Hirokazu Kobayashi

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At the age of 17 Kobayashi began his Aikido journey under O'sensei and continued to study under him until O'sensei's death in 1969. Throughout Kobayashi's Aikido journey he would occasionally accompany O'sensei on visits throughout Japan and, in 1977, started holding Aikido seminars internationally - mostly visiting Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany. His techniques were described as very short, powerful and precise with as little movement offline as possible. His grabbing techniques consisted of "Meguri" - literally meaning flexibility and rotating of the wrist producing subtle connection points producing the maximum result with minimal levels of effort. For Junichi Nishimura, Kobayashi's most memorable phrase was: "Teach everything you know/have, then you feel thirsty for a higher level"

Some other words people often heard him repeat while on the mat were "Itsumo manaka" (always towards the centre) and "Ima" (right now).

It is through the efforts of the shihan's and sensei's and their combined achievements that have led to an effective, applicable, realistic and non-aggressive martial way that is essential in this changing modern-day life we live in.

As our sensei, Junichi Nishimura, says to us now, "You must teach others what has been taught to you".