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.

 

NEW BOOK by AMAZON - CLICK TITLE to VISIT AMAZON

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

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

Ellis Sensei tells many stories starting from the origins of the legendary Hut Dojo. Memories 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 the hilarious .

  Ellis Sensei has spent his final years documenting in several           Amazon books the history of British Aikido, Including The life of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 

Henry Ellis a student of K Williams - K Abbe - T Abe - M Nakazono - M Noro - K Chiba - N Tamura - M Harada - T Otani.

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  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

    Verified Purchase

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 i

 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

 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. 

" British Aikido History " the Book.

British Aikido History  -  From 1955 - Cardback £6-64p.

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

                                            

Click 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.

  New Amazon Book now Available. In Cardback £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.

 New Books Available on Amazon.  In cardback £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.

  Important new book released by Amazon.   In cardback £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

Excellent researched and documented video

The Founding of JuJutsu Judo Aikido in the UK.  

The BAB Controversy in Brief.

In the year 2000 - the senior British Aikido Board executives conspired and colluded to change the factual documented history of British Aikido, as two of the pioneers of that history, Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman have made every effort to protect the proud lineage and legacy of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1955.

The aim of this blog is simply to hope and trust that no other Aikidoka will be treated as disrespectfully as these original pioneers of Aikido were treated by the 2000 BAB executives, whose conduct was beyond shameful as it was corrupt, the BAB were ordered by the executives of `Sport England`  to issue Ellis with a written apology. 

The then chairman, one Toni Davis, stated " We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History, we therefore have no interest in same". 

Please note;

It should be noted that Ellis and Eastman who were founder members of the BAB, have no dispute or issues with the present day BAB executive board. We sincerely would like to see the BAB become the organisation that we all worked tirelessly to create in its infancy from membership of the MAC to the later creation of the BAB. The MAC meetings were represented on behalf of the BAB by Ms Shirley Timms and Derek Eastman.

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 the live 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.

 "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 ".

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

The Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido are in no way associated with the discredited British Aikido Board.

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.

 

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 ".    

Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido

Training and teaching from 1956

Bracknell Aikido Dojo Information.

The Bracknell Aikido Dojo has moved to another local location -  Please contact Andy Lyon Sensei for new location and all other information.

Senior Instructor: Andy Lyon Sensei 5th dan.

Email: Information - andyjlyon@hotmail.com

Tel: Andy Lyon  01256 811528  

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BASING STOKE DOJO 




DETAILS ~ STUDENT AND VISITOR INFORMATION.
The Ellis Schools of Traditionl Aikido 
Visit the Oakridge Centre website - Click here ->Oakridge Centre 
The Basingstoke Dojo
Instructor - Sensei Brad Beeden

Regular visits from other instructors. 
Oakridge West Community Centre
(Near Oakridge Junior school)


Contact: Brad Beeden - Tel 01256 342771 or 01256 478440
Email - Brad.Beeden@Linde-mh.co.uk 

Scroll Down for more details of the history of the Ellis Bracknell Dojo - one of the oldest Aikido Dojos in the UK from 1963

Scroll Down for History - Old Dojo Photos and More

Memorial Collection of Early Photos of  Chiba Sensei's LifeCLICK - Tribute Slide-Show to TK Chiba Sensei - 1940 - 2015

Scroll down for ` UK Aikido History Milestones ` 1955 - 2017

Tanto Presentation

Tanto Presentation to Henry Ellis 2007 at the ` Masahilo Nakazono Memorial Event` for 50 years teaching Aikido [ 60 + now ]

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Scroll to bottom of this page for more photos of the Bracknell Aikido Club Juniors circa 1990s

Rik Ellis with the kids section - 1996 ( Bracknell Rugby Club )

The Bracknell Aikido Dojo - Coopers Hill Dojo -  Childrens section 1997

Sadly we no longer have  junior classes - It is my intention to add more photos of the kids classes from that time.

I am sure that students and parents look in from time to time, please download any photos you like.

Future photo additions will be added at the foot of this page ( scroll down )

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The Book ` Positive Aikido ` available on Amazon.

The Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido are pleased to inform visitors we are not members of the discredited British Aikido Board [ BAB ]  Visit The British Aikido Board Exposed  Blog

For the factual detailed history of British Aikido ( not the BAB version )  Visit the `British Aikido History ` Blog 

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Visit the Kazuo Chiba Sensei Memorial Site - Click ->  "Kazuo Chiba Sensei"
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1966 - 2016
50th ESTA Anniversary of continuous Aikido Teaching in Bracknell.

