On March 29 and 30, Okabayashi Shogen visited the Itten Dojo as part of his 2002 North America seminar tour. He was accompanied by Rod and Mitsuko Uhler, from Osaka, and by Robin Brown from New York City. Okabayashi Sensei, as founder and chief instructor of the Daito-ryu Hakuho Kai, stages these annual tours to increase public exposure to Daito-ryu and to develop and support the fledgling Hakuho Kai dojo on this continent. In a series of tightly structured and coordinated seminars, Okabayashi Sensei is laying a foundation upon which the North American Hakuho Kai instructor cadre is expected to build.

At the Friday evening session, Okabayashi Sensei presented three core attributes that distinguish the Hakuho Kai practice of Daito-ryu: proper movement (based on extensive, historical research into the ways the bushi were trained to walk and move); the use of gravity rather than muscular force in the application of techniques; and achievement of the synergistic effect that produces aiki (with attention to its predictable consequences in the opponent). Each of the three attributes was introduced with a brief lecture — in Japanese, with Rod Uhler translating — and then explored through a variety of drills and applied techniques.

When training resumed Saturday afternoon, Okabayashi Sensei led participants through several exercises that were highly meditative and might best be described as ways to develop awareness of and the ability to manipulate ki (life force). This section of the seminar was exceptionally difficult, and provided all students with startling insight to the degree of discipline and effort required to match the level of skill embodied in senior practitioners of classical martial arts.

Interestingly, Okabayashi Sensei also addressed the ki exercises in purely pragmatic terms, as a means to develop the ability to focus on more than one opponent simultaneously. For those who might doubt the existence of ki, or its relevance to technique, this twist provided ample motivation to undertake the demanding exercises.

The next section of the seminar presented an overview of aiki-kempo, or striking techniques. These drills were practices primarily as solo exercises, but did crop up in some subsequent applications.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent on techniques from the Shoden, Chuden, and Okuden, chosen to illustrate that the core attributes addressed Friday evening remain consistent across all levels of training. Okabayashi Sensei was adamant in his assertion that unceasing focus on fundamentals is the only way to achieve skill in aikijujutsu.

Prior to the Saturday session, a number of examinations were conducted, all with successful outcomes. Ron Trimnell, Mike Rozycki, and James Mullins (Itten Dojo Hakuho Kai study group) received kyu promotions of various degrees. In James’ case it was do-or-die, since the ikkyu exam was a gate he had to pass in preparation for his mid-April trip to Japan to test for shodan at the main dojo of the Hakuho Kai.

Out of town guests for the seminar included Medhat Darwish and two of his students from the Hakuho Kai dojo in Montreal; Hakuho Kai New York members Christopher Caile (webmaster of FightingArts.com) and Tara Fairbrother; Ron Tisdale, Julie Hamilton, and Jeff Cavenaugh from Philadelphia; Darryl Warren, William Hobbes, and Charles Fortier from Connecticut; and Amos Smith from Chicago. Dr. Mike Nickles also made it back from Long Island for the weekend.

As was the case with our first visit from Okabayashi Sensei, the seminar was a tremendous success in terms of both the content of the instruction presented and the enthusiasm with which it was received. Almost 40 people registered for one or both days, and there were more than two-dozen participants actually on the mat for each session. Everyone involved is looking forward with great anticipation to the next time we can train together.