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Abbe at first declined, but eventually accepted
challenge, presumably to shut this old man up. Abbe Sensei told me that, as he took hold of old man's finger and tried to break it, he found himself on floor of carriage and totally immobilised. Whilst on floor, Abbe asked Founder for permission to study under him. This is my understanding of Abbe Sensei's story.
When you were in my 'local' earlier, you told me a couple of interesting stories about one of your former teachers. Could you repeat them for this interview, please?
Certainly, but I think its better that we don't print man's name. Well, he was a 2nd Dan in Aikido, under Ken Williams, and also held equivalent ranks in Judo and Karate. He was a strange character and used to speak in an affected, Japanese broken English, and one day he said to me: "Mr Ellis want come my house for supper?" So I said: "Yes, Sensei, I'll come for supper, thank you". I went along to his home, knocked on door and it was opened by this guy wearing a black silk kimono (traditional Japanese gown) and geta (clogs). I was a little taken aback by this, but went in and we sat down.
After a couple of minutes, Sensei clapped his hands and his wife came trotting in from kitchen, also in a kimono. So, first thing he did was to slap her across face three times. Her head rocked back and forth but she didn't say a word, or even cry. I just looked on in total amazement... it was unbelievable. He told her to prepare meal, and she returned to kitchen. When his wife had left us I told him that I thought he was out of order. This chap replied that Abbe Sensei had told him that it was a Japanese tradition to slap one's wife every morning to teach her humility! I pointed out to him that he was not Japanese - but to no avail, as he slapped her again when he ordered our drinks! I was never same with him after that..... it was incredible behaviour.
You did, in fact, come to blows with this particular man later on, didn't you?
Yes, I did, Arthur. We were in this pub after training and he said to me:
"You think you can take me, don't you?" I told him that I'd never thought about it, to which he replied: "Oh yes you have, you think about it all time". Again I denied this, it was just bloody rubbish, but he would not let go. He kept baiting me, saying: "You want to try?" and I said to him: "You know, Sensei only person troubled by this is you. It is you who are unsure about me, not I about you". So he said: "Let's go outside", and out we went.
Outside pub he put himself in Aikido posture, so I just stood there as relaxed as possible, and waited. As soon as he came for me, I hit him and put him on deck. As he went down I dropped and immobilised him with my knee on his neck. At this point he said: "O.K., that's enough, let me up". I said: "Is that it? Is this incident finished?" He replied that it was. Well, I'm a very straight man, and if someone says it's finished, then for me it is finished. So as soon as I let him go, he smacked me straight in nose and broke it - I was covered in blood and in a bit of a mess. He lost not only my respect, but that of everyone who had been present. He moved from area soon after that, and I've never seen or heard of him since.
Finally, Henry, do you have any advice that you would like to offer to Aikido practitioners?
I would urge them to visit other clubs and look at other methods. You don't have to like everyone's Aikido, but if you can take away a little from each dojo you visit, it will help make your own Aikido complete. Also, I would say - stay clear of 'fairy' Aikido - remember it's a Martial Art and must work.
Henry, thank you for your time and patience.
My pleasure, and thanks to Pat and you for hospitality.
