Aikido Shoheijuku Japan

"Of course, building strength is all well and good, but you mustn’t let it become rigid. Instead, through movement, you learn to break down this aspect in such situations, and that aspect in others. That isn’t something you’re simply taught; you have to feel it for yourself, discover it, and internalise it—you must grasp it through your own body. If you don’t do that, you’ll always forget the corrections you’ve been taught."

Suganuma Sensei talking about the last time he met Ueshiba Kisshomaru Doshu.
"I think the last time I saw him was on 21 November last year. When I went to visit him in hospital, he was sitting up, and he seemed to be in very good spirits. What he said to me then was something along the lines of: ‘You know, there are often martial artists, sportspeople and entertainers—people who only know how to operate within their own little world, but when they step out into society, they do things that seem completely out of the ordinary. I’ve actually known people like that myself, and I’ll make a comic about it, but he told me, ‘You mustn’t be like that. You should meet all sorts of people and learn from them. You mustn’t do things that are out of the ordinary.’ I was deeply impressed by what he said, and I’m still talking about it."

The first training session of 2026 was held on the 2nd of January at Fukuoka Dojo. This year, Suganuma Sensei's calligraphy was "自利利他" "Self benefit benefit others". This saying expresses the idea that we should do things that benefit us that in turn, benefits everyone around us. Suganuma Sensei said:

"Self, benefit, benefit others—I wish to learn how to live in such a way that even those I write these words for may find joy. The merchants of Omi*, I hear, held dear the principle: “Good for oneself, good for others, good for society.” Our Aikido too—I hope more practitioners will strive not merely for their own Aikido, but for a practice that brings joy to their partners and those around them."

*Omi is a provice that is now part of Shiga Prefecture.

The end-of-year training in 2025 was held on the 29th and 30th of December at Fukuoka Dojo. Katsuhiko Sensei held the session on the 29th, while Suganuma Sensei held the one on the 30th. There was a very positive atmosphere on both days with members from all over Kyushu attending.