Harvey Konigsberg, 8th Dan Shihan
Chief Instructor of Woodstock Aikikai
Personal story, May 14th, 2025
Sensei took me to Paris about 30 years ago. He was teaching a class at a large gymnasium where there were 2 rikishi (professional Sumo practitioners) holding a class and demonstration in the space close to us. They had finished their course earlier and were watching our class. They approached Yamada Sensei afterwards and they spoke to Sensei in Japanese. When they left Sensei was smiling, and I asked the Japanese speaking-student who was near what had transpired. The rikishi had told Sensei that they hadn’t understood Aikido and didn’t believe that it was effective, but watching his demonstration and teaching changed their minds. They were impressed.
