Arthur Moorshead Shihan
When someone of Arthur Shihan’s stature leaves the field it is only right that there is silence and time is set aside to assess what he has left us.
Arthur, quite rightly, will be remembered for his unique contribution to judo in this country but his contribution to aikido must be noted, as well.
I was about 14 years old when I first met Arthur, here at Caulfield dojo, in, I think, 1964. I came along one Sunday to watch judo. He said I should stay and watch the “akido” (that’s how he pronounced it). I did stay.
There was a small group practicing then, including Tony Smibert. Arthur told us that once the group grew to 20 he would bring a teacher from Japan. True to his word, when the magic 20 was reached, Arthur wrote to Koichi Tohei sensei, in Tokyo. Tohei sensei wrote back saying, in effect, there is a teacher in Australia already, Seiichi Sugano Shihan.
Arthur quickly got in touch and invited Sugano Shihan to Melbourne. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, so we didn’t see Sugano sensei or hear anything about him for a while. Then, in June 1967, Arthur told us that Mr Sugano was taking a weekend course in Launceston and he gave us every encouragement to get there. Five of us flew over for the weekend and the rest really is history.
The point of the story is that if not for Arthur, the entire history of Aikido in Victoria and I think, Australia would have been completely different. Above everything, Arthur knew another great martial artist when he met one. He put our interest as students of aikido, not judo, ahead of anything else. Arthur’s integrity as a martial artist is in the DNA of Aiki-Kai Australia. From corresponding and talking with Susie about Arthur’s relationship with his sensei, Abbe Kenshiro, I see where Arthur’s broader sense of budo came from. He had been taught by the best; he became the best; he passed it on. We can only aspire to do the same.
Budo certainly lives in this building. Susie has told me that she is convinced that Abbe sensei’s spirit resides here. It has now been joined by Arthur’s.
Enjoy the session: Practise with integrity and passion.
Bob Hill (5th Dan) - 17 Feb 2010