6 weeks left
Now’s your chance to snag the last couple of spots at the Aiki event of the year. If you are aiming to attend Aiki Connections 2019, this is your final call to action. Don’t delay, act now. Don’t miss out
Herne Bay update
We forgot to take the obligatory group pic, so heres Will and Dave from last time. Great session Friday night, and a warm welcome to our new group addition Dan. See you all for more on the 6th June.
Aiki age fun
Aiki Connections 2019 – Two months to go “Update”
As we pass the “two months to go” point until Aiki Connections 2019, we just want to thank everyone who has so far booked onto the weekend. This year looks like it is going to be very well turned out. We can’t wait to see everyone, and we know it’s…
Aiki Connections almost sold out
Ueshiba Morihei (December 14, 1883 – April 26, 1969)
Teacher of Daito-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu and Aikido Founder Ueshiba Morihei (December 14, 1883 – April 26, 1969) Today is the 50th anniversary of his passing.
Balance deadline reminder
Not long now! To all those who put down a deposit for Aiki Connections weekend, 1st May 2019 is the deadline to pay the remainder of your balance.
Herne Bay Massive
A lovely evenings training in Herne Bay last night. Thanks to all who attended, and for the great work.
Pictorial Daito-ryu Ginjukai Lineage
Pictorial lineage of the Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu Ginjukai Takeda Sōkaku, the founder of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu (October 10, 1859 – April 25, 1943) Takeda Sōkaku (middle) and his student Kodo Horikawa (right). Kōdō Horikawa (1894–1980) Kōdō Horikawa (second from left) seated with Shioda Gōzō (third from left). Kōdō Horikawa (middle) training with…
Interesting Interview with Ueshiba Morihei
A both fascinating and unorthodox interview with Daito-ryu Instructor and Aikido founder Ueshiba Morihei, has surfaced. Aikikai Aikido and Takumakai Daito-Ryu student Guillaume Errard posted that he found it recently. Good job Guillaume! A very curious dynamic develops between interviewer and interviewee, ranging from amused to annoyed (on both sides).…
Okamoto Seigo Interview
I forgot to share this last month when it was posted up. Originally published in 1990 by Gekkan Hiden Magazine (“Secret Teachings Monthly”), our friend Chris Li put up part one of an interview with Okamoto Sensei on his excellent Sangenkai blog. (I love this picture)
West country whistle stop
That was a busy weekend…. We just had a great weekend’s study group action in the west country. First a quick 4 hour Friday night drive down to Bristol, courtesy of my trusty chauffeur/Brother. Sone refreshments followed of course.. On Saturday Daren gave me a quick tour of Bristol before…
Daito-ryu in Bristol or Torquay anyone?
Next weekend, the Study Group will be on tour in the west country. On Saturday (23rd March 2019), we will be in Bristol, hosted by Daren Sims at Bristol South Aikido Dojo. Hopefully a few beers will be tasted on Friday, followed by training on Saturday from 1pm – 5pm.…
Articles for Archive purposes
Daito Ryu Article for BAA Shizentai Magazine Daito Ryu article in BAB Aikido Times Magazine Howard Popkin Interview part 1 in BAA Shizentai Magazine Howard Popkin Interview part 2 in BAA Shizentai Magazine Aiki Connections 2017 advert in BAB Aikido Times Magazine
2016 Interview with Howard Popkin
Howard, you and Joe Brogna operate the Daito Ryu Ginjukai in New York. For those who don’t know what it is, please could you tell us about Daito Ryu? Daitoryu Aikijujutsu was brought to the public eye a few generations ago by Takeda Sokaku. The son of a Samurai, Sokaku…
Control yourselves….
This handsome chap has the very first and only Aiki Connections 2019 t-shirt produced. His rugged good looks are perfect for showing off this year’s design. Order your shirt today, then either pick it up at Aiki Connections or have it posted to you.
