The Aikido Controversy is now a part of British Aikido History.
The Controversy Two years ago I received a circular, via the British Aikido Board, inviting me to Mr Jack Poole’s celebratory seminar of “47 years in Aikido”.
One does not have to be a nuclear scientist to calculate that 1968 from 2000 is 32 years However the British Aikido Board in its wisdom refused to answer my subsequent complaint, against Mr Pooles claim, and at the National Seminar 2000 awarded him a bronze samurai statue to celebrate his “40 plus years of Aikido”.
The Final Analysis On the 29th February 2000 Sensei Ellis sent an official letter of complaint to the British Aikido Board, the letter was addressed to the British Aikido Board secretary Mrs S Timms, subsequently Mrs Timms arranged a meeting at “The Hut” with Sensei’s Foster, Ellis, Eastman, and Mrs Timms herself to discuss the matters detailed in the letter.
At the British Aikido Board meeting held on the 23rd September 2000, the British Aikido Board executive denied having received the “Official complaint” when the matter was raised by Sensei Derek Eastman.
If the British Aikido Board executive did not receive the letter, why? It was as a result of this letter that the above meeting took place, so I will ask the question again, why was this important official letter that directly affects the history of British Aikido not placed before the whole of the executive committee? In brief the evidence against Mr Poole that was offered to the British Aikido Board: Sensei Ellis has not one photo of Mr Poole as a beginner in 1968 but several.
When Mr Poole was asked by a senior member of the British Aikido Board “Jack, when and where did you actually start your Aikido”, Mr Poole’s reply was “Errgh, I can’t really remember when I started”.
On the strength of that brief statement the British Aikido Board awarded Mr Poole with a fine samurai statue to celebrate our new leader.
Jack Poole And his forthcoming “Celebration of 47 years of Aikido” By Henry Ellis Sensei The Controversy Recently, I received a letter from the British Aikido Board, enclosed were the usual documents of a previous general meeting, amongst the papers was a A4 size photo of Mr. Poole, inviting everyone to the above celebration, including me.
The content of the poster was of great concern to many others and me who shared in the birth of Aikido in Britain.
If you have not read my story in “Fighting Arts International” No 93, and Aikido Today Magazine No 36, they are to be found on this web page.
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei introduced Aikido in 1955, his first student was Ken Williams Sensei,.
Arthur Lockyear the most prominent writer on Aikido is also gathering information on the history of “Aikido in the UK”. I also understand that Sensei Williams is also preparing something on the same lines.
Once a fellow Aikidoist has read the history of our Aikido then perhaps you will realise why the few of us that are left from the early days are so protective of its origins.
I have written to Mrs. Shirley Timms, the secretary to the British Aikido Board, to ask the British Aikido Board to authenticate Mr. Pooles claim.
Addition: AIKIDO in THE UK The origins and history of Aikido in the UK started with its introduction by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955 and his first student was Sensei Ken Williams.
Sensei Williams always had great faith in the future of Aikido, and would often say to me that Aikido would grow to be the most popular martial art in the UK, and all the 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 the early teachers tried to promote Aikido.
Now after 45yrs those original four are still teaching and promoting Aikido.
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