" There are many that call their dojos Martial Arts Clubs. In reality they are no more than social clubs. "

" No matter your pretence, you are what you are, and nothing more."

" Minimum effort - maximum efficiency "

" My English is not good, but my shinai speaks fluently. "

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

...and more precisely what it isn’t !!

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 – 1985

by  Henry Ellis

Kyu =  Desire – Yearn – Sphere – Circle – Search – Study.

Shin = Heart – New – Spirit – True – To be true to ones self.

Do    = Way or Path , a way of life or self discipline .

I honestly believe that Kyu-Shin-Do  has lost its true path in Britain and has become many things to many people.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei came to Britain in 1955 at the invitation of the London Judo Society ( LJS ).

He considered the Judo that he saw to be too concerned with strength, also too physical and hard. It was his intent to introduce his theory of Kyu-Shin-Do to the British Judoka. They in turn found it hard to understand that if they followed his teaching of Kyu-Shin-Do Judo which he himself had studied from as early as 1940 their own Judo skills would become stronger by technique rather than strength. Abbe Sensei would often say when speaking of KyuShinDo that “one must have the right mind “. On one occasion he lined up 31 Judoka dan grades, he walked along the line and informed each Judoka what technique he would use, and whether it would be left of right handed. Abbe Sensei then proceeded to throw each and every single one of the 31 students just as he had said.  It is worth being reminded that Abbe Sensei was 40 years of age at that time.

In 1937 Kenshiro Abbe Sensei fought the great Japanese Judo legend Masahiko Kimura, Abbe Sensei beat Kimura and that was Kimura’s only defeat.

 Kimura Sensei said of Abbe Sensei after his defeat

 “It was as if I was fighting a shadow  and trying to catch the wind”

My good friend Gerry Gyngell Sensei said to me on this subject of KyuShinDo “ I believe  it is as much about mental attitude as it is technique. I also believe that one can only learn by example and this ( I think ) is why so many failed to understand his teachings as they only looked at the physical and not the mental side of what Abbe Sensei was teaching.

Yes…….the techniques had to be performed correctly…..

Yes…….it is not about how strong physically you are….

More importantly it is not about winning and losing, but about the balance of nature and the attitude of one to another.

I know this may start to seem that I am bringing in religion to the subject, In a way Budo is a religion but without the worship of a  Greater Being etc. You Henry, are fond of Sensei’s saying  “ no matter what your pretence , you are what you are and nothing more !”  I also believe that Abbe Sensei practiced the old philosophy of “ To  thine ownself be true “.

This is in my opinion a big part of what KyuShinDo is………..

All nature is a circle, so all correct movement is circular and by blending ( adapting ones technique ) with an opposing movement in an honest and open way the result will be harmony  of thought and action………………………

Gerry Gyngell Sensei was a member of Abbe Sensei’s Olympic squad 1964.

Three time the Welsh Judo Champion.  Also worked in Abbe Sensei’s London office for the British Judo Council…

I would suggest that the true intention of Abbe Sensei was to teach his students that they too could be as smooth and elusive as a shadow rather than a brick wall..

Since the passing of Kenshiro Abbe in 1985 there have been so many that now claim to have known him, and to be great personal friends Abbe Sensei. There are now so many, but the worst of these characters is the late George Mayo and sadly his present day followers. Mr Mayo himself shamelessly claimed  “ I am the founder of KyuShinDo “  he also later claimed that he `helped` Abbe Sensei to develop   Kyu-Shin-Do….These claims are totally fraudulent and an insult the the memory of a great Budo Master.

I now see the name ` Kyu-Shin-Do ` attached to so many things in the martial arts that I now believe  many consider the term to be a ` really good ` sounding Japanese name without a dollop of the concept of understanding of its true meaning.

From 1957 I attended almost every public Budo demonstration that Abbe Sensei ever took part in. He did on some occasions demonstrate Karate, yet to my knowledge and my associates he never taught Karate other than to teach us how to kick and punch. NEVER ONCE  did he ever refer to Karate as  “KyuShinDo Karate “ and he never ever taught   KyuShinDo Karate……….

Abbe Sensei invited Harada Sensei to Britain in 1963 to teach Karate for the British Karate Council ( BKC )  Harada Sensei taught Shotokai Karate…

The same applies to KyuShinDo Aikido.  Kenshiro Abbe Sensei introduced Aikido to Britain in 1955 and as a direct student from 1957 I never ever heard the word KyuShinDo used in the teaching or study of Aikido.