Takeda Sokaku Timeline
This timeline is reproduced from the archive of Aikido Journal. Many thanks to Josh Gold at Aikido Journal for permission. 1859 – Born on October 10, 1859 at the Takeda Mansion in Oike, Aizu Bange-cho, in present-day Fukushima Prefecture. Father, Sokichi Takeda (1819-1906), mother Tomi (unknown dates), daughter of Dengoro…
On the fence about Daito-ryu?
Have a read of some of the testimonial quotes below from previous participants of the Aiki Connections weekend, then head over and book your place at this year’s event. “There is only one way to understand this level of Aiki and that is to feel it or to get “Hands…
What do we know about Takeda Sokaku?
Eimeiroku (enrollment books) of Takeda Sokaku The late Stan Pranin’s video about Takeda Sokaku and his relationship with Ueshiba Morihei, is a fascinating insight for students of Daito-ryu and Aikido alike.
Great fun tonight
Don’t forget, Herne Bay this Friday
Herne Bay Study Group this Friday night @ Shogun Martial Arts school. See you there!
Great new session
The Herne Bay Study Group started very well with a great first session on Friday. Long may it continue. (I forgot to take a photo, so here’s a substitute pic from Dover).
Testimonial from the best of men….Graham Farquhar
I have always been interested in the predecessor arts to Aikido and yet some of the types of Daito Ryu weren’t really for me. I was fortunate enough to be at the Aiki expo in 2002 and saw Daito Ryu for the first time. I was disappointed. It was too…
Aiki Connections 2019 – Book now.
July will see our 6th annual Aiki Connections weekend with Howard Popkin and Joe Brogna. As anyone who has participated before will tell you, it’s a fantastic weekend full of laughter and a rare opportunity to sample and try for yourself, some amazing authentic Daito-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu. Half the places for…
Study Group “On Tour” dates
We are pleased to announce the following Daito-Ryu Study Group sessions in Bristol and Torquay during mid February. Following the successful visit in 2018, we return to Bristol on Saturday 23rd March at Bristol South Aikido Dojo, Fortfield Road Bristol, BS14 9NX. On Sunday 24th March, we are at St…
Herne Bay – New Study Group venue
Following the great visit to Herne Bay’s Shogun Martial Arts last week, and after further discussion with Lee Adams, we are pleased to announce we will be holding regular monthly Daito-Ryu Study Group sessions in the new year. They will be on the first Friday of each month, starting with…
Study group hits Herne Bay
Last night, we took a “Study Group on Tour” trip over to Lee Adams’ dojo, Shogun Martial Arts School, in Herne Bay. It’s the first time I had seen Lee’s new dojo, which was once an amusement arcade on Herne Bay sea front. We were most impressed with the facility.…
Tickets already half sold
We have already sold half of the tickets to next year’s Aiki Connections weekend. If you intend to participate but have yet to secure your ticket, I would advise you to act now. Read testimonials from previous attendees here. Understanding that stumping up the necessary consideration this close to Christmas…
Study Group hits Bristol
The classic training error of taking the group shot at the end when 5 people had already left. I just got back to Kent after a long drive back from Bristol (4 hours is always an eternity with my kids in the car). On Saturday, we held a 6hr “Study…
Early bird discount ends
The 1st September is upon us. This means the early bird discount for Aiki Connections comes to a close. We have added the facility to pay a deposit in order to secure a limited space without paying the full £120 in one go. Book your Aiki Connections 2019 ticket now
For the metal heads
Book early and save £20
On 1st September 2018, the ticket price for Aiki Connections 2019 will go up to £120. If you want to save £20, book early and in turn help us greatly with the organisation of the event. Visit our event page to book your place now
Free gift…
Horikawa Kodo
Some fantastic photos of Horikawa Kodo, Okamoto Sensei’s teacher. Our thanks to Ole Kingston of Daito Ryu Enryukai. A Young Kodo Taiso Horikawa, Sokaku Takeda, Kodo Horikawa. The famous photo of Kodo with a young Gozo Shioda.
Required viewing : Horikawa Kodo
Next in our series of “Required Viewing”, is this video of Horikawa Kodo’s remarkable soft skill. This will be very familiar to those who have trained with Popkin Sensei and Brogna Sensei. Enjoy.
