Letter from Linda Holiday Sensei, chief instructor of Aikido of Santa Cruz
Dear Aikido friends,
I hope you are all well, and blending with the waves of dynamic change that characterize 2009. In challenging times, it is even clearer how important the practice of Aikido is. Training de-stresses the body, strengthens the heart, and brightens the spirit! And our strong, supportive, and inspired Aiki community is an asset of incalculable value to all of us.
Here is some wonderful community news for you, about the award recently received by Anno Sensei. As most of you know, Motomichi Anno Sensei, 8th dan, is the chief instructor of the Kumano Juku Dojo in Shingu, Japan. He is my sensei, and many of you have also been inspired by him, during his many visits to Santa Cruz and other dojos in the West since 1999. Anno Sensei is a profound teacher and a sincerely humble person, so it is particularly gratifying to see him receive this prestigious award from the Japan Martial Arts Association. It is a public acknowledgement of Anno Sensei's 55 years of dedicated Aikido training, and his service to the art as an instructor and a conveyor of Osensei's Way.
The Japan Martial Arts Association (Nihon Budo Kyogikai) consists of nine separate budo organizations, including the All-Japan Federations of Judo, Kendo, Kyudo, Sumo, Karatedo, and the Aikikai (for Aikido). Since the early 1980's, the Association has annually selected one instructor from each martial art, to receive the Martial Arts Distinguished Service Award. Previous recipients who are internationally well-known for their devoted service to Aikido include Senseis Michio Hikitsuchi, Morihiro Saito, Rinjiro Shirata, Seiseki Abe, Seigo Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Tada, and many other wonderful shihan.
Anno Sensei recently sent me a copy of the Aikido Shinbun from Aikikai Hombu Dojo, in which he has published a short essay of gratitude. In it, Anno Sensei describes his search for a meaningful path after the end of the war, and his appreciation for the presence of Aikido and Osensei in his life. I've translated his essay so all of you can enjoy it, and feel a sense of connection and collective pride in this wonderful teacher and art that we share.
Please read and enjoy! Please also enjoy the beautiful photo of Anno Sensei with his award at the Budokan in Tokyo, on January 12, 2009.
We are sending Anno Sensei two congratulatory gifts - a carved wooden plaque created by Glen Kimoto Sensei with Osensei's calligraphy "True Victory; Victory over Oneself"; and a new hakama in anticipation of many more years on the mat!
Would you consider making a contribution (in March) to help us cover the cost of these gifts? That would be greatly appreciated! Donations can be made by check or cash at the dojo, or online with PayPal by clicking here:
Thank you all for your support of Aikido! See you on the mat!
Linda Holiday
Chief Instructor, Aikido of Santa Cruz, 306 Mission Street, Santa Cruz CA 95060
