“Please Break My Finger”

Here is a great story from Sensei Henry Ellis (one of the very earliest students of Aikido in the UK).

Please break my finger

As a direct student of Abbe Sensei I asked one day whilst we were traveling to a seminar

“Sensei, how did you first become a student of O’Sensei and Aikido”?

He smiled as he reminisced for a few moments; then told me the following story:

He said that he was a young man at the time and the Judo champion of all Japan and travelling on a crowded train across Japan to yet another Judo competition.

Sitting opposite him in the same carriage was an old man who was trying to make some conversation with him, Abbe had his eyes closed as he tried to sleep.

The old man said to him ” I know who you are” Abbe Sensei replied rather modestly ” everyone knows who I am, I am Kenshiro Abbe champion of all Japan” he politely asked the old man who he was, the old man replied.

“I am Morihei Ueshiba founder of Aikido”. Abbe Sensei nodded politely and suggested that they now try to get some sleep, the old man suddenly stuck his hand forward and offered the smallest digit to this powerfully built young man, Abbe was stunned as the old man said

“please break my finger”.

Abbe thought I will break his neck if he doesn’t go to sleep, he was now becoming irritated by this old man, he immediately grasped the old man’s finger in an attempt to shut him up, he freely admitted that in his frustration it was his intention to break the offending digit.

To his total amazement he was suddenly slammed onto the carriage floor. As he lay prostrate and unable to move he knew he had to study with this master. He asked O’Sensei if he could study with him, O’Sensei agreed and Abbe stayed with O’Sensei for ten years.

O’Sensei had spent many years studying various martial arts, I believe that the art of Daito-ryu and Ju-jitsu had more influence on the development of Aikido than anything else he had studied, and we know he went to Mongolia to fight and this would be the perfect opportunity to test his many skills in a real situation, so we can be in no doubt that this incredible man was a true warrior and modern Samurai.

END OF STORY

Can we be sure this story is true?

It is always hard to know. But it is certainly the case that many high level judo players and other martial artists ending up practising with O Sensei and many ended up spreading Aikido around the world for the rest of their lives.

Clearly he had an impact on them.

If you are intrigued to learn more about Aikido feel free to send me a reply or join us at our next class.