioned how much Abbe Sensei enjoyed your mothers pie and mash dinners, we sincerely apologise, there are just too many of you to mention on this site. If Abbe Sensei stayed at yours, or your teachers home for several weeks eating dear old mums famous pie and mash and teaching you privately whilst neglecting the BJC and its 35,000 international members, I can only apologise again. If Abbe Sensei graded you or your teacher to dan grade and Sensei's secretary forgot to send you a certificate. We apologise for that too. If your teacher had a dream that Abbe Sensei developed Kyu-Shin and your Chief added ``Do `` we can only apologise for that too, It is so strange that Abbe Sensei was a master of ` Judo ` ` Kendo ` ` Aikido ` ` Kendo ` KyuDo ` KarateDo ` yet this great Budoka forgot to add Do to KyuShin - Do...have you heard of `` MayoLudo ``
Yours in contrition
Henry Ellis



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Rik Ellis article "Aikido in MMA"
Click article - Rik Ellis Aikido in MMA
Maybe I should develop " CageOShinDo " . I could say that while Abbe Sensei was eating my mothers special pie & mash, Abbe Sensei dropped the rights to the name CageShinDo into my cot. I could grade myself to 10th dan which would be much more that my father has achieved in over 50 years...

MayoShinDo ~ KyuShinDo Karate ~ KyuShinDo Judo.

< I wonder what Abbe Sensei would think :-(
MayoShinDo Karate – KyuShinDo Karate – KyuShinDo Judo.
This Group `` MayoShinDo`` has no association with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. This group are teaching various martial arts and calling them KyuShinDo. They are attempting to convey to an unsuspecting public that they are somehow students with a connection to the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei…This group have no concept of the true meaning of the teachings of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. It should be known that they have no connection or association with Abbe Sensei.. Mr Mayo had a one off visit to York Hall where he met Abbe Sensei and presented a rather `laughable ` demonstration, as referred to by Robin Otani Sensei the President of the BJC….This was also confirmed in a recent letter by Mrs Teresa Reeve the widow of Bill Reeve Sensei who was Abbe Sensei’s first secretary and personal aide..Both these letters can be read lower down the page.
This group’s claims are based on a one off letter reluctantly written by Bill Reeve Sensei to Mr Mayo and signed by Abbe Sensei ( see Mrs Reeve’s letter ) . This insidious group have claimed to have ``bin bags `` full of proof which they will soon make public, that was over five years ago, as of today NOTHING, emails and enquiry’s are ignored.
It is insulting to the genuine students of Abbe Sensei to see this group name one or more of their schools the “ Abbe Ryu “ If that is not misleading fraud? then I don’t know what is.
This group claim to be teaching the true priciples of KyuShinDo. They have the audacity to claim that Mr Mayo `` helped `` Abbe Sensei to develope KyuShinDo.
Rik Ellis Aikido/MMA

Click here -> Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

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The Theory of KYU – SHIN – DO

