Part 3 – O Sensei’s Power and Influence
Q: In your opinion, what made Yamaguchi Sensei’s Aikido special?
A:
Yamaguchi Sensei’s Aikido is difficult. Some people understood him, some did not. But the principles and fundamentals of Aikido techniques are the same. He often said, “I wanted to do like O Sensei so much. His power touched and entered my whole body. I remember that feeling, and I try to recreate it.”
Sometimes, when I looked at pictures and videos of O Sensei and Yamaguchi Sensei performing techniques, their ideas looked almost the same—but still, somehow different. Yamaguchi Sensei had a very special way of moving—his body was sharp, his motion had high quality. O Sensei, on the other hand, had something spiritual—maybe the ultimate power—perhaps because he studied the Omoto religion.
There’s a story I heard: before World War II, O Sensei gave a demonstration at a university club in Manchuria, in northern China. Someone in the audience said, “That looks fake.” So O Sensei invited anyone to come up. A very large man named Ten Ryu, who had a background in professional sumo wrestling, accepted the challenge. He attacked O Sensei, but was immediately thrown to the floor—just from a single touch.
After that, he begged to become Uchi Deshi. He said he felt something strange, something powerful. After the war, I met that man a few times at Hombu Dojo, where he told the story to everyone himself.
Q: Do you believe O Sensei’s power was supernatural?
A:
I don’t know. I practiced with Yamaguchi Sensei, step by step, and I can understand his body movements. His way of using the body made sense to me. But O Sensei’s power… that is something else. It’s beyond my comprehension.
I still wonder—what kind of power do human beings truly have? What is that energy we sometimes witness but can’t explain? That has always been my question.
Even though I’ve practiced Aikido for many years, I don’t have that kind of power. I saw it, but I never truly felt it—not even once. It’s still a mystery to me.
Q: Do you think one day you will attain that power?
A:
I don’t think I can ever reach that kind of power… but I still want to be like O Sensei. I must keep trying—until the end of my life. That power… it’s something beyond what humans can fully understand. O Sensei was like a god—but not a god. He had something extraordinary.
In the past, I couldn’t apply techniques to strong people. But now, step by step, I can enjoy practicing with them. It’s not about overpowering—just moving naturally, with connection.
So maybe… if we keep practicing and keep searching, one day we might get closer. I hope. Everybody hopes. I have a dream! (He smiles)
Q: Did you ever have a chance to touch or train directly with O Sensei?
A:
Not really. I only watched him.
One time, O Sensei came to observe our practice at Hombu Dojo. He looked at me and said, “Young… fighting… But it’s OK. You are young. Please get more practice!” That’s all he said—but those words stayed with me. Even just that brief moment left a deep impression on me.
Q: How did Yamaguchi Sensei compare to other Uchideshi of O Sensei?
A:
Yamaguchi Sensei was a great teacher. But other teachers were also very good—each had their own way and approach.