ELLIS  SCHOOLS  of  TRADITIONAL  AIKIDO

SCROLL DOWN for FULL DOJO  INFORMATION

L to R:  Derek Eastman and Henry Ellis at the ` Kenshiro Abbe Memorial Event `` 2005.

BRACKNELL  AIKIDO  CLUB

1966 - 2016

Celebrating 50 years of Aikido in Bracknell

Below:  ` 1966  ` Bracknell News ` cuttings of opening of new dojo.

Henry Ellis was the first of the original Aikido dan grades to open a dojo outside of the famous old ` Hut Dojo `.

The "Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido" - ESTA - one of the oldest Aikido organisations in the UK. The ESTA proudly have as principal coaches Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman who are the last two surviving student  pioneers of British Aikido still involved from the 1950s - from its inception by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei the British Aikido Council National Coach who is still involved with the Ki Federation GB. 

" Bracknell News 1966 " article on the opening of the Bracknell Dojo.
The Bracknell Aikido Club was first established in 1966, in the old Victoria Church Hall, Church Road. Near The Old Manor Pub. The Church and the Hall have long since been demolished.
The dojo then moved to the St Andrews Hall which was

located behind the Binfield Road Post Office. - In later years we moved to the Bracknell Football Club - Bracknell Rugby Club and Coopers Hill Youth Centre. -  50 years later we are finally settled at - 
Jennetts Park Community Centre - Tawney Owl Square - Bracknell, RG12 8EB

United Kingdom

Phone: 01344 308571      See Google Maps.  Jenetts Park Community Centre Map

Senior Instructor: Andy Lyon Sensei 5th dan.
Email: Information - andyjlyon@hotmail.com
Tel: Andy Lyon  01256 811528

The Bracknell Aikido Dojo ( training hall ) welcomes both men and women over the ages of 16 years to 97 yrs. We are sorry to say that we no longer offer childrens classes at Bracknell.

                                                                            Visit - Aikido Books - Click >  `Positive Aikido` 

                                                                           

Beginners welcome

Just come along and watch a class - or join in 
and see if Aikido is for you( Beginners only need T-Shirt and track suit bottoms to start )

From November 12th - Aikido every Mon  evening - from 8-30pm to 9-30pm

Photo below 1959/60
Henry Ellis and uke Derek Eastman at the famous `Hut Dojo`.
 - 

Bracknell Aikido Dojo - first established in Bracknell in 1966.

Shihans Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman are the last two pioneers from the inception of Aikido to Britain in 1955 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - They are proud to have their dan grade diplomas signed by legends - Osensei Morihei Ueshiba No 349 - Kenshiro Abbe - Masahilo Nakazono - Masamichi Noro - TK Chiba - Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.

Left: Derek Eastman Sensei - founder of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido.

Senior Instructor: Andy Lyon Sensei 5th dan.
Email: Information - andyjlyon@hotmail.com
Tel: Andy Lyon  01256 811528



Bracknell Aikido Dojo Information.

 ` Jennets Park Community Centre ` Bracknell. - There will be classes held every Monday and at 8-30pm to 9-30pm starting on the 12th of November 2012.

The main hall has a sprung wooden floor. - Cafe - Free Car Parking. - Beginner just wear track suit bottoms and tee shirt.

Jennett’s Park Community Centre -Tawny Owl Square - Jennett’s Park - Bracknell
RG12 8EB        See Google Maps.  Jenetts Park Community Centre Map

More details to be added as available.

Scroll Down to Bottom of Page for more videos.

Visit the `Ellis Aikido` YOUTUBE ` Video Channel

                                                                              

                                                              Visit - Aikido Books - Click >  `Positive Aikido` 

ELLIS SCHOOLS of TRADITIONAL AIKIDO ~ PROMOTING AIKIDO from 1957

ESTA - pleased to advise members & visitors we are not in any way associated with the discredited British Aikido Board.- BAB.

The Bracknell - Basingstoke dojos welcomes new students / beginners and visiting Aikidoka from all styles and associations

____________________________________1957 - Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido - 2012_____________________________________


Henry Ellis Shihan & Derek Eastman Shihan - promoting and teaching Aikido - UK - Europe - USA - Australia from 1957.

Left: Derek Eastman                               Right; Henry Ellis

The "Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido" - ESTA - one of the oldest Aikido organisations in the UK. The ESTA proudly have as principal coaches Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman who are the last two surviving pioneers of British Aikido from the 1950s - from its inception by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei.

