In the classic tradition of Japanese Martial Arts, a Maltese Aikido instructor has just returned from a six-week period as a live-in uchi-deshi of his Martial Arts master Jean Francois Riondet (VII Dan)
Sensei Kevin Bonanno, main instructor at the Aikido Yamato Dojo based in Hamrun, spent six weeks living and training with Master Riondet) of the Buikukan-Provence Aikido School headquartered in Marseille.
During this time Sensei Bonanno participated in daily training during which Riondet instructed advanced armed and unarmed martial techniques.
Sensei Bonanno also assisted in the organisation and participated in children’s classes, school gradings, advanced classes and the club’s annual seminar in Gardanne that was attended by Aikido practitioners from throughout France.
A highlight of the stay was active involvement in an international seminar held in France which was also attended by Aikido students from France, Italy, Japan, Poland, Switzerland as well as four students from Yamato dojo’s own club in Malta.
During his time in France sensei Bonanno lived in Master Riondet’s house as his guest in a custom of student-master relationship known as ‘uchi-deshi’ that is enshrined in Japanese Aikido Martial Art tradition.
Close proximity to one’s Master over an extended period offers the opportunity to absorb not just advanced (and sometimes secret) martial arts techniques but also to understand and internalise the ritualistic and spiritual aspects of the art.
The opportunity to be an uchi-deshi is a rare one as it is by invitation only and considered to be great honour reserved for the most committed and promising students.
Jean Francois Riondet Shihan has an impressive Aikido pedigree. He started Aikido in France at the age of 14.
In the mid 70’s, in Paris, he met the late Japanese Master Hirokazu Kobayashi (VIII Dan), a direct disciple of Morihei Ueshiba the founder of Aikido.
Impressed by the simplicity and powerfully fluid movements of Kobayashi’s Aikido, Riondet followed Kobayashi to Japan where he lived for 2.5 years as his live-in student. When he moved back to France in 1985 he founded the Bu-Iku-Kan Aikido School based in Provence.
The School now has branches in Aix en Provence, La Ciotat, Gardanne and two in Marseille where Master Riondet is based. The Malta dojo is the first branch of Buikukan-Provence outside France.
Aikido is a Martial Art based on ancient Japanese Samurai tradition. It focuses primarily on the study of natural body movements, a supple approach to physical techniques and the development of a harmonious, co-operative spirit. Aikido is highly effective against violent aggression and an effective self-defence system which focuses on the neutralisation of an attack without inflicting injury.
Anyone interested in Aikido is welcome to contact the Yamato club at www.aikidomalta.net or Aikido Malta on facebook or dial +356 9989 9733. A beginners’ course commences last week of July.