Events

2008

The last IAF congress

At the last congress of the IAF, the 10th, held in Japan, Tanabe city, the birth place of O-Sensei, in behalf of the Romanian Foundation Aikikai Aikido Sensei Dorin Marchis and our colleague Takahiro Kawashima were present. At the seminar organized by the International Aikido Federation Aikido organizations from 49 countries participated, with a total of 1400 participants.
The training of the Shihans were extraordinary, each tried to show their own Aikido, the way they perceive and what Aikido is for each of them.
Training were conducted by: Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, Shihan Seki Shoji , Shihan Nobuyoshi Tamura, Shihan Hiroshi Isoyama, Shihan Yoshimitsu Yamada, Shihan Hiroshi Tada, Shihan Motohiro Fukakusa, Shihan Chrisitan Tissier, Shihan Yoshiaki Yokota, Shihan Seishiro Endo, Shihan Morito Suganuma , Shihan Seiichi Sugano, Shihan Katsuaki Asai, Shihan Tony Smibert, Shihan Masatoshi Yasuno.
A noteworthy point is that the training led by Shihan Isoyama, where the Romanian delegation and all Aikidoka have had a real lesson in Aikido (theoretical and practical). At a time Isoyama Sensei said: "I was asked if the Aikido I practice is not an old one. My answer is: This is Aikido? "
At this point everyone was standing and started to clap, followed then by a real lesson in Aikido.
During the IAF meetings, for the first time, Romania has participated as an observer, which is a first step towards obtaining the status of full membership.
The organization has been exceptional, typical Japanese style. At accommodation, in the hotel, each participant received an envelope with information on the seminar program of training, time table, schedule, the schedule of the buses that assured the transportation from hotel to Dojo, the hours of all events, the trip to Kumano, etc. No detail was forgotten.
In Kozani-ji temple a ceremony commemorating O-Sensei was held, at the tomb of O-Sensei over 600 people paid their respects.
Particularly was the moment at mount Kumano, near Oyunohara, former sacred place where Kumano Hongu Taisha was, considered one of the most sacred places in Japan.
The day started with a religious ceremony in Shinto style, and continued until after sunset with Aikido demonstrations,of the great masters, of which we mention the Shihan Tada Shihan, Sensei Waka and of course Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.
As a conclusion Sensei Dorin Marchis said, "I did not learn new techniques of Aikido, however I recieved real lessons of Aikido. ''

In the PHOTO section at the IAF congres 2008 you can see pictures from the seminar organized by IAF, some of which are unpublished and rare.(to see the pictures please click here)

Post in: Events : 2008