The following is a list of the high rank Dans issued at the Kagamibiraki ceremony at Ryu Headquarters Dojo on the 8th of January 2024.

7th Dan:

• Stephen Ohlman (Canada) Stephen Ohlman also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• Hotta Terumasa (Japan) Hotta Terumasa also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• Mitsuhashi Akira (Japan) Mitsuhashi Akira also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.

6th Dan:

• Jurij Kerpan (Czechia) Jurij Kerpan also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• Yoshida Mitsunobu (Japan) Yoshida Mitsunobu also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• Hirosei Kouji (Japan) 
• Murakawa Masahiro (Japan)
• Katagiri Misato (Japan) Katagiri Misato also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.

5th Dan:

• Tabata Fumiaki (Japan)
• Alexandre Mello (Brazil)
• Dmitry Filyunkin (Russia)
• Ishikawa Yukio (Japan)
• Sato Junya (Japan)

The Ryu 2024 New Year Seminar and Kagamibiraki were held in Urayasu on Monday the 8th of January.
Now that the pandemic is over, these events are back to being regular events on the Ryu calendar. The seminar, the kagamibiraki and the new year party are co-hosted by the Ryu All Japan Aikido Federation and NPO Aikido Ryu but are also open to all RWAF dojo representatives and members. We hope that in future more RWAF dojos will participate, with greater cooperation between the RJAF and the RWAF.

Over 70 students from Ryu-affiliated dojos around Japan attended training at Chuo Budokan. The theme of the seminar was working on releasing all the strength in the upper body and focusing power in the center. Through various basic techniques, students practised performing all movements from the center and a strong, stable lower body. It was a great morning of training, getting everyone energised for the year ahead!

After the seminar, students changed and headed to Ryu Headquarters Dojo for the Kagamibiraki ceremony and New Year party.  The Kagamibiraki was attended by over 80 people, including students and their friends and families. The ceremony started with new year greetings and a demonstration by Ando Shihan. This was followed by the presentation of high rank dan certificates.

Those who received certificates were:

• 7th Dan – Stephen Ohlman (Canada.) Stephen Ohlman also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• 7th Dan – Hotta Terumasa (Japan.) Hotta Terumasa also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• 7th Dan – Mitsuhashi Akira (Japan.) Mitsuhashi Akira also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• 6th Dan – Jurij Kerpan (Czechia.) Jurij Kerpan also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• 6th Dan – Yoshida Mitsunobu (Japan.) Yoshida Mitsunobu also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• 6th Dan – Hirosei Kouji (Japan.) 
• 6th Dan – Murakawa Masahiro (Japan.)
• 6th Dan – Katagiri Misato (Japan.) Katagiri Misato also received the official title of Shihan in Aikido.
• 5th Dan – Tabata Fumiaki (Japan.)
• 5th Dan – Alexandre Mello (Brazil.)
• 5th Dan – Dmitry Filyunkin (Russia.)
• 5th Dan – Ishikawa Yukio (Japan.)
• 5th Dan – Sato Junya (Japan.)

Congratulations!

Watch the Kagamibiraki ceremony LIVE stream on YouTube:

http://youtube.com/live/2z8UUwtNp38?feature=share

After the presentation of the certificates, a New Year party was held. Students and instructors from Ryu-affiliate dojos around the country had the rare opportunity to relax and chat.  Representatives from Ryu-affiliate dojos also had the chance to give brief reports on the activities of their dojos over the previous year and their plans for the year ahead.

Thank you again to everyone who attended the seminar and the Kagamibiraki.  Wishing everyone a great year ahead!

In November, Ando Shihan made his first trip teaching outside Japan since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. The seminars in Argentina and Brazil were hosted by Ryu World Aikido Federation member dojos Gin Ryu Kan and NCC Country Club Haku Ryu Kan and were financially subsidised by the Ryu World Aikido Federation.  

Gin Ryu Kan, Buenos Aires, Argentina:

Ando Shihan arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 10.
Between November 11 and 12, he taught a total of 8 classes at the Gin Ryu Kan Dojo, for more than 60 students from different dojos and schools.
Students from different cities in Argentina, Chile, Venezuela and Kazakhstan participated.
He also tested two students for the 3rd dan degree and one for the 4th dan degree.

Nippon Country Club Haku Ryu Kan, São Paolo, Brazil

On November 13 Ando Shihan traveled to the city of São Paulo, Brazil.
There he taught classes until November 18, for more than 70 participants.  Students from Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Chile, Paraguay and Colombia participated in his classes at the Haku Ryu Kan Dojo of the Nippon Country Club.
He also tested three students for the 3rd degree and one for the 5th dan degree.

During his time in São Paulo, Ando Sensei also had then opportunity to tour and observe the beautiful facilities of the Nippon Country Club.  He was also able to participate in various traditional Japanese cultural activities such as wadaiko and observe traditional Japanese dancing performed by the NCC members. 
He was also hosted for some sightseeing outside in the countryside surrounding São Paulo and appreciate the historical links between Brazil and Japan.

Congratulations to everyone who tested and passed their tests! 

Also a big thank you to everyone who attended the seminar – some people travelling from very far away spending several days on a bus to be there!

And of course, thank you to Marcio Welb Sensei and all the students at the Haku Ryu Kan and to Fernando Martinez Sensei and students at the Gin Ryu Kan for hosting and taking such good care of Ando Sensei during his trip. 

Announcing the 2^nd Annual Ryu World Aikido Federation Summer Gasshku! Spend a week immersed in the life of Ryu Honbu Dojo; train alongside Ando Sensei’s uchi deshi and learn from the best.

The theme of this year’s gasshku is “Aiki no Ken”.

Students will study in detail basic movements using the ken.  From there, they will progress to studying the kumi ken and how these movements are related to taijutsu techniques. Ando Shihan will also teach the theory of the sword movements and the differences between movements with the ken in aikido and in other sword styles such as kendo or ken-jutsu.  This is an unmissable opportunity to receive such specialised instruction and broaden your understanding of both physical and philosophical aspects of aikido.

The gasshku is open to students of all styles of aikido.  Space is limited to the first 10 applicants so get your applications in as soon as possible.

*Date:　　　       Monday, July 30^th – Wednesday, August 8^th 2018

*Location: 　　　  Ryu Honbu Dojo

　　　　　　　　    (2-1-25 Kairaku, Urayasu City, Chiba, Japan　℡　+81-47-355-7140)

Cost:            ¥48,412  (Non-RWAF members)

                       ¥28,000  (RWAF members)

*Cost includes accommodation, training and meals and events on the schedule below.  Please note that other meals and expenses are not included.

Application deadline: Monday the 16th of July, 2018

   (Students who will require assistance in obtaining visas should apply as soon as possible and consult their local  Japanese Embassy to find out the time required to obtain a visa.)

Applications can be made by filling in the Online Application form at the link here.

Please note:

※Students may attend as many classes at Ryu Honbu Dojo as they wish, even if they are not on the schedule.

※Please inform us in advance if, for any reason, you will not attend any of the classes or events on the gasshku schedule.

※If you would like to cancel lunches, please let us know the day before.  Unfortunately, we cannot refund money for lunches canceled on the day.  Also, please let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions.

※Payment can be paid in advance by PayPal or credit card or on arrival in cash or by credit card.  Payment must be paid within 3 days of arrival.

※The schedule may change slightly at short notice.

※  Please note that some extra documentation may be required in some cases.