Tadashi Abe
Encyclopedia
was the first aikido
master to live and teach in the west. He is considered by O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba
and his students as the "Happy Aikidoka" because he was always smiling when he trained. He began training in Aikido in Osaka
in 1942 and went on to train directly under the founder of the art Morihei Ueshiba
at Iwama as an uchideshi during World War II
. In 1952, after graduating in law from Waseda University
, he moved to France
where he studied law at the Sorbonne
and taught aikido as a 6th Dan representative of Aikikai
Honbu. After seven years he returned to Japan.
Aikido had been introduced into France a year earlier by Minoru Mochizuki
during a visit, but it was Tadashi Abe's teaching at the judo
dojo of Mikonosuke Kawaishi
where aikido was first taught on a regular basis in the west. During this time he made several trips to the UK to aid Kenshiro Abbe
in a similar venture in that country.
Upon his return to Japan, Tadashi Abe was famously very vocal concerning the direction aikido had gone. He felt it had lost its roots and had become effeminate, and thus was no longer the same budō
he had studied under Morihei Ueshiba. In his beginning years in aikido, Abe-sensei had been very keen on ascertaining the martial effectiveness of the art. He wrote two books on aikido in French language
, and a scathing letter in critique of Koichi Tohei
´s decision to break from the Aikikai and start his own Ki Society
.
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
master to live and teach in the west. He is considered by O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
and his students as the "Happy Aikidoka" because he was always smiling when he trained. He began training in Aikido in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
in 1942 and went on to train directly under the founder of the art Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
at Iwama as an uchideshi during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1952, after graduating in law from Waseda University
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
, he moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where he studied law at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
and taught aikido as a 6th Dan representative of Aikikai
Aikikai
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu . It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation....
Honbu. After seven years he returned to Japan.
Aikido had been introduced into France a year earlier by Minoru Mochizuki
Minoru Mochizuki
was a Japanese martial artist who founded the dojo Yoseikan. He was a 10th dan in Aikido, 9th dan in jujutsu, 8th dan in iaido, 8th dan in judo, 8th dan in kobudo, 5th dan in kendo, 5th dan in karate, and a 5th dan in jojutsu....
during a visit, but it was Tadashi Abe's teaching at the judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
dojo of Mikonosuke Kawaishi
Mikonosuke Kawaishi
was a master of Japanese Judo and Jujutsu, reaching for the life of the 7th Dan, who led the development of Judo in France and much of Europe. The application of belt colors associated with different degrees of learning resulted in a very effective teaching approach for the development of martial...
where aikido was first taught on a regular basis in the west. During this time he made several trips to the UK to aid Kenshiro Abbe
Kenshiro Abbe
was a prominent Japanese master of judo, aikido, and kendo. He introduced aikido to the United Kingdom in 1955, and founded the Kyushindo system. Abbe was a graduate of the famous Budo Senmon Gakko, having studied judo and kendo there. Following an illustrious early career in the martial arts, he...
in a similar venture in that country.
Upon his return to Japan, Tadashi Abe was famously very vocal concerning the direction aikido had gone. He felt it had lost its roots and had become effeminate, and thus was no longer the same budō
Budo
is a Japanese term describing martial arts. In English, it is used almost exclusively in reference to Japanese martial arts.-Etymology:Budō is a compound of the root bu , meaning war or martial; and dō , meaning path or way. Specifically, dō is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga...
he had studied under Morihei Ueshiba. In his beginning years in aikido, Abe-sensei had been very keen on ascertaining the martial effectiveness of the art. He wrote two books on aikido in French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, and a scathing letter in critique of Koichi Tohei
Koichi Tohei
was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido , but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.-Koichi Tohei and aikido:...
´s decision to break from the Aikikai and start his own Ki Society
Ki Society
The is an aikido organization founded by Koichi Tohei in 1971, while he was the chief instructor at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. The official Japanese name of the organization is Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai , but it is more usually known in English-speaking countries as "Ki Society"...
.
