British Aikido Federation

The British Aikido Federation

KEN COTTIER

Aikido people throughout the world will be greatly saddened to hear that Ken Cottier passed away on 8 June after a prolonged illness. His Aikido career began in 1962 when he had instruction from Kenshiro Abbe; and a few years later he went to Japan, where he trained at the Hombu Dojo under the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba.

In 1971 he founded the Hong Kong Aikido Association, of which he was President. In 2002 he was promoted to the rank of Shihan by the Aikikai. For many years he was a prominent personality in the International Aikido Federation, appointed first as a member of its Senior Council and later of its Directing Committee. After returning permanently to Britain in 1999 he became a Senior Member of the B.A.F. National Committee and taught at many B.A.F. Summer Schools and Spring Courses, as well as being invited to take courses throughout the UK. He was an extremely popular and respected Aikido teacher, and tributes have been flowing in from all over the world (access the AikiWeb Aikido Forums on the Internet).

News:

15 June 2008: Added a date for a course in Cardiff in early July with Matthew Holland. Also added details of a cultural visit to Japan in October.
31 May 2008: Because of a problem with the booking of the Burnt Oak Leisure Centre the Instructors' Course originally scheduled for the weekend of 14/15 June will take place on Sunday, 15 June, from 12 noon to 5 pm.
18 March 2008: Information on the Spring Course taking place once again in Chepstow this year on 26/27 April.

The first organisation with accreditation from the World Aikido Headquarters in Japan to teach Aikido in Britain was the Aikikai of Great Britain. It was founded in 1968 under the auspices of the Aikikai Foundation, and in 1977 was renamed the British Aikido Federation, with Minoru Kanetsuka (Shihan, 7th Dan, Aikikai Foundation) as its Technical Director.

The B.A.F. has "Full Recognition" status from the Aikido World Headquarters, Tokyo and is a founder member of both the International Aikido Federation and the British Aikido Board.

With its student wing (the British Universities Aikido Federation), the B.A.F. is composed of affiliated clubs from all over England and Wales. In the rest of the U.K. and Ireland, the other members of the International Aikido Federation are the Scottish Aikido Federation (S.A.F.) and the Irish Aikido Federation (Ir.A.F.).

The British Aikido Federation is therefore closely linked with the Aikido World Headquarters. Its technical advisor is Shihan Masatake Fujita (8th Dan, Hombu Dojo, Tokyo), and regular visits are made by senior Japanese instructors to conduct B.A.F. national courses. All dan grades (black belt holders) with the B.A.F. are recognised by the International Aikido Federation and hold certificates issued by the Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba.

The structure of the B.A.F. teaching syllabus is closely based on that of the World Headquarters and not only proficiency of techniques but also correctness of manner and attitude is greatly emphasised.

Kanetsuka Sensei conducts weekend courses throughout the year at Aikido centres all over the UK. The two major national courses: the Spring Course and the week-long Summer School have developed into international events attracting Aikido students from all over the world.

Thanks to its world-wide connections the British Aikido Federation stands very much in the mainstream of Aikido development, and by virtue of its close ties with the fountain-head of Aikido (Hombu Dojo, Tokyo) it maintains an orthodox direction in its teaching and development.

The original teaching of the Founder excluded any form of competition and emphasised the principles of non-aggression and harmony. The B.A.F. strongly maintains this attitude, and every effort is made to inculcate into our members the principles of non-violence and concern for others, both inside and outside the practice room.