In 2026, Takemusu Aikido Society celebrated five years since its foundation with a two-day anniversary seminar in Dublin. Held outdoors in excellent weather, the seminar brought together practitioners from our own dojo and visiting aikidoka for two days of intensive Aiki-ken practice. The first day focused on the foundations of sword practice, beginning with the seven suburi and progressing through awase to the first three kumitachi.

After a full day of training, we put our bokken aside and continued the anniversary celebrations with a barbecue. It was a welcome opportunity to relax, share food and spend time together outside the dojo. The following day continued with a smaller group, including guests from North East Aikido Ireland. Building on the work of the first day, we explored the later kumitachi and looked in greater detail at the variations of Ichi no Tachi.

The smaller group on Sunday allowed more time for repetition, individual practice and discussion of the principles behind the movements. Rather than simply working through the forms, the training focused on how different opportunities can arise within the same basic movements and how variations can be used to explore the underlying principles of Aiki-ken.

The seminar was a fitting way to mark five years of Takemusu Aikido Society. We are grateful to everyone who joined us, particularly those who travelled to train with us, and to everyone who has contributed to the development of the Society since its beginning in 2021. It was a memorable weekend of training, friendship and celebration.