VISITORS - Please scroll down for Bracknell & Basingstoke Aikido Clubs information.Email: Ellis Aikido:Email:Ellis Aikido

________________________________________________________Bracknell News Cuttings 1966_______________________________________________

" Bracknell News 1966 " article on the opening of the Bracknell Dojo ->. Click here for article
The Bracknell Aikido Club was first established in 1966, in the old Victoria Church Hall, Church Road. Near The Old Manor Pub. The Church and the Hall have long since been demolished.
The dojo then moved to the St Andrews Hall which was located behind the Binfield Road Post Office.
The Bracknell Aikido Dojo ( training hall ) welcomes both men and women over the ages of 16 years to 97 yrs. We are sorry to say that we no longer offer childrens classes at Bracknell.

______________________________________________________BRITISH AIKIDO BOARD EXPOSED_____________________________________________

BAB Information Blog - Please visit the `British Aikido Board Exposed` - Blog.Click Here ->-British Aikido Board Blog - BAB Blog

    Aikido - 1955 - 2015 - For those that studied with Sensei's  Kenshiro Abbe - Tadashi Abe -Masahilo Nakazono - TK Chiba Sensei in those early days will remember their Aikido being true Budo, something that very few will ever see or feel again. 
Read " Aikido Then and Now - 1955 - 2015.

Aikido Dancing   -  Aikido Ribbon Dance  -  Nodding Aikido  - Fantasy Aikido - 

BRITISH  AIKIDO  HISTORY

Don Bayney Japanese Swords

   

      E.S.T.A 

UK Aikido History Milestones

of

  Interest for Members & Visitors

Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido
ESTA Founders: Derek Eastman & Henry Ellis; a brief UK Aikido history timeline from the 1950s to 2014.

Right: Kenshiro  Abbe Sensei's butterfly emblem of the BJC - BAC - BKA.


