Seiichi Sugano (菅野誠一 17 December 1939 – 29 August 2010) was a

Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

Aikido Aikido ( , , , ) is a gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art which is split into many different styles including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai, and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practic ...

teacher who lived and taught in many

Western countries The Western world, also known as the West, primarily refers to various nations and states in Western Europe, Northern America, and Australasia; with some debate as to whether those in Eastern Europe and Latin America also constitute the West. ...

. He held the rank of an 8th dan

Aikikai The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu (the family heir of the founder of Aikido). It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation ...

Life

Sugano was born in

Otaru, Hokkaido is a city and port in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces Ishikari Bay and the Sea of Japan, and has long served as the main port of the bay. With its many historical buildings, Otaru is a popular tour ...

. Sugano’s family was of samurai lineage, with his father being a Major in the Japanese Imperial Marines during WWII. Sugano stated that his earliest memory was of his father cleaning his sword on leave from the war. From this he grew up training in martial arts from an early age, training with bokken and wrestling. Sugano entered the

Aikikai Hombu Dojo The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai#Aikikai Foundation, Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Aikikai#Doshu, Doshu (the family heir of the founder of Aikido). It is represented globally th ...

in 1957 and by 1959 was an

Uchi-deshi is a Japanese term for a live-in student/apprentice who trains under and assists a sensei on a full-time basis. The system exists in ''kabuki'', ''rakugo'', ''shogi'', '' igo'', ''aikido'', ''sumo'', ''karate'' and other modern Japanese martia ...

Morihei Ueshiba was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art, martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher". The son of a landowner from Tanabe, Wakayama, Tanabe, Ueshiba studied a number of ...

living at the main school. In 1965 he was appointed by Ueshiba to introduce aikido in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

. He remained there for 15 years, founding the organization Aiki Kai Australia.Aiki Kai (Australia)
official website, includes some historical information and "newsletter" magazines. Over 40 dojo, including every capital city. At the request of

Nobuyoshi Tamura was a prominent aikidoka and a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba. The son of a kendo teacher, Tamura entered the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1953 as an uchi-deshi (live-in student) of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba. He was one of Ueshiba's favorite ...

, Sugano went to

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

, living and teaching in

Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...

while instructing in

Luxembourg Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in Western Europe. It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France on the south. Its capital and most populous city, Luxembour ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

and other European countries. In 1988 he moved to

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

where he co-instructed with

Yoshimitsu Yamada Yoshimitsu Yamada (山田嘉光; February 17, 1938 – January 15, 2023) was a Japanese-American aikido instructor. He was ranked eighth dan rank, dan in the Aikikai. He was chief instructor at the dojo New York Aikikai, and president of the Un ...

at th
New York Aikikai
From 1988 onward Sugano's primary instruction was at New York Aikikai teaching over 200 classes a year there, despite a grueling travel schedule. Due to Yamada's strong dislike of weapons Sugano mainly taught body arts and tanto instruction at New York Aikikai, emphasizing a joyful, spontaneous and strongly physical practice. While always stating, "Aikido is not martial art" Sugano strongly emphasized

atemi In Japanese martial arts, the term designates blows or strikes to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponent's body. Th ...

and martial application in technical application in his New York instruction. Sugano maintained regular contact with the

and also the Ueshiba family. He traveled extensively during the year to give aikido seminars, mainly in Europe and

South East Asia Southeast Asia is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, southeastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and northwest of the Mainland Au ...

. He visited

twice yearly and

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

once yearly to conduct the National Training Schools and dan grading. Sugano's aikido was known for possessing both speed and power. His teaching emphasized timing and distance, within a fundamental study of basic technique. Weapons instruction followed a more organic style, with very little study of formal

kata ''Kata'' is a Japanese word ( 型 or 形) meaning "form". It refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements. It can also be reviewed within groups and in unison when training. It is practiced in Japanese martial arts ...

. Sugano's weapons instruction focused on correct body positioning (hanmi) and paired practice, which again emphasized the necessity of timing and distance. In 2003, Sugano suffered a below the knee amputation, but he continued to teach and demonstrate aikido without any severe limitation. A medical fund was set up to cover his ongoing medical costs. Sugano died in New York City on August 29, 2010.

Legacy

The Foundatio

he established in Australia prior to his death, continues to promote Sugano's aikido legacy internationally. Three of Sugano's students were promoted to 7th dan on his recommendation: Tony Smibert (

Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...

), Robert Botterill (

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

) and Hanan Janiv (

Canberra Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the Federation of Australia, federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's list of cities in Australia, largest in ...

). They had also been awarded the title of

Shihan is a Japanese term that is used in many Japanese martial arts as an honorific title for expert or senior instructors. It can be translated as "master instructor". The use of the term is specific to a school or organization, as is the process o ...

Aikido Moral Code

Sugano Sensei wrote the Aikido Moral Code for students and schools that follow his teaching: -AIKIDO MORAL CODE- Aikido is a Way. There is commitment and there is obligation. Do not abuse or misuse the art of Aikido. Study carefully, honestly and humbly. Respect your seniors Take care of your juniors.

Quotes

"Philosophy of Aikido is love... To tell is OK but have to act. If you train you must give yourself... We must help others around." "Aikido is a circle that is large and holds many things. If you point to one place in the circle and say ‘this is the circle’ you are not correct. The moment you do this you see only one point and there is no circle. Aikido is more than martial art. More. Aikido can be used as a martial art. All this requires is the mind of violence. But that does not mean it is Aikido." "O’Sensei wanted Uke like water, like air, light and moving. Correct ukemi is to move, be light, in contact with Nage."

Videos

1. Remembering Sugano Sensei. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCQYgJoUCM4 2. 1988 Shihankai Public Demonstration 05 Shihan Seiichi Sugano. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKx4TDY5DNk 3. 1984 NY Aikikai 20th Class 5 S Sugano. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX5i_92EVVM 4. Old Skool Friday : Sugano Seiichi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNRoJ_xA6VE 5. Sugano Sensei Video Collection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6nsQTcf1_0&list=PL2068EC0DCF6CC46C 6. Malaysia Aikido Association - Rakan Muda aikido Demonstration 2001 Kuala Lumpur by Sugano sensei. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cev5xyKwltA 7. Sugano Sensei Explains the Sword. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4RCgj6_2cM

Interviews and Written Materials

1. Aikido Journal Interview. https://aikidojournal.com/2002/08/26/interview-with-seiichi-sugano/ 2. Aikido Sphere List of Articles. https://aikidosphere.com/sugano-sensei 3. 1974 Sugano Sensei Interview for Australian Fighting Arts. https://www.aikido.org.au/Of-Interest/7402396

References

External links

* Aiki Kai Australia

* New York Aikika

* United States Aikido Federatio

* Sugano Sensei Bi

* Newport Beach Aikika

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sugano, Seiichi Japanese aikidoka People from Otaru Martial artists from Hokkaido 1939 births 2010 deaths