July ‘03
The Seidokan Communicator
Aikido for a Modern Way of Life
Summer Camp
By Barbra Rodriguez
Aikido summer camp in Kalamazoo
was wonderful, with much of the
thanks going to Mark and Janean
Crapo and Michigan students, who
obviously spent a lot of time making
sure all the details were ironed out.
Plus the weather, which topped out in
the low 70s, couldn't be beat, and
there were lots of opportunities to see
old friends. I’m sure I missed out on
some great classes, since at least two
were going on at most times, but
here's some of what I learned:
Eli Landau from Aiki Dojo in Israel
taught a great class on responding to
shoulder grabs. He emphasized
stepping in and off-line early, so that
you "traded partners" with your uke.
He also emphasized that uke should
"track" nage as they stepped off-line
as would likely happen in a real attack.
Dan Kawakami provided several
classes using his calm,
common-sense approach to Aikido.
And at the beginning of practicing
Katatetori hantai and katatori hantai
moves, he had John Braden from
Michigan demonstrate some Tai Chi
moves to drive home the importance in
Aikido of placing a foot first before
shifting your weight onto that foot.
Michiyo Kobayashi, with Mrs.
Kobayashi's input, led a Ki training
session focused on the four principles
to unify mind and body. There were
also reminders during aiki taiso
warm-ups of the importance of
maintaining one point as instructors
performed ki testing on students.
Several "younger" instructors also
were featured during camp, including
Ben Doubleday, who gave a nice class
on ways to use Aikido principles to
help out someone in danger or to turn
other ugly situations into more
harmonious ones. For example, he
showed a simple movement to
respond to a choke hold being applied
to you or to a friend.
THIS ISSUE
- Summer Camp
Impressions!
- Teaching Purpose
- Dojo Flooring
- And More!
Besides regular training sessions,
the Crapo’s provided some unique
offerings thanks to the extra day of
camp. They included:
- a banquet Friday night, followed
by demonstrations of many martial
arts provided by local practitioners,
including some who train in
Seidokan. We were gifted with
demonstrations of the flowing
swordwork and silence of Iaido, the
quick push-pull of Judo and katas
from Karate and other arts,
including a demonstration of how a
dart on a string or a wooden oar
traditionally would be used as
weapons.
As diverse as the demos were,
they all drove home the message
that a physical response to a threat
is considered a last option, and that
different arts share some similar
underlying techniques, as was
evident from Stewart Chan, Sensei
whispering Aikido names for some
techniques on the sidelines.
- a Q&A session about instructing
that addressed questions like how
to handle insurance issues and how
to structure a single class or series
of classes. The variety of answers
provided lots of food for thought.
The camp as a whole did the
same. It also helped rejuvenate my
interest in practicing Seidokan and
in particular arts that I had an
opportunity to see in a different
light, thanks to the great instructors
and I look forward to Camp in
Austin next year!
Reflections on Camp
John Mollitor
I thought back in January, when it was
cold and snowing, “Camp will never get
here, it is a good 6 months off.” Then
whosh! Here it has come and gone just
as fast as that first thought I had back in
January. Thankfully, I had the joy of
training with some old friends, and some
new ones too. It again was a great time.
Another day in heaven, we are blessed.
It appears that no matter how long
camp lasts; it is always too soon over,
leaving me with that same hunger for
more, like a meal never fully consumed.
Parting with friends one won’t see until
the next time is sad, but one can look
forward to the joy of seeing them at the
next camp.
I found this camp to be a unique
experience. I made it a point to attend
classes with some instructors I had not
been able to study with before. I found
that to be an exciting way of approaching
some of the teachings. I also found a
common thread running through all the
classes I was able to attend was the use
of a gentle soft movement in executing a
technique. Rather than forcing it, the
idea of just letting it happen. I know, I
know, I’ve heard it many times before,
and it will be good for me to hear it over,
and over until I can demonstrate that in
all my technique. I enjoyed every class
and every instructor. My only regret is
that I didn’t get to attend every class that
was offered. I made many very hard
choices. Perhaps sometime in future
camps there will be a way to attend every
instructor’s class.
I truly enjoyed the comradeship and
attentiveness of all the people who made
this camp such a great success -- from
the great demonstrations to the
impromptu Music session. Which just
further supports my pet theory that
people who study the arts are the
greatest people in the world. If everyone
were to have the love and respect for our
fellow beings that I see at camp (forgive
my bias), there would be no wars, only
peace! My Thanks to all!
