The fifth annual Saku International Aikidô Kenshûkai (seminar) was held from May 1st to 5th, 1999. More than 200 people joined the seminar, and we were able to see many happy faces as people saw each other again.

The practices were held at the Saku City Budôkan. In this seminar, Endô Shihan explained Aikidô repeatedly by using "Jô-Kyo, Ka-Jitsu", which means upper body being empty and lower body with substance. This expresses explicitly how to use the body and how to keep the mind, and was the main theme of this seminar. I would like to keep this in my mind when I practice Aikidô from now on. In addition to that, as I repeated the practice of one kind of waza with one partner, I was able to move freely without sticking too much to "kata" (form), in accordance with the feeling that came up in the relationship with my partner. It was a really valuable time in which I was able to realize and think about what Endô Shihan wanted us to know.

On May 4th, the Ninth Saku Aikidô Embukai (demonstration) was held. The embukai was held in memory of the late Ueshiba Kisshômaru. There were different demonstrations from various countries. In the evening there was a party in which we drank, sang and laughed. Beautiful voices from various countries fascinated the people there. The last practice was held at Saku dôjô. Although the space was very limited with the great number of participants, it was a wonderful practice, and ended up with a big hand of thanks to Endô shihan.

I believe that we will have a wonderful practice and a very good time at Saku next year too. The participants this year, and those who could not come to Saku this year, why don't you join the seminar at Saku!

The 5th Yûdansha Seminar was held at Saku Dôjô from November 13th to 14th, 1999, under the guidance of Endô Seishirô Sensei.

This Seminar was the first time we started to notify people of and to accept applications for seminars through the Saku Dôjô Homepage. A total of 65 Yudansha joined the seminar from all over the country and from other countries, such as Norway and Hong Kong. Especially, the number of cheerful and energetic ladies at this seminar has been increasing.

The theme of this seminar was "to reconfirm basic techniques". (Originally the theme was "how to take the sword", however, Endô-sensei decided to postpone this to a future seminar.)

On Saturday, 13th November, guidance was given to us on the subject of Shômen-uchi Ikkyô to Yonkyô. On the 14th, the basic of the basics, such as Morote-dori Kokyû-hô, Katate-dori Sabaki, Shihô-nage, Irimi-nage, including basic Ukemi, was explained. Endô-sensei referred to the form of the founder of Aikidô.

On the evening of 13th, the customary question-and-answer period was held. The major questions to Endô-sensei were: When Endô-sensei is going to perform waza, sometimes we see you wait. What are you waiting for? What sort of state is that which is "like stepping on the silk floss" of ashi-sabaki? What is your "ideal style" of Aikidô? Endô sensei often illustrated his replies to these questions by doing actual techniques. Endô-sensei`s answer to the question of what the ideal style of Aikidô was; "my ideal style is to have no style. Therefore, in order to realize this, how I should practice, and what kind of practice I should do are the main themes of my practice." He mentioned that he didn't want the students to simply follow his form. He asked us to seek out our own style.

The last question was "are you happy teaching Aikidô?" He recounted his experience in Europe when "he was called an ambassador of peace " and ended the meeting with this.