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| SEMINAR
INFORMATION |
| Date: |
Saturday,
August 9, 2003 |
| Time: |
9:30
AM - 5:00 PM |
| Location: |
Shindai
Aikikai Dojo, Orlando, Florida |
| Fees: |
$25
for full day
$15 for ½ day
(must be a current member of USJI,
USJA, or USJF)
Spectators:
$5 donation appreciated
(excludes spouses and children of
paying participants) |
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FJI
Sanction #: 0009-03 |
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| CREDENTIALS |
- 1976
US Olympic Judo Coach
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Former US National Team Coach
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International IJF ClassA Referee
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USJI & USJF Class A Certified Kata Instructor and
Examiner
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Black Belt Magazine Judo Sensei of the Year
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Founder & Sensei of the Renshinkan Dojo
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Pioneer in US Judo Development and the most Senior Judoka
in the U.S.
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BlackBelt in Tenjin-shinyo-Ryu and Kito-Ryu Jujutsu,
Karate, & Kendo.
-
Official Kodokan Representative
|
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| DR.
SACHIO ASHIDA - BIOGRAPHY |
Born
near Kyoto, Japan in 1924, Ashida began his training in
Zen and judo at the age of 12 under the guidance of Muneyuki
sensei. The boy's judo skill was first demonstrated publicly
in 1938 when he won the All-Japan Kotoshogakko Championship.
Ashida went on to win other championships in Japan and obtained
his black belt in 1940. Under the tutelage of such famous
Kodokan sensei as Sumiyuki Kotani, Yamamoto, Watanabe, Tokizane,
Tenzaki, and Muneyuki, Ashida captured the coveted Hyogoken
Senengakko Yudansha championship for three years and also
took the Hyogoken Seinendan Judo championship. During this
rigorous period of martial arts study, Ashida maintained
an active academic schedule, earning BA degrees in economics
and psychology from Kwansai University in Osaka and Kwansei
Gakuin University in Nishinomiya, respectively.
Ashida served briefly in the Japanese Imperial Army Air
Force during World War II, and was in fact trained in the
famed Kami Kazi school, though fortunately he never flew
that fatal mission. He did however conduct a survey flight
over Hiroshima just 16 hours after the Atomic Bomb was dropped,
and was one of the very few who saw the immediate aftermath
of that fateful day. It was also during this period in his
life that he became the third man in the history of his
dojo to be taught the closely guarded secrets of tenjin-shinyo-ryu
ju jitsu under the tutelage of the famous Nagasuga sensei.
Dr. Ashida, who also holds a black belt in Karate &
Kendo, was assistant Martial Arts instructor at the Nishinomiya
Police Station and the Osaka West Police Station from 1948
to 1953, when he left Japan for the United States. Shortly
before his departure, Professor Jigoro Kano’s son
personally appointed him as a representative of the Kodokan
in the United States.
In 1956, Dr. Ashida helped found the Midwest Judo Association,
and in 1960 he founded the Midwest Judo Yudanshakai. He
also taught Martial Arts & Self-Defense to members of
the Strategic Air Command (SAC). Since 1962, Dr. Ashida
has served on the Board of Governors of the United States
Judo Federation (formerly the Judo Black Belt Federation),USJI,
on the U.S. Olympic Judo Committee, and on the AAU National
and International Judo Committee. Ashida coached the All-American
High School Judo Champions during their 1971 tour of Japan,
and the All-American Senior Champions at the 1972 World
Championships in Germany. In 1976 Dr. Ashida was selected
as the Head Coach for the US Olympic Team, and helped coach
the team to a Bonze Medal win in the Heavy Weight category.
Furthering his academic education, Ashida received a Ph.D.
in Psychology and in Mathematics from the University of
Nebraska and is presently an associate professor of psychology
at the State University of New York College at Brockport,
and Sensei of the RenshinkanDojo. Dr. Ashida still serves
on important Committees for various US Judo organizations,
and is active in developing a better Judo program in the
US. Recently Dr. Ashida was officially recognized by the
Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government for his contributions
toward the spread of Judo in the United States. Though hit
with Colon Cancer at the age of 75, Dr. Ashida exceeded
his Doctors expectations and made a full recovery. At 77
he had both knee joints replaced, followed by a hip joint
replacement surgery. To the complete amazement of his Doctors,
Dr. Ashida is still rigorously practicing and teaching Judo
even at his current age of 80. |
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| RENSHINKAN
JUDO DOJO |
What
is the meaning of the emblem? The emblem of Dr. Ashida’s
dojo has great significance. The center of the emblem
is the Ashida family crest, awarded to the family, with
their name, by Minamoto No Yorinobu in approximately 1028
AD. The Minamoto clan was descended from the Emperor Seiwa
(858-876), included descendants of emperors from the Emperor
Saga to the Emperor Koko, and is considered representative
of the rise of the warrior class. The remains of the foundation
of the castle in which that first Ashida family ancestor
lived and served as regional battalion leader for Minanoto
No Yorinobu can be found at the foot of Mount Atago in
the town of Hikami in the prefecture of Hyogo. The crest,
musubi-karigane represents a goose whose wings are bound,
a symbol of peace. The Japanese characters around the
crest are translated in the lower half of the circle.