2
What is the underlying purpose of our
teaching at camp?
(A question answered by Mrs. Minoru Kobayashi,
translated by Michiyo Kobayashi - who hopes
Personal Background
she was able to translate the meaning and feeling Mrs. Minoru Kobayashi was born to a kyu ka (old
correctly.J) family), in a small village, on the island of Sado, which is
The purpose of teaching (particularly at camp but also
in general) is to explain the movement of the waza
(technique) and how it is applied in a basic format. By
using the Principles, applying them to the movements and
explaining/showing them to the students is of #1
importance and responsibility of our instruction. Teaching
at camp is part of the instructor's training and development.
This helps us develop new ideas from others by practicing
with them or by watching them. When you have higher-
ranking students practicing with lower-ranking students, the
higher-ranking students can feel and observe what's going
on and can learn from them, which in turn should help your
instruction of the technique.
The purpose of teaching at camp (for both lower and
higher-ranked students/instructors) isn’t so others can
purposely caution, critique or chastise the instructor. (This
would be destructive criticism or an example of satsujin ken
– the sword that destroys.) Our purpose or goal is to give
instructors the opportunity to train and help develop what
they're teaching and to help make it better. (The feedback
one gets from other instructors and students being a form
of constructive criticism, aimed at helping one improve, or a
form of katsujin ken – the sword to let live.) At camp, you
meet all kinds of people...different styles of attack and
ukemi so the technique might have to be adjusted a bit for
a particular person or situation.
My mom said that she may see something from the
side of the mat and offer advice to the instructor, but it's not
meant to be a negative critique and blast the instructor.
She hopes that people don't mistake her intentions of
wanting to see individuals teach. Some should be teaching
without question. She also knows that students are moving
up in rank and yet, some she's never seen practice, let
alone teach. So when camp comes around, it would be
nice to see them participate and share, especially since we
all get together only once a year. Teaching at camp is an
opportunity for instructors to grow... as she's been saying,
we need to train the younger generation of Yudansha.
She's been stressing that the Chief Instructors (especially
the seniors) should help guide their black belts in using the
correct Principles so that they can grow and eventually help
continue spreading the Seidokan Principles.
As teachers, we should be learning all the time by
practicing, experimenting, etc… not just by words. No
matter how high in rank one gets, the learning should
NEVER, NEVER stop. If it stops, that's when the ego
starts to inflate. Teaching at camp is not used as a
checkup mechanism, but a learning tool. Teachers learn
from students and vice versa. What's correct and what's
not correct should be discovered within oneself. This is
what you would call shugyo or training.
Aikido and Mrs. Kobayashi
Compiled by Larry Wadahara, Mark Crapo, Amy
Shiotani, and Michiyo Kobayashi
located in the Sea of Japan. Due to her father's work as a
school principal, she and her siblings would change
schools every few years. However, she ended up
graduating from the high school located on Sado Island.
She then moved to Tokyo to attend college, Showa
Women's University, and continued to live there after
graduating with her Bachelor’s in Nutrition and a Certificate
in Teaching and Administration (principal level) at the
Middle School and High School level.
Mrs. Kobayashi’s first job was working as an Executive
Secretary to the head of the Engineering Department for
Fujimori Kogyo Co. Ltd., for 2 ½ years. Due to the long
distance it required her to travel on a daily basis, she chose
to leave this company to work in the Accounting/Human
Resource Department and also the Sales Department at
another company closer to her home, Kanko Kogyo Co.,
Ltd. She was employed as a direct assistant to the Heads
of these two departments for about 10 years. During this
time, she also worked directly under the company
President. Back in the 1960's, most women in Japan were
relegated to subservient roles with little authority, so it was
virtually unheard of for her to hold such positions and work
with upper management. She took advantage of these
opportunities and gained a great deal of experience from
working at these two companies, which in turn helped her
greatly in her future.
Meeting Tohei Sensei
and the Formation of Ki no Kenkyukai
With the passing of Aikido founder, Morihei Ueshiba,
Tohei Sensei decided to resign from the Aikikai Hombu and
create his own path. He, along with five of his Yudansha
began searching for office space. (This is where her boss
and the company President of Mrs. Kobayashi’s second
job, Kanko Kogyo Co., Ltd, came into the picture.) Her
boss belonged to a professional's group and this group
decided to support Tohei Sensei. Her boss temporarily lent
out the second floor of his warehouse to Tohei Sensei to
set up his office, this led to an open house for the office
employees. Regular classes were then held at the Tokyo
Olympic Center Gym. Due to her boss's connection with
Tohei Sensei, she had the chance to personally meet and
practice under him.
