Kenshiro Abbe

Following on from the old Forum and the wonderfull tales of Kenshiro Abbe, i wondered if you would be willing to continue them on this new forum.

Also could you tell us more about Abbes on style Kyushindo, and how much of this style was passed on.

I also heard that Abbe had a soft spot for birds and would often let them fly around the dojo is this true, also what did Abbe think about the Chinese arts!!


Many Thanks Dave


Matty

I would be more than happy to Matty.. I often felt Kenshiro Abbe was well overdue a book, but frankly I didnt know anyone qualified to write it, as I really only knew his Goshinkwai connections, not his Judo, Aikido and Karate ones.

watch these spaces... Oh I have posted the breakfall story by the way

PS its on the WELCOME thread on my 'slot'

Cheers Dave, absolute Gold Dust!!!

The problem is if someone dosent write something on Abbe soon, there wont be anyone left to actually write something worthy.

The Man was a legend, just the two tales you have shared with us is so much more inspiring than any of the other stuff ive ever read about anyone else..


Thanks for sharing...and I hope there is many more to come..


Cheers Dave


Matty

Wasn't he mainly Judo?

I guess the guys from the the british aikido would be happy to provide more info about him and maybe cooperate to write a biography.

Kind Regards,

Nick Engelen

More Abbe stories when you can Dave!

OK .. another one ..(actually TWO but both on the same topic)

Oh by the way .. many people say that Abbe was mainly Judo.. he was in fact better KNOWN for Judo, but that was mainly because other than Judo/Ju-Jutsu, there was very little else around at the time, and most UK trainees were of a comparitive 'low' standard.. so Abbe taught Judo as both an 'art' and as self-defence, then when people got to reasonable standards he would teach them more.

Strangely enough many Aikido practitioners only remember Abbe as an Aikido-ka


anyway the 'tales'

Like a lot of really top class men in many pastimes he was a bit arrogant..

Two examples of this arrogance..

1. Abbe was once asked on a seminar about some of the more serious competitions he had been in .. he said
"All Japan 7th Dans and above championships.. which I won twice"
and "All Asian 5th Dans and above championships which I also won twice"

Next question was "Thank you Sensei, but why did you stop entering such competitions"

Abbe. "Simple .. NO ONE LEFT WORTH BEATING"

2. Young 4th Dan in some Karate style came to Abbe's Kyoto dojo (The Botokukai) and challenged Abbe to a fight saying .. "I want to beat you . if I beat you I will be best in Japan"

ABBE "Go away I dont want to fight you"

Young Man. " No I wont .. I WILL BEAT YOU"... and then dropped into a Karate style stance emitting aloud Kiai..

Abbe .. "Not from that posture you cant"

Turned on his heels and left the young karate-ka looking somewhat deflated

Good Stuff..I love to hear these Tales.....Thanks Dave..

and keep then rolling!!!


Matt

http://www.kenshiroabbe.com/

Dave, not sure if you have seen this. Thought you might like it?

Brian S

Nice one Brian .. Thanks a lot mate.. I have seen some of the stuff on that site but certainlynot all

cheers