Study Group session in Cornwall
Whilst on holiday in Cornwall, I visited fellow Ginjukai member Dave Remnant. Dave kindly showed me around his land and property before we took to his home dojo. Converted from a former stable, this fantastic facility was the setting for an evening of Daito-ryu, beer and pizza. My thanks to…
Latest feedback from John Shields
Some nice feedback from John Shields… I have been practising the art of Aikido for the last 30 years, and have had the good fortune to have trained with various Sensei and Shihan from both Europe and Japan. On meeting Sensei’s Popkin and Brogna, I was amazed at their technical…
Seminar Feedback just in…by Phil Glover
Aiki Connections seminar feedback just in courtesy of Phil Glover….. Tl;dr: It was good, join us next time. So, it’s been a couple of weeks since the 2018 Aiki Connections Seminar and I’ve been using the time to try and organise my thoughts to offer some feedback. Before we start, a bit…
Aiki Connections 2019
Great news. Howard and Joe will return to the UK in 2019, on the weekend of July 13 & 14. You can pre-book your place now. Aiki Connections 2019
Another review, by Mark Jenner
New review received, this time courtesy of Mr Mark Jenner…. Another great Daito Ryu weekend in Dover with the Aiki connections crowd, four years now and it’s not yet failed to deliver! This is much more than just another martial arts seminar, enlightening, thought provoking, and frustratingly minimalist, it’s all…
New Aiki Connections review, by Simon Thackeray
Our thanks to Simon Thackeray for this feedback… An enlightening and enjoyable weekend with knowledgeable, skillful teachers who were keen for everyone to get what it is they’re teaching and make time for everyone there. Some six hours a day of training time could have been heavy going, but it…
Great testimonial, by Stuart Turner
Aikido folk often pay lip-service to the fact that their art derives from Daito-ryu, but not many get the chance to actually train in aikido’s parent art. I was fortunate enough to be able to share a mat with Howard Popkin and Joe Brogna at the Aiki Connections seminar recently,…
Post weekend thoughts
Thank you to everyone who attended the weekend. It was lovely to see so many old friends and to start so many new friendships. It was an absolute pleasure to train with you all. I always derive huge enjoyment in seeing the surprise/shock on people’s faces when they grab Howie…
Great feedback, by Paul Wildish
I have been a committed budoka for some fifty years, first practising judo, then subsequently practising Tomiki Aikido, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido and Mugai Ryu Iaiheiho. Throughout my budo journey I have shared practice with jujutsu, jodo, kenjutsu, karate, Nihon Shorinji Kempo and Chinese tai chi teachers. This experience…
Less than 3 weeks to go…
As we count the days, minutes and seconds until Aiki Connections 2018 with Popkin Sensei and Brogna Sensei, we look back at some fun memories…..
Nice words…by Erik Divietro
“My brief time training with Popkin and Brogna Sensei radically altered my perspective on aiki. One of the first things you will notice with Popkin and Brogna Sensei is the confident effortlessness of their movement. Come in contact with one of them, and instantly you are attached to something you…
Aiki Connections Single Day tickets
As we reach the “one month to go” mark before the Aiki Connections weekend with Howard Popkin and Joe Brogna, we are very pleased that so many have booked up to attend. We understand that there are some who are unable to make the whole weekend, so to help with…
Assumptions, courtesy of Peter Boylan
An excerpt from an old post on Peter Boylan’s (the Budo Bum) blog…. “Getting out to a seminar or two in another art can broaden your perspective on situations the arts you study are intended to deal with. Every art has a frame through which it interprets the world. It’s…
Aiki Connections 2018, not long now!
As we reach the four weeks to go to point, there’s good news for those who booked their place early. The complimentary event t-shirts are ready and will be available at the Aiki Connections weekend. Those who missed the free event t-shirt offer can still order one here Aiki Connections…
Required viewing
This classic video from the late Stanley Pranin is required viewing for anyone interested in Daito-ryu or Aikido.