Читать книгу Complete Aikido. Aikido Kyohan: The Definitive Guide to the Way of Harmony онлайн

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By this time, Kise was familiar with Suenaka’s aikido, as Suenaka was familiar with Kise’s karate, both men having observed the other’s classes and technique with an educated, critical eye. Though neither man’s machismo would allow them to openly admit it, both were impressed with the other’s prowess and technique. Of the aikido Suenaka taught at the time, he notes: “It wasn’t like the aikido we have today; fairly similar, but probably a lot harder, a little more violent, so it impressed him.”

As the months passed, Suenaka’s student body outgrew the space available in Zemke Gym, forcing him to begin another class at Kadena’s second gym, McConnell Gym. At the same time Suenaka began entertaining thoughts of opening a dojo off-base, in town. For this, he would need O’Sensei’s blessing, which he secured upon his first return trip to the Hombu, less than a month after his move to Okinawa (“I didn’t waste any time. . . . I think then maybe I had more guts than brains.”). Again, the Founder was eager to introduce aikido to Okinawa, more so after the previous failed ventures. Ironically, it was a karateka, Shorinji-ryu karate founder Zenryo Shimabukuro, who guided Suenaka in this pursuit.