Reflections on the 2015 Birankai North America Aikido Summer Camp

Reflections on the 2015 Birankai North America Aikido Summer Camp

 by Jon-Paul Oliva, Sandan

Author’s note: As a bit of background, beyond the technical instruction at camp, the commemoration of Chiba Sensei’s life and particularly the devotion and commitment shown by his Kenshusei and lifelong students was very moving to me. In this devotion I recognized the special nature of the teacher-student relationship, and the opportunity that relationship provides us with; to study ourselves through our training.  It strikes me that this is one of the great gifts of Aikido and that we all owe a great debt to Chiba Sensei as someone who gave a great deal of his life to make the study of ourselves through Aikido possible.

I have found that the Way of the samurai is death. 

This means that when you are compelled to choose between life and death, you must quickly choose death. 

There is nothing more to it than that.

- Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure

This was a special summer camp for us all.  Many longtime students, friends and kenshusei of Chiba Sensei came to honor and celebrate the life of our teacher. Through their instruction and words of commemoration this weekend, these people literally embodied Sensei’s dedication to Aikido and commitment to his students.  

Even among those of us who only experienced Chiba Sensei indirectly through our teachers, or occasionally at seminars, there was an extra spark to training and commitment in running camp, created by the motive energy of Sensei’s lifelong commitment to Aikido and his students.

George Lyons Sensei taught a Dan weapons class at summer camp this year.  During the class, we practiced kiriotoshi with bokken.  I noticed that neither he nor his uke used a tsuba on their weapons.  He remarked that at the culmination of the kiriotoshi exercise, the domination movement, that nage must hold the line and penetrate deeply with full intention into the attack of his opponent in order to successfully dominate their attack.  Moving into a killing strike against all odds, nage must abandon all hope of survival in order to succeed in this encounter.  His exact words were “It’s crazy”, to advance into the oncoming strike, rather than retreat from it.  This is the way of Budo.

Although I only had the opportunity to train with Chiba Sensei occasionally over the years at seminars and summer camps, it was abundantly clear to me from the first time I met him that Sensei embodied the spirit of Budo and carried it forward for all of us like a lamp to show us the way.  He could radiate ferocity that was palpable to anyone he approached, and he brought forth the same commitment and spirit from anyone who was lucky enough to be his student.  

Through his conduct, Sensei showed us how to embrace our fear and move through it.  Above that, he dedicated his life to transmitting this spirit to his students. His legacy to all of us is a system of study and a cadre of teachers that, through our own diligent practice and sincere commitment, will make his passing a less difficult endeavor for all of us who must now follow in his footsteps.  

What a gift this is to all of us! Speaking personally, I struggle with fear on a daily basis. I sometimes find myself unable to move forward decisively when a situation demands it.  I am often reluctant to be vulnerable with others.  When I do find the strength to act without attachment to fear, I know that it is because of the great gift of Aikido that I can find the calm center within me and embrace a situation as it presents itself.  

This is the great gift and responsibility Sensei has charged us with; to honor his life work by devoting ourselves to the system of study that he has laid out for us.  Now, as always, it is up to us to accept this gift and continue our practice in earnest.  It is my sincere hope that each of us, in the spirit of self-sacrifice, find the courage within ourselves to renew our commitment to forging the spirit of Budo within our hearts and carry it forward like a light into the world.

Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. 

Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. 

The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love. 

- O-Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba

Aikido Lessons at a refreshing price!

So refreshing!

Summer 
Lesson 
Special! 

This summer you can get started with a series of four aikido lessons at a refreshing price. 


When you schedule all 4 private lessons and make one payment you'll save $40!

Regular price for four lessons: $260
Summer special price: $220


Private lessons taught by Suzane Van Amburgh, 5th degree black belt, Birankai certified shidoin instructor. Learn more about Suzane Sensei.

Limited time offer. Be one of the first 5 people to book. This special price is for for new private lesson students. Lessons to be scheduled within August.

