Aikido Igarashi Dojo

昨日９日(日)は、橋本道場・中掃除の日。稽古後に参加者一同で道場の掃除を行いました。玄関周り、窓回り、更衣室、シャワー室、他の掃除。掃除後には、2台の換気扇、４台の扇風機の羽根はピカピカです。参加者の皆様に感謝です。
掃除後は、橋本名物の七夕祭りで賑わう橋本駅前の居酒屋で〝暑気払い‼″。
猛暑の中での稽古、掃除で多くの汗をかいた後、皆で飲むキンキンに冷えた生ビールの最初の一口。最高でした。
今日から１６日(日)までの一週間、道場の稽古はお休みです。熱中症に気を付けてお過ごしください。
Yesterday, the 9th (Sunday), was the day for the middle-of-the-month clean-up at the Hashimoto Dojo. After the practice class, all participants joined in to clean the dojo. We cleaned the entrance area, around the windows, the changing rooms, the shower rooms and other areas. After the clean-up, the blades of the two extractor fans and four electric fans were sparkling clean. Many thanks to everyone who took part.
After the clean-up, we headed to an izakaya in front of Hashimoto Station—which was bustling with the Hashimoto Tanabata Festival—for a ‘summer heat-beating party’!
Following practice and cleaning in the sweltering heat, where we’d all worked up quite a sweat, that first mouthful of ice-cold draught beer was simply the best.
The dojo will be closed for practice for the week from today until Sunday the 16th. Please take care to avoid getting heatstroke.

残暑お見舞い申し上げます。

先月末、合気道本部道場を訪問いたしました。その折に、道場受付に〝塩タブレット″が置いてありました。ちょうど昼前の１１時過ぎ、私は猛暑のため汗ビッショリ！
私は早速、塩タブレットを一粒いただきました。現在は、本部道場全館エアコン完備で、冷房もばっちり効いています。そして更に道場玄関に塩タブレット！道主先生と本部道場長の優しい思いやりを感じました。
橋本道場は、もちろんエアコン完備！　私は、稽古の１時間前にはエアコンのスイッチを入れ、会員さんの到着を待っています。今月１日からは、本部道場にならい、玄関受付に〝塩タブレット″を置くようになりました。
五十嵐道場の暑中稽古は、８月の一カ月間です。８月中に８回以上の稽古に出席した会員に賞状と道主揮毫の「合氣道」の記念タオルを贈ります。毎年、１５～２０名が頑張っています。
明日９日(日)は、橋本道場の大掃除日です。大掃除が終わった後は、橋本駅前の居酒屋で恒例の「暑気払い」が行われます。この週末は、橋本で〝七夕祭り″が開催され大賑わいを見せています。
五十嵐道場の夏休みは、１０日(月)～１６日(日)です。

I hope this message finds you well during this lingering summer heat.

At the end of last month, I visited the Aikido Hombu Dojo. While there, I noticed “salt tablets” placed at the dojo reception desk. It was just past 11:00 a.m., and I was drenched in sweat from the intense heat!
I immediately took one salt tablet. Currently, the whole Hombu Dojo is fully air-conditioned, and the cooling works perfectly. And there were even salt tablets at the dojo entrance! I could really feel the kind consideration of the Doshu and the Hombu Dojo -Cho.
The Hashimoto Dojo is, of course, fully air-conditioned! I turn on the air conditioning one hour before practice and wait for the members to arrive. Starting on the 1st of this month, following the example of the Hombu Dojo, I've placed “salt tablets” at the reception area entrance.
Summer practice at the Igarashi Dojo runs for the whole month of August. Members who attend eight or more practice days during August will receive a certificate and a commemorative “Aikido” towel inscribed by the Doshu. Every year, 15 to 20 members give it their all.
Tomorrow, the 9th (Sun), is the big cleanup day at the Hashimoto Dojo. After the cleanup is finished, we’ll hold our annual “summer send-off” party at an izakaya in front of Hashimoto Station. This weekend, the “Tanabata Festival” is being held in Hashimoto, and it’s very crowded with a large number of visitors.
The Igarashi Dojo’s summer break is from the 10th (Mon) to the 16th (Sun).

