Tuesday 13 October 2015

Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything ~ Mark Twain. 


" No matter your pretense, you are what you are, nothing more " - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

Henry Ellis a direct student of the legendary Budoka  Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 1915 - 1985
Personal assistant to Ken Williams Sensei 1957 - 1967 at the famous ` HUT DOJO `
Ken Williams Sensei was the first British student of Aikido
Henry Ellis Personal Assistant to TK Chiba Shihan 1967 - 1972.

Visit `British Aikido History ` 1955 - 2015 - Blog



Admin Henry Ellis Shihan - British Aikido Pioneer from 1957 - Co-author of  the book  ` Positive Aikido `

Diplomas signed by Osensei M Ueshiba (2) - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Masahilo Nakazono Sensei - TK Chiba Sensei - Doshu M Ueshiba.

The book `Positive Aikido` ~ If you are looking for fantasy Aikido or perhaps dancing Aikido with ribbons - or noddy Ki throws or no touch throws, sorry, this book is not for you, keep your money in your purse.


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From a Childhood of Strict Discipline
 to
 A Life of Traditional Aikido Discipline


British Aikido History
1955 - 2015
"You have to know the past to understand the present ~ Carl Sagan"

1949 - At the age of fourteen Henry Ellis became a road racing team cyclist  - until at nineteen he began to study Judo and Aikido
This blog details his life from childhood through the WW2 years to the present day.


The official British Aikido History site - Is dedicated to the true history of Aikido in the UK from its inception in 1955 by the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.



Right: Kenshiro Abbe Sensei with Ken Williams Sensei at the Hut Dojo.

Group photo - The Hut Dojo 1957. Henry Ellis back row second from right.

Below: Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

This site is maintained by AikiKai Shihans Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman -  The last two surviving pioneers involved from the exciting inception and era of the birth of Aikido in the UK at the once famous "Hut Dojo"

Right; Ken Williams Sensei the first Aikido student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and the first UK student of Aikido - Henry Ellis was the personal assistant of Williams Sensei from 1957 - 1967 - assistant to TK Chiba Sensei from 1967 - 1972.

Left: Henry Ellis 1966.


Ellis & Eastman Sensei's are co-authors with Dave Rogers Sensei of the book `Positive Aikido` - they are proud to have their diplomas signed by legends - Osensei Morihei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Masahilo Nakazono - Masamichi Noro - TK Chiba - Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.




Right: Mitsusuke Harada Sensei founder of Shotokai Karate.


Right: Henry Ellis - Mutsusuke Harada - Derek Eastman.

Ellis and Eastman join Harada Sensei at the TK Chiba Celebration in 2006. Harada Sensei was invited to the UK in 1963 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - He held his first classes at the Hut Dojo. Harada Sensei had no students to begin with - Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman studied Karate with Harada, he in turn studied Aikido with them - Harada began to incorporate Aikido movement and technique into his new Shotokai Karate as can be clearly seen in his teachings today.

To learn more about the true history of British Aikido - visits the links below.

Click here for the British Aikido History Blog >  British Aikido History Site

Article - " Is Aikido a Martial Art ? " Click > Is Aikido a Martial Art ?



Earliest known UK Aikido Demonstration film/ video 1963.

USAF - UK Air Base - European Judo Championships.

Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman - Geoff Goodwin.
Click here ->  Earliest known Aikido Demonstration 1963

Right: TK Chiba Sensei with Henry Ellis 2012.