This article was originally published in the first issue of the magazine “Sanshinkai Letters”. The magazine “Sanshinkai Letters” was published by Eric Graf Sensei. All issues of “Sanshinkai Letters” can be found on Graf Sensei’s website: https://graf-dojos.ch/ in the “Downloads” section. We are publishing this article here with the kind permission of Eric Graf Sensei.
Two major feelings drove me to start up this newletter: the first one is this motivation to study, train and develop Aïkido, which both Senseï Michele Quaranta and Senseï Masatomi Ikeda aroused in me; the second one is that it represents a great way to thank the latter and to help them in their task which consist in promoting Aïkido, in developing; in moving forward on the Way.
I chose the name « San Shin Kai Letter » to remind everyone that it is Senseï Ikeda who brought us the first bricks of the Aïkido, Hojo and Genki Kaï we practise¹. His dojo in Zurich was called « Aïkido Ikeda-Dojo Zürich, San Shin Kaï », which means that these three arts were trained and taught in the Dojo.
The reactions I got from all the different countries when I ventured the idea of this newsletter confirmed me that the feeling I have had deep down in myself since Senseï Ikeda has been absent is shared by many. He sowed in us a kind of virus for training and a great admiration for this man who devoted his whole life, all of his energies and even his health for Aïkido. By hearsay, one has the feeling that Ikeda Senseï is becoming a legend, a more and more exceptional man, but for sure… we miss you Senseï.
Ikeda Senseï, a man… with some weaknesses as well, for example, he may have tried too hard to satisfy everyone. But beyond all the techniques and the knowledge he passed on, he also brought something tremendous on a human level: he taught an Aïkido in which one protects the Uke. The latter is not a victim!
By his behaviour, he showed that one must be patient with people, give them time to grow, take what is good in them and leave the rest, as much as possible. As for me, I always had the feeling of learning about life just by being with him, as if I was radiated by knowledge, as if he sowed in me some seeds which are still germinating today, as if his presence opened my receivers.
Therefore, today still, when I teach and train Aïkido, I suddenly understand something and see again Senseï showing it to me, I perceive a detail that I always saw and felt but never noticed!
To sum up, I am happy to be writing, in full view of everyone, that you stand among the best models in my life, dear and regretted Senseï.
There are other people to whom we owe a lot, who work restlessly to spread and develop our Aïkido. With his seminars everywhere around Europe, the first of them is without any doubt Michele Quaranta Senseï. To you also, Michele, I want to give great thanks in these first pages of San Shin Kai Letter’s first issue.
February 2004, EGR.
¹ I combine the three arts (aïkido, hojo et genki kaï) under the name, Aïkido with a capital ‘A’.
San Shin Kai Letter N°1, 02/2004 — Eric Graf (EGR)