In 1950, despite the fact that five years had passed since the end of the conflict, signs of war could still be seen all over Tokyo in the remains of the fires caused by the bombs. At that time, as happened to most of the Japanese who were overwhelmed by the events of the time, the master Tada constantly felt a strange sense of fleetingness, a sort of courage in despair for which nothing could surprise him anymore, but, at the same time he felt the need for some psychological support. To overcome this feeling of uncertainty he then devoted himself wholeheartedly to daily karate training. So it was that, remembering what he had heard from his father in the past about the master Ueshiba and aiki, he decided to collect more detailed information about it.
One day, after the karate training, the master Ueshiba and aiki unexpectedly became a topic of discussion; he learned that according to information provided to the karate club captain of the University of Waseda, Mr. Takeda, from an acquaintance of his, the Ueshiba Dōjō was in Wakamatsu cho (Ushigome), near Waseda.
Animated by an unconscious sense of admiration towards the master Ueshiba Morihei, considered the best expert of the time, he went, full of enthusiasm, to visit the Ueshiba Dōjō. It was March 4, 1950. After passing the stone portal of the Ueshiba house, which miraculously survived the war, you could see the dōjō on the left and in front of the spacious entrance of the house, with sliding glass and wooden doors.
The dōjō was deserted, and when he entered the entrance of the house to ask for information he was greeted by a young woman, Ms. Sakuko, wife of the second Doshu, Ueshiba Kisshomaru.
After asking for permission to enroll in the Dōjō, he asked her several questions and although he does not remember the details exactly, he still clearly remembers his answers to the naive questions today: “When you see my father-in-law he will understand what aiki is “He also explained that the teacher was currently traveling but that he would return to Tokyo after two or three days. And making his way into the dōjō he added:” In a little while he will start training … “.
To be continued…
Source: Facebook/Aikido
