Aikido and Koudan Collaboration

Last Friday night I accompanied Ando Sensei to Tokyo's Oedo Ryogoku Theatre. Ando Sensei was invited by Momokawa Hoshinosuke to do an Aikido enbu between Koudan performances. Koudan (講談) is an old style of traditional Japanese story telling. Momokawa-san's stories were about Ueshiba Sensei and Gozo Shioda Sensei, hence the aikido demo collaboration.

About 35 or so people squeezed into the small and simple theatre. The show started at 6:30pm, first with an introduction from the theatre's boss, a very polite, but strong lady. Then followed by a newbie comedian (the speaking style was so fast I could barely understand a word). Next up was Mr. Momokawa, then another story by the Boss lady. Each performance was about 20 - 30mins.

There was a short intermission and Ando Sensei and I went behind the stage to get ready. A hard tiled floor and only about 2 x 4 meter area to work with. I was getting ready for the worst, thinking that we too would have to demonstrate for over 20mins. Luckily and surprisingly the enbu was short, then followed by a kind of talk show style interview and questions from the audience.

All in all a good time. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Thanks again to The Oedo Ryogoku Theatre, Momokawa-san, the Aikido Ryu members, and all the other guests. Hopefully this wont be the last in Aikido/Koudan collaborations.

Jim Dawes