| Aikido class to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police |
 Some of us Aikido practitioners often dream of going to Japan in order to perfect our skills in the art created by O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. Many actually eventually make the trip for a few weeks, some for a few months. Fewer of these individuals decide to settle there for an indefinite period of time, that is my case. This long term pilgrimage allows us to explore the roots of Aikido, make the acquaintance of many masters and, if we are lucky enough, to establish solid and enduring relationships with them on and beyond the tatami. However, the normal order of things is that we always find ourselves assuming the role of the student. In fact, one would never think in Japan to transgress this position. There are some cases however when, a bit in spite of our own will, this situation can change quickly and dramatically. The account I am going to give today describes precisely one of these occurrences. During several months training intensively at the AikikaiHombu Dojo in Tokyo, I have had the opportunity to make a lot of acquaintances and I even got the opportunity to develop real friendships. It is from one of these precious friendships that the adventure I will relate today started. |
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| Interview with Guillaume Erard, 3rd Dan Aïkikaï |
 This article is a bit special since that for once, I will be the one to answer questions. I went last June to give a one day course in Besançon (France) as I was invited there by my friend Aurore who used to work with me at Aikidoka Magazine. I had a wonderful time teaching over there and was touched by the fact that seven students from the DAA made the trip to France especially for this occasion. |
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