You have dojos in the United States affiliated to your school, I believe.

Yes, in Dallas, Texas and in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The teachers there, Al Montemar and David Rogers, were my students in the early 1980s when they were with the U.S. Air Force at Greenham Common. I was fortunate enough to be able to vist both dojos during 1992 and give seminars and grading examinations for my American students.

I know that Abbe Sensei told you how he first came to Aikido - would you mind recounting that particular story?

I'd be happy to. Abbe Sensei was All Japan Judo Champion at the age of 18, prior to World War II. He told me that he was rather arrogant at that time, having achieved fame so young. Anyway, it was during a train journey in Japan that he first met O'Sensei. Abbe didn't know who he was and he reacted to Ueshiba Sensei looking at him, saying: "What are you staring at, old man?" Ueshiba replied: "I know who you are", to which Abbe modestly retored: "Everyone knows me, I am Kenshiro Abbe, Champion of All Japan". O'Sensei then introduced himself as the Founder of Aikido, and was told by Abbe that he didn't look strong enough to be a Martial Arts Master. O'Sensei then offered Abbe his little finger, and said: "But young man, you look very strong indeed. Please break my finger". Abbe at first declined, but eventually accepted the challenge, presumably to shut the old man up. Abbe Sensei told me that, as he took hold of the old man's finger and tried to break it, he found himselfon the floor of the carriage and totally immobilised. Whilst on the floor Abbe asked the Founder for permission to study under him. This is my understanding of Abbe Sebsei's story.

When you were in my 'local' earlier, you told me a couple of interesting stories about one of your former teachers. Could you repeat them for this interview, please?

Certainly, but I think its better that we don't print the man's name. Well he was a 2nd Dan in Aikido, under Ken Williams, and also held equivalent ranks in Judo and Karate. He was a strange character and used to speak in affected, Japanese broken English, and one day he said to me:"Mr.Ellis want to come my house for supper?" So I said:"Yes Sensei, I'll come for supper, thank you". I went along to his home, knocked on the door and it was opened by this guy wearing a black silk Kimono (traditional Japanese gown) and Geta (clogs). I was a little taken aback by all this, but went in and we sat down.
After a couple of minutes, Sensei clapped his hand and his wife came trotting in from the kitchen, also in a Kimono. So, the first thing he did was slap her across the face three times. Her head rocked back and forth but she didn't say a word, or even cry. I just looked on in total amazement...it was unbelivable. He told her to prepare the meal, and she returned to the kitchen. When his wife had left us I told him that I thought he was out of order. This chap replied that Abbe Sensei had told him that it was a Japanese tradition to slap one's wife every morning to teach her humility! I pointed out to him that he was not Japanese but to no avail, as he slapped her again when he ordered our drinks! I was never the same with him after that...it was incredible behaviour.

You did, in fact, come to blows with this particular man later on, didn't you?

Yes, I did, Arthur. We were in this pub after training and he said to me:"You think you can take me, don't you?" I told him that I'd never thought about it, to which he replied:"Oh yes you have you think about it all the time". Again I denied this, it was just bloody rubbish, but he would not let go. He kept baiting me, saying:"Yout want to try?" and I said to him:"You know Sensei, the only person troubled by this is you. It is you who are unsure about me, not I about you". So he said:"Let's go outside", and out we went. Outside the pub he put himself in a Aikido posture, so I just stood there as relaxed as possible, and waited. As soon as he came for me, I hit him and put him on the deck. As he went down I dropped and immobilised him with my knee on his neck. At this point he said:"OK, that's enough, let me up" I said:"Is that it? Is this incident finished?" He replied that it was. Well, I'm a very straight man, and if someone say its finished, then for me its finished. So as soon as I let him go, he smacked me straight in the nose and broke it, I was covered in blood and in abit of a mess. He lost not only my respect, but everyone who had been present. He moved form the area soon after that, and I've never seen or heard of him since.

Finally, Henry, do you have any advice that you would like to offer to Aikido practitioners?

I would urge them to vist other clubs and look at other methods. You don't have to like everyone's Aikido, but if you can take away a little for each dojo you vist, it will make your own Aikido complete. Also I would like to say stay clear or 'fairy' Aikido remember , it's a Martial Art and must work.

Henry, thank you for your time and patience.