Chiba Sensei RIP - In His Own Words, Message to Teachers and Students

On behalf of Birankai International, with deep sorrow, Birankai North America announces the death on June 5th, 2015 of our Founder and teacher T. K. Chiba, Shihan. Martial artists here and around the world salute his life as they mourn his passing. During more than 50 years of training and teaching, Sensei inspired, forged and changed the lives of generations of students. United in gratitude for the great gift he gave us, we offer our condolences to his family.
A celebration of Sensei's life will be held at Birankai North America 2015 Summer Camp. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a gift for the family.
sdaikikai.com/gifts-for-chiba-...

[@gezortenplotz]

My favorite memory about Chiba Shihan is when, at a seminar in upstate New York, we were sitting in early morning zazen. Sensei was sitting upfront, looking very stern and concentrated, when he lets this massive fart that echoed across the gym. The stern face cracked and a slight grin happened, but he didn’t break meditation. What can I say? Farts are funny.

[@user-fw6qv8qf9k]

when i got missed and wanted to quit from Aikido, chiba sensei's video and embukai showed me the possibility of aikido. He devoted his whole life in polishing his Budo and disseminating to the world. Make the people desiring budo spirit can find the root and path forward.

[@glynbratcher5338]

I had tge great pleasure of training wth Sensei Chiba many times during the 1950/70 when he was in the UK but the Bangor Summer School was the best Rest in Peace Sensei.🙏

[@fabiocalos3139]

Domo arigato, Sensei.

[@gionatadicicco7470]

one of the best aikidoka of ever. He was special. My teacher was Tamura sensei, he was also a fantastic teacher. they miss to every martial art lover.

[@user-fl6im1lc7c]

最も尊敬する合気道家。教えは受けたことありませんけど千葉先生ありがとうございます。

[@aikipath]

Transcription: Sensei, do you have your philosopher's hat on? OK, I am ready. This tape is for posterity. What is the most essential, important message, perhaps, that you have for not only your past students, your present students, but your future students. What is the most important thing that you would want any of us to carry with them about your Aikido and your teachings? Well, you know I've been thinking about it for quite a while... What it means to enter retirement. And I'm biting, chewing, and trying to digest it. But I don't know what it means to be... Still I am lost on that notion of retirement. I think, in time, it will become a natural process... So I am not worried about it. But I'm kind of, a little lost. My message to future Aikidoists or present practitioners... Is to keep up your Shoshin. Shoshin is Beginner's Mind. Shoshin is, if I may say, unstained mind. Preconceptual mind. Whenever you come on the mat, not necessarily on the mat, but because the mat is where our center of training, is expressed. I say on the mat. You must clarify your own motivation, right from the bottom. Clear up, Purify. Sit there and wait for instruction with unstained mind. That has to be continuously carried out throughout your Aikido life. Whatever rank you may attain, does not really make a difference. Always go down to the bottom with heart, and check your Shoshin all the time. That's a word I like. Shoshin. Sensei, could you talk a little about the process... We've talked about it before the levels of awareness and the present, so that people can have an idea about the path of Beginner's Mind. As you have said to me, to clarify the workings of the pillars. Could you talk a little more about that? About attaining Shoshin or reclaiming it? Well, everything has to be oriented from Shoshin, upwards. And what holds underneath, is a strong foundation of Shoshin. It's a kind of love affair. Committing yourself to such a way of discipline throughout your life. Is indeed a love affair. It can turn to hate, anger, frustration, like a relationship with a human being. Like a woman and a man. But there is a strong notion of affection. That's what I want you guys to keep up. Aikido, in essence, is very fragile. It can be forgotten, it can be destroyed,it can be diluted by ignorance and self-indulgence. I especially have a message for teachers. We teachers have to take precautions, measurements, to preserve our art very carefully. Aikido itself, as an art, doesn't have any means to protect itself. It has to be provided. That is what I mean by being affectionate. That's what I mean by love affair. To take care of this very fragile, sensitive art which requires protection. That's what I think. I remember when you talk about your love affair with Aikido, you speak of her as a Princess. That's a good way to put it. The story of the Princess. And that is really something that has really impressed... Especially the older teachers, who know that story well. Like Mike Flynn. He understood when we were talking about that. Can you describe your relationship? Is that too personal? No. no... That's my full heart, my core heart toward Aikido. That's what kept me up as an Aikidoist. You know, when I was young, eighteen... I had fallen in love with a Princess. And that's how my love affair started. She's out of my reach. I have no way to reach her, to express my feelings. Or get closer. Or even to keep her. Grab her... To be mine, to my satisfaction. No way. She's far away, behind silk cotton. She's the Princess of my road. So I decided to be... I determined within myself... Well, she's unreachable to me. But my love is pure, and forever. So I decided that I'll be captain of her Royal Guard. I'll protect her. That's what happened to me the past 50 years. I have been living up with my own affair and carried out my mission to be captain of the Royal Guard of my Princess. And, one time, a long time ago actually I taught one Summer Camp held in Great Britain over the drink, over the wine, I told this story to my senior students and gradually the story started spreading out... It was very dynamic... Being captain of the Royal Guard... I have to be very obedient to the holder and the system, the structure and so forth. But I was not. I was a bad captain... I revolted against authority many times.... Back and forth. But she has never left my heart. She's still there. That's about it. That's what I meant by, Aikido does not have its own means to protect. It's fragile, noble. Sensitive. Precious. You have to provide protection. And I am the captain for that company. You've trained many soldiers. Many, many through the whole world. Yes, I know. And the most privileged I feel about my career being a professional Aikidoist is that I met so many quality people. Of course, that has something to do with Aikido's power. I have done judo, I've done karate, I've done kyudo. I have done Iaido and so forth But I have never met as many quality people as I've met in the Aikido community. And I'm very proud of it. And that quality, actually, itself is A large part of protection, you know. So my intention is always how to keep up the quality providing natural protection to this fragile, sensitive, noble art of Aikido. Thank you.

