In memory of Fujita Sensei (April 21, 1937 - May 28, 2014)

Today - 28th of May, is the day our beloved teacher Fujita Masatake Sensei 8th Dan passed away at the age of 77, Fexactly a year ago, at his home in Tokyo next to his caring wife Mrs. Fujita Shoko San.

Fujita Sensei was a direct student of the founder of aikido for over a decade, and he served as his private secretary and later as the General Secretary of Aikikai Hombu Dojo.

Fujita Sensei traveled to many countries around the world to teach aikido and especially to support of development of aikido is poor and remote regions. Israel was the 50th country in his fat passport. We were honoured to host three seminars with Fujita Sensei at our dojo in Rehovot (Israel) which was located at that time on Teler Street near our current dojo.

We were saddened and worried when he got ill, and during the years of his illness, two of his close friends kept supporting our dojo - Shimamoto Sensei 8th Dan and Fukakusa Sensei 8th Dan - both his kohai since the time the founder of aikido was alive and teaching.

Mrs. Fujita Shoko has kindly agreed that our dojo will be called after Fujita Masatake Sensei's name, and so it is called "Masatake Dojo".

We will always have deep gratitude for all that Fujita Sensei taught us and for his personal care. We would like to convey our deep love to his wife and family and to all those who miss him and remember him and his deep understanding and unique way of teaching.

Young Fujita Sensei and O-Sensei  Founder of Aikido
Young Fujita Sensei and O-Sensei  Founder of Aikido
Fujita Sensei and 2nd Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba

Fujita Sensei in Jerusalem

Fujita Sensei puts a note with his wish between the stoned of the wailing wall in Jerusalem
Fujita Sensei teaches kids at our dojo back in 2007 

.Fujita Sensei used to give lectures on Aikido and Budo.
It was one of the highlights of every seminar around the world

Fujita Sensei and my son Kazuki in 2005
Fujita Sensei used to write the three symbols of aikido on our keikogi
Sankaku-Maru-Shikaku - Square, Circle and Triangle.
He also used to write our name in Japanese on the sleeve
so he could recognise us by name and get to know us in Person


Wish Fujita Sensei on the island of Ameland - Holland 







Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Torifune and Furitama exercises in Aikido

Image
Please enjoy this very interesting instruction and meaning of Torifune and Furitama. As we were taught in Aikido, these exercises prepare us before conducting Misogi (Shinto purification of body and mind). Founder of Aikido considered Aikido as a kind of Misogi, and therfore regularly performed Torifune and Furitama before every Aikido practice. Thank you Tsubaki Shinto Shrin e for this clear explanation: AME-NO-TORIFUNE-NO-GYO Sometimes called  Fune-kogi-undo.  Ame-no-torifune is one of the Misogi Jumbi Taiso or exercises to prepare the mind/ body/ spirit for the activity of Misogi Shuho. These exercises have been widely adopted as Aiki Jumbi Taiso. Torifune (Bird Rowing) 1. Stand straight and put your left leg forward 2. Clench both fists with your thumbs inside 3. Lean forward and move your arms as though rowing a boat starting from your left knee and ending near your *armpits. As you "row," shout "Yie". 4. Perform this 20 times
Read more

Nanso - Hakuyu and Hakuin's healing method

Image
Initial Steps in Aikido Eighth Keiko 軟酥鴨卵法 nanso One of my most cherished memories from the dojo in Kyoto, is the special feeling I had just before the end of each aikido class, when we used to sit for a few minutes, and practice an ancient meditation method called nanso . Nanso helps us to relax our body and mind. It is said, that it can relieve us from pain and that it helps to overcome physical or emotional difficulties. As well as I know, nanso meditation is not part of aikido classes in most dojos in the world. Perhaps it is something unique to my old sensei's dojo in Kyoto where I began my aikido training in the year 1992 and practiced there until my return to Israel in 1999. As I found nanso significantly helpful and pleasant, it was just natural for me to continue practicing it at the end of each class also here at Masatake Dojo in Rehovot. About 300 years ago, lived in Japan a zen -buddhist monk called Hakuin . He is one of the most important and in
Read more

Misogi and Aikido

Image
Misogi 禊 “Polish the heart, free the six senses and let them function without obstruction, and your entire body and soul will glow.” Founder of Aikido “Aikido is misogi” said the founder of aikido. One definition of the term “misogi” is purification. As a matter of fact, many aikido practitioners talk about a special feeling of mental freshness they sometimes experience after an aikido practice. Sometimes we arrive at the dojo with a tiered body, worries or stress. Sometimes when we arrive, our head is occupied with thoughts, troubles and conflicts we sometimes all have during our day. As we bow in at the entrance to the dojo, we let our daily matters drop off from our back. They wait for us outside the dojo, but at the end of class, when we "pick" them up, we often realise that their dimensions are reduced to a more reasonable size, and so, our heart gains more space for constructive and calm thoughts that help us deal with those worries. Aikido practice
Read more