I do believe that when people use and abuse the name of  “ Kyu-Shin-Do “ there is a deliberate attempt to imply a connection or relationship to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

It a sad fact that Abbe Sensei was unhappy that so few Judoka were able to understand the teachings and principles of KyuShinDo even though they were receiving his personal tuition.

Gyngell Sensei stated  “I also believe that one can only learn by example !! “

So how would all these KyuShinDo groups  ``really `` understand the meaning of KyuShinDo? 

If one places KyuShinDo in the Google browser there are thousands of sites using the name.

Henry Ellis

The Kenshiro Abbe  website along with its sister website `British Aikido`  www.oocities.org/britishaikido  are two websites dedicated to the true history and lineage relating to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Both websites are only too pleased to acknowledge and give credit to those that were genuine students. The MSD do not fall into that category. 
 
The MayShinDo group still continue to claim lineage to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei despite the fact that ` NO ONE ` who was associated with Abbe Sensei from his arrival in the UK in 1955 knows of the late Mr George Mayo.  Mr Collins the head of this group has promised to provide our researchers  Mr G Gyngell and Mr D Humm with proof of their claims. The MSD promised they would not only provide the proof they would also display it on their website.  Now one year on,  their bizarre claims are still unproven.

A senior member of the MSD made many claims on a  “ BullShido “ website thread “ concerning  “MayoShinDo”  in support  their bizarre claims,  using the name of ``Grey Owl ``  .  There may be some significance in choosing such a name,  we are all aware that the notorious Grey Owl was a notorious fraud.

[  Within 24 hours of Grey Owl's death in 1938, the renowned conservationist was accused of being a fraud. Canadians were stunned to learn that the native Indian, who travelled the world speaking about the wonders of the Canadian wild, was in fact a transplanted Englishman named Archie Belaney. Grey Owl had coloured his skin brown and dyed his hair black and fooled those closest to him. ]

There are on the MSD website a photo of Mr Mayo with Abbe Sensei. These photos were in the words of Robin Otani Sensei  who is the chairman of the British Judo Council  “ The photo was nothing more than an opportunistic photo taken on a visit to Abbe Sensei’s dojo “.
They also display a letter to Mr Mayo was from the then BJC secretary  Bill Reeves Sensei, and signed by Abbe Sensei, the letter was no more than a polite response to Mr Mayo and in no way implies any association what so ever.

The following claims are either on the MSD website, or on the “ Bullshido “ thread.
1)  MSD website:  Opportunistic photo of Mr Mayo and Abbe Sensei, Indicates no more than the dojo visit as described by Robin Otani Sensei.
2 )  Letter from the BJC is a simple communication and a polite response, no more than that.
3)  The following is a most bizarre statement by the late Mr Mayo  "I, G.S. Mayo, am the founder and developer of the art of Kyushindo”.
The above sentence is copied from the MSD website.  Liar and Fraud comes to mind.

4)  On the MSD website the following extract from a letter by non other than Mr Mayo himself.
 
“ I started what is now called Mayo Shin Do in the 1940's after studying many systems with many masters. It was master Kenshiro Abbe a man of great foresight, morality and understanding who gave me the seed to grow my system. A growth which has continued over the years to make Mayo Shin Do what it is today:”    by G Mayo

Mr Mayo states that he started  Mayo Shin Do in the 1940s. Kenshiro Abbe Sensei did not arrive in the UK until 1955. This statement would mislead the reader into believing that Mr Mayo had studied with Abbe Sensei, such a claim is totally false as confirmed to me by many of my fellow early students of Abbe Sensei and  Robin Otani Sensei who was the personal assistant and secretary to Abbe Sensei.

On the Bullshido thread “ Kyu Shin Do – Australian modern Kinesiologic self-defence “.

Message number 1
Mr Mayo trained with Kenshiro Abbe………Untrue.
Mr Mayo was graded by  Kenshiro Abbe………..Untrue.
“They both ( Mayo & Abbe Sensei ) shared in the knowledge and fundamentals of KyuShiDo,”  not only untrue but a load of round objects.