...and more precisely what it isn’t !! Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 – 1985 by Henry Ellis Kyu = Desire – Yearn – Sphere – Circle – Search – Study. Shin = Heart – New – Spirit – True – To be true to ones self. Do = Way or Path , a way of life or self discipline . I honestly believe that Kyu-Shin-Do has lost its true path in Britain and has become many things to many people. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei came to Britain in 1955 at the invitation of the London Judo Society ( LJS ). He considered the Judo that he saw to be too concerned with strength, also too physical and hard. It was his intent to introduce his theory of Kyu-Shin-Do to the British Judoka. They in turn found it hard to understand that if they followed his teaching of Kyu-Shin-Do Judo which he himself had studied from as early as 1940 their own Judo skills would become stronger by technique rather than strength. Abbe Sensei would often say when speaking of KyuShinDo that “one must have the right mind “. On one occasion he lined up 31 Judoka dan grades, he walked along the line and informed each Judoka what technique he would use, and whether it would be left of right handed. Abbe Sensei then proceeded to throw each and every single one of the 31 students just as he had said. It is worth being reminded that Abbe Sensei was 40 years of age at that time. In 1937 Kenshiro Abbe Sensei fought the great Japanese Judo legend Masahiko Kimura, Abbe Sensei beat Kimura and that was Kimura’s only defeat. Kimura Sensei said of Abbe Sensei after his defeat “It was as if I was fighting a shadow and trying to catch the wind” My good friend Gerry Gyngell Sensei said to me on this subject of KyuShinDo “ I believe it is as much about mental attitude as it is technique. I also believe that one can only learn by example and this ( I think ) is why so many failed to understand his teachings as they only looked at the physical and not the mental side of what Abbe Sensei was teaching. Yes…….the techniques had to be performed correctly….. Yes…….it is not about how strong physically you are…. More importantly it is not about winning and losing, but about the balance of nature and the attitude of one to another. I know this may start to seem that I am bringing in religion to the subject, In a way Budo is a religion but without the worship of a Greater Being etc. You Henry, are fond of Sensei’s saying “ no matter what your pretence , you are what you are and nothing more !” I also believe that Abbe Sensei practiced the old philosophy of “ To thine ownself be true “. This is in my opinion a big part of what KyuShinDo is……….. All nature is a circle, so all correct movement is circular and by blending ( adapting ones technique ) with an opposing movement in an honest and open way the result will be harmony of thought and action……………………… Gerry Gyngell Sensei was a member of Abbe Sensei’s Olympic squad 1964. Three time the Welsh Judo Champion. Also worked in Abbe Sensei’s London office for the British Judo Council… I would suggest that the true intention of Abbe Sensei was to teach his students that they too could be as smooth and elusive as a shadow rather than a brick wall.. Since the passing of Kenshiro Abbe in 1985 there have been so many that now claim to have known him, and to be great personal friends Abbe Sensei. There are now so many, but the worst of these characters is the late George Mayo and sadly his present day followers. Mr Mayo himself shamelessly claimed “ I am the founder of KyuShinDo “ he also later claimed that he `helped` Abbe Sensei to develop Kyu-Shin-Do….These claims are totally fraudulent and an insult the the memory of a great Budo Master. I now see the name ` Kyu-Shin-Do ` attached to so many things in the martial arts that I now believe many consider the term to be a ` really good ` sounding Japanese name without a dollop of the concept of understanding of its true meaning. From 1957 I attended almost every public Budo demonstration that Abbe Sensei ever took part in. He did on some occasions demonstrate Karate, yet to my knowledge and my associates he never taught Karate other than to teach us how to kick and punch. NEVER ONCE did he ever refer to Karate as “KyuShinDo Karate “ and he never ever taught KyuShinDo Karate………. Abbe Sensei invited Harada Sensei to Britain in 1963 to teach Karate for the British Karate Council ( BKC ) Harada Sensei taught Shotokai Karate… The same applies to KyuShinDo Aikido. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei introduced Aikido to Britain in 1955 and as a direct student from 1957 I never ever heard the word KyuShinDo used in the teaching or study of Aikido. I do believe that when people use and abuse the name of “ Kyu-Shin-Do “ there is a deliberate attempt to imply a connection or relationship to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. It a sad fact that Abbe Sensei was unhappy that so few Judoka were able to understand the teachings and principles of KyuShinDo even though they were receiving his personal tuition. Gyngell Sensei stated “I also believe that one can only learn by example !! “ So how would all these KyuShinDo groups ``really `` understand the meaning of KyuShinDo? If one places KyuShinDo in the Google browser there are thousands of sites using the name. Henry Ellis

Mayo-Shin-Do or Bull-Shin-Do? (Part 2)

