I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and you are all ready for the next season. I’d like to let you know that I will be inactive for the months of September and October. I have decided to have a long rest to refresh my body, to prepare for many more years to come. I’m not ill, so please do not worry. I’m still healthy and strong like a superman. Y. Yamada
Finally, spring has arrived after a long and bad winter. The bulletin board of the dojo has many flyers of spring seminars all over the country.
As everybody knows already, this year is the 50th anniversary of NYA. Many people are expecting a big celebration. That makes me very happy and I appreciate your concern very much.
I’d like to offer you one big opportunity to celebrate at one time with everybody together, but I found out it is very difficult to get a big place for that in New York City. Instead, the NYA is planning a small celebration on June 7th at the dojo. Everybody is welcome but please do not expect a big event.
So far, at every seminar I went to, people gave me big congratulations and I appreciate it so much. I also appreciated that you gave me so many gifts. But for me, just your thoughts are enough.
Please don’t give me things I can give to somebody. Just give me things I can’t give to anybody. That is, a big hug from the ladies and a handshake from the guys.
On June 7th, the dojo will open for the party at 4pm. At around 5pm I’d like to make a speech.
I’m looking forward to seeing you there.
Y. Yamada
Dear Sansuikai friends in Europe,
For an old man like me, I can’t believe it’s almost end of the year, so this will be my greeting for end of the year and for a new year. A year went by so fast.
I just finished my last seminar of this year in Vienna Austria where I had a wonderful time and received the same warm hospitality as I had every place I went this year for seminars. Can you believe that this year I went to Europe seven times? I spent more time than staying in NY.
Every place I go in Europe, it seems to me that people are happy to spend time on the mat as much as I spend time on the mat with you. It makes me very happy and makes me to proud of myself to see a big improvement in your Aikido quality each time I see you.
Another year is right around the corner and I’m looking forward to another meaningful year. I feel very honored when I receive invitations from many countries and I feel bad to say “No”, due to my tight schedule. I hope you understand. The seminar is March in Belgium and Barcelona and Germany in August are main events for many reasons, such as promotions. So please try your best to attend one of them.
Have a merry X’mas and a happy new year.
Y. Yamada
Year of 2012 is getting closer to its end.
I hope all of you had a meaningful, enjoyable and positive year. Speaking for myself, it was once again a very busy year but I enjoyed any place I went for seminars. Thank you very much for taking care of an old man.
Year of 2013 will be again a busy year for me and it is always nice to know that I am wanted by people. It gives me strong motivation and push me keep on going. I know that I still have to put more efforts to make Sansuikai a better organization for you. It will be my resolution of 2013.
Wishing you to have a wonderful holiday season.
Y. Yamada
During the seminar in Barcelona on 23 – 25 March 2012, there was a meeting of instructors belonging to Sansuikai International. Sensei Yamada clearly emphasized the aim of establishing this organisation:
Sansuikai can be thought of as an “agreement” aimed at supporting my European students in terms of organisation. However, it is a non-political and non-profit organisation and does not constitute competition to national federations. That is why, instead of using the word “organisation” I prefer to use “agreement”, which should be based on four principles: Friendliness, Fairness, Freedom and Flexibility
Sensei Yamada emphasized that only those dojos in which instructors are his direct students and regularly participate in his seminars (at least three times a year) can become members of the organisation. Participation in seminars and commitment to training are the main conditions set by Sensei for his students.
During the meeting in Barcelona, Sensei awarded Fukushidoin (up to 3rd Dan) and Shidoin ( 4th Dan upwards) certificates to Sansuikai instructors.
More information on the subject of Sansuikai International and the requirements which Sensei sets for his students can be found here.