As one meets, or studies the writings of, more and more of those Aikidoka who were fortunate enough to train directly under O Sensei ( Morihei Ueshiba - the Founder of Aikido) the one thing that becomes absolutely clear is that everyone experienced this great man through their own personal perspective and individuality.It is most probable that what each of these instructors now remember and emphasises about Ueshiba's teaching is more a reflection on their own sense of priorities, rather than Ueshiba's. Never-the-less, what is abundantly clear is that each one of these instructors has a unique piece of the Aikido jig-saw to offer us. How relevant each piece is, to our own Aikido jigsaw, depends totally on our own personality and understanding of our Art.

Henry Kono is one such man, having spent many years training under the instruction of Ueshiba he how has a particularly individual approach to understanding Aikido practise. Henry was born in Canada, of a Japanese family, and as a young man spent some of the second world war interned in a Canadian prison camp because of his Japanese background. When he went to Japan to discovery his 'roots', he found that he had the particular advantage of being able to understand both the American and Japanese cultures and the fact that he spoke English was to stand him in good stead.

The first time Henry Kono visited an Aikido dojo was in the early 60's and he was particularly lucky on two fronts, firstly, that the dojo he walked into happened to be the headquarters of O Senei and, secondly, Morihei Ueshiba himself gave twenty minutes of that class. The young Henry was spellbound by what he witnessed this old man doing. He could not see it, nor understand it, but he knew that he was watching a true master in action. Over the following weeks Henry returned to the Dojo and attended classes by many instructors that are now household names in the Aikido world. All of these senior instructors were impressive but that something special, that magic that he had witnessed in Ueshiba's presences, was not there. This initiation into Aikido had a huge impact on the future development of Henry's Aikido as he focused not so much on the actual techniques of Aikido but on that "something special' he had sensed so strongly in Ueshiba's presence. Henry often listened to Ueshiba referring of the Ying and Yang principles but he did never elaborated on how exactly this principle tied in to Aikido practise. In fact Henry said that Ueshiba did very little talking about how to do techniques. Teaching was mainly transmitted by watching and practise, and practise and then more practise.

While in Japan Henry Kono was often invited to accompany Ueshiba on visits or demonstrations where an English speaking person was needed. He was also a fine photographer and had the fortunate opportunity to take many of the photographs of O Senei that are so familiar to us today. Henry feels that he is only now, after over 30 years Aikido training, starting to grasp what Ueshiba was pointing to in his reference to the Ying and Yang of Aikido. He explains that he now understands that the universe is, by it's original nature, in a state of balance between all principles, empty/full, up/down, in/out, big/small, push/pull. Everything is linked to it's opposite, which brings it into being and maintains it's place in the order of the universe. It is the fundamental Aikido understanding of conflict that when someone attacks you, by the very fact of that attack, they bring about situation of unbalance - albeit temporarily. It is the objective of the Aikidoka to restore balance to this situation, while doing their utmost to safeguard the integrity of both the attacker and the would-be victim. If someone is attacking you they must do so with certain attitudes and aspects. By being sensitive enough to evaluate these aspects and addressing them with their opposites, the imbalance is neutralised, and harmony returned. While this may be a somewhat simplified explanation of a very complex awareness, it is never-the-less the goal to which we all aspire. No matter how unobtainable such goals may seem to a new Aikido student, from day one of our training we are already taking out first steps in that direction. When we learn to step forward if pulled, step back or turn if pushed, to blend up and down as the energy dictates, to move into and fill the emptiness in an attackers space, to move out of and thus empty space that the attacker what to crowd you into... all of these basic aspects of Aikido training are hints of the overall principle Henry Kono tried to describe and share.

Henry further stressed a fundamental condition essential to being able to respond in this manner - we must first be in absolute balance and harmony with ourselves. This applies equally to both the physical and mental aspects of our being. If we are not in personal balance than we cannot accurately sense the state of balance and finer aspects of an attacker. A very interesting aspect of Henry's concept of personal balance, on the physical level, is his attitude to stance. For so many people, including many senior Aikidoka, the long stance so often associated with Aikido is considered to be an essential aspect of our Art. However, Henry insisted that Ueshiba never talked about stance and that much of what is encouraged to-day under the guise of correct stance is in fact very immobile and only serves to limit natural speed and movement. In actual training Henry focuses particular attention on how easily one's personal sense of balance can be disturbed. Often such a distraction can be created by something as simple as allowing oneself to think of the opponent, rather than feeling him, trying to focus on directing the attackers energy - rather than feeling and guiding one's own energy into a new state of harmony. This emphasis created some amusing and frustrating circumstances during training sessions as students worked at various exercises aimed at bringing such distractions to the surface in one's movement. It was very much like being told not to think of Red - naturally the first thing you think of is Red and the more you try not to - the Redder your thoughts become.

Having practised under the guidance of Aikidoka like Henry Kono and his old time friend Alan Ruddock, one is left with a double edged feeling. On the surface one is pleased in the knowledge that something new has been shared through the week-end's practise yet, whispering in your ear, is a uncomfortable little inkling that the goal posts have somehow been shifted and the playing field could be longer than you ever imagined.


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