Kenshiro Abbe Sensei When Kenshiro Abbe Sensei first stepped on British soil in 1955 he brought with him the knowledge of many Budo arts, Aikido being one of them.
Abbe Sensei also brought his Aikido based philosophy of Kyu-Shin-Do. This was the inception of British Aikido.
No where in the BAB literature will you find any reference to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei or the origins of Aikido within the UK. In the year 2000 the BAB were happy to help promote Mr Pooles proven fraudulent claims to 47 yrs of Aikido, The BAB have now taken this claim by Mr Poole from the BAB Associations information website.
I personally received my invitation from the BAB to attend Mr Poole’s event, that was the start of the long running British Aikido Board Controversy, yet sadly, the BAB have never ever promoted the true history of British Aikido or its founder Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.
British Aikido Board Statement Damned Forever The BAB Chairman Toni Davis stated in the year 2000 “We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History and therefore have no interest in the same” Sadly with the arrival of the new BAB chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter nothing changed, he made the statement below despite the factual information available to him and his executive, lets not forget that Mr Sumpter had the only four surviving students of Abbe Sensei for Aikido within the BAB. On the 17th April 2002 The BAB Chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter wrote to Henry Ellis with reference to the history of British Aikido.
At the end of the meeting, Henry Ellis appraised Ms Sadie Mason of Sport England of the proposed plans for the Kenshiro Abbe event, Ms Mason suggested that we should involve the BAB in our plans as part of the reconciliation of British Aikido, Henry Ellis agreed.
This event was about one thing and one thing only ” Kenshiro Abbe Sensie ” with demonstrations of the early aikido and its proud standards, with Sensei Eastman showing various techniques to show the influences that the different early teachers brought to the UK in those early days.
Students trained with other students of other styles and association with a friendliness not often seen in modern Aikido circles.
This event went a long way to promote all that is good in Aikido.
Another crass statement from Mr Vincent Sumpter 27th March 2004, In an unwarranted attack on the genuine aikidoka who supported the British Aikido Controversy debate in its defence of the true history of British Aikido and the Aikido history of Abbe Sensei and his disciples.
“The Boards conscience is clear. like all the practitioners of Aikido who contribute to this”controversy ” Mr Humm appears to have forgotten the meaning of the word “Aikido ” – Harmony of Sprit to find a Way ” The “Controversy” website feeds hatred, ill – feeling, bitterness and discord.
This was such an important event with many good students who were members of the BAB the British Aikido Board were not represented at this event to pay tribute to such a great master and the founder of our Aikido.
In almost 50 years of Aikido I have never before experienced the special atmosphere that electrified the great hall at Crystal Palace from the moment the Taiko Drummers started to play on this day of celebration in the name of Abbe Sensei.
I knew on Saturday the 14th of May that I was now witnessing the greatest Aikido event in my 48 years of Aikido.
MR SUMPTER, you missed something very special, whilst you sat 40 miles away at home contemptuously ignoring the tribute to the father of British Aikido, others travelled from all parts of the UK – USA – France – Holland – Germany – Czechoslovakia.
Try Try Try Again After the disastrous “British Aikido Board Nepotism Seminar 2004” with only 99 students attending out of a membership of approx 15000, the BAB have decided not to hold it’s 2005 National Seminar.
The BAB having failed in its four year support for Mr Jack Poole to change the history of British Aikido.
They now appear to have a renewed interest in the true history of British Aikido and its founder Kenshiro Abbe.
No matter whatever the British Aikido Board do, that damning statement below will hang over their shameless heads for ever and a day.
British Aikido Board Statement Damned Forever The BAB Chairman Toni Davis stated in the year 2000 “We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History and therefore have no interest in the same.
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