The Kenshiro Abbe website along with its sister website `British Aikido` www.geocities.com/britishaikido are two websites dedicated to the true history and lineage relating to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Both websites are only too pleased to acknowledge and give credit to those that were genuine students. The MSD do not fall into that category. The MayShinDo group still continue to claim lineage to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei despite the fact that ` NO ONE ` who was associated with Abbe Sensei from his arrival in the UK in 1955 knows of the late Mr George Mayo. Mr Collins the head of this group has promised to provide our researchers Mr G Gyngell and Mr D Humm with proof of their claims. The MSD promised they would not only provide the proof they would also display it on their website. Now one year on, their bizarre claims are still unproven. A senior member of the MSD made many claims on a “ BullShido “ website thread “ concerning “MayoShinDo” in support their bizarre claims, using the name of ``Grey Owl `` . There may be some significance in choosing such a name, we are all aware that the notorious Grey Owl was a notorious fraud. [ Within 24 hours of Grey Owl's death in 1938, the renowned conservationist was accused of being a fraud. Canadians were stunned to learn that the native Indian, who travelled the world speaking about the wonders of the Canadian wild, was in fact a transplanted Englishman named Archie Belaney. Grey Owl had coloured his skin brown and dyed his hair black and fooled those closest to him. ] There are on the MSD website a photo of Mr Mayo with Abbe Sensei. These photos were in the words of Robin Otani Sensei who is the chairman of the British Judo Council “ The photo was nothing more than an opportunistic photo taken on a visit to Abbe Sensei’s dojo “. They also display a letter to Mr Mayo was from the then BJC secretary Bill Reeves Sensei, and signed by Abbe Sensei, the letter was no more than a polite response to Mr Mayo and in no way implies any association what so ever. The following claims are either on the MSD website, or on the “ Bullshido “ thread. 1) MSD website: Opportunistic photo of Mr Mayo and Abbe Sensei, Indicates no more than the dojo visit as described by Robin Otani Sensei. 2 ) Letter from the BJC is a simple communication and a polite response, no more than that. 3) The following is a most bizarre statement by the late Mr Mayo "I, G.S. Mayo, am the founder and developer of the art of Kyushindo”. The above sentence is copied from the MSD website. Liar and Fraud comes to mind. 4) On the MSD website the following extract from a letter by non other than Mr Mayo himself. “ I started what is now called Mayo Shin Do in the 1940's after studying many systems with many masters. It was master Kenshiro Abbe a man of great foresight, morality and understanding who gave me the seed to grow my system. A growth which has continued over the years to make Mayo Shin Do what it is today:” by G Mayo Mr Mayo states that he started Mayo Shin Do in the 1940s. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei did not arrive in the UK until 1955. This statement would mislead the reader into believing that Mr Mayo had studied with Abbe Sensei, such a claim is totally false as confirmed to me by many of my fellow early students of Abbe Sensei and Robin Otani Sensei who was the personal assistant and secretary to Abbe Sensei. On the Bullshido thread “ Kyu Shin Do – Australian modern Kinesiologic self-defence “. Message number 1 Mr Mayo trained with Kenshiro Abbe………Untrue. Mr Mayo was graded by Kenshiro Abbe………..Untrue. “They both ( Mayo & Abbe Sensei ) shared in the knowledge and fundamentals of KyuShiDo,” not only untrue but a load of round objects. Message number 23 Mr Mayo treated Kenshiro Abbe Sensei for his injuries in the late 1940s and early 50s. More round objects. As previously stated Abbe Sensei arrived in the UK for the first time in 1955. Message number 28 Mr Mayo is recognised in Japan as the founder of “”””””both Kyu Shin Do and Mayo Shin Do “”””” Did I mention round objects again ? Message number 72 Grey Owl smugly adds “Incidentally, Mr Mayo began teaching in the late 1940s, this predates Kenshiro Abbe “. Fact…..Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 – 1985. In 1933 Abbe Sensei at the age of 18 yrs became the youngest ever all Japan Judo Champion and the youngest ever 5th dan. It is not the intention of the administrators “ KenshiroAbbe.com “ to discredit the late Mr George Mayo. I am afraid that he and his group have done a far better of discrediting themselves than I could ever do. The Mayo Shin Do group have made many bizarre claims, we have over the past two years corresponded with senior members of the MSD, on each occasion they have promised to substantiate their bizarre claims, they have never once come forward with any proof. If they had, we would have been pleased to place that information on our website. One is left with only one conclusion, the claims of a relationship/ association between Mr George Mayo and Kenshiro Abbe Sensei is at best fanciful and honestly more round objects. Henry Ellis admin. KenshiroAbbe.com

KyuShinDo is not a Martial Art ~ See article below..

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei the founder of KyuShinDo ~ Kings Cross Dojo London 1950s.

