Kazuo Chiba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids T.K. Chiba |
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T.K. Chiba
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| Born | February 5, 1940 Tochigi Prefecture, Japan |
| Died | June 5, 2015 (aged 75) San Diego, California |
| Native name | 千葉 和雄 Chiba Kazuo |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Style | Aikido, Judo, Karate |
| Teacher(s) | Morihei Ueshiba, Kisshomaru Ueshiba |
| Notable students | Notable Aikikai Shihans: Chris Mooney |
Kazuo Chiba (千葉和雄), also known as T.K. Chiba, was a famous Japanese aikido teacher. He was born on February 5, 1940, and passed away on June 5, 2015. Chiba Sensei founded Birankai International, a worldwide Aikido organization. He trained for seven years at the main Aikido school in Tokyo, called the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. After this, he traveled to help spread Aikido around the world. He held an 8th dan rank in Aikido, which is a very high level. He dedicated over 50 years of his life to Aikido.
Contents
Biography
Becoming an Aikido Master
Kazuo Chiba was born near Tokyo, Japan. When he was 14, he started serious Judo training. At 16, he began studying Shotokan karate. In 1958, he saw a photo of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. This inspired him to focus only on Aikido.
He wanted to become an uchideshi, a live-in student, at the main Aikido school in Tokyo. Even though they weren't accepting live-in students then, Chiba Sensei was very persistent. He was finally accepted at the Hombu dojo.
Most of his daily training was led by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the founder's son. The founder, O'Sensei, often traveled to give lectures. For much of his seven years as an uchideshi, Chiba Sensei traveled with O'Sensei as his personal assistant. They helped spread Aikido together.
By 1960, Chiba Sensei reached the rank of 3rd dan. He was sent to Nagoya to open one of the first branch schools of the Aikikai headquarters. He worked there as a full-time instructor. In 1962, he also started teaching at the Hombu Dojo. Within three years, he finished his uchideshi training and earned his 5th Dan rank.
Teaching Aikido in the United Kingdom
In 1964, during the Olympic Games in Tokyo, a famous Judo master named Kenshiro Abbe visited the Hombu Dojo. He asked for an Aikido instructor to be sent to England. The goal was to help develop Aikido there. Chiba Sensei was chosen to be the first official representative of the Aikikai Foundation in the UK. He arrived in England in May 1966.
In 1970, he was promoted to 6th Dan and given the title Shihan, which means Master Instructor. Chiba Sensei spent ten years in the UK. During this time, he helped promote Aikido across Europe. He visited countries like Belgium, France, Greece, and Spain. In 1975, he returned to Japan to work as Secretary of the International Department at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo.
Challenges in England
When Chiba Sensei first arrived in the UK, he faced many challenges. He spoke little English, and the culture was very different from Japan. He also encountered some difficulties because of the post-war feelings towards Japanese people.
He tried to teach Aikido to the Northumberland Police Headquarters in Newcastle. During a demonstration, an accident happened, and the police decided not to hire him.
Chiba Sensei also discovered that there were political issues between different Judo organizations in the UK. This made it hard for him to start teaching Aikido right away. He felt isolated by these problems and the cultural differences.
Eventually, Chiba Sensei found a place to teach in Sunderland. He started teaching classes at a local secondary school and later at the Sunderland Martial Arts Academy. He was finally able to teach Aikido six days a week.
Moving to London
In December 1967, Chiba Sensei moved to London. This move gave him more freedom from the political issues he faced in the North. He started teaching at the Busen Dojo in King's Cross. This was an old Judo dojo where Kenshiro Abbe had started.
His dojo moved several times, eventually settling in a large Church hall in Earl's Court in 1972. It stayed there until he left for Japan in 1976. During this time, Chiba Sensei started a special training program. It included Aikido, weapons training, iaido (Japanese sword art), and Zazen (meditation).
Chiba Sensei also formed the Aikikai of Great Britain (AGB). This organization grew and spread to many major cities in the UK. He also worked to develop Aikido across Europe through the European Aikido Cultural Association (ACEA). He traveled almost every weekend to teach in the UK or Europe.
In 1975, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the second head of Aikido, toured Europe. During this tour, the International Aikido Federation (IAF) was formed. Chiba Sensei was chosen to be the first secretary of International Affairs for the Hombu Dojo in Japan.