Mrs. Kobayashi and nine other individuals from her
company were sent to practice with Tohei Sensei. After
about two years she was the only one left from Kanko
Kogyo that continued to practice.
With the completion of his office in Tokyo and the
summer months approaching, Tohei Sensei made plans to
continue his yearly seminars in Hawaii. The students,
(Continued on Page 3)
3
Aikido and Mrs. Kobayashi (continued)
Mrs. Kobayashi included, formed a support group and
wanted to send with him a gift of some type. In order to
indicate whom the gift was from, they came up with the
name Ki no Kenkyukai or the Ki Society.
Taking Class with Tohei Sensei
During her practice with Tohei Sensei, he concentrated
on teaching Ki Development since he had made an
agreement with the Aikikai not to teach any Aikido waza
(techniques). Therefore, they learned such Principles like
the correct way to extend Ki, the correct way to lead the
other person's Ki as well as the correct way to use Ki.
While his Aikido Yudansha deshi (students) automatically
received the Koshi (lecturer) certificate, Mrs. Kobayashi,
along with the others, were required to take an
examination. She received the Assistant Koshi certificate
from Tohei Sensei.
*** TO BE CONTINUED ***
Mrs. Minoru Kobayashi
A Joyful and Vibrant Manner
By Russ Robinson
There have been several occasions over the years that I
wanted to contribute something to the Communicator, but
when I went to organize my thoughts I always stopped. I
suppose it was because I had convinced myself that there
were people far more qualified than me to discuss
technique, and that there were people far more qualified
than me to discuss utilizing the four principles in their daily
lives.
Basically, I’ve always been the wallflower and I have
never had a desire to be one of the pillars that Wedell
Sensei mentioned in one of the previous Seidokan
Communicator closings. I think it was that invitation more
than anything that convinced me to try to put some
thoughts down on paper. More importantly, however, is that
after having experienced summer camp this year, I thought
that I absolutely HAD to write something. I still believe what
I said before about technique and the four principles, so I
won’t write about that. What I will write about is something I
took away from camp, and something I hope to share. After
all, they say everyone takes away something different.
In one of Kawakami Sensei’s classes, he mentioned that
O-Sensei truly believed that the world could change
through the Art Of Peace. “Aiki is not a technique to fight
with or defeat the enemy. It is the way to reconcile the
world and make human beings one family.” I never thought
that O-Sensei’s vision was attainable, but after spending a
few days with my fellow Aikidoka, I began to understand
what he meant.
In my daily life, I encounter all sorts of people. I never
thought much about it before camp, but I don’t really get to
share a very large and important part of my life with them.
But for four solid days in Michigan, I saw at every turn
another person who loved Aikido as much as I do, who
strove as much as me to bring the four principles into their
daily lives, and who recognized, on some level, the unity of
mankind.
Terry Dobson, in his book It’s a Lot Like Dancing, says
that “Increasingly, there is nothing separating us. You are
bunch of exploding atoms and so am I. What separates us
is everything in us that wants to separate from each other.
Once you let go of wanting to separate, you can begin to
see that we are all one.” Indeed, I could feel that at camp in
a very visceral way. There was always a smile, a nod, a
genuine warmth and willingness to share. For four days I
felt like I was amongst my own. At the same time, however,
I felt the urge to extend that feeling of peace and harmony
to those on the outside of our little group.
Getting a whole weekend amongst those who attempt to
see the world as O-Sensei envisioned it gave me a glimpse
of what the world might be like if everyone practiced Aikido.
It was because of this experience I realized that Aikido
won’t change the world by convincing everyone that peace
is the answer. What it can and does do, is change the world
one person at a time…from the inside out. In It’s a Lot Like
Dancing, Terry Dobson says “Some people can change
their lives drastically through Aikido. I’m sure that incredible
things happen to people who windsurf. It’s stunning, the
power that people have to transform themselves. But it is
important to remember that Aikido is not croquet.” After
camp, I began to realize that each of these people that had
changed through Aikido would go back to their lives, and
ultimately affect those around them. Perhaps this is what O-
Sensei meant by reconciling the world.
