A Trip to Japan
Oyuno Hara Torii
Danielle and I recently returned from a 2-week trip to Japan.  It was an amazing journey encompassing History, Nature, and Aikido within the realm of the Kumano Sanzan (the 3 grand shrines of Kumano often visited by O’ Sensei) and the shrines and temples of Kyoto and Nara.  Each day was filled with many beautiful sights and wonderful experiences – impossible to fully relate in pictures and words alone.

Daishin-in Ryokan, Kyoto
 Accompanying us for most of the trip were senseis Linda Holiday and Laurin Herr.  Their intimate familiarity with the geography and traditions of the region, as well as their fluency in Japanese, facilitated and enriched our experience immeasurably.

We stayed at ryokan (traditional inns) throughout our stay: the first at an onsen (natural hot springs) in the mountains inland from Shingu; the second was at a Zen temple in Kyoto, and the third located within the gardens of Nara Park.
The larger occasions which drew us to Japan were the commemorative activities related to the 40th anniversary of O’ Sensei’s passing, including the opportunity to participate in Hono Enbu (offering demonstrations) at the Oyuno Hara shrine (original location of the Kumano Hongu shrine and the site where O’ Sensei’s parents prayed to the kami for the birth of a child).  During the time we were in Japan, the International Aikido Federation (IAF) held its 10th International Congress in the city of Tanabe, O’ Sensei’s birthplace. 

Kumano Hongu Taisha
On Friday and Saturday night at the Oyuno Hara shrine, on a raised platform erected just for the occasion, aikido-ka from around the world gave short demonstrations of their art as offerings to the deities of Kumano. Each group was given 2 minutes, as signaled by the strike of a large taiko drum. 
Kumano Hongu Taisha
Oyuno Hara Taisha

Hono Enbu at Oyuno Hara

The only group from the United States, Senseis Danielle Smith, Linda Holiday, and Laurin Herr, along with ukes Nicko Secunda and Michael Smith, presented their Hono Enbu on Friday night. 

On Saturday night, the ceremonies began with Mitsuteru Ueshiba, great-grandson of O’ Sensei, and concluded some 3 hours later with a demonstration by Doshu.

I can’t accurately estimate the number of observers, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was over 2000.  It certainly was the largest Aikido related event I have ever witnessed. 
…And then out of the crowd of people, suddenly an unexpected, familiar face appeared: “Tet” Tanaka, who trained with us in Monterey about 10 years ago!  Last we’d heard from him he was still living in Las Vegas.  He has since returned to Japan and now has a thriving children’s Aikido program in Fukuoka.


All photos copyright by Laurin Herr, Michael Smith, or Danielle Smith