It is very important for the visitor to understand that KyuShinDo is not a Martial Art, it is a theory with a deep and difficult to grasp philosophy. The butterfly emblem behind Sensei is his own personal KyuShinDo emblem.
KYU = Desire ~ yearn ~ sphere ~ circle ~ search ~ study.
SHIN = Heart ~ spirit ~ true ~ to be true to oneself.
DO = Way or Path ~ a Way of Life or Selfe Discipline.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei began his study of KyuShinDo in the late 1930s. When he arrived in Britain in 1955 he wanted to impart not only his vast knowledge of Judo and other previously unheard of Martial Arts to his students, he wanted them to understand his theory of KyuShinDo which was the secret of his Judo success. It was a constant pain to him that his students could not fully grasp the true understanding of the principles of KyuShinDo. The honest direct students will admit that they never truly understand the KyuShinDo principles Abbe Sensei was teaching. Of course it is no problem for the members of MayoShinDo who never met this great Budo Master.

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Read the " BullShido " investigation into MayoShinDo .
Click here -> BullShiDo investigate MayoShinDo
A person using the u/n of Greyowl on BullShido states that " Mr Mayo and Abbe Sensei were collaborating on a book together - he then claimes to have seen the manuscript in Abbe Sensei's own hand ".............Abbe Sensei could hardly speak English and could not write at all in English ......See the letter below from Mrs T Reeves on how her husband would write all of Abbe Sensei's letters which Abbe Sensei would sign.

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See below the statement from Mrs Teresa Reeve the widow of the late ` Bill Reeve ` the first personal assistant to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. This statement will show that the whole of the claims of the MayoShinDo group are at best a joke.

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Click here - KyuShinDo


MayoShinDo
Photo: The late AKA ` Chief` George Mayo 10th dan ( ? )
You may find the name MayoShinDo amusing ? what is not so amusing are the idiotic claims of not only Mr Mayo but also his misguided followers.
Mr Mayo " I GSM the founder and developer of KyuShinDo "( Unadulterated crap.)
Mr Mayo " I sat with Abbe Sensei into the late hours discussing psychology and
philosophy. ( Never happened - Abbe Sensei could not speak English )
Mr Mayo. Claims to have treated Abbe Sensei for car crash injuries years before the crash happened.
Abbe Sensei was a master of Judo - Aikido - Kendo - Karatedo - Kyudo - Iaido.
Now the Mayo's claim that Abbe Sensei brought Kyu Shin to Britain, and it was "" The Chief "" who added the Do to KyuShinDo. Why didn't Abbe Sensei fink of that ?? As Delboy would say " Wot a load of Porky Plonkers .
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Please Read

Read the message below from an ex senior student of Mr Mayo taken from ``Martial Arts Planet Forum ``

Mayoshindo-Kyushindo

Hi,
i was a student of kyushindo judo in bristol for about 2-3 years in the late 1960's, i got to grade of brown belt,i trained 2-3 evenings a week,george mayo(i shudder to call him master! )in all the times i spent training,i never ever saw him actually take a class,he seemed more interested in taking money of students,if any newbie came in asking questions he gave him a lot of speil about circles and no need to use any force,as far as i know,he had no training in karate,yet he was running karate classes,and as other people have said,it is pathetic,save your money,go to a recognised style ie: shotokan,wado-ryu,taekwondo etc.please,please stay away from mayoshindo,10th dan my *ss.i am over 60 now,and still regret wasting 2-3 years in ignorance training in that style of judo.don't forget people,there was no way of checking how good any style was then,dojo's were as rare as hens teeth,and martial arts knowledge was very slim.good luck in findin a good dojo to train in.
U/N omitted here ~ can be found on MAP.
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Click here -> BullShiDo investigate MayoShinDo

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Important letter from Robin Otani Sensei ~ President of the BJC.
Click here - Scroll down for the R Otani Sensei ` Mayo`letter
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Important letter from Mrs Teresa Reeve.

Mrs Reeve is the widow of Bill Reeve Sensei who was the first personal aide to Abbe Sensei in 1955


Please Read

Dear Henry,

Thank you for bringing Mr Mayo to my attention and also this letter that his organisation claims proves his close association with Sensei Kenshiro Abbe.

Yes my husband Bill Reeve, who was BJC secretary at the time, wrote the letter under the express instruction of Mr Abbe. He did not want to write it as Mr G. Mayo was considered an irritating joke, but Mr Abbe hoped that this letter would encourage Mr Mayo and his clubs, I believe he had a couple in Essex at the time, to join the BJC when hopefully they could be introduced to a genuine judo system.