1.     1955.       Kenshiro Abbe arrives in the UK at the invitation (under contract) to the `London Judo Society` (LJS) - 
2      1955        K Abbe meets Masutaro Otani Sensei in London, the bonding of two great Budoka and an amazing future journey for British Budo.
3      1955.       K Abbe aged 40 takes on 33 LJS dan grades in line up - tells each one the technique he will use, left & right - he beats every single one. 
4.     1955        K Abbe introduces Budo + Aikido - UK. at `Royal Albert Hall London` - K Williams 1st UK student /dan grade - 1958 -BAC National Coach.
5.     1956.       K Abbe severs contract to London Judo Society. Abbe Sensei wanted to teach KyuShinDo Judo - the LJS were only interested in competition.
6.     1956.       K Abbe now joins forces with Masutaro Otani of the M.O.S.J.A. ( Jubilee Judo Club ). This was the beginning of a great era of UK Budo.
7.     1958.       K Abbe and M Otani create the `British Judo Council` (BJC) - `British Aikido Council (BAC) - `British Kendo Council` (BKC).
8.     1950s.     First UK Aikidoka - K Williams - D Williams - E Dollimore.      H Foster - H Ellis - D Eastman.
9.     1950s.      K Williams - D Williams - E Dollimore - H Foster - H Ellis - D Eastman first  UK dan grades recognized by OSensei and Aikikai.
10.    1959.       K Williams - H Ellis taught first  w/e UK Aikido seminar - Devises Judo Club Wiltshire UK as guests of Graham Burt Sensei.
11.   1950s.     Hut Dojo ( Abbe School of Budo ) first 8 dan grades to K Abbe Sensei;H Ellis-5th - D Eastman-7th.
12.   1957.       Kenshiro Abbe invites the first Japanese Aikido master to the UK - Tadashi Abe Sensei - `1926 - 1984` - Student of Osensei from 1942.
13.   1960.       H Ellis & D Eastman first UK Aikido TV exposure on Harlech TV with K Williams and all other Hut dan grades.
14.   1961.       K Abbe invites Masahilo Nakazono Sensei ( 1918 - 1994 )    to the UK as the official AikiKai rep for North Africa - Europe - UK.
15.   1962.       Masamichi Noro Sensei  1935 - 2013 - makes the first of many visits to the UK.
16.   1963        Ellis & Eastman traveled for one year around the UK - promoting - teaching - introducing Aikido for free - sleeping in dojos - car - name it.
17.   1963.       H Ellis & D Eastman first teachers to officially introduce Aikido to the UK Education System whilst traveling and teaching Aikido.
18.   1963.       Ellis - Eastman - others - Royal Albert Hall - 1963.K Abbe - M Nakazono - M Noro - M Harada - H Michigami - M Otani.- Shoei Hamano.
19.   1963        Summer School - Grange Farm Essex - K Abbe - M Otani - H Michigami - M Harada - M Nakazono - M Noro -  guest S Hamano 9th dan.
20.   1963.       Ellis - Eastman 1963.1st UK filmed Aikido demo - UK USAF West Drayton UK. - The event was the USAF European Judo Championships.
21.   1963.       K Abbe invites Mutsusuke Harada to teach Karate at the Hut Dojo - H Ellis and D Eastman studied with Harada Sensei.
22.   1964.       K Abbe visits Tokyo summer Olympics, visits Osensei, asks for TK Chiba to be sent to the UK as official AikiKai representative.
23.   1966.       Henry Ellis opens 1st Bracknell Aikido Dojo, demonstration by K Williams Sensei & all the Hut dan grades.
24.   1966.       TK Chiba Sensei arrives in the UK - makes first visit to the ` Hut Dojo`. Chiba Sensei makes sure the `Hell Dojo` lives up to its name.
25.   1967.       K Williams Sensei leaves the `Hut Dojo` in the care of Haydn Foster Sensei and moves to Wales to create the Ki Federation GB.
26.   1967.       H Ellis leaves `Hut Dojo`  as assistant to TK Chiba Sensei.1967 - 1972. Dojos - Earls Court London - Times Newspapers Black-friars London.
27.   1968.       H Ellis & K Chiba - First BBC World Radio Broadcast - 30 min Aikido interview.
28.   1968.       TK Chiba - H Ellis hold summer school in Bracknell - N Tamura - T Ichamura - H Tada.
29.   1968.       Derek Eastman creates the org `Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido`.[ ESTA ] then invites Henry Ellis to join.
30.   1968.       H Ellis & K Chiba - Granada TV - Aikido Demonstration.- see article ` Two Handsome Young Men `.
31.   1975.       William ( Billy) Otani Judoka and eldest son of Masutaro Otani Sensei tragically died aged 33 yrs - 1942 - 1975.
32.   1977.       Masutaro Otani head of Samurai Budo family dies aged 81 yrs - 1896 - 1977.- Together with Abbe Sensei, created the BJC - BAC - BKC.
33.   1977.       British Aikido Board created from the Martial Arts Commission by the members for the members until discredited in 2000.
34.   1984        Tadashi Abe dies in  Japan - 23-11- 1984 - aged 58 yrs. He was the first Aikikai teacher to introduce Aikido to France and Europe  1952.
35.   1985.       Kenshiro Abbe Sensei dies peacefully at his home in Tokushima Prefecture - Japan. aged 69 yrs. (15-Dec-1915 -- 1-Dec-1985)
36.   1991.       Tomio Otani - Kendo - died aged 52 yrs - 1939 - 1991. - Tomio  student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Tomio a close friend of Derek and I.
37.   1992.       Henry Ellis visits Masahilo Nakazono at his home in Sante Fe New Mexico USA.
38.   1994.       Masahilo Nakazono Sensei dies peacefully at his home in Sante Fe - New Mexico USA. aged 76 yrs. (20th-Dec-1918 - 8th-Oct-1994)
39.    2000.      British Aikido Board now discredited, attempt to corrupt the history of UK Aikido. ( they failed miserably  )  
40.    2004.      Henry Ellis forces the BAB to a meeting with Sports England. BAB receive strong reprimanded - ordered to apologize to Henry Ellis.
41.    2005.      Book Publication of "Positive Aikido" - A book on UK Aikido history anecdotes & techniques
42.    2005.      Ellis & Eastman organizing members "Kenshiro Abbe 50th Memorial Event". Crystal Palace London - Event totally sold out.
43.    2006       W `Bill` Woods died - 1930 - 2006 - Bill, personal assistant to Kenshiro Abbe, Bill was the most influential of all UK Budoka. 
44.    2007.      Ellis & Eastman organizing members "Masahilo Nakazono Memorial Event".
45.    2010.      Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman receive 6th dan AikiKai Hombu from the Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.
46.    2011.      Haydn Foster Sensei  aged 84 yrs - 1927 - 2011 - Pioneer of UK Aikido dies peacefully at his home.
47.    1950s      2014 -H Ellis & D Eastman Diplomas signed by - Osensei Ueshiba - K Abbe - M Nakazono - M Noro - K Chiba - Doshu M Ueshiba.
48.    2012       UK Aikido History Articles published - Aikiweb - Fighting Arts Int - Aikido Today - Blitz MA Mag - Martial Arts Illustrated.
49.    2012.      H Ellis - D Eastman promoted to 6th dan AikiKai Shihan by TK Chiba Shihan and Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba - 3rd - 8th - 2012.
50.    2012.      Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman the original UK Aikido pioneers to be promoted to Aikikai Shihan by TK Chiba and Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.
51.    2013.      Masamichi Noro Sensei dies peacefully at his home in Paris France, aged 78 yrs. ( 21st-Jan-1935 -- March 15 -2013)
52.    2014.      March -The discredited British Aikido Board begins to fragment with over 50% members leaving - incl the JAC and the BAA.

