On the 19th of November, 2010, Ray Cutajar sensei, founder and director of the Seishinkan aikido academy, saw two of his long standing dreams fulfilled, when the 2nd Den Legend Masters Clinic was organized in Malta.
For this important event Kancho sensei Inoue Kyochi 10th dan also came all the way from Japan. Hirimochi Nagano 8th dan and Tsutomu Chida 7th den, and director of the Renshinkai-Yoshinkan Aikido academy of Japan also attended, and gave lectures during the seminar.
Two years of hard work and planning resulted in an excellent organization of this prestigious seminar. First class masters and aikidokas from around the world attended from countries like Japan, Ukraine, Malaysia, Germany, England, USA, Mexico, Canada and Switzerland.
The purpose of the seminar lived up to its name, ‘Den Legend’ that is ‘Transmission of knowledge.
The aikido masters taught special advanced techniques to those present, emphasizing that one does not have to be strong, or big in stature to overcome a treat by an aggressor.
They proved to the students that not the strongest may win in a conflict, but he who has the ability to apply a defensive technique to harmonize an aggressive situation.
Saburro Takashima sensei 5th dan and a very frequent visitor to our island, directed the seminar and also gave lectures. He stated that such an event would not have been possible had it not been for the hard work, determination and the organizational skills of Ray Cutajar sensei, Rose Paris and their aids.
He also praised the excellent results achieved by the Maltese aikidokas when, Chloe Borg and Tiziana Debono are the first two Maltese girls to be graded Black belts 1st dan. Very excellent results were also achieved by Carmel Attard, Neville Paris, Joseph Rivans and Godwin Agius, who were graded to the level of black belts 2nd dan. To be graded at this level by the highest ranking authorities in this art is no common feat.
Foreign participants also had words of praise for the Maltese organization. From the moment they arrived at the Malta International Airport they were greeted by the organizers, and taken to the Hotel Riviera Resort at Marfa where the event took place. All facilities were made available at the hotel were even a dojo of international standard was installed. Several excursions were organized for the participants around the island. The Maltese hospitality excelled throughout the event, so much so, that most participants expressed their wish to return soon to Malta again for a holiday.
At the end of this event a high level demonstration was set up at the Mediterranean Conference Centre Valletta. The Japanese and Maltese National Anthems were played. Those present had the opportunity to watch an interesting demonstration of the old Japanese art of Tea serving called “Sa Do”. It was Mr. Takashima himself who had the idea to bring to Malta exponents of this art from Japan for this occasion.
Later, the Masters Including Ray Cutajar himself demonstrated a very interesting variety of techniques of Aikido self defense. Also Kancho sensei Inoue Kiochi who is 75 years left no doubt to those present that aikido has no age or limits.