Mr Abbe did not have a good command of English and used a very limited vocabulary in order to communicate, as those who attended his classes would remember. How could he then spend hours in philosophical discussion as Mr Mayo claims and to what benefit for Kenshiro Abbe,an All Japan Champion to train and practise with George Mayo whose qualifications appear to be self graded and by his own admission non-competitive.

I also remember the appearance and display given by Mr Mayo and some of his students at York Hall, Bethnal Green. The commentator refused to introduce him and a short silence prevailed which became embarrassing. Eventually he was introduced but as far as I know was never invited to take part in any other judo demonstration arranged by the BJC. He almost appeared to be in fancy dress with numerous gold flashes on his belt denoting his "grade" I presume. Already equal to Mr Abbe!

Unfortunately, the key people here have all passed on and I only have my memory to rely upon. I never met Mr Mayo but I do remember my husband speaking of him and his judo "system" in a less than favourable way. This is the truth of the matter and his claim to friendship with Mr K.Abbe is insulting to the memory of a man who excelled in all aspects of the martial arts. I can't help but believe that Mr Mayo was attempting to achieve some reflected glory.

Kind regards

Teresa Reeve

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Below ~ Important Letter from Robin Otani Sensei President BJC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




Please Read

Dear Harry,

Happy New Year
Thanks for your e-mail.

The only George Mayo I know was invited to do a short display at one of Abbe Sensei's events in early 60's 1960-61? It was possibly at York Hall in E. London.

He was then purporting to be a 'Master' of 'Ju-Judo' which was his form of a 'Gentle Gentle Way' of doing Judo.

His display was in my opinion 'laughable' he only did light randori type practice with Juniors and he explained there was no contest allowed in his form of judo.

He wore a Gold embroidered black belt, I think it had Dragons on it, which I also thought was laughable.

At this time I was secretary of the BJC and to my knowledge Mr. George Mayo was never invited again to Abbe Sensei's events. I also recall Abbe sensei's opinion of Mr. Mayo ability was of low . I believe Abbe Sensei's tolerance was only because he had been invited to do courses for Mr. Mayo.

Of course I have met many people who say they do Abbe Sensei Judo but I have seen none who could prove it in combat 'on the mat'.

Over the years Mr. Mayo's name has cropped up and we have had the occasional member join the BJC from his organisation.

I know nothing more of his history or his credentials except that he is unknown and unrecognised in the Judo world known to the BJC.

I would refute any suggestions that he had anything to do with Abbe Sensei's creation of the Kyu Shin Do theory which was totally conceived by Abbe Sensei from his renowned experience of Judo.

I think this can also be held up by the fact that the philosophy of Kyu Shin Do (Harmony with the Universe) is very close to the Japanese Buddhist and Shinto religious thinking and today it is difficult to see exactly what is the philosophical difference between Kyu Shin Do and Jigoro Kano's Kodokan theory of Judo.

However, Abbe Sensei was adamant that on the mat, practical Kyu Shin Do Judo movements were superior, being based on the circular movements of the Universe, whilst Kodokan was a more linear theory. Myself and all those others who were privileged to experience randori with Abbe Sensei have never doubted that his Judo was the best.

Unfortunately since Abbe sensei's death, I know of no one with his practical randori/contest ability who could prove the superiority of Kyu Shin Do Judo.

None of his students ever reached his ability and although they may have been trained by Abbe Sensei they could not mirror his judo ability in randori and contest.

Consequently Kyu Shin Do only lives on as a philosophy of a great and revered Judo Master.

I hope this is of help.

Yours sincerely

Robin Otani
President of the British Judo Council.

Click here -> Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

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Visit the British Aikido History site for old photos of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

Please visit the " British Aikido History Gallery " this one link gives you four old photo galleries Click here ~ British Aikido Photo Galleries


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KyuShinDo is not a Martial Art

