The Biography of Sensie Derek Eastman

A Story of a sixteen year old boy assistant at the famous Hut Dojo in the 1950s.

Written by David J Wilson E.S.T.A. Secretary

I have known Sensei Eastman for some 12 years and during those years I have heard so many stories about both Sensei Eastman and Sensei Ellis and their dedication to the early promotion of UK Aikido, some of the history highlights their hard training and appreciation of a true martial art, yet there are many amusing anecdotes.

The Origins of Martial Arts in the UK

By Mr Nigel Porter.

Submitted by Henry Ellis.

The following article offers those students, who are interested in the true history of British Judo and Aikido, a more comprehensive view of the profound effect that Kenshiro Abbe sensei had on British Martial Arts. ESTA are most grateful to Mr Nigel Porter of the "Tokushima Budo Council International (Judo)" and also the "Traditional Aikido Iwama Ryu GB", for allowing us to place this article on our website.

Jujutsu Arrives

The British Aikido Board
Disastrous National Nepotism Seminar 2004 99 Students
By Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido.

( BAB Founder member - now resigned )

British Aikido - Japanese Terminology 1950 / 60's
By: Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido

The British Aikido Controversy

By Henry Ellis co-author of Positive Aikido.
The Aikido Controversy is now a part of British Aikido History. It was a long and difficult fight to protect the true history of British Aikido from the false claims of Mr Jack Poole and The British Aikido Board. Sport England totally exonerated Henry Ellis. The BAB were instructed to give Henry Ellis a full public apology after admitting that Mr Poole had received an award to APPEASE him. The BAB also admitted that Mr Poole could only substantiate his history from 1968.

Recollections of the Early Days of Aikido in Great Britain

By Henry Ellis - Ellis Aikido School

In 1957, I was studying Judo and Karate at the Abbe School of Budo at the "Hut" in Hillingdon, Middlesex, a suburb of London. My teacher was Ken Williams Sensei, and we were all students of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei (8th dan in Judo, 6th dan in Aikido, and 5th dan in Karate and Kendo). At that time, very few people in the United Kingdom had heard of Aikido.

THE KENSHIRO ABBE 50th CELEBRATION EVENT
14th May 2005 Crystal Palace Sports Centre London. UK
By Henry Ellis

Henry Ellis, a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sense, from 1957 describes the great event at the Crystal Palace Sports Centre, London, to celebrate this great teacher and his arrival to Great Britain in 1955 and the subsequent inception of Aikido. Tribute website to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei at http://www.KenshiroAbbe.com . . .

The Bushido ZaZen International Society Annual Dinner

A Tribute to Matsutro Otani Sensei

By W. Stopps
Personal Aide to Matsutro Otani Sensei from 1947.

Privilege and Honour

I t has been my privilege and honour to have known Mr. Otani for the past thirty years. What can I say about such a man? Reflecting back over the years I well remember my first encounter with him, I was seventeen then, interested in wrestling and gymnastics when I heard of a man who taught ju-jutsu over a stable in Harlesden, London.

A Winters Night 1947

Pinan Shodan
This kata helps movements become stable, efficient, and intimidating. The first technique, "c block", sets up for a redirection. Even the sword hand blocks can become attacks.
*****
Pinan Nidan
This kata instructs further on timing, distance management, body shifting, consistency of stances, and redirection of attack. The first half may be interpreted in various ways. When practicing Pinan Nidan, imagine perceiving an opponent's intent and counter-attacking quickly.
*****
Pinan Sandan

Positive Aikido

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