Chiba kogai

[kissakai]

Hi I bought this a few years ago being an Aikidoist for many rears and I'd like some information

From Sensei Chiba’s wife Mitsuko Chiba via the Chiba auction
Bought on 22/02/17 with authentication documentation
Size: 215 x 13 x 4mm

 

 

 

 

 

[PietroParis]

Just curious, how is this related to you being an aikidoka?

 

P.S. nevermind, I got it. At first I thought it was something about the theme of the decoration.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazuo_Chiba

[kissakai]

Hi

Chiba sensei basics

 

Kazuo Chiba (also T.K. Chiba; February 5, 1940 – June 5, 2015) was a Japanese Aikido teacher and founder of Birankai International. He served for seven years as uchideshi at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo before being dispatched abroad to help develop Aikido internationally. He held an 8th dan in Aikido, issued by Aikikai world headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and was active in Aikido for over 50 years.

Kazuo Chiba was born February 5, 1940 near Tokyo, Japan. At 14 years of age, he began serious Judo training at the International Judo Academy, and also began the study of Shotokan karate at age 16. In 1958, after coming across a photo of Morihei Ueshiba in a book, he decided to dedicate himself solely to Aikido and set out to apply as an uchideshi at the main school in Tokyo. Though not accepting live-in students at the time, after much persistence Chiba was admitted as an uchideshi at the Hombu dojo in Tokyo. Most of the daily training at the Hombu dojo was conducted by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the son of the Aikido founder; O'Sensei was frequently away from the dojo giving lectures on Aikido and Oomoto-Kyo during Chiba's stay as uchideshi. For much of his seven-year period as a live-in student, however, Chiba Sensei traveled extensively with Morihei Ueshiba as his personal assistant during travels spreading Aikido. By 1960, Chiba had received the rank of 3rd dan and was assigned to Nagoya to establish one of the first branch schools of the Aikikai headquarters, where he served as its full-time instructor. In 1962, he also began teaching at the Hombu Dojo, and within three years had completed his training as uchideshi and earned promotion to 5th Dan.

United Kingdom
During the 1964 Olympic Games held in Tokyo, a notable Judo master, Kenshiro Abbe came to Hombu Dojo to pay respects to O'Sensei. It was during this visit that he requested an instructor be dispatched to England to develop Aikido for the British Judo council. Chiba Sensei, who had been serving tea to the two masters[6] had been supposed to go to New York to assist Yamada Sensei, but on the request O'Sensei sent him as the first representative of the Aikikai Foundation in the UK, though other teachers had gone in previously.

In 1970 he was promoted to 6th Dan and awarded the title Shihan, Master Instructor. In 1975, Chiba returned to Japan to serve as Secretary of the International Department at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. During the ten years Chiba spent in the UK, he also helped to promote Aikido across Europe particularly in Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Morocco, Spain and Switzerland.

In mid-October 1966 a demonstration sponsored by the local television station was held in the gymnasium of the secondary school where Chiba Sensei was conducting classes. Chiba Sensei used the student who had been leading the classes before his arrival as the uke, unfortunately he landed badly and hit his head hard enough to cause a severe concussion and was taken to hospital, successfully treated for intracranial bleeding, losing some sight in one of his eyes.

 

He was around in my early Aikido years and I practiced with many Aikido Instructors over the UK. I'd seen him in demonstrations but to me he was too likely to loose control as a very 'martial' person hence the paragraph above and there are more examples available

One of the early foremost teachers so I bought this kogai

 

[PietroParis]

"In early June 1966, one month after arrival, Chiba Sensei was told by Mr Logan that they had arranged for him to do a demonstration at the Northumberland Police Headquarters in Newcastle, the intention being that the Police may hire him to teach a self-defense program. The event took place at a Judo dojo near the Police Headquarters, with a dozen policemen dressed in keikogi and two high-ranking officers sat in chairs observing. The two conditions of the police were that no striking or kicking, and no bloodshed were to take place due to the police's policy against inflicting injury. For the first half hour Chiba Sensei responded to requests for defense against various attacks. Towards the end of the demonstration Chiba Sensei was asked to respond to handgun threats, one position was in the surrender pose with his hands in the air and the gun behind his head. Chiba Sensei performed shihonage and the uke landed on his head which began to bleed covering the keikogi and he was carried out by his comrades after becoming unconscious. Chiba Sensei knew that the mission had therefore been unsuccessful and he never heard from the police force subsequently."

[Curran]

Hi Grev,

 

What do you want to know?

I've spent a fair bit of time the last two years learning about the subtle differences of kozuka, but kogai are the last bastion of the -not studied- (yet). With kogai, I usually defer to another NMB member. He is unlikely to reply at present, so I will offer up my opinion to break the silence.

 

To me it looks like an 1800s kogai of respetable workmanship. The nanako are fine and consistent with later Edo manner of manufacture.

Court appropriate with a relatively flat neck, I would guess it to be made by the Yasuda group in Edo.

That is my best shot...... worth more than some opinions, but I wouldn't bet my life on it.

     Technical masters like Ford or some of the other here but quiet kantei masters may correct me. Be gentle guys... it has been a "broken bottles and brass knuckles" rough year.