Hombu Instruction Tour 2009, Brunei - Tour around BSB and Sayonara Dinner

Welcoming lunch at Portview Restaurant
From Left to right: Sarah, Fujimaki shihan, Zainuddin sensei, Hj Sabtu sensei, Chiong, Ali, Ahmad Isa and Suzuki Shidoin

On the arrival of Fujimaki Hiroshi shihan and Suzuki Koujiro shidoin the Hombu Visit Organizing Committee organized a brief tour around Bandar Seri Begawan and a welcome luncheon at Portview Restaurant. It was a day of relaxation, orientation, acquaintance and dialouge before the start of 7 very instructive sessions conducted by Fujimaki shihan with Suzuki shidoin. Visits were made to the Yayasan Complex, Water Village with house visit, Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque and later on the Brunei Museum

Chiong and Suzuki Shidoin
Location: Yayasan Complex


From left to right: Sarah, Fujimaki shihan and Chiong
Location: Yayasan Complex


From left to right: Chiong, Hj Sabtu sensei, Fujimaki shihan, Suzuki shidoin and Sarah
Location: Jetty to Water Village

At the end of the seminar a Sayonara dinner was held at the residence of the Chairman of HVOC 2009 Mr Ahmad Isa marking a successful and enjoyable end to the Hombu Instruction Tour Aikido Seminar in Brunei. The dinner was followed by presentation of certificates of participation by Fujimaki shihan to participants present at the dinner. Fujimaki shihan expressed his hopes that everyone had enjoyed the seminar and advised on the importance of practice. As aikido in Brunei is still at the very young age, Fujimaki shihan would like to see the development of strong basics in Brunei aikido.

Enjoying the night
From left to right: Suzuki shidoin, Fujimaki shihan, Ahmad Isa, Chairman of the HVOC 2009 and Sufian sensei



Before the start of the certificate presentation by Fujimaki shihan
From left to right: Suzuki shidoin, Fujimaki shihan, Sufian sensei, Ahmad Isa and Hj Sabtu sensei



Fujimaki shihan presenting a certificate of attendance to Hj Sabtu sensei.



Fujimaki shihan presenting a certificate of attendance to Sufian sensei. Looking on are Suzuki shidoin and Hj Sabtu sensei.



From left to right: Suzuki shidoin, Zainuddin sensei and Fujimaki shihan



From left to right: Suzuki shidoin, Ahmad Isa and Fujimaki shihan



Fujimaki shihan (second from left) being presented with a souvenir from BAF by Awang Hafiz (second from right), Assistant Treasurer of BAF



Sufian sensei, dojo-cho of Aikidmashii Dojo presenting a souvenir on behalf of Aikidamashii Dojo to Fujimaki shihan



Long queue for Fujimaki shihan's signature



Group photograph taken of Fujimaki shihan and Suzuki shidoin with seminar participants



Group photograph of Fujimaki shihan and Suzuki shidoin with instructors and members of Aikidmashii Dojo


It was a truly wonderful experience for all and we hope that Fujimaki shihan and Suzuki shidoin have enjoyed their trip to Brunei and in conducting the seminar here.

To all aikidokas in Brunei, gambarimasu yo!

Hombu Instruction Tour 2009 - Inaugural Aikido Seminar 17-19 February 2009

Group Photograph

The Inaugural Aikido Seminar of the Hombu Instruction Tour 2009 was held from 17th -19th February 2009 at Aikidamashii Dojo. The Brunei Aikido Federation (BAF) had the pleasure of having Fujimaki Hiroshi shihan to conduct the seminar with Suzuki Koujiro Shidoin. A total of seven session was held over the 3 days. In attendance was also Zainuddin sensei, President of Aikikai Malaysia, BAF's supervising country.

Fujimaki shihan conducted the seminar with strong emphasis on the basics of aikido. This is beneficial to the aikidokas in Brunei considering we are rather new to aikido with the BAF being formed a little over 3 years ago. As the number of participants were about 23 persons at maximum Fujimaki shihan and Suzuki shidoin were able to give much individual attention to the participants. Safety during practice is often stressed as well as enjoying the training.

Fujimaki shihan illustrated the natural and circular movements in aikido techniques and took great care to ensure that participants see and understand what was being taught. In executing the techniques he taught about protecting one's centre and to effectively execute the technique. To help us develop our overall stength as well as maintaining our centre we practiced certain drills with one hand for example executing the kotegaeshi and iriminage.

Apart from the techniques Fujimaki shihan also taught us about the importance of being a good uke. A good uke is important for the development of both the nage and uke in aikido. Keeping musubi is very important in this case and we did alot of practice on musubi. While one of things that a nage does when executing is to keep maai and cause kuzushi on the uke, the uke must keep musubi and his own balance. Uke must maintain natural movement and keep the "bounce" while the technique is being executed. During training Suzuki shidoin would assist and guide us on being a good uke.

All and all it was a very good seminar and beneficial for aikido in Brunei which is still very much at a developmental stage. Hopefully this will be a good start to fostering a good and lasting relationship with Aikikai Foundation and that there will be more Hombu seminars to come in Brunei!

From left to right: Ali, Chiong, Fujimaki shihan, Shakirin and Mohd Noh


From left to right: Shakirin, Ali, Suzuki shidoin, Mohd Noh and Chiong


Sufian sensei and Fujimaki shihan


Ahmad Isa and Fujimaki shihan


Sabtu sensei and Fujimaki shihan