The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.
They call him “Hambei,” but no one knows why. For many years one of his character traits has been to annoy people by appearing in unexpected places at unexpected moments. If I remember correctly, it was one morning in early autumn of 1959 or 1960 when Mr. Kanai appeared in front of me while I was sprinkling water on the stepping stones at the front entrance to the old Hombu Dojo. He and I had become very close friends during our youthful years while immersed from morning till night in judo training.Together we had read the novel, Sugata Sanshiro, by Tsuneo Tomita so many times that we wore it out.
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I too called him Hambei, although there was never any lack of respect, condescension, or lack of awe at this marvelously eccentric direct student of the Founder. Even calling him friend or brother failed to remove any feeling of unconditional respect for the raw intensity, profound loyalty to all things Ueshiba, and the genuine love he had for his students, past and present. Yes, he was Hambei, and that much more.
In my earlier years of Aikido training, I, along with just about everyone in American Aikido, had very little real contact with Aikikai’s major teachers. Koichi Tohei Sensei was the authority that eclipsed even the Founder in many eyes.
When introduced to Hambei, along with Yoshimitsu Yamada and Akira Tohei in 1973, my whole perspective of what Aikido training could provide changed exponentially. For the first time, I could accept that Aikido techniques would actually work when applied correctly, with the correct teaching and the correct mind set or focus. It was the astounding fire in Hambei’s belly that made it possible for me to evolve.
Thank you Hambei.
I hope that your efforts on my behalf were worth the years of association. I know that it was everything to me.
Video memorial…
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=+Mitsunari+Kanai&aq=f