I cannot sufficiently describe the sense of peace and
harmony that four days at camp filled me with, and I cannot
describe how grateful I am to those that organized and
attended camp for that experience. I don’t know if it
changed the way I do Aikido, but I do know that it changed
me a little on the inside for the better. Even those around
me who know nothing about Aikido could sense that
change in me. O-Sensei said that one should always
practice the Art of Peace in a joyful and vibrant manner.
That’s exactly what we did at camp, and I only hope I can
carry that over into my life and maybe live joyfully and
vibrantly.
4
My Thoughts on Summer Camp
David Halonen
I had been in Aikido for only about a month when I
heard of this summer camp. I thought it sounded like fun,
but as my training progressed, I realized that I didn’t know
squat, and I thought I must be insane to even think of going
to this camp. These guys know what they’re doing and I’m
going to get either hurt or embarrassed. Probably both. I
certainly did not want to embarrass Sensei Lewis.
I should not have worried. For one thing, in the 3 to 4
months I have been training, Sensei Lewis taught me the
aiki-taiso and the basics very well, and the other thing is
what this note is all about.
The help and assistance I received from one and all at
this camp was incredible. From Mrs. Minoru Kobayashi
teaching me the proper stance and the holding of the
bokken, to Stew Chan Kancho showing me the cobra
(snake) nikyo technique. Also his rendition of Karate Kid (I
have the picture) was great. The help I got from Eli Landau
after the Jogi #1 helped me with the right way to hold the
Jo, and from Michiyo Kobayashi I learned how to hold the
bokken correctly. There were far too many people that
helped me out personally that I cannot name them all.
The fact of it is, is that this camp was incredible. Sensei
Crapo did one heck of a job putting this together. It was
organized great, teachers and classes were awesome, and
all the students, regardless of rank, were friendly, helpful
and all had a great attitude. I wish I wouldn’t have waited till
I was 50 to join this group, but at least I’m here now.
I would like to thank again Sensei Crapo, his group and
the Seidokan Aikido organization for putting on this camp.
P.S. Sensei Crapo, this is my vote for Hawaii in the future.
P.P.S. Ben Doubleday, I believe its tenague and
hotsumaki, right?
Mrs. Kobayashi sharing a humorous moment at camp.
Constructing the Flooring
for Your Dojo
By Bruce Fox
When the building was finally finished, we built a very
springy floor in the little jewel of a dojo we have here in
Palmdale. The three quarter inch plywood floor is
suspended above the slab an inch and half by pads and
one by two boards. The boards are laid out on a diagonal
pattern, forty-five degrees from the perpendiculars of the
room to allow an even suspension and still have the upper
pads be able to tie the corners and edges of the plywood
together.
In the two pictures you can see the layout, with the
upper pads at the corners, edges, and midway points on
the plywood, and the lower pads at the midway points on
the one by two stringers. This arrangement allows the one
by two stringers to operate as springs. The thickness and
spacing of the pads allows the flex to bottom out without
breaking the stringer. A critical element in constructing this
sort of floor is the selection of the stringers. You need a
bunch of them, and each must be selected from the pile at
the lumberyard. They need to be straight, with very little
twist. Examine each for knots. A small tight knot that goes
through the thin section of the wood is okay, but accept no
board that has a large knot, a loose knot or a knot that runs
through the thick section of the board.
There are things I wish I had done as I had put the floor
down. I nailed the lower pads into the concrete with a
power-actuated nailer. It would have been better if I had
put down some construction adhesive first. There are a
couple of places on the floor where the lower pad pulled
away from the floor, and those places are a bit noisy. I can
actually get a drumming sound doing tekubi shindo in one
place. A dollop of adhesive would have prevented that.
Aside from that, this is a very nice floor and makes taking
rolls much more pleasant than mats that lay on a slab.
5
Mark Crapo Sensei in Tokyo You know you've been spending a LOT
By Chris Koprowski of time at the dojo when…
Students of Seidokan Aikido of Tokyo enjoyed a visit By Barbra Rodriguez
from Mark Crapo Sensei while he was in Japan on a
business trip last March. Although he had a very busy You know you’ve been spending a LOT of time at the dojo
schedule, he offered to lead our regular Saturday when:
afternoon class.