I received an article from Juha-san about his residential uchideshi period.
This page ‘https://www.facebook.com/aikidoigarashidojo’ post the original text of his article (in English).　I also post his article in Japanese on
‘https://www.facebook.com/kazuo.igarashi.121’.

My month as an uchideshi
Ryuki-kai Dojo, Iisalmi, Finland
Juha Airaksinen

Uchideshi-month in Hashimoto-dojo in May 2026

It is one month when I came back to Finland from Japan. After arriving home, I went straight to work already next mornig. It took about one week to change my mind and body to normal activities in Finland. But still my mind has been processing all sensei’s classes, all the event’s I was able to take part in and every day life in Hashimoto. That is why I have written this essay so long time. If I would write everything which is in my thoughts this would be a book.

I was at Hashimoto-dojo as an uchideshi also on April 2025. It was incredible experience for me. In autumn 2025 I send email to sensei if it would be possible to go again. Sensei made serious considering few days and I was so happy when he answered that I could come and stay at the dojo.

Last time I was centralizing to my dan-test. This time there was different events: Possibility to take part to the 63rd All Japan Aikido Demonstration and also sensei’s 80th and Kobayashi-shihan’s 90th birthday commemorative seminar. I knew that there would be a lot to do: daily dojo’s work, practising aikido and helping sensei in seminar’s arrangements.

Like last time many my friends wished me a good holiday, but again I tried to explain that I was not going to Japan as a tourist. It is much more different than visiting different places, buying souveniers and enjoying Japanese food.

On the10th of June the flight from Helsinki to Nagoya departed at 00:40 AM. It was quite a coincident that Jukka-sensei, Jouni and Pasi were at the same flight. I knew that they were also supposed to participate events. After 13 hours flight we arrived to Nagoya airport and travelled to the city center to hotel. Next morning I travelled by Shinkansen to Shin-Yokohama and from there to Hashimoto.
This time arriving to Japan and normal daily things were much easier. I had already Suica-card, using trains and knowing schedules was more familiar, remembering where to go make every day shopping helped much. Also dojo’s daily tasks and routines were already in my memory.

In the afternoon on 11th of May I arrived to dojo. Sensei and Machiko-san were waiting and everything felt so familiar. Dojo’s atmosphere feels so cozy and it was so relaxing to be there again. Machiko-san served tea and after that I started to unpack my luggages. In the evening we had delicious welcome dinner.

There was many things to do when sensei was making arrangements for the Commemorative seminar. I did my best to help sensei. Even if I knew he has years of experience of arranging big events, I was so impressed how well everything was organized: Booking seminar and evening celebrations party place in advance, making even sitting place-chart for restaurant etc. etc. Everyone had their own named tasks in orginizing committee: seminar place and party restaurant, mini-buses to help overseas guests and so on. Joon-san had made really big job to help sensei by making the registration platform for participants into internet. Also he had made very clear information for both All Japan Aikido Demonstration and Commemorative seminar day for overseas quests by also updating it several times. All in all every detail was precisely thinked and planned.

Before I was leaving to Japan, Joon-san send me email and informed me that I will be one of the sensei’s uke in All Japan Aikido demonstration. I felt that it was an honour to me, but also be a presentative of my dojo and Finland aikido in such a huge event.

There were many sensei’s friends and students from overseas: Hawaji, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, Canada, UK, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Russia and of course from Japan. It was nice to meet in live people, which I have seen in photos and also practise aikido with them in Hashimoto-dojo. Many of guests took part in the Saturday 23rd demonstration and also the Sunday 24th seminar.
Coming to Nippon Budokan was amazing for me. To see how well everything was planned and organized there and schedule made minute by minute. Being in tatami with international group and later with sensei, Joon-san and Ivan-san was memorable.

Next day sensei’s and Kobayashi-shihan’s classes were very succesful. Almost 160 people practising aikido and enjoying decades of experience!
In the evening we were celebrating at the restaurant, enjoying the company of fellow aikidoka’s and delicious food and drinks. I think that everyone will remember that special day!

