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I have a book in
final stages of preparation in USA titled "Positive Aikido, 45 yrs of Traditional teachings ". Arthur Lockyear most prominent writer on Aikido is also gathering information on history of "Aikido in UK". I also understand that Sensei Williams is also preparing something on same lines.
Once a fellow Aikidoist has read history of our Aikido then perhaps you will realise why few of us that are left from early days are so protective of its origins.
Prior to this claim of 47 years, Mr. Poole has always chosen to totally ignore me and my existence when attending British Aikido Board meetings. Maybe he feels that if he ignores me he then can ignore his true history.
During time Mr. Poole was in my beginner’s class, he was always a good student, and I can never recall any problems or concerns. I have no concerns either regarding Mr Poole’s impersonation of O'Sensei on poster I received, nor do I envy fact that he is only person to my knowledge to ever have a grade in" Budo". However I do have grave concerns for true principals of Aikido, and just as importantly its survival as a creditable Martial Art.
The planned celebration by M Poole is to take place in April. I have written to Mrs. Shirley Timms, secretary to British Aikido Board, to ask British Aikido Board to authenticate Mr. Pooles claim. Mrs. Timms told me that this would take some time. I suggested to her that now was right time, before he commits himself to "celebration".
On Saturday 11th of March 2000, I traveled to Birmingham with Sensei Derek Eastman's (The 4th survivor from 1950’s) son, Mark. This was first time he had attended a General Meeting of British Aikido Board, he could not believe how proceedings went.
On arrival at meeting Mrs. Timms hurried ahead of everyone else, I can only assume to advise Chairman Toni Davies that I was here to speak at Item 11 of agenda, which was any other business. This is only time that you can bring any other issues to attention of board). After sitting in meeting for almost 3 hours we eventually reached Item 11, any other business, and as quickly as I stood up Chairman called meeting closed. I asked to be allowed to speak and Bill Smith Sensei one of most respected men in Aikido, called out "Let man speak" and again "Let man speak". This is an abuse of privilege that we have never seen before in British Aikido Board. I was refused permission to speak and raise matter of Mr Poole. I have been told that Mr Poole claims to have trained in France and that he has a letter from O'Sensei. In those early days we too trained in France, we still have contacts in France, so it would be possible to check out this claim. With reference to letter from O'Sensei, I have no comment.
In its hurry to dismiss item 11 from agenda, board also omitted very last item on agenda, which was date of next meeting.
By protecting Mr. Poole from what would have been a simple question of authenticity British Aikido Board have actually accepted his claim to rewrite history of British Aikido, and given him their full approval.
When I carry out a display of Aikido I always use a couple of beginners to try to encourage other people to join, I have a 8mm film converted to video clearly showing Mr Poole in 1967/8 as a beginner.
Addition:
AIKIDO in THE UK
The origins and history of Aikido in UK started with its introduction by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955 and his first student was Sensei Ken Williams. A small select group of dan grades developed around Sensei Williams at Abbe School of Budo, Hillingdon Middx.
Apart from Sensei Williams there are only four survivors from those early days, Sensei's Foster, Ellis, Reynolds & Eastman. When Sensei Foster and I were training at "HUT" in 1950s I am sure that neither of us ever thought that we would still be involved in Aikido 45 years later. Sensei Williams always had great faith in future of Aikido, and would often say to me that Aikido would grow to be most popular martial art in UK, and all early dan grades would one day be full time professional teachers. The promotion of Aikido in those early days was such a struggle that although I felt just as passionately about Aikido as Sensei Williams, I must admit I did not share his vision.
The early history of British Aikido is a colourful one with many anecdotes as we early teachers tried to promote Aikido. Now after 45yrs those original four are still teaching and promoting Aikido.
After all these years I (Henry Ellis) still feel as passionately and dedicated as I did in those early days. I have always had a strong and positive approach to Aikido and I know that other teachers and I are all very proud of our history and our small part in development of what was once only a vision of Sensei Williams. Today that vision is now a reality.
I trust that any true student of Aikido will know that I care little for my own promotion but only for Protection and Promotion of Martial Art of Aikido that I have devoted most of my life to.
Yours in Budo, Sensei Henry Ellis
Henry Ellis Co-Author of Positive Aikido. a direct student of the legendary master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1957. This article is about the attempted corruption of the true history of British Aikido from its inception in 1955 by Abbe Sensei.
