Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan in the U.K.

I would just like to say what an absolutely amazing seminar this was, sensei was all I was expecting and so much more, on and off the Tatami.

It started for myself, Steve Wroe and Darren Marsh with a bit of a drive up the country from Crewkerne to Coventry in Steve, of Esteem Wood Design's business van, we needed the van as John Burn, of Chishin Dojo, had some mats for us, so it made sense to pick them up whilst up for sensei's visit.  We arrived at Toni Egan's, (who was very kindly letting us stay with her and her lovely family) after a slow drive due to torrential rain, with 15 minutes to spare before having to leave for the seminar venue, The Grace Academy, ready for 15.00hrs when we could begin to lay out the Tatami of 500 mats and the Kamiza.  The first class, a closed private class with sensei, was due to start at 15.30, giving us 30 mins for this large task.  During the forearm busting effort of laying out the Tatami, I was surprised and impressed to see Ikeda sensei sat at the back of the seminar hall, open and willing to talk to anyone who felt like saying hello, as opposed to being hidden away in a small room somewhere till everyone was sat on the Tatami.  It gave me an uplifting feeling and confirmation that my impressions of sensei, as a character and individual, after many years of desire to train under him, had not been wrong and that this was to be a very different and special seminar indeed.  We presented John Burn with the Katana Kake made by Steve Wroe and myself for all his efforts in making our training with Ikeda sensei possible and prepared to take the first class from sensei, something I personally have been wanting to do for many years now.

The closed class started after a welcome and introduction from John Burn and sensei went straight into the Kihon waza of balance breaking through Jin, Internal Strength, with some exercises from Katatedori.  The time flew past and before we knew it the closed class was over and we were in a short break waiting for the first official class to start.

At 18.30 and with more people on the Tatami on a Friday evening than I have ever seen at any other seminar, the first official class started, with a quick recap of what had been covered in the closed class.  Very quickly we were progressing through more and more exercises of balance breaking, the atmosphere and average look on peoples faces was was one of enjoyment, enthusiasm and of complete bewilderment, with sensei demonstrating some amazing things, whilst to an on looker the whole thing may have appeared to be fake or staged, but haveing had the opportunity to get hold of sensei a number of times myself I can tell you it was VERY real indeed.  All to soon Fridays training had come to an end with sensei telling us Saturday's class would be 4.5 hours straight through with no lunch break, starting at 11.00.

John Burn informed us that, five members of Chishin Dojo (including John) and the three of us from Shinsei Dojo, were taking sensei out for a quiet meal that evening.  Very quickly a venue was found and John told us all to meet him there in 30 mins, with a 10 minute drive from The Grace Academy to Toni's then a 10 minute drive to the pub, it left us 10 minutes to get clean and changed so as not to keep sensei waiting.  We had a great evening and after a one or two beers and some good conversaion with Chishin Dojo and sensei,  we finally left the pub with Toni and Lee Egan of Chishin Dojo at 00.45.  A quick stop at ASDA got Steve and Darren some beer and some vodka for me, then back to Toni and Lee's where we sat drinking and chatting till 04.00.

Saturday began, with another impressive turnout, as scheduled with a quick recap of Fridays classes for the benefit of people who had been unable to attend the Friday class and to refresh the rest of us, before progressing on further with more balance breaking.  I was amazed at how very funny sensei was, his sense of humour was incredible and non stop, I have to say, I don't think I have attended a seminar with such a light and happy atmosphere.  Sensei's teaching was clear and concise and full of humour.  Again, despite having only taken two 10 minute water breaks in the whole day, the time flew by and Saturdays training drew to an end with sensei telling us a  relevent metaphorical, but factual story about conflict resolution and informing us that Sundays session would run in similar format, starting at 10.30 4.5 hours and no lunch break.  I was concerned I may not be able to cope with it due to a combination of the very tiring effect of Jin in concentration, the late night on Friday and my Diabetes but set out to give it my all.

Saturday night was a little less rushed as we had a couple of hours before we had to be at the venue for the main seminar 'open' meal.  The menu was tremendous and the company great and the conversation good with around 35 people attending.  An earlier night was had and although I had every intention of polishing off the last 1/3rd of the bottle of vodka I had when we got home, the reality of it saw all of us getting our heads down within an hour or so of getting back to Toni and Lee's.

I woke at 07.00 Sunday morning and got everything packed up and into the van as Sunday marked the last day of our adventure with Ikeda sensei and our sister dojo, Chishin Dojo.  A couple of hours, numerous cups of ever flowing tea and a couple of crumpets, all provided by our good friends Toni and Lee Egan and we were at the venue for the last class of the seminar, we were feeling refreshed and ready to tackle what sensei had to throw at us.  As with previous classes the day started with a recap of the previous classes then moving onto more amazing, belief defying feats of internal strength and knowledge by sensei.  The day flew past like lightening with me only off the mat for one quick 10 minute waterbreak.  Sensei was again on form all day having everyone laughing and in high spirits and an air of sadness descended on me as the day drew to an end.  Sensei closed the seminar with a touching speech, inviting any who may travel to the United States to contact him and the could stay at the dojo or a house if he could arrange it.

Sensei was presented with a gift by John Burn of an antique Tsuba (Katana Sword Guard), with inset Sakura, Cherry Blossom.  Sensei was genuinely touched by the gift and thought it perfect.

As we had along drive ahead of us we wouldn't be attending the meal that night, and after we helped Chishin Dojo move the 500 mats to the storage location, we said goodbye to our very gracious hosts and headed to John's to pick up the mats, a final effort in loading the van with the 2 x 1mtr mats and all that remained was to say goodbye and thank you to John, again, for all his efforts in hosting what was, by far, the very best seminar I have had the pleasure of attending.

We set out on our drive home in silence, minds racing with all we had been taught, myself, excited at getting stuck into sensei's teachings with my students, all of us very tired, but mostly very happy and fulfilled by an absolutely inspiring weekend.  I am already couting down to next year as sensei has said he is definately coming back.

Sensei also gave us, Shinsei Dojo, this weekend, our motto in the form of a calligraphy written by him, it reads

 稽古一生　Keiko　Issyou,　Practice Life (Forever)

War 'Tenshi' Lewis