Proving the power of Ki
In 1950s, the airplane was still underdeveloped, and the Japanese could not go
to overseas freely. In 1953, Koichi Tohei got special permission and went to
Hawaii by ship. He held matches with professional wrestlers and high ranking
martial artists in Hawaii, but he threw them with Ki. Many people who saw this
became students of Koichi Tohei. The County Police Department in Maui, Hawaii
recognized Koichi Tohei and asked him to teach policemen in there. Until today,
Koichi Tohei's student on Maui, Mr. Shinichi Suzuki, has been teaching Ki principles
to policemen every year.
Teaching Ki and Ki-Aikido in Asia
Koichi Tohei went to Guam, the Philippines, and New Zealand
and taught Ki and Ki-Aikido. He did many demonstrations to prove the power of
Ki, such as letting several men try to push against him as he supported them
with his little finger. He also threw many huge martial artists.
Teaching Japanese professional baseball players
After teaching Mr. Oh, Koichi Tohei taught Mr. Nagashima, who was also a baseball
player. He taught Mr. Nagashima how to hold the bat with Ki. Soon Mr. Nagashima
began to understand. After that, Mr. Oh and Mr. Nagashima hit many home runs,
and the audience became excited because of their success. After Mr. Nagashima
retired from baseball, he became the coach of the Giants. When his team had slumped
to bottom in the league, he sent all baseball players in his team to Ki dojo
in Shinjuku and asked them to study the principle of Ki from Koichi Tohei.
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Teaching Ki and Ki-Aikido in the US
Beginning in Hawaii, Koichi Tohei went on to the US mainland
also. He taught in 21 states including California, Navada, Arizona, Washington
and others.
Teaching Ki to Mr. Sadaharu Oh
(Japanese professional baseball player)
When Mr. Oh joined the Giants (Japanese professional baseball team),
his personal growth seemed sluggish. Mr. Arakawa who was coach of the Giants
at that time asked Koichi Tohei to teach Mr. Oh. Koichi Tohei taught him to stand
on one foot with Ki in Shinjuku dojo. This is known as "Ippon-ashi dahou"(Hitting
ball standing on one foot) With his new stance, he broke one home run record
after another. Koichi Tohei's teaching served as a foundation for the top home
run batter of the world.
Koichi Tohei
received Aikido 10th dan
In 1969, Koichi Tohei received 10th dan from Master Morihei Ueshiba. (Three months
later, Master Morihei Ueshiba passed away) |