Practising aikido is very important part of staying at dojo as an uchideshi. I really much appreciate that sensei strictly and patiently teached me even if he has so much to do because of events. There is so much to process in my mind and take to my dojo for daily practise. Members of Hashimoto dojo also were very helpful for me in sensei’s classes.
I am happy that I was also able to visit at Shinjuku Yuwakai-dojo. It was so nice to see Hashimoto-sensei and dojo’s members again. At Hombu-dojo I visited in Sasaki-shihan’s, Fujimaki-shihan’s and Katsurada-shihan’s classes.

In many classes Igarashi-sensei remind me that basic principals of Aikido are very important. How to use or not to use different parts of your body (different circles). Muscle power is not the way to do right. Using the right angles of your body and hand positions, having the same directions with your partners hand, using partner’s movement, right timing and natural movement like using hands when walking. ”Being friend with your partner” helps making softer way. ”Slow is smooth, smooth is fast” is a really good quote!
I am very grateful to sensei for this month, because I have again so much to process and practise at home dojo. I must say that Hashimoto dojo’s member are privileged, because they have a chance to have so high-quality teaching every time they come to class.

I can’t thank you enough for sensei and Machiko-san about the hospitality during my stay at the dojo. Also friendliness of Hashimoto and Yuwakai-dojo’s members is heart warming. The sense of community is remarkable and it does not depend on your aikido rank. I feel sorry that I can speak Japanese only very little, but I must start study harder.

Four weeks went again so fast. Suddenly I realized that the last week was going on. Packing all my stuff, sending luggages to the airport and starting to prepair for leaving Japan. In the last evening Machiko-san made a farewell dinner and I had a pleaseure to meet their grandson.

On Sunday the 7th of June was the last keiko this time. It felt plaintive, but I hope that I will have a chance to visit in Japan again. If not as a uchideshi, but at least go to practise in Hashimoto dojo.

Paljon kiitoksia sensei, paljon kiitoksia Machiko-san!

「第６３回全日本合気道演武大会」
今年の９月、スウェーデン合気会は創立６５周年を迎え、本部道場長・植芝充央先生をお招きして記念行事を開催します。私は、１９７８年９月から翌年６月まで、合気道指導のためスウェーデン合気会とフィンランド合気会に派遣されました。私にとりましてもスウェーデン合気会が６５周年を迎えられることは大きな喜びであります。
この記念行事を控え、同国の有名な報道カメラマンでもあり、同国合気会所属のイエルフェラ道場の責任者でもあるマグナス・ハートマン氏が、「第６３回全日本合気道演武大会」の取材・撮影のため来日しました。私は、マグナス氏とは初めて同国を訪れた時からの道友であり、今も親しく交流が続くベストフレンドです。
先週末、マグナス氏が道主植芝守央先生、植芝充央先生、小林保雄先生の素晴らしい演武写真とともに、私の写真も2枚送ってくれました。
日本武道館で、私が演武のため演武場に入場した時に、演武場アリーナ内にカメラを構えている彼の姿を見つけました。“良い写真を撮ってね！と願いながら”、私は自身の演武に集中していましたが、２回ほど撮影中の彼と目が合いました。　
さすがプロのカメラマン、なんと彼は、2回のこの瞬間を捉え、シャッターを切ったようです。２枚の写真に写る私の目は「正にカメラ目線」。思わず笑いがこみ上げましたが、私の合気道人生の中でも最も大切な写真となりました。マグナスさん、素晴らしい写真を撮ってくれて有難うございました。
今大会では、最高齢の多田宏先生、本部師範・遠藤征四郎先生が欠場し、私より年長の先生は恩師・小林保雄先生、福岡の菅沼守人先生、奈良の窪田育弘先生の３名の先生。私にとりまして、とても寂しい大会となりました。
これからも小林保雄先生の背中を追いかけ、来年の大会でも恥ずかしい演武とならないように精進して参ります。今後ともよろしくお願いいたします。

