A Great Master Has Passed Away

[2010-09-10]

New York, 8 September 2010

Sugano Shihan once told me that Aikido was his ‘calling’.

He devoted his life to it and studied to the very end. His last moments were private and shared only with his family, but there were many around the world who would have wished to be there with him as well – to hold his hand and give love and thanks for all his efforts over the years.

Sensei had turned away from the indignity of further medical treatments and then faced his final challenge with amazing dignity and insurmountable courage.

As one of those fated and privileged to be on duty at the hospital I’ve thought long and hard over the last week about what I can or should say of Sensei’s passing: after all we have yet to make the formal announcements about the events that will be held in Australia to Celebrate Sensei’s life. At the same time no words could address the personal loss that each and every student of Sensei is feeling right now. So all I can say is that his wonderful face became more and more beautiful as the days and hours passed and the end drew nearer. It was a great privilege to have been able to serve him and certainly to witness the way that he lived and died.

Following his passing, Sensei was privately cremated and his ashes will return to Australia with his children. They will be scattered on Mt Banks in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney, where so many of us have trained with Sensei over the years, at a special ceremony during his annual Winter School in 2011. Many of his students from overseas have expressed the wish to attend.

On Wednesday (NYC time), Sensei’s children on behalf of his extended family, loved ones and Aikikai Australia, will host a Celebration of Sensei’s Life here in New York at Hotel Beacon on Broadway. Hundreds are expected to attend.

The photo card on the left will be given to all those who attend.

Tony Smibert
President Aiki Kai (Australia)

(Reposted from http://www.aikido.org.au/)