In July 2024, I had the extraordinary opportunity to train with the Egypt branch of Iwama Shin Shin Busenkai Aikido, which is in turn the international branch of the parent Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shurenkai association. From the moment I stepped onto those thin mats in Cairo, I knew this was going to be an experience I would remember.
The Lineage: Connecting to Tradition
Before sharing my training adventures, I should explain the dojo's lineage. Soliman Sensei represents Hitohira Saito Kukujin's Association, Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shurenkai, serving as the Egypt Shinshin Busenkai Honbu (HQ). He trains under Andika Sensei, who in turn studies under Kurato Sembokuya Sensei (affectionately known by his students as Kenny Sensei).
Though I didn't get the chance to meet Andika Sensei personally, the essence of Takemusu Aikido being transmitted through this lineage was palpable in every technique I witnessed and practiced.
First Keiko: Training Through Adversity
My first training session began with an unexpected challenge: no electricity in the building. When I arrived, the students—already dressed in their gi and ready to train—were calmly preparing to practice outside in the field. Their unwavering dedication set the tone for everything that followed.
Just as we were about to begin outdoors, the power returned, and we moved into the underground dojo. The space was simple but functional, with mirrors lining the walls and wafer-thin mats testing our ukemi resolve.
The class began with young Aikidoka ranging from 5 to perhaps 16 years old, all greeting me with excitement and curiosity. Their bilingual abilities put my basic Egyptian phrases to shame, as they effortlessly switched between languages while training.
We started with ukemi to warm up, followed by Jo Suburi 1-10, then moved into taijutsu. The training progression flowed naturally: tai no henko and morote dori kokyuho leading into shihonage and various other techniques, finally closing—as tradition dictates—with suwariwaza kokyuho.
What struck me most was how these children embodied Morihiro Saito Shihan's wisdom that "Keiko should be enjoyed." Their laughter and enthusiasm never compromised their dedication to precise, technical Aikido. Despite the oppressive heat making this the sweatiest training I'd ever experienced, their spirits remained undiminished.
The class concluded with a beautiful tradition - a "Story Circle" where the children shared a fable about a mouse and a lion, then each extracted kuden (oral teachings) from the story, speaking in Japanese, one after another.
As we bowed out, I presented Soliman Sensei with a small gift from Cornwall to express my gratitude (a box of traditional Cornish fudge from my home) which they enjoyed immensely.
This first experience of Shinshin Iwama Aikido left me buzzing. As I made the journey back to my temporary home, all I could think about was how pleased I was to have had the opportunity to keiko with them and how much I was looking forward to my next opportunity, which would come a few days later.
Second Keiko: Light in the Darkness
My second keiko began with a minor misadventure... appearing at the wrong venue! After a quick Uber ride and many apologies, I arrived at an MMA gymnasium, only to discover we faced the same challenge as before: no electricity!
This time though, we were in for a more prolonged experience as the power wouldn't return. Undeterred, the students mounted phones and torches along the walls of the basement gymnasium, creating an atmosphere that was both eerie, inspiring and (quite frankly) most exciting. The heat was even more intense than before, with no air conditioning to offer relief, yet no one suggested postponing training. In fact, despite every boxer, gymnast, keep-fit enthusiast and MMA practitioner abandoned the space to find brighter venues, we bowed in to begin.
This session included both the children from before and an older group of teenagers and young adults, about 20 students altogether. The improvised dojo was long and narrow, just wide enough for paired weapons practice, with punch bags hanging along its length and mirrors to check our form.
Following the established pattern, we began with weapons training (ken this time), then moved to taijutsu, starting again with tai no henko and morote dori. We practiced various techniques including kaiten nage and tenshi nage, with interesting henka on ground controls for nikkyo.
The structure was clear and purposeful, with warm-ups, bowing, and the Story Circle led by the most senior student.
As we completed our final bow, "Owarimasu" having been called, we rose from the floor to find the lights suddenly returning! The timing was uncanny and prompted cheers and laughter from everyone, a perfect punctuation to our keiko of perseverance.
It was then that to my surprise and honor, I was presented with a gift - a weapon's bag bearing their academy's logo (which quickly has become my regular use bag). With that and a great many gratitudes offered, there came a traditional farewell I wasn't expecting: a simultaneous double nikkyo applied to both my wrists by Soliman Sensei and one of his students. I've received gentler farewells, but none more memorable!
Consider this a friendly warning: never say "Sayonara" in an Iwama dojo unless you're prepared for this playful reminder of connection between Tukemusu Aikidoka.
What I Learned: Similarities in Difference
This dojo embodies dedication; training hard four times weekly regardless of heat or darkness, it was an experience anyone could learn a thing or two from. On my return home, when asked about differences between their keiko and what I'm used to, I realized that the truth was simple... everything that seemed different was, in fact, the same.
Any apparent differences in execution reflects the individual practitioner, not the art itself. Takemusu is Takemusu, regardless of geography or conditions. I have begun to believe that the differences found are more in the methods of teaching than the resulting Aikido itself, but it will almost certainly involve a great many more years study before that comes to a conclusion, if it ever does.
Has this experience changed how I do Aikido? Absolutely it has, just as every keiko I attend changes me. To progress, we must evolve, but the essence of Aikido remains timeless even if my understanding of is not.
I look forward to returning someday to train again with these remarkable Aikidoka who demonstrate that the spirit of Takemusu transcends all challenges.
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