‘The 63rd All-Japan Aikido Demonstration’
This September, the Swedish Aikikai will celebrate its 65th anniversary, and the federation will host a commemorative event to which they have invited Ueshiba Mitsuteru, Hombu Dojo-cho.
From September 1978 to June of the following year, I was dispatched to the Swedish and Finnish Aikikai to instruct in Aikido. It is a great joy for me, too, that the Swedish Aikikai is marking its 65th anniversary.
In the run-up to this commemorative event, Mr. Magnus Hartman, a renowned press photographer in Sweden and head of the Järfälla Dojo affiliated with the Swedish Aikikai, visited Japan to cover and photograph the ‘63rd All Japan Aikido Demonstration’. Magnus-san and I have been Aikido friends since my first visit to Sweden, and I remain on close terms with him to this day; he is my best friend.
Last weekend, Magnus-san sent me two photographs of myself, along with some wonderful shots of the demonstrations by Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru Sensei, Ueshiba Mitsuteru Sensei and Kobayashi Yasuo Sensei.
At the Nippon Budokan, as I entered the arena to perform, I spotted him positioned inside the arena with his camera at the ready. “Hoping you’ll take some good photos!”, I concentrated on my own demonstration, but my eyes met his twice whilst he was taking pictures.
True to form for a professional photographer, it seems he captured these two moments and pressed the shutter. My eyes in the two photographs are “looking straight at the camera”. I couldn’t help but laugh, but these have become the most valuable photographs of my entire Aikido life. Magnus-san, thank you very much for taking such wonderful photographs.
At this Demonstration, Tada Hiroshi Sensei, the oldest participant and Endo Seishiro Sensei, Hombu Dojo were absent. The only instructors older than myself were my teacher Kobayashi Yasuo Sensei, Suganuma Morito Sensei from Fukuoka, and Kubota Ikuhiro Sensei from Nara. For me, it was a very sad Embukai.
I will continue to follow in the footsteps of Kobayashi Yasuo Sensei and strive to ensure that my performance at next year’s Embukai is nothing to be ashamed of. I look forward to your continued support.

道場長８０歳記念講習会・祝賀会
５月２３日(土)、日本武道館で開催されました「第６３回全日本合気道演武大会」において、五十嵐道場は一般部・国際部の２面をいただき約８０名が演武しました。
２４日(日）、五十嵐道場主催「小林保雄先生９０歳・五十嵐道場長８０歳記念講習会」が、相模原市北総合体育館において、国内１３団体８３名、海外１３カ国８０名のご参加をいただき開催されました。
また講習会後、橋本駅前「大庄水産」で開催された祝賀会には国内外から１２７名が出席し大いに盛り上がりました。
ご出席いただいた皆様に深く感謝申し上げます。有難うございました。

Dojo-cho’s 80th Birthday Commemorative Seminar and Celebration

On Saturday, May 23, at the “63rd All-Japan Aikido Demonstration” held at the Nippon Budokan, the Igarashi Dojo was allocated two mats for the General and International divisions, with approximately 80 members performing demonstrations.
On Sunday, May 24, the “Commemorative Seminar for Kobayashi Yasuo Sensei’s 90th Birthday and Igarashi Dojo-cho’s 80th Birthday,” organized by the Igarashi Dojo, was held at the Sagamihara City North General Gymnasium. The event was attended by 83 participants from 13 organizations within Japan and 80 participants from 13 countries overseas.
Following the seminar, a celebratory banquet was held at “Daisho Suisan” in front of Hashimoto Station, attended by 127 people from both Japan and abroad, and the event was a great success.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who attended.
Thank you very much.

昨日の２４日(火)、８０歳の誕生日を迎えることができました。お祝いのメッセージを、国内外の道友から多くいただきました。また、プレゼントも多くいただきました。誠に有難うございました。心から御礼を申し上げます。
今の私の強い気持ちは、あと１０年、９０歳を迎えるまで、現役の合気道家として稽古・指導を続けることです。よろしくお願いいたします。
５月２４日(日)、恩師小林保雄先生を特別講師として開催予定の「五十嵐道場長８０歳記念講習会・祝賀会」に、国内８２名、海外１１ヵ国から７２名の参加申込がありました。重ねて御礼を申し上げます。
今後ともご指導・ご支援のほどよろしくお願いいたします。

