Yoshinobu Takeda
Sensei
Yamaguchi Seigo
Shihan
|
|
About
Kootenay Aikido Kenkyukai (Canada)
Jean-René Leduc
 Jean-René was born in
1956 in St. Clet, Quebec. In 1979 he attended the Naropa Institute in
Boulder and in 1980 he began macrobiotic studies (including shojin
ryori cooking, shiatsu, and Shingon Buddhism) at the Kushi Institute in
Brookline, Massachussetts. Jean-Rene started studying aikido
with William Gleason sensei
in 1980 at what is now Shobu Aikido of Boston
dojo. William Gleason sensei is the author of The Spiritual
Foundations of Aikido.
In 1986 Gleason sensei invited Takeda Yoshinobu sensei to
Brookline, after which Jean-René left North America for a
five-year stay in Japan. He underwent extensive training with Takeda
sensei, whose main dojo is located on the outskirts of Yokohama.
Takeda
sensei holds the rank of eighth dan and was a senior student of the
late master Yamaguchi Seigo
Shihan. Jean-René
had the privilege of practicing with Takeda Sensei's senior students as
well as training under Yamaguchi Sensei. Yamaguchi
Shihan was a direct student of the founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei O
Sensei. He held the rank of ninth dan and instructed at Tokyo Hombu
Dojo as well as at his private dojo and at Meiji University. Yamaguchi
Shihan died in 1996.
Kootenay Aikido Kenkyukai
In 1992 Jean-René relocated to the Kootenay region of British
Columbia and opened dojos in Nelson and Mirror Lake. In 2003 Kootenay
Aikido Kenkyukai members Roland and Marcia Werner opened White Pines
Dojo in Slocan, situated in the magnificent Valhalla Mountains.
Major events of Kootenay Aikido Kenkyukai:
1993 Takeda sensei
made his first visit to the Kootenays.
1994 and 1995 his senior students, Numata sensei
and Kadoya sensei, respectively, traveled from Japan to conduct
seminars.
1996 Gleason sensei conducted weapons and
taijitsu classes.
1997 and 2002 Takeda sensei returned to instruct
and celebrate our fifth and tenth anniversaries.
2002 Jean-René returned to Japan to obtain the fifth dan from
Tokyo Hombu Dojo.
2003 Takeda sensei led an intensive seminar in Nelson and
presided over the opening of White Pines Dojo in the Slocan Valley.
2006 Ten members of Kootenay Aikido travelled to Japan to train
with Takeda sensei and his senior students.
Kootenay Aikido Kenkyukai members currently number twenty-five. In
addition, 10-20 children regularly take part in children's classes held
in the autumn, winter, and spring.
We invite you to train with us when you are in the Kootenays. Adult
classes in Nelson take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings.
Everyone is most welcome.
Aikido
Kenkyukai International
Kootenay Aikido Kenkyukai is a branch of Aikido
Kenkyukai
International (A.K.I.) literally translated as the Aikido Study
Association. A.K.I was founded by and currently directed by Yoshinobu
Takeda Shihan, and it is affiliated with Tokyo Hombu Dojo. Takeda
Sensei's main dojo is in Yokohama. His senior students have opened
A.K.I.
dojos in Japan, Austraila, New Zealand, United States, and
Canada.
|
|
|
|
