At the end of our recent trip to Japan, Nakao Sensei asked us to write an essay about the trip. These are the essays that we sent him.
Bryan Bateman
Due to the pandemic, It’s been 4 years since I last came to Japan. That is the longest time away for me since I first started visiting in 1995. Visiting my family, and friends at the Seibukan in Japan is always time that I cherish. For a few days each year I can laugh, eat and drink with my family and I can practice Aikido with my teacher and mentor, and with friends that I have known for over 27 years. This time cannot be replaced, and cannot be taken for granted, this time is my enjoyment, it is my treasure. For others it may just be a visit, a chance to experience practice in Japan or to experience Japanese culture. For me, it is a chance to grasp a few more moments with the people I love and care for.
A lot has changed in the last 4 years. We have moved to Scotland, far away from our Seibukan UK dojo. I now practice in a new small dojo with some new friends. We have changed jobs too, no longer working in the roles that we have worked in for 2/3 of our lives. We are still trying to find our feet in Scotland, doing whatever is necessary to live. Despite all of these changes and upheavals, the Seibukan remains a constant for me, regardless of how short my visits are it’s always there.
Maybe it’s the extended gap since my last visit, but this year is the first time that I can feel age. Slowly taking over the my body, and the bodies of my family and friends. I will be 60 years old next year, still young in mind and heart, but the body not quite repairing or recovering as it once did. Even so, I continue to train as much as I can, and I will return to the Seibukan as often as I can so that I can continue to be inspired by Nakao sensei and Akiko san, and everyone else that continues to amaze me with their dedication to training, regardless of age.
The path is long, and the end is still out of sight, I can’t wait to bump into you all around the next bend.
Dave Barnard
I enjoyed the training during this trip to Japan, especially the techniques from a punch or a knife thrust as for me aikido is most affective when energy is coming towards me as opposed to a static grip, I have been training in another art for most of my adult life and started training in aikido for the footwork and movement which compliments my other training wonderfully.
David Davies
We waited so long for this trip but it was certainly worth the wait, I enjoyed every Seibukan Kobe class it was lovely to see old friends smiling and enjoying training with us it was like no time had past to see Nakao Sensei and Akiko san in their restaurant smiling cooking lovely food for us all.
Good company, good food laughing and joking together with old friends who could ask for more? I better start saving for my next trip see you all soon.
Richard Kotey
I learnt about Seibukan, Milton Keynes via online search of Aikido. Coincidentally, the Kents Hill dojo was walking distance and the proximity was the very reason why I decided to join the club without any anticipations other than a local Aikido training. Consequently, I commenced Aikido training in October 2021, did my first Kyu grading in March 2022 and awarded a 5th Kyu. I have remained focused on continuous practice to improve my Aikido as much as possible and feedback from the instructors has been positive and inspiring.
From my perspective, the combination of Aikido training sessions and other recreational activities such as Whiskey Night, Cinema, Christmas Party and travel to Kobe, Japan makes Seibukan, Milton Keynes such an inclusive, friendly and enjoyable club. It is for this reason that I was keen to part of the October 2023 travel group to Seibukan Kobe, Japan and above all, the opportunity and honour to experience Aikido practice with Nakao sensei and his wife Akiko.
The trip to Kobe was my first ever travel to Japan and it was a remarkable experience. The Japanese people are very welcoming, the streets and surroundings are relatively clean and the Temples are awesome. Wished I had the opportunity to taste every traditional Japanese cuisine served at Nakao sensi’s restaurant. As a take-home message from Nakao sensei’s restaurant (albeit of spiritual nature to me), I endeavour to not waste any food served to me.
With regards to my Aikido practice, it is worth mentioning that though I am focused on practising Aikido continuously, I am yet to be passionate about it. However, my experience at the Seibukan, Kobe dojo has triggered the development of a passion for Aikido within me. The dojo was clean, the floor was soft and comfortable and above all, the people were friendly and demonstrated a genuine desire to engage, teach, guide and practice Aikido with me despite the language barrier. In addition, witnessing both 2nd and 4th Dan gradings at Seibukan, Kobe was so inspirational, even more so when witnessing Dan gradings for the first time.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nakao sensei and his wife Akiko for their amazing hospitality and Aikido practice sessions. I would also like to thank Bryan sensei and his wife Ako for all their time and efforts to make the trip both enjoyable and successful. Also thanks to Pete sensei, Joe sensei, David D and David B, you are all awesome!
I am already looking forward to the next trip to Seibukan Kobe, Japan.