Location: Aikido Multnomah Aikikai, 6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239
Schedule: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat time slots, subject to availability.
Contact Suzane: spacetomoveinfo(at)gmail.com or use the inquiry form on this Dojo News web page.

Get started in Aikido practice this summer with private lessons!

Remembering Chiba Sensei

This article and photo slide show is published on Biran Online, the Aikido Journal Of Birankai North America. Thanks to Liese Klein editor of the Journal.

Kazuo Chiba, a pioneering teacher who helped spread the Japanese martial art of Aikido across the world, died June 5, 2015 in San Diego, California. Chiba Sensei, 75, suffered from kidney cancer. He died peacefully at home surrounded by family and students.

T.K. Chiba and M. Kanai in 1954.

Born on Feb. 5, 1940, in Tokyo, Japan, Chiba Sensei showed an early interest in martial arts and began serious training in judo and karate in his teens. But he became dissatisfied with both arts and starting seeking a more comprehensive fighting system.

“A budo practitioner, I thought, should be able to respond under any circumstances, whether using sword against sword, whatever,” Chiba Sensei said in a 1995 Aikido Journal interview.

An encounter in a bookstore changed his life: “I picked up a book about Aikido. Inside there was a small photo of [Aikido founder] O-Sensei,” Chiba Sensei said. “When I saw it, I knew immediately that I had found my teacher. I knew nothing about the actual techniques of Aikido, but that didn’t seem important and I just thought to myself: ‘This is it! This looks like a man who understands my concerns.’”

Chiba Sensei went to Aikido headquarters in Tokyo and pestered O-Sensei and seniorstudents until he was accepted as a live-in trainee, at the age of 18. Over the next seven years he practiced Aikido for hours every day and traveled with the founder across Japan to demonstrate and promote the art.

In 1960, then a third-degree black belt, Chiba Sensei was dispatched to the city of Nagoya to establish one of the first branch dojos [schools] under the auspices of Aikido headquarters. In 1962, he also began teaching at the Hombu dojo, and within three years had completed his training and earned promotion to fifth-degree black belt.

In March of 1966, Chiba Sensei became one of the first teachers sent abroad from Japan to spread the fledgling art of Aikido. Wed to his wife, Mitsuko, only months before his departure, he was sent alone to England to establish the art in a period many Britons were

Chiba Sensei in 1967 in Cardiff, Wales.

still actively hostile to the Japanese. “I did not appreciate the food served by my host family – the usual fare being meat and vegetables boiled to mash, except on Fridays when we were served fried fish with salt and vinegar. I could not stop dreaming of soy sauce,” Chiba Sensei wrote in a memoir published in the Birankai Aikido journal.

Culture shock and the political complexities of Britain’s martial arts world made his first years abroad very difficult. After that bumpy start, he established a successful dojo in London and also traveled extensively to teach in Europe, helping to promote Aikido in Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Holland, Morocco, Spain and Switzerland. In 1970 he was promoted to sixth-degree black belt and awarded the title of shihan, or master instructor.

In 1975, Chiba Sensei returned to Japan to serve as secretary of the international department at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. At that time he also began studying Iaido – the art of drawing and cutting with the Japanese sword – with Takeshi Mitsuzuka, a disciple of legendary swordsman Hakudo Nakayama. He also intensified his study of Zen Buddhism and Misogi-no-kokyu-ho, a Shinto practice of purification through breathing.

Chiba Sensei and Mrs. Chiba in San Diego, 1981.

At the invitation of the United States Aikido Federation, Chiba Sensei and his family moved to San Diego in 1981 and established the San Diego Aikikai dojo. Thousands of Aikido practitioners from around the world came to study with Chiba Sensei in California and take part in live-in trainee and other teacher-preparation programs. He also established the Birankai Aikido organization, with dozens of affiliated dojos in the U.S., the U.K. and Europe.

In 2008, after 50 years in Aikido, Chiba Sensei retired from active teaching.

Chiba Sensei and his wife, Mitsuko Chiba.

