The excitement and good will was growing  daily as the good news spread. I had just returned to San Diego having spent the last 2 years as Chief instructor in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The excitement  was the realisation of a dream many years in the making, and now it was finally about to become a reality. It was Chiba Sensei’s dream, his ambition to establish a major centre for Aikido in the USA. It was pioneering in concept and bold in spirit. Above all it was the beginning of a remarkable adventure.

“It was pioneering in concept and bold in spirit”

Aikido had taken Chiba Sensei  30 years to cultivate, to reach a peak in his art and as teacher.  30 years ofthe highest quality and professionalism.  That immense experience and knowledge had now found the perfect home in the Fairmount dojo.  Everyone involved gave as much of their free time as they could. For 15 hours a day, 7 days a week this former carpenters union hall would under go a massive transformation. After 3 months the basic work had been done and  the new San Diego Aikikai was born.

“…with only 3 or 4 other students attending Chiba Senseis classes.”

The move from North Park, the site of the previous dojo was in full swing.  The drive to build now transformed itself to the daily training. Classes were large, 40 people sometimes, riding on the enthusiasm and energy of the new venue.  This was a far cry from the previous dojos, from Hillcrest to North Park, where I would turn up,  sometimes with only 3 or 4 other students attending Chiba Senseis classes.  Yet despite the sudden  growth there always stood a small core group. This group were the Kenshusei in Japanese, semi professional students.  These students were training to be good Aikido students but also to become instructors. Within that core group was an even smaller group, formally the Uchi Deshi, professional students. Many students from all over the world had applied and tried to be professional students, but ultimately only a handful completed the program.

“Classes were intense, 5 or 6 sessions a day”

My own involvement was complete after   21/2 years of intensive training.  Working closely with Chiba Sensei as his student and senior instructor.  In that time I was exposed to a remarkable regime that does not exist in this form anymore.  From taking his ukemi  to over seeing the dojo. Classes were intense, 5 or 6 sessions a day of Aikido, weapons, Iaido, conditioning classes, Zen meditation and private classes.  Then there were the seminars, summer schools, Presidents day weekend, visiting senseis, weekend seminars, Iaido and weapons and meditation retreats, seemingly endless. More dojo work, city planners, training videos and Chiba Sensei. It was in this environment that my own training was forged and my own contribution made. When I left, in December 1992, there was a thriving dojo and community with new people joining, motivated and inspired by what had been laid down for the future.  That era was to end when sadly the building was levelled to build a police station around 1996, only 4 years later.

I have never relinquished that bold spirit,  to create that same sense of adventure here in London.  That is my dream.

Ismail Hasan Sensei