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

Visit the ` Ellis Aikido ` - YouTube Video Channel.

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.

                                                                      AIKIWEB

Four Articles - Featuring: - 1st Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 2nd Masahilo Nakazono - 3rd Masamichi Noro - 4th TK Chiba Sensei.

                                                            THE BUDO MASTERS

                         Kenshiro Abbe ~ ~ Masahilo Nakazono ~ ~ Masamichi Noro ~ ~ Kazuo Chiba

Henry Ellis 6th dan AikiKai Hombu - Co-author of "Positive Aikido". Relates stories of training with the early Budo Masters.
_______4 Articles - featuring 1st Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - 2nd Masahilo Nakazono - 3rd Masamichi Noro - 4th TK Chiba_______

CLICK the ARTICLE of YOUR CHOICE

 

1st - Article: Kenshiro Abbe _____“Trying to Catch the Wind”_____
Click Here - AikiWeB Article - "It Had to be Felt".~ Kenshiro Abbe - "Trying to Catch the Wind".

2nd - Article: Masahilo Nakazono ______”A Man of Peace and Pieces”______
.Visit Aikiweb Click here >- Aikiweb - Nakazono Sensei Article

3rd - Article: Masamichi Noro ______The White Tornado__
Visit Aikiweb - Click Here - "The White Tornado"

4th - Article: Kazuo Chiba ______Two Handsome Young Men___Click here - "Two Handsome Young Men"

Henry Ellis a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from 1957. "AikiWeb" has published 4 articles to add to their popular Ellis Amdur article collection of "It Had to be Felt" `IHTBF`.

British Aikido Board Blog - Click here ->BAB Blog - BAB Blog

Henry Ellis speech - Anniversary Dinner - TK Chiba's 40 years in the UK.

Henry Ellis Sensei joined Chiba Sensei in the 1960s shortly after his arrival in the UK.

 

 Positive Aikido - The Book

Techniques - History - Lineage - Anecdotes

The story of 58 years of Traditional Aikido

Henry Ellis & Derek Eastman 6th dan AikiKai-diplomas signed by: Osensei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Masahilo Nakazono - TK Chiba - The Doshu Moriterue Ueshiba.

Front and back covers.About the Authors:
Henry Ellis & Derek Eastman both 6th dan AikiKai Hombu. - Diplomas signed by Osensei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Mikoto Nakazono - TK Chiba Shihan - Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba..They are the last two pioneers of K Abbe Sensei's British Aikido from 1955.To purchase the book `Positive Aikido`. Order direct - please contact Dave Rogers Sensei the books main author. Please email Dave Rogers Email For price and postage.

Book also available on Amazon UK £9-95 free p&p & Amazon USA. $18.

For an in-depth review of "Positive Aikido" click here>Positive Aikido

Visit the "Aikido Articles Blog"->Aikido Articles

Derek Eastman Sensei

<- Left..Photo Grange Farm Summer School 1963...Front row left ~ Derek Eastman 17yrs ~ Back row ~ Left Gerry Gyngell ~ centre Ken Williams..

1959 ~ Derek Eastman at the age of 17 yrs joined the Aikido section of the Hut Dojo. The dojo had changed its name to the " Abbe School of Budo ". Over 50 years later the dojo would still be affectionately known as the " Hut Dojo "..
The young Derek Eastman was a natural, ukemi came naturally to him. Henry Ellis was now first dan, he was advised to select an assistant from the class, Henry chose Derek Eastman - A student teacher and friendship that lasts to this very day.

In the early 1960s Ken Williams Sensei suggested that Henry Ellis and Derek spend one year travelling around the UK teaching Aikido where ever possible. That year was a great time, lots of fun, and a great deal of hardship, often sleeping in the car.
They would take jobs just for a few days then move on to another town.Henry and Derek travelled to many parts of the UK to promote the virtually unknown martial art of Aikido..Judo clubs were supportive and a good source to promote Aikido.




They never asked for payment, just a bed and food. Often they would sleep in the car, that was the bad times. They would take a job for a few days here and there..

The jobs were varied and never taken seriously. Beach front photographers ~ Road sweepers ~ Funeral assistants ~ Building workers...At times we were often desperate for food or a bed, here is Derek chatting up a local girl with dodgy legs for an invite for a meal, we struck lucky, we were given a bed and free board for a few days at a town in Northern Englad..

The Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido ~ E.S.T.A

The ESTA was formed in the early 1960s by Derek Eastman Sensei, making this one of the very first UK Aikido organisations. Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman Sensei's were
direct students of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 ~ 1985.
They are now two of the last four of the original British Aikido pioneers from when Abbe Sensei introduced Aikido to Britain in 1955. Aikido began at the now famous ``Hut Dojo `` ( The original Hell Dojo ) which is still going strong today under the guidence of another Aikido pioneer Haydn Foster Sensei.

The ESTA has tried to maintain its traditional roots by teaching Aikido as a Martial art as taught by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and the early teachers.
The original Japanese and British Aikido pioneers were initially Judoka which in turn made their Aikido closer to the body giving much more control over ones opponent. This was a time of hard training. There were no such thing as a `` no touch throws ``. If a technique did not take you, then you didn't go!

The Biography of Derek Eastman Sensei 6th dan Int BiranKai ( AikiKai Hombu )

The Eastman Sensei bio is a great true story of a young boy of 16 yrs of age starting in the new martial art of Aikido as the assistant to Henry Ellis Sensei in 1958, this young man became assistant to ``all`` the dan grades. This story offers the reader an insight into the early days of the ``Hell Dojo``. The story is of hard times with many amusing anecdotes, there were the good times and also the funny side of life at the Hut Dojo.Click below.
Click here -> Click here for the Derek Eastman Bio

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First British Aikido Demonstration ~ Filmed 1963 ~ Click here -> First ? British Aikido filmed demonstration 1963 ~ H Ellis ~ D Eastman ~ G Goodwin.

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Protect British Budo History ~ visit the " Aikido Controversy " blog Click for Aikido Controversy Blog

Visit our new " Tadashi Abe " website -> Tadashi Abe Sensei

Visit the new Nakazono Aikido Blog Click here

What is KyuShinDo??? It is a theory - a philosophy of Judo applied technique. It is not a martial art. ~ Click here -> Click here for KyuShinDo

It is sad and disrespectful, but also rather comical to see people who have graded themselves to dan grade in KyuShinDo...As the Japanese Ambassador said at the Kenshiro Abbe Memorial event " Kenshiro Abbe will be smiling from his grave today ". I would imagine if he can see what is now happening in the name of his beloved KyuShinDo he will be crying from his grave.

Photos of the Early Days of UK Aikido

Left: Henry Ellis - David Warrne Basingstoke Dojo 1980
Right: Group photo: 1967 Chiba Sensei ~ Henry Ellis on right of Sensei ~ Ralph Reynolds on Sensei's left..





1992 Henry Ellis visits Masahilo Nakazono in Sante Fe NM USA.

Grange Farm Summer School> 1963..Henry Ellis with Tomio Otani BJC National Coach.





Left: 1968 TK Chiba Summer School ~ Bracknell...Tada Sensei-uke Henry Ellis ~ also teaching N Tamura ~ H Ichimura.

Right:  Grange Farm Summer School 1963.Far left ~ Henry Ellis ~ on the ground Tomio Otani.->





The British Aikido Board Controversy Slide Show







Protecting the history of Aikido in the UK.


Whilst the crass conduct of the BAB and Mr Jack Poole is abhorrent, it serves to show that such conduct will not be tolerated by the students of today or in the future.

Documented evidence of the conduct of the UK Governing Body for Aikido.

Detailing the BAB's attempted collusion with one Mr Jack Poole to change forever the `British Aikido Board` Controversy has unfortunately become a part of e true proud history and lineage of British Aikido, from its inception to the UK in 1955 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

Henry Ellis was actually Mr Poole's first teacher as one can clearly see from the large collection of photos and statements, this did not deter the BAB from proudly parading Mr Poole along-side his teacher as a `Pioneer of British Aikido` .

Imagine you are a direct student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and recognised by the Doshu and TK Chiba as a true pioneer of British Aikido - The UK Aikido governing body invite you to receive an award in recognition of this - As you wait to meet the Lord Mayor of Birmingham - you hear a shuffling sound - you look behind - standing there unannounced is one of your old students in line to receive the same award as a pioneer - unbelievable.You could not make this up - The BAB did.

British Aikido Board - Jack Poole Controversy Slide Show.

The Betrayal of British Budo