KyuShinDo is not a Martial Art By Henry Ellis 6th dan International BiranKai ( AikiKai Hombu ) I became involved initially in Judo in 1956 and Aikido in 1957 as a direct student of the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 ~ 1985. I was a student with Ken Williams Sensei at the now famous `Hut Dojo`. I am now involved with a few of the remaining direct students of Abbe Sensei in an attempt to protect the legacy and proud lineage left behind by this great man of Budo who was our teacher and mentor. We now have two informative internet sites which we hope will give any ` genuine ` student the truth about Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and his lifes dedication to the study and philosophy of KyuShinDo. The sites are the very popular ` KyuShinDo Blog ` and the ` Kenshiro Abbe Blog `. It has taken a great deal of effort to collate the history and facts that we trust will one day be of benefit to future generations who will see through the fog of fraudulent claims by so many of some kind of association with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in what can only be an attempt to gain some form of credibility. The worst KyuShinDo abusers has to be the MayoShinDo group who make endless claims, the most bizarre of all is the claim that the late Mr George Mayo is the founder of KyuShinDo…A claim that is totally disrespectful to the memory of a great Budo master. I could not have achieved what has been done so far without the support of my long time friend Gerard Gyngel Sensei, a sincere student of Abbe Sensei since his arrival in the UK. working in the London office of the British Judo Council ( BJC ) in the early 1960’s alongside Abbe Sensei. Gyngel Sensei was in Abbe Sensie’s 1964 Olympic Judo squad, he was also three times Welsh Judo Champion. As one can imagine, a great source of factual information. When writing articles such as this and others concerning the life of Abbe Sensei, fraudulent claims and facts are cross checked between our close associates so that we set the records of history straight. Sadly we have to accept that we cannot fight every single bizarre claim as they are on the increase almost daily. The only way is to promote the truth and expose the frauds by writing articles for the researchers that are genuinely interested in the truth, and hope that perhaps with our help they will eventually find it. It is not the intention of the author to rewrite the history of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in this article, the life of Abbe Sensei is already well documented. The purpose of this article is to state that ` KyuShinDo ` is not a martial art, It never was a martial art.. KyuShinDo was the lifes work and study from the late 1930s of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, who stated that it was a philosophy of his study of Judo, a concept that had made him the Champion of all Japan and one of the few Judoka to ever beat Masahiko Kimura Sensei. It was this philosophy that he tried so hard to impart to his British students, he often despaired that these personal students could not fully grasp this deep yet difficult theory which had made him such a great Judoka. 2 We are saddened today to see so many people using the name of KyuShinDo, whilst at the same time intimating a connection with the name of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Now to the true purpose of this article…As stated earlier ` KyuShinDo` is not a martial art, never was and never will be, simply because it is a theory or a philosophy as applied to KyuShinDo Judo. We now see people claiming to be teaching ` KyuShinDo Karate ` ……..Let me make it clear, Abbe Sensei never ever applied his KyuShinDo to any other art than Judo.. Abbe Sensei has no association what so ever with these people or their claims, one can only assume that the name KyuShinDo was abducted and raped because it sounded so very Japanesy. It gets worse ! There are people who are claiming to be dan grades in KyuShinDo, I would like to laugh at the stupidity of it all, I can’t because it so sad and disrespectful to the memory of our teacher. I recall Gerry Gyngell Sensei recently saying to me in astonishment, “ Harry ! how on earth can one have a dan grade in a philosophy ? “.. Having gone through the excruciating pain of traumatic heart bypass surgery, I thought that nothing could surpass such horror until I watched some so called KyuShinDo Karate videos on Youtube, they were horrendous to say the least.. I just trust that students will visit the great collection of Kenshiro Abbe videos on my video site at “ Aikido Ellis Videos “ before they accept that the ``Japanesy KyuShinDo `` is the real thing.. Take note, Kenshiro Abbe Sensei only ever taught KyuShinDo Judo. NOT KyuShinDo Karate ~~ NOT KyuShinDo Aikido ~~ or any other KyuShinDo claims that arise whilst I am writing this article. Look for the next article coming soon “ Kenshiro Abbe Sensei ~ The Myths and the Lies “. Henry Ellis Kenshiro Abbe Blog KyuShinDo Blog About the author. Henry Ellis Sensei 6th dan Aikido ~ International BiranKai ~ AikiKai Hombu. Co-author of the book `` Positive Aikido ``. Diplomas from 1957 signed by Morihei Ueshiba OSensei and the present Doshu Moriterue Ueshiba. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei ~ Masahilo Nakazono Sensei ~ TK Chiba Shihan. A direct student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1957. Henry Ellis is one of three surviving pioneers of British Aikido from its inception in the 1950s. He is also the co-author of the book “ Positive Aikido “ and author of many martial arts articles printed in International Magazines. Teaching Aikido in Europe ~ Australia ~ USA.