Message number 23
Mr Mayo treated  Kenshiro Abbe Sensei for his injuries in the late 1940s and early 50s.  More round objects.
As previously stated Abbe Sensei arrived in the UK for the first time in 1955. 

Message number 28
Mr Mayo is recognised in Japan as the founder of “”””””both  Kyu Shin Do and Mayo Shin Do “””””   Did I mention round objects again ?
Message number 72
Grey Owl smugly adds  “Incidentally, Mr Mayo began teaching in the late 1940s, this predates Kenshiro Abbe “.

Fact…..Kenshiro Abbe Sensei  1915 – 1985.  In 1933  Abbe Sensei at the age of 18 yrs became the youngest ever all Japan Judo Champion and the youngest ever 5th dan.

It is not the intention of the administrators “ KenshiroAbbe.com  “ to discredit the late Mr George Mayo. I am afraid that he and his group have done a far better of discrediting themselves than I could ever do. The  Mayo Shin Do group have made many bizarre claims, we have over the past two years corresponded with senior members of the MSD, on each occasion they have promised to substantiate their bizarre claims, they have never once come forward with any proof.  If they had, we would have been pleased to place that information on our website.

One is left with only one conclusion, the claims of a relationship/ association between Mr George Mayo and Kenshiro Abbe Sensei is at best fanciful and honestly more round objects.

Henry Ellis  admin.

By Henry Ellis

15th/May2007: Today I received a large package from Mrs Pat Woods, the daughter of my old friend William `Bill` Woods who sadly passed away last year.  I opened the package to a gold mine of material from as far back as 1952. Old newspaper cuttings / old and rare magazines. Photos of Abbe Sensie and Otani Sensie and many others. I thought of the last time I saw Woods Sensie at the great Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 50th Celebrations at Crystal Palace on May the 14th 2005.  Woods Sensie was,  I truly believe, the greatest influence on British Martial Arts. He was the LJS Judo Champion in 1952.  In 1956 he left the LJS and joined with Kenshiro Abbe Sensie and Matsutaro Otani Sensie.  Later to become the secretary of the British Judo Council  BJC. The BKC and the BAC with a combined membership of some 35,000 members worldwide.

Respect

William `Bill` Woods despite his serious illness insisted to his family that he wanted to attend the “ Kenshiro Abbe Celebrations “ to pay his own tribute to his teacher.  Woods Sensei was invited as a VIP guest.  I am sure that a man with such an illustrious past would not wish to be seen there in a wheelchair, his determination was such, that is how he finally made this event. He received a fantastic applause from the students and spectators. For me personally,  this  made the day complete. A man could not have shown more respect.

Disrespect

Mr Vincent Sumpter the chairman of the British Aikido Board acted in total contrast to William `Bill` Woods Sensei.  As the chairman of the British Aikido Board Mr Sumpter was invited as a VIP guest to represent not himself but the membership of the British Aikido Board. Mr Sumpter did at first accept the invitation, he later addressed a BAB executive meeting and declared  “  I refuse to attend this event, If you apply pressure for me to attend, I will resign !!! “  Of course this disrespect is totally in accord with the previous BAB chairman one Toni Davies who infamously stated  “ We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History, and therefore have no interest in the same “.
No one would expect them to be the custodians of UK Aikido history, they would however expect them to show an interest in the history of their own creation.

When Abbe Sensei first visited Cardiff many pupils had only one thought- Judo. We had no idea of the full extent of Sensei's knowledge or skills.

I remember on one occasion when Abbe Sensei took down two swords from a wall display-they were real live blades, he then proceeded to demonstrate the use of the long and short blade. It was very impressive, none of us had ever used a bokken let alone the real thing. After that when instructing us, he would use a "live" blade to assist as a method of teaching us posture and form.

For example by holding a live blade over the head of the student it discouraged them from stretching on tip toe out of posture, when it was pointed out to Sensei that we might well receive an injury, he responded by saying " Yes, is possible, but soon learn!" pretty much like his approach with a shinai!

For those who may wish to know I still have most of my hair!

At 18 years of age Kenshiro Abbe Sensei was the ` All Japan Judo Champion ` prior to World War 11. He told me that he was young and rather arrogant at that time, having achieved fame so young. As the young Kenshiro Abbe boarded the train on yet another journey, to yet another Judo competition, he looked around the crowded train for a seat on what was going to be a long journey. He found a seat opposite a small elderly man, as he sat down the two men acknowledged each other, Abbe sat back to relax and hopefully sleep during the long journey.