Yesterday, Tuesday the 24th, I celebrated my 80th birthday. I received many congratulatory messages from Aikido friends both in Japan and abroad. I also received many gifts. Thank you very much. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude.
My strong wish now is to continue practicing and teaching as an active Aikido practitioner for another 10 years, until I turn 90. I look forward to your continued support.
For the “Dojo-cho’s 80th Birthday Commemorative Seminar and Celebration,” scheduled for Sunday, May 24th, with my teacher Kobayashi Sensei serving as the special instructor, I have received registration applications from 82 participants in Japan and 72 participants from 11 countries overseas. I would like to express my gratitude once again.
I look forward to your continued guidance and support.

２月１０日(火)～１７日(火)まで、コロナ禍を経て７年ぶりに〝ハワイ・ホノルル″に行ってきました。今回のハワイへの旅は、もちろん合気道の稽古もありますが、私たち夫婦の「結婚５０周年を記念しての旅」でもありました。
１０日夜の９時、羽田空港を出発。搭乗時間６時間３０分の後、同日の朝８時３０分にホノルル空港に到着。空港には、故久保先生の奥様のエヴァさんが出迎えてくださいました。空港から、久保先生が眠るカネオヘの墓地へ直行、お墓参りをさせていただきました。
翌日の１１日(水)夕方、久保先生が昭和３８年(1963年)に創始した「カイルア道場」で、稽古をさせていただきました。稽古は「カイルア本願寺本堂」にマットを敷いて行われました。参加者は、昔からの会員の方々が多く、会員の平均年齢は６０歳以上とのことでした！　会員の皆さんとは、すでに３０年以上のお付合いになります。
稽古は、私の指導でユックリと基本の動きだけを１時間行いました。それでも、やっぱりハワイ、稽古が終わるころには汗ビッショリです。稽古後には、同会場で参加者が持ち寄った飲み物・食事を囲み〝久保先生との懐かしい思い出話″で盛り上がり、楽しい時間を過ごしました。
滞在はアラモアナ・ホテル、日中は隣接するショッピング・センターでウインドーショッピングとフードコートでの食事を楽しみました。また天気の良い日中は、ホテルのプールやアラモアナ・ビーチで過ごしました。しかし残念ながら、今回の滞在中は天候に恵まれず、雨や強風の日が多く、ビーチやプールサイドを訪れたことは２回ほどでした。
そんな滞在中、毎日のようにエヴァさんがお世話をしてくださいました。地元のレストランでは、私の大好きな〝オックステール・スープ″をご馳走になりました。また、スーパーマーケットでは、滞在中の食べ物、新鮮な果物などの日常品を購入しました。
１４日(土)夕方、エヴァさん主催で、アラモアナ・ショッピングセンター内のイタリアンレストラン・アサジオで、私たちの〝結婚５０周年のお祝い会″が行われました。お祝い会には、カイルア道場責任者のダン先生、久保先生の孫のジェイクさん、エヴァさんの友人のカレンさんも出席しました。お祝い会は、皆様からお祝いの言葉をいただくとともに、在りし日の久保先生との思い出話で盛り上がりました。
有難うございました。
February 10 (Tue) to 17 (Tue), we traveled to “Hawaii, Honolulu” for the first time in seven years after the COVID-19 pandemic. This trip to Hawaii included Aikido practice, of course, but it was also our couple's “50th wedding anniversary celebration trip.”
We departed Haneda Airport at 9:00 PM on the 10th. After a 6-hour 30-minute flight, we arrived at Honolulu Airport at 8:30 AM the same day.
Eva-san, the wife of the late Kubo Sensei, was there to greet us at the airport. From the airport, we went straight to the Kaneohe Cemetery where Kubo Sensei rests and paid our respects at his grave.
The following evening, Wednesday the 11th, we practiced at the “Kailua Dojo,” founded by Kubo Sensei in 1963 (Showa 38). The practice was held on mats laid out in the main hall of Kailua Hongwanji Temple. Many of the participants were long-time members, with the average age reportedly over 60! I've known these members for over 30 years now.
The practice session, led by me, focused solely on basic movements at a slow pace for one hour. Even so, it was Hawaii after all – by the end of practice, we were drenched in sweat. After practice, we gathered at the same place, sharing drinks and food brought by participants. We had a wonderful time reminiscing about fond memories with Kubo Sensei.
We stayed at the Ala Moana Hotel. During the day, we enjoyed window shopping in the adjacent shopping center and meals at the food court. On sunny days, we spent time at the hotel pool or Ala Moana Beach. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't kind during this stay; there were many rainy and windy days, so we only visited the beach or poolside about twice.
Throughout this time, Eva-san kindly looked after us almost every day. At a local restaurant, she treated us to my favorite “oxtail soup.” We also shopped at the supermarket for daily necessities like food and fresh fruit for our stay.
On the evening of the 14th (Saturday), Eva-san hosted our “50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration” at the Italian restaurant Assaggio inside the Ala Moana Shopping Center. Attending the celebration were Dan Sensei, the head instructor at the Kailua Dojo; Jake-san, Kubo Sensei's grandson; and Karen-san, a friend of Eva-san's.
The celebration was filled with well-wishes from everyone and lively reminiscing about the days with the late Kubo Sensei. Thank you all.

