This years theme was "絆" kizuna (bond, tie, teamwork). Along with the regular demos such as kihon waza, kihon dosa, jiyu waza, buki, club demo, visitor group demo, and instructors, there were also categories for "family", "couple", "siblings" etc. Was great to see all the parents working together with their kids. Everyone had just 3 mins. to do anything they liked, but more importantly was all the time and communication spent together preparing.
Ando Shihan opened the enbu, Aiki-kai's Nakajima Shihan closed it. This pattern alternates every year for both the Urayasu enbu as well as the Kagami Biraki event. Urayasu's Aikido Federation is unique in the fact that it's a joint Yoshinkan / Aiki-kai organization. If both the Aiki-kai and Yoshinkan can work together maybe there is still hope for all of us original Yoshinkan people too.
As with any big event, lots of planning and preparation are needed. Just Ryu staff and a few folks from the Urayasu Aiki-kai wouldn't be enough. Many thanks to all the regular members who helped out not only the day, but even the Saturday before setting everything up. All the Tokubetsu Course members, Sakurakai ladies, the men and women from Urayasu dokokai, the Meikai University students and the other people from here and there who put there time and effort into making this year run smooth. Your help is definitely appreciated.
Also congratulations to all the individuals and clubs that received certificates and trophies for not only a great performance on the day, but for the continued effort put into both their training and dojos throughout the past year. You did yourselves proud!
Like any busy day, got to finish with a few beers. 100 or so people squeezed into the second floor cafe, suitably named "絆". Not only did everyone celebrate another successful event, but also Hotta Sensei and Mitsuhashi Sensei's "Independence day".
Next up on the Ryu calendar is filming for some new videos the beginning of June, Kids gasshuku and summer tests in July, Early morning summer training in August, then Ando Sensei is off to Argentina and Brazil for 2 weeks in September. Stay tuned for more posts!
Jim Dawes


