Sensei Fujimori's 2003 Visit
Sensei Fujimori recently came to england on a friendship
visit to Luton Aikido Club.
While visisting he held a 2 day seminar at Lea Manor Recreation center which
was featured in the local paper the Luton News. The article was written by Ron
Loft, husband of Sensei Ros Loft and reporter and has been reproduced below courtesy of the Luton News photographs by Gareth Owen.
Martial arts guru gives
seal to club's
founder Ros!
PASSING ON HIS SKILLS:
Fujimori Sensei (or Akira Fujimori) came to town to link up with the Luton Aikido Club and met (left) with club founder Ros Loft, who is still the group's chief instructor.
There's a surprise in store for long-serving aikido teacher during Japanese man's visit
by RON LOFT
One of Japan's most distinguished martial arts experts is spending nearly three weeks in Luton to pass on some of his skills to local students of aikido.
Akira Fujimori, known in martial arts circles as Fujimori Sensei, has come to the town to link up with Luton Aikido Club.
The club was founded 26 years ago by Ros Loft, who is still it's chief instructor.
She met Fujimori Sensei some years ago when he was making one of his rare visits to Europe.
The two have kept in touch ever since, and Fujimori Sensei offered to act as guest instructor at a series of intensive training sessions at the Holy Trinity church hall in Trinity Road, where the club meets.
He also held a two-day aikido teaching seminar at the Lea Manor Recreation Center, Marsh Farm. Aikido students from other clubs around Britain were invited to the seminar.
Said Mrs Loft: "Sensei Fujimori's visit is a tremendous honour for the Luton Aikido Club and the town".
"He is someone who is greatly respected among martial artists".
Fujimori Sensei is a 7th Dan Black belt in aikido, and holds high grades in other martial arts. He is a graduate of Tokyo University, and has taught at the universitiy's martial arts club.
For Mrs Loft the was a surprise in store. Fujimori Sensei presented her with a personal seal that he had designed specially for her. A personal seal has an important place in the culture of Japan, and few Westerners have one. Mrs Loft added: "I would like to thank the Council's leisure staff, including those at Lea Manor, for making the seminar such a success".
Akira Fujimori, known in martial arts circles as Fujimori Sensei, has come to the town to link up with Luton Aikido Club.
The club was founded 26 years ago by Ros Loft, who is still it's chief instructor.
She met Fujimori Sensei some years ago when he was making one of his rare visits to Europe.
The two have kept in touch ever since, and Fujimori Sensei offered to act as guest instructor at a series of intensive training sessions at the Holy Trinity church hall in Trinity Road, where the club meets.
He also held a two-day aikido teaching seminar at the Lea Manor Recreation Center, Marsh Farm. Aikido students from other clubs around Britain were invited to the seminar.
Said Mrs Loft: "Sensei Fujimori's visit is a tremendous honour for the Luton Aikido Club and the town".
"He is someone who is greatly respected among martial artists".
Fujimori Sensei is a 7th Dan Black belt in aikido, and holds high grades in other martial arts. He is a graduate of Tokyo University, and has taught at the universitiy's martial arts club.
For Mrs Loft the was a surprise in store. Fujimori Sensei presented her with a personal seal that he had designed specially for her. A personal seal has an important place in the culture of Japan, and few Westerners have one. Mrs Loft added: "I would like to thank the Council's leisure staff, including those at Lea Manor, for making the seminar such a success".
