1 FEB

Message of R.H.Kogure
Ex-Chairman of Japan Aikido Association

2003

Dear TAIN members,
In reference to my letter of April 15, 2002, I would like to explain the latest situation and to express my conviction here-under.
As I mentioned in my above letter, firstly I resigned the chief director of JAA to switch to the younger generation as of the end of March 2002 afrer my duty over 30 years to refresh JAA.
Then there was an election for the chairman of JAA where only Ms. Masako Okabe(Tomiki Sensei's daughter) raised the hand for a candidate. After she was elected as the fourth chairman of JAA, I talked with her how to preceed JAA but she rather preferred not to nominate an acting chairman. Instead she asked me to become an advisor of JAA which means part-time.
Accordingly it became difficult for me to continue the acting chaiman of TAIN despite the minutes of the last TAIN meeting. I, therefore, returned the (acting) chairmanship of TAIN to her as per the present TAIN constitution that JAA chairman becomes the TAIN chariman.
I expected the key issues of TAIN to her and advised that "international fairness" and "plural (double) eye's"(to look TAIN with the eye's of other countries as well with the eye's of JAA aned vice-versa) are most important to keep real international friendship.
Also I advised her to get support from Messers Uno, Shishida and Haba who have international understanding with English capability so far.
I dare say that she is a lady of honesty, sincerity and responsibility, which means she has Mushin Mugamae spirit reflected from her father's lineage despite she has no Aikiso experiences. Also she is now a head of Shodokan Central Dojo of Osaka and says that she is ready to discuss with you all on "Shodokan issues" fairly and frankly. Shodokan has two phases. One is naming of Tomiki-style (soft) and another is the name of Dojo (hard), which quite often has caused mistrust and misunderstanding among Tokiki style Aikidoka.
So I again ask you to send any opinions, proposals or even complaints to Mr. Haba before the coming summer of TAIN meeting in UK, so that she can prepare good solution beforehand.
I personally appreciate your understanding to the above situation and be friendly with her as the new chairman of TAIN.
I have tried my best in Japan and in other countries (especially where I have stayed and taught AIKIDO like UK, Europe, USA and Middle East) to widen the friendly ring of Tomiki Aikido always keeping fair spirit of Messers Tomiki and Oba for many years, so I do appreciate your kind cooperation to me up to now.
Wishing Tomiki Aikido is growing further in the world with spirit of Mushin Mugamae to the eternal future, I remain. SAYOONARA !

P.S. Ms. Masako Tomiki married Mr. Okabe but as far as Aikido activity is concerned, she is named as Masako Tomiki.

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Riki H. Kogure