It was during this train journey that he first met O'Sensei. Abbe didn’t know the elderly man was, and he reacted to Ueshiba Sensei constantly looking at him, saying: “ What are you staring at old man ?” Ueshiba replied “ I know who you are “ to which Abbe modestly retorted “ Everyone knows me, I am Kenshiro Abbe, Champion of all Japan”. O'Sensei then introduced himself as the founder of Aikido, and he was told by Abbe that he did not look strong enough to be a Martial Arts Master.

O'Sensei continued to attempt some dialogue with the young Judoka, Abbe was now becoming irritated and told the elderly man to please go to sleep as this was his intention. O'Sensei then thrust his little finger into Abbe’s face, and said: “ But young man you look very strong indeed. Please break my finger “. Abbe at first declined, but eventually accepted the challenge, presumably to shut the old man up. Abbe Sensei told me that as he took hold of the old mans finger and tried to break it so that he could get some sleep, he suddenly found himself on the floor of the carriage, and totally immobilized. Whilst on the floor Abbe asked the Founder for permission to study under him. This is my understanding of Abbe Sensei’s story.

( Remember when you are young anyone over the age of 40 yrs is old. H.E. )

A story from the memories of Henry Ellis.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei was a passenger in a car traveling down a High Street in West London when the car came to a halt in a traffic jam. Abbe Sensei looked down the street to see what was causing the traffic hold up and the commotion just ahead of them. As he stepped from the vehicle he could see a police officer standing alongside a large red London bus,  with a large  Alsatian dog at his feet. It appeared that the bus had run over and crushed the legs and lower body of the dog. The dog was in a great deal of pain and distress with no hope of survival. The large crowd of onlookers did nothing.

Abbe Sensei walked over to the police officer  and indicated towards the dog, the police officer nodded as if he understood the Japanese gentleman. Abbe dropped onto one knee next to the dog which was howling in great pain, he placed his hand gently on the dogs head, to every ones amazement the dog relaxed and became totally quiet, Abbe then made a very slight movement of the hand and the dog was dead. The police officer looked at Abbe Sensei and exclaimed  “ I don’t know who you are sir, but that is the most compassionate thing I have ever witnessed “.  Abbe Sensei simply nodded and walked back to the car, without another word on the incident.

A story from the memories of Derek Eastman.

I will never forget the time I went to visit Abbe Sensei at the home he shared with Otani Sensei in Stuart Road, Acton, London.

I knocked on the door of his room, he called for me to enter,  and as I entered, the room had the usual variation of wild birds, there were pigeons, starlings and sparrows on the window sill, table and furniture.

This was not at all unusual, what was unusual to me was that Sensei was watching  “ Cricket “ a very old and boring British game. As a young man, I was so disappointed to see this man that in our eyes was god-like, to be watching this boring game, I politely asked “ Sensei, do you like cricket ?”   He looked at me sharply and replied  “ NO, THIS IS A VERY STUPID GAME.”   I took a step backwards and nervously asked “ Sensei, if you think it is stupid why do you watch it ?”  He replied, “ This is the WORLD series. I watch every day and still cannot understand this stupid game.  They say World Series, yet only countries that have been colonized by the British Empire play this stupid game. “

I thought that was very profound.

A story from the memories of Henry Ellis.

I had been asked to take Kenshiro  Abbe Sensei and Bill Woods Sensei to London Airport where they would fly to France to teach.

As I arrive, Bill was getting the last bags together and ready to leave, Abbe Sensei made some small talk with me, I said that I was booked to fly to Spain the next day with my girlfriend and my parents, I explained that my father had been in extreme back pain for two weeks, I also explained that we would not be able to go . Abbe asked “ Where does your father live Henry ? “ I told him that my father lived in Bracknell,  Berkshire. Abbe Sensei turned to Bill Woods and said “ Mr Woods, where is Bracknell and how long will it take to get there ? “    Bill replied “ Sensei, Bracknell is at least 20 miles the other side of the Airport. “ Abbe Sensei then asked if we could make a visit to my father and still make the flight to Paris ?  Bill was getting a little agitated and replied that we did not have time.

Abbe Sensei looked sternly at Bill as if he had made his mind up. “ Mr Woods, we must hurry and see Henry’s father. “  I drove as fast as possible from Acton, London to Bracknell, Berkshire. some 40 or 50 miles.

