Grading day, October 2002

On Friday 11 October, Takayasu Sensei’s private dojo, the Sydney City Dojo, hosted the Summer 2002 grading examinations for the Takemusu Aiki Association. Many Association students, friends and family attended the evening, including the chief instructors of each of the NSW based dojos, Derek Minus from Turramurra Dojo, Daniel Falero of Bondi Junction Dojo, Ian Thomson of Camperdown Dojo, Damian Harrington of Randwick Dojo, Phillip Reed of Wollongong Dojo, as well as many of the leading students of North Sydney Dojo. The highlight of the evening was the grading of three applicants for Sandan, Mark Wilson and Roger Gibson from the North Sydney Dojo and Peter Bolt from the City Dojo.

Yudansha preparing not only for examination, but for ukemi as well. A 3rd dan examnination requires at least 3 ukes, and can be as gruelling for the uke as for the examinee.

The peanut gallery!

It was interesting to see the individual style and approach to Aikido of each of the applicants. Mark displayed relaxed and flowing technique and was a pleasure to watch.

Three nice shots of mark getting uke airborne…

Roger’s technique was precise and strong.

San-nin jyu waza…an interesting pic. Roger is dispensing with the second attack before the first has hit the ground!

And Peter’s technique was fast, powerful and displayed a great use of atemi.

The aftermath!!! Three hit the ground at the same time with san-nin-gake kokyu-nage

Takayasu Sensei awarded each Sandan and congratulated them on their efforts. Mark, Roger and Peter are all assistant instructors at Association dojos, and our dojos have no doubt been strengthened with their promotions. Overall the three individual styles of Aikido exhibited three different facets of the many faces of Aikido, fluidity, precision and power, and gave those of us watching something to emulate. It was a great demonstration of Aikido at a higher level.

Russell Pearse demonstrating excellent zanshin at the end of tachi dori.

Training always finishes off with suwari-waza kokyu ho!

Earlier on the same evening Rory McLeod and Mike Carter of the Turramurra Dojo graded for Shodan. Both Rory and Mike had obviously listened closely to Sensei’s comments at their previous grading and had worked on their hip stability and weapons. A grading for Shodan is quite gruelling and a real test of stamina. Despite the heat and humidity, Rory and Mike performed well. Sensei awarded them each Shodan and gave them some tips for future training. Takayasu Sensei commented on the high standard of the kyu gradings, indeed all grading applicants passed, and said that it reflected well on the senior students. He stressed that although senior students should explore variations and applied techniques, they should concentrate on teaching kihon fundamental techniques to the junior students. He said that good and consistent kihon training would lead to strong Shodan students and the correct dissemination of Aikido.

In addition, the following people were awarded Kyu grades: