We had a wonderful trip to Niigata where Philip and I were joined by Okuyama Sensei of Gyokushinryu Aikido from Shizuoka, Ezawa Sensei from Seifukai Aikido Tokyo, Ogawa Sensei, the President of Tokamachi Aikido Association, and one student from Kyoto Chiseikan Dojo where we could practice together with Kinefuchi Shihan and six students from the NenshinRyu Budo dojos in Niigata.
The Niigata students were very nervous to take their first promotion tests in front of 6 teachers, but all of them passed the examination without any problems. After that, we enjoyed a joint practice and had a social gathering at an izakaya (Japanese style bar) in the evening and Kinefuchi Shihan received a cake and many presents from his students as a surprise to celebrate his 20 years of teaching Aikido at IUJ. Okuyama Sensei, who studied under Mochizuki Sensei, was also present at the celebration, and Kinefuchi Sensei looked very happy to reconnect with him.
The students also said that they had really enjoyed learning from senseis from many different dojos that teach in the style of Minoru Mochizuki.
Niigata has beautiful nature, cool breezes, fresh and delicious rice, sake, vegetables, fish, and meat. We agreed that we would do our best to return to Niigata next year to enjoy not only training together but also the beauty of nature.
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