- Every level patch of grass seems like an invitation to
Mark Crapo Sensei first showed us an excellent "test drive" your standing rolls
partner-stretch routine than we continue to practice on
and off. He then took us through the evolution of - A bathrobe doesn't feel comfortable unless you tuck the
Shomenuchi-ikkyo, starting from the traditional Aiki-kai right flap underneath the left flap
Hombu style--then modifying it to show how we can
- You feel the urge to bow every time you enter a room
blend with the strike if we understand Ki flow. Then he
showed us an earlier Seidokan version: a spring - A hug from a friend brings on the urge to do makiotoshi
compressing down and then springing back up, followed
- You automatically tuck the tines of your "spork" into your
by a more current version: the spring compressing down
hand to protect passersby while walking in a fast food
and the bottom falling out--with uke's hand falling to the
joint
ground as one enters.
After that, Crapo Sensei taught us Shomenuchi - It's a shock to see some of your good friends in everyday
Irimi-nage. He first demonstrated a couple old-style street clothes rather than a gi
versions before teaching a recent Seidokan version. We
- You notice your knees are aching, only to discover that
also practiced it from a Munetsuki strike.
you've been sitting seiza while doing everyday
After showing and practicing an escape from a front
activities
choke, Crapo Sensei showed how to move into Sankyo.
We then did the same thing but as a 3rd person - You feel the urge to say "hai" anytime you want to agree
bystander. One person was attacking another and with someone
another came to their rescue. We also did the same
choke with three people but with an Ikkyo save. - Every handshake feels like a good time to apply
kotegaeshi
Mark finished the class off by showing some balance
points which he teaches police and how we can use them (Examples contributed by Barbra Rodriguez, Jason Taff,
to blend and control a partner that isn't attacking. It's Christine Johnson, and Richard Harnack, Sensei, Aikido
possible to move them when they just want to stand still. Institute of Mid-America)
He also taught us how to use them when one person was
choking another from behind. Again, as a bystander, you
can use the balance points to strip the attacker away,
safely.
We'd like to thank Crapo Sensei once again for taking
time out from his busy weekend to visit our class. We
don't often have visitors so it was very refreshing getting
different perspectives from a senior Seidokan instructor.
We look forward to his next visit! Domo arigatou
gozaimasu!

Pictures from camp.

Seidokan Aikido in Tokyo, Japan.

6
Doing Aikido While Seated
By Bruce Fox
One of the more intriguing sets of techniques shown at
summer camp described situations in which Uke was
seated next to Nage. Mark Crapo Sensei showed several
such variations that are well worth practicing. Below I
describe one of the techniques he showed along with a
couple of photos.
In this attack, uke drapes her arm over nage's neck.
Nage grasps uke's hand with his far side hand. To do this
nage positions the hand palm out, thumb toward the center.
Nage slides this hand up onto uke's palm down hand
sliding nage's thumb into the thumb-index finger gap of
uke's hand, but not all the way up to the base of the thumb.
At that point nage's forefinger can come across uke's
knuckles and apply a nikyo. Nage leads uke's hand over
nage's head and shows it to uke. At this point uke is in a
firm nikyo. To extend the control, nage uses his near hand
to guide uke's shoulder into nage's lower chest area or
elbow joint. Then nage can change hands on the nikyo,
freeing the far hand and giving very effective control of uke.
And who says you can’t practice Aikido while waiting at an
airport!
****
PROMOTIONS
Rokudan
Mark Crapo AIA/Aikido Institute of Michigan, Seiwa
01/07/03
Nidan
William Joseph Long Seidokan Aikido of So. Carolina
03/23/03 CALENDAR
Keith Larman Aikido Institute of America
05/04/03
Friday through Sunday, September 5-7, 2003: Jogi
Aurora May-Hernandez Aikido Institute of America
Workshop hosted by the Aikido Institute of America, led
05/04/03
by Joe Crotty Jr. and Larry Wadahara. For more
Sal Hernandez Aikido Institute of America
information, please email Aikitiger1@aol.com or call
05/04/03
(323) 254-3372
Shodan
Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, 2003: The
Phil Cornelius Seidokan Aikido of So. Carolina
University of Texas Aikido Club is pleased to announce
03/22/03
a seminar with Dan Kawakami Sensei. For more
Congratulations! details, email aikido@www.utexas.edu.

SUMMER CAMP 2003!