Articles

Aikido Bridge Un Pont Friendship Seminar 2007, San Diego

By Todd D. Jones, American Butokukan

Although there was no formal Kagami Biraki ceremony, I cannot think of a better way to have started the New Year than by attending the Aikido Bridge Un Pont Friendship Seminar held this week in San Diego, California. Even before arriving, it was obvious that this was to be a special event. The principal instructors for the seminar included four Aikikai Shihan: Hiroshi Ikeda, Christian Tissier, Frank Doran, and Mark Murashige. The second tier of teachers was no less impressive, if a bit less well known: Francis Takahashi, Frank McGouirk, Haruo Matsuoka, Dang Thong Phong, and Lia Suzuki each taught one of the closing practices.  As it turned out, there were also many well known teachers who attended merely to participate and support the vision.

Having the opportunity to train with such competent and charismatic instructors again, and all together at one place, was an opportunity just not to be missed. It was refreshing to see such acclaimed masters of the Art of Harmony, from so many different political organizations, working together in concert, sharing and appreciating each other’s personal nuance and expression of their common passion. This event was a marvelous example of the Founder’s vision and we owe these teachers a debt of gratitude for their involvement.

Needless to say, the quantity and quality of training lived up to what was advertised. Jiai Dojo is a fantastic venue; Jeff Sodeman and his students have created a terrific environment for serious training. Classes began every day at eight in the morning and ran through seven each evening with an adequate lunch break at midday. Attendance was such that there was plenty of room to train vigorously, yet plenty of space for those who preferred to work slowly… a great balance. 

Congratulations and thank you to all who made this event such a success.