Author: Aunshugyo

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Aunkai Chichibu Retreat (April 25 – 30, 2021)

Aunkai International is proud to announce our annual retreat in Chichibu, Japan, for 2021. While the 2020 retreat was cancelled owing to COVID-19, we are looking forward to training together while taking all necessary precautions . This time, it will be open to anyone who has participated in an Aunkai seminar.

Come join us and experience training with people from all over the world, surrounded by the dense nature of Chichibu!

Some photos of the previous Chichibu retreat in October 2016 can be seen here (in Japanese).

Contact us at the email address provided on the flyer, or via the contact information on our website, and let us know which dates you can attend. It is not necessary to attend all days.

More information will be made available in due course here on our website.

Since space is limited, we urge people to secure their spots early.

Akuzawa sensei looks forward to seeing everyone of you.

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Notice of Cancellation of 2020-03-20 Tokyo Open Seminar

Following the cancellation of the Chichibu Gasshuku, it is with great regret that Aunkai Honbu has decided to cancel also our planned 2020-03-20 Tokyo Open Seminar.
We have made this decision in consideration of the health and safety of
the participants and the greater community in response to the coronavirus
outbreak.

The coronavirus (Covid-19) situation is continuing, and public health  concerns mandate against public gatherings wherever possible.

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Notice of Cancellation of 2020 Chichibu Gasshuku

It is with great regret that Aunkai Honbu has decided to cancel our
planned Chichibu Aunkai Retreat.
We have made this decision in consideration of the health and safety of
the participants and the greater community in response to the coronavirus
outbreak.

The Chichibu Gasshuku had been planned to run from April 11-15, 2020.
However, the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation is continuing, and
public health  concerns mandate against public gatherings wherever
possible, as well as flights to and from Asia.

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Notice regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation

Last updated: 2021-01-22

A new set of restrictions is in force until 7th February.

As line with the restrictions, all training is suspended until further notice.

Previous update: 2020-01-10

With the declaration of a new set of restrictions, training is limited to Saturdays from 17:00-20:00, and Thursday classes as suspended.

Previous update: 2020-04-09

Training venue is closed until 9th May 2020. We will update regarding resumption of training when we have details to share. Until then, please take care, and happy solo training!

Previous update: 2020-02-22

As members know, Aunkai practice consists of both solo practice and regular class training sessions and interaction under the direction of Akuzawa sensei. However, in light of the rapidly-developing new coronavirus situation both in Japan and worldwide, we will enact a few new policies to ensure proper hygiene etiquette across our activities.

  1. If you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, body aches, etc.) we ask that you refrain from attending class until you have fully recovered.
  2. All members should practice good hygiene etiquette, including washing or disinfecting your hands regularly, with particular emphasis on before and after workouts.
  3. Members are obliged to wear masks during training.

Additionally, we may adjust the format of our workouts to accommodate hygiene considerations.

Activities such as the Tokyo open seminar planned for 20th March, and Chichibu gasshuku planned for April, have also been cancelled, and notices to that effect published.

Please note that we will continually monitor the situation and may revise these policies, and update information appropriately.

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2020-03-20 Tokyo Open Seminar

Overview

One-day Aunkai Open Seminar in Tokyo given by Akuzawa sensei.

An introduction to Aunkai: Train the body for Aiki using methods old yet new.

In this seminar, we will uncover the principles of body movement that create Aiki, and how to harness this skill in applications. The Aunkai methodology is geared towards people both young and old, helping to build body skills that are both unique and powerful. We look forward to seeing you on the mats!

  • Date: 20th March 2020 (Friday—public holiday)
  • Venue: Kami-Saginomiya Dai-Ni Apartment Assembly Room, Nakano-ku, Tokyo (Access information)
    Address: 4-chome Kami-Saginomiya, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 165-0031
  • Time: 13:00–17:00
  • Fee: 6000 JPY
  • Application: please use online application form.
    Note: direct participation without prior application is not permitted.

