Dan Rubin pick: “Mitose and the Aikido Connection” by Professor Feliciano (Kimo) Ferreira

“There were claims made that Mitose Sensei (James Masayoshi Mitose) was a tenth dan in Aikido, and was promoted by O-sensei Ueshiba. Many myths surround James Mitose, let’s put one to rest. Mr. Koichi Tohei, president of the Ki No Kenkyukai, offered these points to clear up the mystery. First of all, it was Mitose who approached O-sensei Ueshiba, and according to Mitose’s own words, he was an authority on karate. When he met O-sensei Ueshiba, Mitose stated that he felt that Ueshiba was the last martial arts teacher who had taught the way of harmony for world peace. Mitose told him that he wanted to spread the art of Aikido all over the world. Mitose had a plan to build the American Aikido headquarters, and to raise funds for it he would ask for contributions from every Christian in the United States. He told O-sensei that he felt American Christians would be glad to help the plan for world peace through the teachings of Aikido.”

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May 11^th, 2006 (add comment)