My Way to the Heart of Aikido with Masatake Fujita Shihan

Attila Pivony-Sensei, Shidoin, 5th Dan Aikido Aikikai

My Way to the Heart of Aikido with

Masatake Fujita Shihan

10 2014

Masatake Fujita Shihan’s Powerful Techniques Performed by Attila Pivony-Sensei

To the memory of Masatake Fujita-Sensei, Shihan Hombu Dojo, 8th Dan Aikido Aikikai

21.04.1937 – 28.05.2014

Attila Pivony-Sensei, Shidoin, 5th Dan Aikido Aikikai

My Way to the Heart of Aikido with Masatake Fujita Shihan 1st edition. – ZIGZABUR NORTH AMERICA, 2014. – 50 p.

E-ISBN 978-0-9912155-6-0 This book is about the unique person, my Master, Masatake Fujita-Sensei, Shihan Hombu Dojo, 8th Dan Aikido Aikikai.

Masatake Fujita Shihan is famous for his vigorous performing of the techniques.

His teaching style is commonly known as “Fujita-Sensei’s theory of motion (tai sabaki)“. In this theory, three elements are emphasized: posture, dodge and technical application. He introduced the progressive training method where they first teach the proper posture and then the needed appropriate dodge for a favorable position which is the key to a successful performing of a technique.

I believe that Masatake Fujita-Sensei’s teaching, spiritual thinking will be passed on and acquainted with more people.

This book is not intended to be a substitute for personal training sessions under the guidance of an instructor. The publisher and the author do not bear any responsibility for any physical injury or damage that may occur if the reader (readers) will follow the instructions contained in the book. Before attempting to perform the techniques described in this book you should consult with a qualified physician to determine whether your health condition corresponds to the requirements given here. It is also necessary to find a qualified and experienced instructor.

Attila Pivony-Sensei, Shidoin, 5th Dan Aikido Aikikai

ZIGZABUR NORTH AMERICA LLC ©. e-mail: office@zigzabur.com www.zigzabur.com

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED OR DISTRIBUTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, OR STORED IN A DATA BASE OR RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER. FOR INFORMATION CONTACT WWW.ZIGZABUR.COM E-ISBN 978-0-9912155-6-0

CONTENTS

I.I. Acknowledgement II.About the author II. II Foreword III. IV. About Aikido VV a. About Masatake Fujita-Sensei

b. My relationship with Masatake Fujita-Sensei

VI. VI.

6 7 8 10 14 16

10 Masatake Fujita Shihan’s Techniques 22 Performed by Attila Pivony-Sensei

VII. VII. Conclusion

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My Way to the Heart of Aikido with Masatake Fujita Shihan

I. Acknowledgement

Attila Pivony-Sensei, Shidoin, 5th Dan Aikido Aikikai

page 6

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Oleksandr Kostyuk, the owner and founder of ZIGZABUR Publishing House and Nancy Etokh, the editor, for inviting me to participate in this noble project.

All profits from the book’s selling will be given to Masatake Fujita-Sensei’s family.

My Way to the Heart of Aikido with Masatake Fujita Shihan

II. About the author

Attila Pivony-Sensei, Shidoin, 5th Dan Aikido Aikikai

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Attila Pivony President of Hungarian Aikido Aikikai Association

1969 – was born in Budapest (Hungary).

1986 – started to learn martial arts.

The Aikido practice has been lasting for 28 years. During these years he was dealing regularly with several types of martial art styles.

1996 – received the Aikido trainer qualification.

2006 – received the title Shidoin, which was given to him by Masatake

Fujita-Sensei. It was the unique event in Central Europe.

2013 – at the Kagamibiraki ceremony, the Hombu Dojo donated him the 5th Dan Aikido Aikikai. He founded Hungarian Aikikai Aikido Association twelve years ago. He had hundreds or rather thousands aikidokas who studied under his guidance. He may claim that he taught 80% of Budapest aikidoka community.

III. Foreword

My Way to the Heart of Aikido with Masatake Fujita Shihan

Attila Pivony-Sensei, Shidoin, 5th Dan Aikido Aikikai

page 8

I’ve been practising martial arts for 28 years on a regular basis.

attracted me. Around that time I was an assistant coach in Kung-fu and I I started to practise when I was a child; told myself to try Aikido for a short I learnt Judo first, then did Karate for a time and then to mix it with my Kung-fu year. Later on I tried Shirayan kung-fu. techniques.

After all I began practising Aikido and I This “trying out” has continued ever did that with pleasure and perseverance since. After a while I quitted Kung-fu up today. and turned all my time to learn Aikido.

28 years ago the starter boost was Bruce Lee’s movies; they influenced me to turn towards martial arts, I was practising Shirayan kung-fu for approximately four years. I considered Bruce Lee to be my role model and he is still one of my inspirations.

I met Masatake Fujita Shihan in 1992 when he visited Budapest, in December, for the first time. He had 8th Dan. We accepted him as a God for being such a Grandmaster in Aikido.

He taught such techniques in the dojo that everyone was dazzled. Terrible Bruce Lee’s movements and technical hard throws, the use of powerful inner knowledge impressed me so much that force evoked admiration and appreciaI trained 4 hours every day to develop tion and this was somehow expected. quickly and approach a roughly similar He showed a huge repertoir of special level like he had. techniques of fixing, stretches, I got to know Aikido in around 1990, strangulations. It was a grandiose through one of the most famous action success. He also held Dan exams where star, Steven Seagal. we didn’t even dare to breathe.

Everyone was observing the “event” The light, but efficient combat value so hard you couldn’t hear a hiss. For of Aikido, its softness, the use of the the very first time I saw an official Dan opponent’s strength and its reversal technique and of course Seagal’s style examination certified by Aikikai Hombu Shihan. of implementation immediately came to view. The spectacular throws, holds, Soon I had 5th Kyu and I watched repertoir of stretches instantly Sensei with great attention and interest

III. Foreword

My Way to the Heart of Aikido with Masatake Fujita Shihan

Attila Pivony-Sensei, Shidoin, 5th Dan Aikido Aikikai

in different training camps, how he effortlessly, smoothly and easily yet confidently and effectively performed the techniques. We talked a lot with my fellows at the end of training camps about our impressions and experiences and we waited for the next one almost trembingly.

As time passed, in 1998 I tried to pass my first Dan exam, with the objective

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of achieving shodan grade. Thankfully I had a succesful exam for which I was very happy.

I became black belted.

I owe a lot to Masatake Fujita Shihan. For teaching so consistently and inconditionally Aikido to us and to me here, in Hungary, as well as in Tokyo.

My Way to the Heart of Aikido with Masatake Fujita Shihan

VI. 10 Masatake Fujita Shihan’s Techniques Performed by Attila Pivony-Sensei

Technique 1 /

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Tachi Waza: Katatedori – Kote Hineri (or Sankyo) (Osae Waza)

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My Way to the Heart of Aikido with Masatake Fujita Shihan

VI. 10 Masatake Fujita Shihan’s Techniques Performed by Attila Pivony-Sensei

Technique 1 /

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Tachi Waza: Katatedori – Kote Hineri (or Sankyo) (Osae Waza)

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