昨日からの雪が積もりました。朝には積雪が１０ｃｍほどになりました。橋本では初雪になります。今日の参加者は少ないかなと思っていましたが、１１名が参加しました。その参加者の中に、久しぶりにポーランド・ワルシャワから帰国したヤン君がいました。彼は、お父さんのピオトールさんと、小学校低学年から稽古を始め、中学校、高校と合気道の稽古を熱心に続けました。高校卒業後はポーランドの大学に入学、現在もワルシャワで稽古を続けています。今は、ヤン君の弟の高校生フラネック君が、お父さんと熱心に稽古に通っています。
The snow that began yesterday has settled. By morning, the snowfall had reached about 10 centimetres. This marks the first snowfall in Hashimoto. I had thought today's attendance might be low, but 11 people participated. Among them was Jan-kun, who had recently returned from Warsaw, Poland, after a long absence. He began training with his father, Piotr, from the lower grades of primary school and continued his Aikido practice diligently throughout middle and high school. After graduating high school, he enrolled at a Polish university and continues practicing in Warsaw to this day. Currently, Jan-kun's younger brother, high school student Franek-kun, is diligently attending practice sessions with his father.

１月２７日(火）の稽古にフランス・メッツ在住のフィリッぺさんが参加しました。橋本道場初のフランスからのビジターでした。
On Tuesday, 27th January, Philippe-san, who resides in Metz, France, participated in the practicing . He was the first visitor from France to the Hashimoto Dojo.

令和８年新年会報告（２）
１８日(日)夜に、五十嵐道場新年会の報告をさせていただきました。その後、参加された会員から多くのメッセージと写真が送られてきました。また、会員以外の方々から「正面の花は、どなたが活けたのですか？」との質問が多く寄せられましたので、お答えします。
あの素晴らしい〝生け花”は、道場会員で華道・桂古流師範でもある矢作和雄さんが、朝の早い時間に来場して道場正面に飾る花を活けてくださいました。テーマを聞きましたら「桂古流・五行活けという型で、新年に相応しいものです。」との答えをいただきました。お陰様で、新年会は華やかな雰囲気に包まれました。有難うございました。

Report on the 2026 New Year's Party (2)
On the evening of the 18th (Sunday), I reported on the Igarashi Dojo New Year's Party. Afterwards, many messages and photos were sent in from participating members. Additionally, I received numerous questions from non-members asking, “Who arranged the flowers at the Shomen?” So, I will answer that.
That splendid “Ikebana” arrangement was created by Yahagi Kazuo-san, a dojo member and Shihan of the Katsura Koryu School of the KADO(Ikebana). He arrived early in the morning to arrange the flowers decorating the dojo’s Shomen. When asked about the theme, he replied, “It’s arranged in the Katsura Koryu Five Elements(Gogyo)style, fitting for the New Year.” Thanks to him, the New Year’s party was enveloped in a splendid atmosphere. Thank you very much.