求心流合気道当身流柔術保存会
Kyushin-Ryu Aikido
Atemi-Ryu Jujitsu Preservation Society
A Brief History of Kyushin-Ryu Aikido
Carl Withey Sensei
Kenshiro Abbe (December 1915 – 1985)
Born in Tokushima Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan, Kenshiro Abbe was the son of a local school teacher called Toshizo Abbe, who was a kendo instructor, and his wife, Kote Abbe.He started Judo at Busen, trained hard under Korei Isogai and in his first year he became the youngest student to gain his Yondan (4th dan) in Judo.
Kenshiro never lost a fight. In the autumn of his second year was awarded his Godan (5th dan). In May 1935 he took part in the 5th dan division championship and defeated the great Masahiko Kimura.
All of Abbe’s success so far led him to become arrogant which was something which he admitted himself. Henry Ellis Sensei reported the following story which demonstrated Abbe’s attitude at the time but also documents his first meeting with Morihei Ueshiba, how Abbe Sensei was accepted to train under Ueshiba Sensei.
It was during a train journey in Japan that Abbe Sensei first met Ueshiba Sensie. The young Abbe didn’t know who he was and he reacted to Ueshiba Sensei by saying: “What are you staring at, old man?” Ueshiba Sensei replied: “I know who you are”, to which Abbe modestly retorted: “Everyone knows me, I am Kenshiro Abbe, Champion of All Japan”. Ueshiba then introduced himself as the Founder of Aikido and Abbe Sensei replied “you do not look strong enough to be a martial arts master”.
Ueshiba Sensei offered his little finger, and said: “But young man, you look very strong indeed. Please break my finger”. Abbe Sensei at first declined but eventually accepted the challenge. Years later Abbe Sensei claimed that as he took hold of the old man’s finger and tried to break it, he found himself on the floor of the train carriage and totally immobilised.
Whilst on the floor He asked Ueshiba Sensei for permission to study under him. Abbe Sensei studied for ten years under Ueshiba Sensei and became one of his senior students and it was during this period that Abbe Sensei started formulating his own budōphilosophy of Kyushindo.
In 1955 after an invite from the London Judo Society Abbe now an 8th Dan came to the UK. The initial invitation was to become the chief instructor but after a series of disagreements he parted company with them and launched his own philosophy of Kyushindo.
Within two years he had formed a number of martials arts councils, including: British Judo Council (BJC), British Kendo Council British Karate Council, as well as an overall governing body the International Budo Council (IBC).
Reg Bleakman
Reg Bleakman sensei began his martial art training in Judo at Jenkins Street institute, Small heath, Birmingham, at a club founded by James Hipkiss. This is where Reg Bleakman sensei first met Abbe sensei and became a student of his from 1955 to 1970 along with several others including, John Hughes (Walsall otanikwai), Ken Webber (Renbukan, Shard End B/ham), Ralph Reynalds (Neko Budokan, B/ham) also Mr. Garside, Mr. Babington of Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.
In 1957 Abbe received a letter from Morihei Ueshiba stating that all instructors outside of Japan now had permission to teach aikido to anyone who wished to learn.
He was the first master in the UK to be allowed to teach aikido outside Japan as before this time the teaching of aikido was kept solely for the Japanese.
Bleakman sensei was awarded in 1963 grade of 3rd dan judo by Sensei Abbe. Although Bleakman sensei studied Judo under Abbe sensei, he also received Aikido teaching from him and would often be seen undergoing instruction in aikido at his dojo. But, his main instruction in Aikido came from: Nagazono sensei, 6th DAN Aikido, 7th DAN Kendo.
Sensei Bleakman was promoted to 3rd dan Aikido by Sensei Abbe in 1970, also in personal conversation I had with Sensei Bleakmans wife along with my son and the Bleakman children. When I spoke to Mrs Bleakman, she stated that her husband regarded Sensei Masamichi Noro as his teacher (in Aikido), although he learnt much of his early aikido directly from Abbe Sensei. She stated that Masamichi Noro Sensei and Masahilo Nakazono Senseivisited and taught Sensei Bleakman and his students at his dojo on many occasions at the request of Sensei Abbe.
Bleakman Sensei was an outstanding martial artist, and full of incredible knowledge. I knew him in my younger days, and nowhere near as well as many others such Anthony Goulding Sensei, Perry Bennet Sensei or Phil Bradley Sensei etc. But, I found him to be a great teacher, seriously dedicated to his arts, funny, intelligent, and a great martial artist. Bleakman Sensei eventually sold his business.
Aikido in the 50’s, 60’s 70’s and early 80’s was a respected martial art. A time of highly respected Dan grades, knowing they were hard earned through blood sweat and in many cases tears, grades were not given, they were earned.True martial art is about understanding the way, the journey, the way to enrich your life through learning.
I understand that there were numerous other instructors who trained under O’sensei before Abbe sensei, and I fully understand this, But Abbe sensei was the first to teach Aikido in the UK and Europe on a full-time basis.
~ Carl Withey Sensei