[@kodyrowen1131]

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[@camdenwyatt69]

@Kody Rowen instablaster :)

[@kodyrowen1131]

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[@kodyrowen1131]

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[@camdenwyatt69]

@Kody Rowen glad I could help =)

[@joelbloggs5885]

Always remember the millenium aikido course we had in the UK. Chiba said "really good to see old friends and new and if you have any questions I'll be in the bar after class" Great master thanks for the lessons.

[@wasfu2194]

humility of this man is terrific. he has the spirit of the samurai. i miss him so.

[@TheThemattyo1]

I must ad that today my spleen still hurts at the sight of this man. thank you sensei Chiba for your spiritual teachings and ass kickings.

[@sugondesenuts69]

Thank you for uploading this video and keeping it public.

[@DiamondNet2009]

Beautiful interview with Sensei. Thank you❤

[@ChristophePeytier]

My fondest memory of Sensei is a summer camp ( I don't recall which one, I did over twenty with him) where the class was split in two. As often, he was taking the beginners class, Mike Flynn Shihan was doing the Dan grades. I was nevertheless watching Chiba sensei discretely, to try to steel some of what he was showing.... And I saw him spending the whole hour showing Ukemi.... I thought "one of the most famous master of Aikido is spending a whole hour just showing ukemi to beginners....". That is Shoshin. The meaning of "sho" is not just "first", it means "main". In Japan, the word "fundamental" truly means something important, while we westerners tend to associate it more with "basic" (word itself carying almost a pejorative meaning).

[@FruityRonster]

Chris Peytier great story

[@jurban7998]

I studied under Chiba sensei as a child. We started each day doing ukemi laps around the dojo. I don't know how many laps, it gets dizzying.

[@GermanSausagesAreTheWurst]

In my opinion, Ukemi, Atemi, and Kuzushi are the most important things in Aikido. The individual techniques are just container to hold them.

[@Marcoshary]

His Aikido was very vigorous.

[@billyee4161]

Yep, "vigorous" is an accurate description...

[@PacalB]

A great man and a great teacher, he is truly missed.

[@henryellis1358]

Always good to see Chiba Sensei, RIP. If you were a student of Chiba Sensei ? you may be interested in the new book on Amazon, the life of K Chiba `` The Life - Giving Sword `` by Liese Klein, an amazing book authorized by the Chiba Family.

[@PaulOrientedotcom]

Thank you for sharing. I was really blessed to have been able to spend even a short time training in his dojo. I wish i could have stayed longer.

[@gitudech]

Thank you for recording this. Sensei, youll be missed.

[@1929able]

Beautiful.thank you for sharing this.

[@irimi9]

very beatiful your words; maybe some day i can be better, see you ...............

[@MatthewMiddletonTV]

Beautiful sentiments

[@AikidoFujisan]

Thank you Sensei! Best Regards from Panama.

[@nicolasartheau822]

thank you sensei.

[@ca177]

It is very nice to see sensei's jolly smile and the underlying vigorous spirit inside of him.. You will be missed sensei, thank you for teaching us how to practice with vigor and joy.. I still remember your growl at your last seminar in Montreal "shodans don't forget the white belts"... You were forever in service of aikido and we are all greatful.. I look forward to my next practice with your Birankai members.

[@christinaheesakacowden-wut3809]

So wonderful

[@TheThemattyo1]

one day after class, Chiba sensei asked me ,, where are you going ? home I replied'' he said no''....we are going to get started. for the next hour he just completely thrashed me. And the funny thing is , I was a white belt.

[@tttt9449]

Did you use to trained in San Diego?

[@jurban7998]

White belt? Are you sure you trained at San Diego aiki kai?

[@lightseba]

Easier said than done..! Talk about Love then go around smashing others!!! 😅

[@AikishurendojoMaroc]

The important message is go to iwama to train real aikido of the founder under saito sensei

[@darkangelargentina111]

No comprendo nada ! :(

[@Nicolas-ug7cv]

Angel 2015 ya somos dos

[@acquiesce100]

What did Chiba think of Steven Seagal. Was he ever asked the question?

[@lightseba]

🤣🤣🤣🤣😭

[@acquiesce100]

@@lightseba I don't know what you find so funny?

[@TheThemattyo1]

I must ad that today my spleen still hurts at the sight of this man. thank you sensei Chiba for your spiritual teachings and ass kickings.

[@lightseba]

🤣😭💔