Chiba Sensei is survived by his wife, Mitsuko; his children Kano and Kotetsu; his

grandchildren James Yamato, Titus Taisuke, Ryusuke, Shou, Kai and Zen, and his brother, Nobuyoshi Chiba of Japan. He will be greatly missed by his family and thousands of students and admirers across the world.

A celebration of Sensei’s life will be held at Birankai North America 2015 Summer Camp, July 16-21 in Tacoma, Wash.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a gift for the family. Please click here for more information on donations.
L. Klein for Birankai North America

T.K. Chiba, 1940-2015

Posted on Biran Online June 5, 2015

On behalf of Birankai International, with deep sorrow, Birankai North America announces the death today, June 5th, 2015, of our founder and teacher T. K. Chiba Shihan.

Martial artists here and around the world salute his life as they mourn his passing. During more than 50 years of training and teaching, Sensei inspired, forged and changed the lives of generations of students.

United in gratitude for the great gift he gave us, we offer our condolences to his family.

Published on Biran Online: http://birankai.org/blog/?p=920

Birankai patches

Birankai patches

The new Birankai embroidered patch is available for sale. Proceeds from patch sales will go to the Birankai General Fund which supports various programs including scholarships, the website and the video library. 

The Birankai patch can be worn on the right sleeve of your gi.  It  can also be sewn onto weapons bags and gi bags. 

Tips on applying your patch:

Correct position is essential! The image should be oriented with the small circle in the “10 o’clock” position.

When applying to your gi sleeve, apply to the right sleeve, a bit below your shoulder but well above the elbow. Put on your gi jacket and have a friend pin the patch to your gi in the correct position. Remove the jacket and iron-on or sew on. We recommend sewing on, however you may wish to do both for strongest adhesion.

Iron-on instructions:

Pre-heat iron for 5 minutes on high setting. Do not use steam.

Iron area of the garment where the emblem will be placed for 25 seconds.

Place emblem in desired location.

Place light weight press cloth over the emblem. Using a back and forth motion, press firmly with iron for 25 seconds. DO NOT apply hot iron directly to the emblem embroidery.

Turn the garment inside out. Using a back and forth motion, iron the back side of the emblem  for 45-60 seconds while pressing firmly.

Turn the garment right side out. Place press cloth over the emblem. Iron edges of the emblem to ensure they are properly sealed. DO NOT apply hot iron directly to the emblem embroidery.

Allow to cool thoroughly.

First Course in Aikido starts Tuesday May 5th

Ready to dig in to your First Course?

Tasty and nourishing to the body mind and spirit!

Aikido First Course is a beginners' series designed to orient you to the fundamentals of the art. Learn the basics of practice: situational awareness, whole body movement, rolling and falling without injury. Within just a few weeks you'll feel more centered and connected in yourself.

First Course begins Tuesday May 5, 2015. 

Registration includes a uniform and classes two days per week. Fee $90

First Course participants are eligible to take any and all of the following Aikido classes in the month of May:

Tuesdays 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm, Center Yourself

Tuesdays 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm; Fundamentals

Saturdays 10:00 am - 10:30 am, Learning Through Discovery

Saturdays 10:30 am - 11:30 am, Fundamentals

First Course participants will also be invited to participate in special events at the dojo in May e.g. The Lines of Engagement and Rolling class.

Contact us: dojo@multnomahaikikai.com

Aikido Multnomah Aikikai 6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239

This Saturday April 25 at 10am: Aikido Appetizer!

Our Spring Open House event is this Saturday April 25, 10am-11:30am

Aikido Appetizer
Try a taste of Aikido practice for FREE!

The Appetizer is an experiential introduction to the art and practice of Aikido. Step onto the mat and participate in fun, engaging partner exercises that awaken a sensory experience and ignite a spark. No prior experience expected.

Wear something comfortable you can move in. Be prepared to practice barefoot. Before stepping onto the mat we’ll ask you to clean your feet and remove any jewelry.

Free of charge! 

Sign-in and waiver form required upon arrival. Shoot us a quick email to let us know you plan to attend!

Aikido Multnomah Aikikai 6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239