by Koretoshi Maruyama
Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai
I have received word that Peter Kelly wishes to build a Dedicated Aikido Yuishinkai Dojo in Tasmania. I wholeheartedly support this proposal.
Building a dojo in Tasmania has been a dream of mine since I first visited Tasmania in 2008. Its clean air and clear water can only be found deep in the mountains in other parts of the world. Plus, there is Peter’s character. When I first met him in 2002, I immediately saw his exceptional character. This is why I later named him International Chief Instructor. He has met my expectations, and acted as my representative to convey the spirit and techniques of Aikido Yushinkai to dojos around the world.
As the last student of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, it is my mission to correctly convey the spirit of his teachings. Who can correctly answer questions such as the following? How is modern aikido different from jujutsu and Daito-ryu? Isn’t aikido about love? What did the founder really mean when he said that aikido is 70% atemi and 30% nage? What does it mean to move without strength? What does it mean when we say that everyone needs to take ukemi? What does it mean to say that aikido is true budo? The people who can answer these questions are me, my trusted students in Japan, and one teacher in Tasmania.
I have one heartfelt request for you all. Please do what you can to help build an Aikido Yuishinkai dojo in Tasmania! We have the opportunity to build a dojo for the founder’s aikido in order to help preserve the true aikido that he left. If we don’t take this opportunity, I believe that true aikido will disappear forever. With this in mind, please donate what you can.
Thank you.