Further Information

  • Participation: 18 years or older and in good health.
  • Clothing/footwear: clothing easy to move around in; indoor shoes (barefoot also OK).
  • Other: please bring own water/drinks, towels.
  • Dinner reservation: post-seminar dinner with Akuzawa sensei is planned (expected cost approximately 3000 JPY). A great time to ask questions, mix and mingle, and benefit from each other’s experiences.
    Confirmations can be made in advance, with finalization during seminar break.
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End of year party & final training for 2019

Honbu dojo end of year party was held on Saturday, 7th December; final training for the year took place on Saturday, 21st December, leaving 2019 with a great atmosphere.

The year-end party included tons of discussion and brought up a few points of importance for training, much to everyone’s satisfaction. For sensei, as appreciation for the past year, was a gift of various items of clothing, which he wore right away. A very enjoyable event for all!

Sensei showing his delight at the presents, which were much to his liking.
Chicken hot-pot, with delicious soup to which was added later on some rice to make a wholesome gruel to end off the dinner.
A selection of the awesome sashimi.

It is rather amazing how quickly yet another year has passed. This year saw the reappearance of some old faces in the dojo again, a great pleasure, and the welcome entry of new members. Sensei felt that 2019 has been a good year of progress.

It is everyone’s hope that 2020 will see a continuation of learning in bujutsu, and sensei is there to encourage everyone to their best ability.

Last training of the year group photo.
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October 2019 France seminar

From 19th–27th October 2019, Akuzawa sensei taught seminars in Lyons, France, first an exclusive black-belt seminar, followed by an intensive seminar for repeat attendees, and finally an open seminar for general attendance.

A very big congratulations to Julien Vicke and Mathieu Chauvel for passing their black belt grading to become new renshi.

Black-belt Seminar

At this seminar, Julien and Mathieu successfully graded for their black belts, congratulations!

Intensive Seminar

Open Seminar

Socializing

Vegetarian-only meals were a feature of the intensive seminar.
The atmosphere after training, invaluable communication opportunity with Akuzawa sensei for the attendees.
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2019-09-23 Tokyo Open Seminar Report

Report of the Aunkai Open Seminar, given by Minoru Akuzawa sensei, successfully held on 2019-09-23 in the gymnasium of Musashino Primary School. The venue was vastly improved by the addition of air-conditioning, which was really appreciated as the typhoon brought high temperatures and humidity to Tokyo. So just like last year’s seminar, in other words!

Sensei concentrated on teaching the essentials of “center line” (in Japanese, “Sei-chū-sen”) and “center of gravity” (“Jū-shin”), and how the former leads to use of the latter. In particular, these principles are in contrast to the use of “body axis” (“Tai-jiku”) which relies on grounded base, and “body weight” (“Tai-jū”) which involves leaning or kicking off the ground.

The training consisted of standing posture and walking exercises, with more experienced students giving advice and sensei moving from one person to another to let them feel his posture and movement for reference, and to give corrections.

Unbalancing partner training followed, and finally some free practice with a 6-foot staff (rokushakubō).

All in all, great learning experience for all!

Sensei demonstrating posture and walking without bracing.
Various types of standing an walking training.
Sensei demonstrating posture and unbalancing.
Sensei demonstrating use of short sticks in training with visitors from a Silat/Kali dojo.
Putting lessons into practice with rokushakubo partner training.
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Chichibu Aunkai Retreat (April 11 – 15, 2020)

Aunkai International is proud to announce our annual retreat in Chichibu, Japan. This time, it will be open to anyone who has participated in an Aunkai seminar.

Come join us and experience training with people from all over the world, surrounded by the dense nature of Chichibu!

Contact us at the email address provided on the flyer, or via the contact information on our website, and let us know which dates you can attend.

More information will be made available in due course here on our website.

Since space is limited, we urge people to secure their spots early.

Akuzawa sensei looks forward to seeing everyone of you.