Yokohama AikiDojo participated in the 13th Kanagawa Prefecture Aikido Federation Seminar led by Katsurada Eiji Sensei on Saturday, February 28, at the Kanagawa Prefectural Budokan. This seminar, organized as part of the Kanagawa Prefecture Aikido Federation's official events, brought together practitioners from various dojos to refine their skills and deepen their understanding of Aikido. Yokohama AikiDojo was represented by five of its members, who made the trip to train together under Katsurada Sensei's guidance.
Katsurada Sensei, a senior instructor from the Hombu Dojo, provided guidance throughout the seminar. He led participants through a structured training session centered on body posture and foundational alignment. A particular emphasis was placed on maintaining a central axis and keeping the hands in front of the body — principles that, as Katsurada Sensei carefully explained, remain essential even within the characteristic hanmi position of Aikido. His in-depth explanations helped participants reconsider and refine aspects of their posture that are easy to overlook in regular training.
Katsurada Sensei demonstrated a clear and engaging approach to instruction throughout the session. He broke down complex principles into accessible steps, offering detailed explanations and repeating demonstrations to ensure all participants could follow along regardless of their level of experience. Notably, he also brought a light and warm atmosphere to the training by interspersing his instruction with a few well-timed jokes, which helped put participants at ease and kept energy levels high throughout the session. His ability to combine technical depth with an approachable manner made for a particularly enjoyable and productive seminar.
The event followed a scheduled program, beginning with the opening ceremony at 13:45 and transitioning into the training session from 14:00 to 16:00. A social gathering was held afterward at a venue near the Budokan, allowing attendees to connect further and share their reflections on the day's training. During the gathering, the various dojo-cho of the prefecture were invited to give speeches, providing an opportunity for the wider Aikido community to come together and reflect on the seminar's themes.
The seminar attracted a significant number of Aikido practitioners from across the prefecture, all eager to train under Katsurada Sensei's instruction. The event not only provided an opportunity for technical growth but also fostered camaraderie and a renewed sense of community among members of the Kanagawa Aikido Federation. As the seminar concluded, participants expressed gratitude for the valuable insights shared by Katsurada Sensei. Many left with a renewed commitment to incorporating the lessons learned — particularly around posture, axis, and hand positioning — into their regular training at Yokohama AikiDojo.
The seminar proved to be a meaningful experience for all attendees, reinforcing their dedication to Aikido and inspiring continued growth in their practice. Yokohama AikiDojo looks forward to future opportunities to train and learn within the broader Aikido community.