53.    2015.      Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - born 1915 - 100 years celebration of the birth of the legendary Budoka. 

Henry Ellis admin

Co-author of `Positive Aikido` 


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Aikido - Then and Now - 1955 - 2014

Henry Ellis - I am often asked the following question.

 " What is the difference between the Aikido of the 1950s and the Aikido of today ?"


1950s - This was a time when all kyu and dan grades were highly respected, simply because everyone knew that even the lowest grade had been honestly earned through blood sweat and tears, not like today, often given as a Christmas present by your own students, or ordered online from the inept British Aikido Boards website for a modest fee.

Students never handed out titles to their own teachers, such as Shihan - Grandmaster - Soke - Hanshi - Doctor - Professor and any others you can think of.  - Just imagine being at school and the kids informing the teacher that the class had jointly awarded him/her a PHD, now that would be worth six strokes of the cane on both hands in my school days.





Photo Left: Kenshiro Abbe teaching - Henry Ellis centre.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei taught that uke should always attack on balance - today it is more often a ukemi attack with uke being overly compliant and acrobatic. 

If you attack on balance, then the techniques have to be good to control the attacker - the nod of the head, and no touch throws would then be comical, sadly, many students show as much resistance as an unattached piece of string.

Importantly, it was a time when students did not grade their own teachers as so many do today.
It was also a time when there was no Aikido with ribbons, if anyone had been daft enough to come into the dojo with a bundle of coloured ribbons ?  they would have been found hanging by them from the Hut Dojo roof beams.  

It was a time when Aikido was a respected martial art, respected by all the other m/a.
If Abbe Sensei thought his teaching wasn't getting through - no words were spoken - Sensei would `tap` the offending body part with a crack of a Shiinai - this was a very successful method of teaching, it gained immediate attention, it would be a reminder and an indicator to the student what their problem was, no one ever complained - The Ki people would be in tears today.

It was a time when students would train hard, and the techniques would be strong and effective, everyone attacks a little different, therefore you cannot plan what your defense would be, the attacker makes your defense ( or not ) It was a time when people trained hard to understand the techniques - if, as so many do today, trying to scientifically analyze Aikido with engineering and physics, Aikido is natural movement, not for some,  for example, if a student asked Kenshiro Abbe or Mutsuro Nakazono anything of a technical nature, they were told to practice with an ` empty mind ` only a clear mind will adsorb the  knowledge.

Left: The 4th dan certificate presented to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei by Emperor Hirohito of Japan in the 1930s.


1955

This was a time when Kenshiro Abbe sensei was the only 8th dan in the UK .


We now live in a different age, a crazy age, where 7th and 8th dans and now unbelievably 9th dans are like post-boxes, with at least one in almost every town and village in the UK, thanks to the inept - " BAB   -  you can grade yourself, or ask your students to grade you - and simply add ``British Aikido Board Approved ``. It is like ordering a doctorate or a curry online.

Aikido training In those early days by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and with alittle encouragement of a Shinai, the traing was very physical, building fitness, fighting spirit, and physical and mental strength, after the warm up, there was always a session of kicking and punching techniques, this was followed with push-ups, depending on grade, with between 20 for beginners and two hundred for dan grades of push-ups on the back of the wrists. 

It was also a time when all Aikido came under the respected `British Aikido Council` [BAC] overseen by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei.

In later years we would see the creation of the so-called governing body for Aikido, the ` British Aikido Board` [BAB] - a body that started with good heart and honest intentions, only to become a an overly bureaucratic body that would recognize its own grandmother as an ` approved ` Hanshi or dan grade,  an organisation that would later offer online dan grades for money.

The BAB would knowingly recognize well known fraudulent practitioners grades, publicly promote the offenders profile to its membership and the genral public. 

The BAB allow the endless use and abuse of `` BAB Approved `` for the promotion of self appointed titles of Shihan - Hanshi - Grandmaster - Professor - Doctor - Soke .

The British Aikido Board has now become a home for the homeless, the established organisations such as the JAC and the BAA, which are creditable organisations who are all associated with Japan HQ - these organisations have resigned from the BAB.

Aikido Dancing   -  Aikido Ribbon Dance  -  Nodding Aikido  - Fantasy Aikido - 

Times change, people change, and Aikido will change - but sadly it is not always for the better.

`The Aikido Controversy`

Admin - Henry Ellis

Co-author of Positive Aikido`


http://britishaikido.blogspot.com/