 What
is the Renshinkan Judo Dojo? The Renshinkan Judo Dojo
embodies honors, traditions and philosophies which date
back for centuries. The word Ren means to knead or temper.
Shin is the mind, heart , and thought processes. Kan is
a club or society. Therefore, the name Renshinkan means
a club where one tempers the mind and spirit, making them
stronger, yet more flexible. Judo is the path of duty,
ustice, and truth through gentleness. The philosophies
which guide the tempering process are reflected in the
principles of seiryoku zenyo, jita kyoei, and in fudo-shin.
The
fudo-shin is like the moon reflected in the stream. The
waters are in motion all the time, but the moon retains
its serenity. The mind moves in response to ten thousand
situations, but remains ever the same. The art culminates
here. All the scheming of the intellect has been quieted
and no artifice finds room for its demonstration."
(D. Suzuki, "Zen and Japanese Culture", 1938,
p.148)
|
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| THE
PHILOSOPHY OF JUDO |
| Written
by Dr. Sachio Ashida, Hachidan (8th degree), 1976 US Olympic
Coach and IJF A Referee. Excerpted from an article of the
same name published in the 1975 USJF Official Judo Handbook
The
average student is eager to learn the physical and technical
side of Judo. The ukemi, nage-waza, osaekomi-waza and
other forms of kata take up much of his attention. The
"philosophy" seems to be pushed aside, forgotten
or neglected.
It
is only upon witnessing the courtesy, the simple ritual
of bowing before and after randori or a match that he
realizes there is more to the sport than just working
out or fighting. As he advances, he inadvertently is teaching
a technique to his lesser-experienced partner. He then
realizes the teacher/student concept of Judo. It is through
these experiences and learning procedures that the student
learns the general philosophy of Judo. Nevertheless, the
mystery of the sport motivates him further to study and
fortify this little known area of the philosophy. He reads
and hears Jigoro Kano's two famous principles of "Maximum
Efficiency, and Mutual Welfare and Benefit." Kano
outlined these two ultimate objects of Judo - the perfection
of human character by his form of training methods using
the above two principles. "Maximum Efficiency"
means that whatever is planned, one should do with optimum
use of mental and physical energy
In
the practice and competition of Judo the player learns
to throw with a minimum of effort but using to his benefit
the opponent's weakness, momentum and mistakes. His throws
consist of a circle; his defense and counter-throws are
made using the opponent's circle of the throwing technique.
The application of this knowledge, by hard training, increases
his proficiency and efficiency. By these methods, the
principle of maximum efficiency is eventually mastered.
The principle of mutual benefit and welfare takes longer
to learn. This means that all students should help each
other in advancing through judo training. This principle
brings out love, respect and self-control - qualities
manifested by many Judo masters.
By
following these two principles, the student will progress
toward his goal. But what is his goal? Each student must
establish his own goal in life. The level of his goal
depends upon his motivation. His Judo teacher may exemplify
a model he wishes to emulate. Through Judo training, he
can attain the characteristics of his teacher if the latter
is a true Judo man. But what is the character of a true
Judo man?
Many instructors use the same training methods but those
who are not themselves developed morally and ethically
achieve nothing. Any system of instruction depends on
the excellence of those who are instructing. Proper Judo
training produces respect, courage, patience, humility,
flexibility, enthusiasm and reliability. As one judoka
stated, "these are the characteristics that are most
prized by all of humanity. The students must remember
that many teachers fail to produce these traits in their
students but the instructor never stops trying.
Judo,
when learned and practiced properly, is a sport that "builds
character." The Judo community; however, feels that
Judo and its philosophy contributes more in that it lets
the student achieve his goals in life a little faster
but not necessarily more easily. It is up to the student
to train regularly, to discipline himself, to respect
his peers and superiors, to participate in tournaments,
to teach the lesser experienced and to study and learn
the culture of judo. |
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Copyright
© 2003
Shindai Aikikai, Shindai.com and Respective Authors. All Rights Reserved.
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