When we arrived at my parents home, my father was lying on a wooden door on the bed, and unable to move. He was amazed to see Abbe Sensei walk into his bedroom.

Abbe Sensei indicated that we should all leave the room and after just a few minutes, the door opened and out walked my father, a little unsteady at first. But soon he was walking the full length of the long hall way.  Abbe said “ OK, airport quickly. “  I drove like a bat out of hell for the airport where Abbe Sensei caught his flight just on time.

My father was fine and never ever had another problem with his back, and we also made our vacation to Spain.

A story from the memories of Henry Ellis.

Abbe Sensei had been teaching at the Hut Dojo one day around 1961, and after practice Sensei Williams asked me to take Abbe Sensei back to his home in Acton.

Sensei Williams knew that I was nearly as mad a driver as Mr Ellis and he gave me a long lecture on what would happen to me if anything happened to Abbe Sensei.

This was the first time I had given Abbe Sensei a lift in my BMW Isetta 3 wheeled “ bubble ” car.  This little two seater car with a full frontal opening door must have seemed really strange to Abbe Sensei and as I opened the door he looked at the Bubble car a little apprehensively. He climbed in though, without another word. But after a little while he said “ Errgh Mr Eastman, this car, how many wheels? “  I replied “ three Sensei “ he looked concerned, then said  “ WERE ARE WHEELS? “  I then replied “ Sensei, there are two at the front, and one at the back”. he seemed to relax and said  “ Ahhhh that is good balance like triangle.”

He never spoke another word all the way home.

A story from the memories of Derek Eastman.

We all have read stories of the magic and mysteries of the martial arts,  many of them are related to the application of Ki. In almost 50 years of Aikido I have seen nothing related to the concept of Ki that ever amazed me personally.
The one real life incident  that I find as incredulous today as I did over 40 years ago.

In the early sixties.  I was at the British Judo Council Championships at the Town Hall Acton, London.

Kenshiro Abbe sensei walked on stage with Tomio Otani  the UK Kendo National Coach.   They both took their positions to demonstrate a Kendo Kata, with Abbe sensei this was always a spectacular event.  I was sitting in the front row and looking forward to watching this with the same enthusiasm as I always did.

After the initial moves were taken, It was then that Abbe sensei attacked Tomio, cutting to shomen ( centre of head )  The cut was so fast and close to Tomio’s head that the whole audience gasped out loud, believing that Abbe sensei had made a tragic mistake and cut Tomio’s head.  Then it happened!  the most amazing thing that I personally have ever seen in the Martial Arts, Tomio had a typical Japanese hair style with a thick fringe,  as Abbe sensei had completed his cut , it was then that a large part of Tomio’s fringe fell to the mat .

Tomio and Abbe sensei bowed to each other and left the mat.

Derek Eastman and I were good friends with Tomio, as he went backstage, we and others were insisting he show us his forehead, he did this in his usual calm,  I swear on my children’s lives that there was not even a scratch to be seen.

We we asked Tomio if he had been afraid, he replied “ Why should I be afraid ?  I am with my master Kenshiro Abbe sensei.

A story related by Henry Ellis.

We have on this site criticised the numerous people who either claim that they or their teacher was a " Great friend " of Abbe Sensei. People who claim to have had long in-depth conversations with Sensei as a indication of the closeness of their friendship. Here is a story that we are pleased to publish from Dr Les McLean which will give the reader a true insight into Abbe Sensei command of the English language.

Les McLean's father arranged to meet Abbe Sensei at Cardiff rail station, ( being as he was in the rare possession of a motor car of his own) from the train down from London to Cardiff. 

When no Japanese gentleman in an old suit and carrying equally old brown case got off the train, following a search it appeared he was not there. Arthur returned home to telephone London to check Sensei had left. However just before he could put in the call the telephone rang, it was a very nice lady in the station buffet in Weston Super Mare, she said she had a foreign gentleman with her who had missed his stop but it had taken her half an hour to understand what he was saying. 

With that Mr Abbe's voice took over, "I in West Shupa Mare, I sleep on train, come fetch please". In the end the lady had to put him on the ferry across the Bristol Channel and he was met at the other end by a very relieved Arthur and Les.

A story from Dr Les McLean