Returning to Japan
After returning to Japan, Chiba Sensei continued his duties within the Aikikai. He also began serious study of Musō Shinden-ryū iaido, a traditional Japanese sword art. He spent time at the Ichikukai Dojo, where he practiced Zen meditation and Misogi (a purification practice). Here, he received his Zen-Buddhist name, Taiwa.
Teaching in the United States
In 1981, Chiba Sensei moved to San Diego, California. He was invited by the United States Aikido Federation. He founded the San Diego Aikikai. This dojo became the main center for the Western Region of the United States Aikido Federation. This organization was directly connected to the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo.
For 27 years, Chiba Sensei worked hard to promote Aikido worldwide. He taught many seminars and created a strong training program for his students. In 2008, after 50 years in Aikido, Chiba Sensei retired from active teaching.
Chiba Sensei's Aikido Style
Chiba Sensei was very dedicated to his teacher, O'Sensei. He believed strongly in Aikido as a practical martial art. He wanted to keep a strong martial side to Aikido. This made his style different from the main Aikikai, which was moving towards a more general system.
Because of this, the Aikido practiced by Chiba Sensei and his students is known as a dynamic or martial version. Chiba Sensei always respected the Aikikai Foundation. He did not create his own separate school of Aikido. Instead, he developed a unique style within the larger Aikikai community. Unlike the Aikido taught at the Hombu Dojo, Chiba Sensei's style included weapons training (with wooden sword and staff), Zazen (meditation), and Iaido (sword drawing).
Weapons Training
Chiba Sensei learned the aiki-jo and aiki-ken systems of Iwama-Ryu Aikido from O'Sensei and Saito Sensei. For many years, he taught these forms. Later, he changed them to include elements from his study of Iaido and classic Japanese swordsmanship.
Zen Meditation
O'Sensei, the founder of Aikido, taught Aikido as part of his deep spiritual beliefs. These beliefs combined Shinto and Zen. Chiba Sensei learned about Misogi and Zazen during his time as an uchideshi.
Chiba Sensei believed that three things were important for studying Budo (martial arts): religious faith, farming, and martial discipline. He found it difficult to fully connect with the spiritual side of O'Sensei's teachings. To help with this, he started serious Zen practice. He became a devoted Zen Buddhist in the Rinzai school. He felt this was a very positive change in his Aikido journey.
Zen is a practice that helps you understand yourself better through simple sitting meditation. Chiba Sensei saw Aikido as a martial art where you learn about yourself in relation to others. He believed Zen could be a foundation for martial discipline. He often called Aikido "moving Zen." He wanted to bring Zen into dojo training. This would help students face their true selves in challenging situations.
When he returned to Japan, Chiba Sensei deeply studied Iaido and Zazen. He received his Zen-Buddhist name, Taiwa. In the United States, Chiba Sensei strongly encouraged his students to practice Zazen. He made it a regular part of his dojo's schedule.
Iai-Batto-Ho
Chiba Sensei received permission to adapt forms from Muso Shiden Ryu Iaido. He taught these forms to his Aikido students as the Iai-Batto-Ho system.
Birankai International
In January 2000, Chiba Sensei founded Birankai International. He wanted to connect all his students around the world. This organization helps strengthen the ties between Chiba Sensei's students globally. It is recognized by the Aikido world headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
Birankai International includes organizations in many countries. These include the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Greece, Poland, Canada, the United States, and Chile. Some of his notable students who teach Aikido full-time include Robert Savoca, George Lyons, Jenny Flowers, and Piotr Masztalerz.
Shihankai
The Birankai organizations in different countries are officially recognized by Aikido World Headquarters. To keep the traditions and art alive, Chiba Sensei created a shihankai. This is a group of his senior students, all certified by Hombu Dojo. They provide technical guidance to the national organizations.
In Europe, the Shihankai officially met in 2006. Its role is to:
- Protect Chiba Sensei's teachings in Europe.
- Help maintain and improve the quality of Aikido teachers in Europe.
- Plan for the future of Aikido after Chiba Sensei's retirement.
- Work with Aikikai Hombu Dojo and other Aikido groups worldwide.
Because Chiba Sensei was in the US, each country's Birankai organization has its own Shihankai. These Shihans oversee the technical development of Aikido in their countries. Some of these teachers in Europe include:
- Patrick Barthélémy - France
- Daniel Brunner - Switzerland, Poland
- Dee Chen - Britain
- Noberto Chiesa - France
- Mike Flynn - Britain, Greece, Portugal
- Chris Mooney - Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Israel, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan
- Gabriel Valibouze - France
