Michio Hikitsuchi
Encyclopedia
Michio Hikitsuchi was an aikido
instructor and was the chief instructor of the Kumano Juku Dojo, in Shingu
, Wakayama Prefecture
, Japan
, for fifty years.
He met the founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba
as a child and studied various martial arts
during his entire life. He was awarded 10th dan
by Ueshiba in 1969.
At nine years old he began kendo and later ken-jutsu, ju-jutsu, bojutsu and karate. Hikitsuchi trained extensively in jukenjutsu (bayonet) as a young man, and was very skilled in both iaido and kendo.
When he was fourteen years old, he met Ueshiba Morihei O'Sensei for the first time. At that time there was an age requirement for studying budo with O'Sensei, but they made an exception for Hikitsuchi.
Hikitsuchi recounts a midnight, lights-out training with Ueshiba, in which he cut off the tip of Osensei’s bokken. The piece flew off, and he searched throughout the dojo for it. Eventually, Ueshiba pulled it out of the folds of his kimono, praising him highly for his skill. Months later, Ueshiba gave Hikitsuchi a scroll in bojutsu that was extensively illustrated by a famous artist, it was Ueshiba's written explanations of techniques. As Meik Skoss, who has viewed the scroll, wrote, “One of the phrases on the scroll is very interesting, ‘each of these pictures is the seed for a hundred techniques; study them well.’”
This scroll was entitled, “Bojutsu Masakatsu Agatsu” — True Victory is Self-Victory.
According to Clint George, one of Hikitsuchi’s former students who trained in Shingu for 15 years, “Shingu bojutsu” consisted of these levels:
Ikkyo — a fundamental solo form
Nikyo — a solo form that explored circular movement
Sankyo — a solo form that explored three dimensional, spherical movement
Yonkyo —Jiyuwaza — free, un-choreographed movement
Michio Hikitsuchi received his 10th dan in 1969, three months before O'Sensei's death.
Hikitsuchi taught as chief instructor of Kumano Juku Dojo in Shingu, Japan until his death in 2004. The dojo was founded by O'Sensei in 1953. Hikitsuchi traveled twice to the United States, and regularly to European countries, teaching at dojos that had been started by his students. American Aikido instructors who trained extensively under Hikitsuchi Sensei and the other senior instructors at Shingu include Mary Heiny (Seattle), Linda Holiday (Aikido of Santa Cruz), Jack Wada (Aikido of San Jose), Laurin Herr (San Francisco), Tom Read (Northcoast Aikido), John Smartt (New School Aikido), Clint George [(no longer teaching]http://www.helenair.com/news/article_9b763737-3478-5db9-81ae-6b46f7853cc4.html), and Daniel Caslin (Aikido of Owensboro)
Hikitsuchi was described by other teachers in Shingu as 'an Aiki computer' because of his ability to recite virtually verbatim the speeches O'Sensei had given. He also had extensive knowledge of Shinto Norito (chanting) and the spiritual teachings of the Kojiki--areas of personal emphasis by his teacher, the founder of Aikido. Hikitsuchi Sensei's reverence for O'Sensei, and O'Sensei's message, was total.
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
instructor and was the chief instructor of the Kumano Juku Dojo, in Shingu
Shingu, Wakayama
is a city located in Wakayama, Japan.As of May 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 32,288, with a household number of 16,003, and the density of 126.41 persons per km². The total area is 255.43 km²....
, Wakayama Prefecture
Wakayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Wakayama.- History :Present-day Wakayama is mostly the western part of the province of Kii.- 1953 Wakayama Prefecture flood disaster :...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, for fifty years.
He met the founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
as a child and studied various martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
during his entire life. He was awarded 10th dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
by Ueshiba in 1969.
At nine years old he began kendo and later ken-jutsu, ju-jutsu, bojutsu and karate. Hikitsuchi trained extensively in jukenjutsu (bayonet) as a young man, and was very skilled in both iaido and kendo.
When he was fourteen years old, he met Ueshiba Morihei O'Sensei for the first time. At that time there was an age requirement for studying budo with O'Sensei, but they made an exception for Hikitsuchi.
Hikitsuchi recounts a midnight, lights-out training with Ueshiba, in which he cut off the tip of Osensei’s bokken. The piece flew off, and he searched throughout the dojo for it. Eventually, Ueshiba pulled it out of the folds of his kimono, praising him highly for his skill. Months later, Ueshiba gave Hikitsuchi a scroll in bojutsu that was extensively illustrated by a famous artist, it was Ueshiba's written explanations of techniques. As Meik Skoss, who has viewed the scroll, wrote, “One of the phrases on the scroll is very interesting, ‘each of these pictures is the seed for a hundred techniques; study them well.’”
This scroll was entitled, “Bojutsu Masakatsu Agatsu” — True Victory is Self-Victory.
According to Clint George, one of Hikitsuchi’s former students who trained in Shingu for 15 years, “Shingu bojutsu” consisted of these levels:
Ikkyo — a fundamental solo form
Nikyo — a solo form that explored circular movement
Sankyo — a solo form that explored three dimensional, spherical movement
Yonkyo —Jiyuwaza — free, un-choreographed movement
Michio Hikitsuchi received his 10th dan in 1969, three months before O'Sensei's death.
Hikitsuchi taught as chief instructor of Kumano Juku Dojo in Shingu, Japan until his death in 2004. The dojo was founded by O'Sensei in 1953. Hikitsuchi traveled twice to the United States, and regularly to European countries, teaching at dojos that had been started by his students. American Aikido instructors who trained extensively under Hikitsuchi Sensei and the other senior instructors at Shingu include Mary Heiny (Seattle), Linda Holiday (Aikido of Santa Cruz), Jack Wada (Aikido of San Jose), Laurin Herr (San Francisco), Tom Read (Northcoast Aikido), John Smartt (New School Aikido), Clint George [(no longer teaching]http://www.helenair.com/news/article_9b763737-3478-5db9-81ae-6b46f7853cc4.html), and Daniel Caslin (Aikido of Owensboro)
Hikitsuchi was described by other teachers in Shingu as 'an Aiki computer' because of his ability to recite virtually verbatim the speeches O'Sensei had given. He also had extensive knowledge of Shinto Norito (chanting) and the spiritual teachings of the Kojiki--areas of personal emphasis by his teacher, the founder of Aikido. Hikitsuchi Sensei's reverence for O'Sensei, and O'Sensei's message, was total.