Opening Night
Monday 3rd June 1991 - Rugeley in Staffordshire
The evening opened with a Demonstration by Sensei Brown covering the full range of Aikido techniques, weapons, and defence against a real knife.
Thereafter a few basic techniques were taught and the class eagerly participated. There were many newcomers in attendance, but also several experienced students who had come to support the official launch of the Black Star Aikido Dojo.The launch was very much a success and many newcomers signed up for membership. After practice refreshments were enjoyed and questions answered.
Pictured on the left is the original badge as a screen print and sewn onto the students jackets.
1992....... Sensei Brown travelled alone to the New York Aikikai, USA to train at the USA Headquarters of Master Yoshimitsu Yamada, for a short intensive live in Training Programme. This concluded in being graded to Shodan and thus being accepted as Yudansha and certified with the Japanese Aikido World Headquarters.
1997....... Sensei Brown’s book entitled “The Way of the Black Star” was published and successfully launched by several book signings.
NEW BADGE..... Pebbles Design Agency were commissioned to design a contemporary, business like, corperate logo for the new look for Black Star Aikido to take it forward into the 21st Century.
2009.........Black Star Aikido officially launched in Manchester at the Dojo Headquarters of Kokoro Aikido. Sensei Brown was invited to teach at the Kokoro Dojo by its Chief Instructor Sensei Ian Watts, 5th Dan.
Manchester Advertiser 21 MAY 2009
Black Star Aikido continues to grow and develop itself. It looks forward to working with both the smaller and larger Aikido Groups, in an effort to promote a healthy interest in Aikido throughout Great Britain and Europe.
2011.......Monday 15th August 2011 see the Black Star Aikido Team attend Manchester Martial Arts Seminar at KOKORO AIKIDO DOJO under invitation from Aikido Shidoin Ian Watts.
Special Guest was world famous Grand Master Bauer 10th Dan. He is an expert in Close Quarter Combat and has taught on many International Seminars.
Aikido students from both dojos enjoyed training with one another and learning new self- defence skills.
Black Star Aikido Celebrate Ian Watts the Chief Instructor of Kokoro Aikido being awarded his 6th Dan Aikido.
2012......CELEBRATIONS 121212 Wednesday 12th December 2012
The first batch of new Dan Grades receive their black belts and certificates on Wednesday 12th December 2012.
The presentation was held at Dojo HQ and was well attended by family and friends.
2013.....Saturday 16th February 2013
Black Star Aikido in company with students from Kokoro Aikido attended a Self Defence & Pressure Point Seminar at Stockport Dojo UK, hosted by Soke Bauer.
Sensei Kevin Merriman 5th Dan Karate Chief Instructor of ESKA, England Seikokai Karate Association was also present with some of his black belts.
Soke Bauer was delighted to Award Ian Watts, the Chief Instructor of Kokoro Aikido the title of Shihan.
2013..... Sunday 30th June 2013
Martial Arts Madness for Ella
Thanks Go To Every Instructor and Every Student from BSA who supported this very special event.
It was a very positive day and it was heart-warming to meet Ella and contribute to this great cause.
“When true martial artists unite, everything is possible”
2014..... Saturday 29th March 2014
Budo Seminar in Markaryd, Sweden
Gake Ryu Jujutsu hosted their Annual International Budo Kamp in Markaryd in Sweden. Instructors and students from across Europe were in attendance hosted by Hanshi Johan Pettersson 8th Dan.
This starts a Budo Friendship between BSA and Gake Ryu Jujutsu & Solna Jujutsu. This plays a vital role in the promotion of traditional Japanese martial arts and helps promote the values of Aikido to other disciplines.
2014..... Wednesday 17th September 2014
ENGLAND SEIKOKAI KARATE MASTER CLASS
Black Star Aikido instructors and students were honoured to be invited to attend this Special Master Class to broaden their understanding of the traditional values of Karate by some of Japans very distinguised Karateka.
All students received a special certificate signed by Shihan Ohgiya Naoyuki 8th Dan , Shihan Kanno Hidetomo 8th Dan, Sensei Takano Fujio 7th Dan and the host U.K instructor Sensei Kevin Merriman 5th Dan Karate.
2014..... Friday 19th September 2014
England Seikokai Karate invite the BSA Team to attend a Social Event and Awards Ceremony in Rochdale, U.K.
The England Seikokai Karate Association present Shihan Tony Brown with the award:
The Engraving Reads “OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE FURTHERANCE OF MARTIAL ART AWARD, 2014 SHIHAN TONY BROWN”2015..... Sunday 8th February 2015
Our Organisation Celebrates a Successful 5 Year Anniversary at our Dojo HQ.
The Celebrations concluded with everyone in attendance receiving a commemorative medal illustrating the Organisation “white dove” recognised as the universal symbol of peace, with the Kanji therein for “life”
Sensei Robert and Sensei Max were presented with a Special Achievement Award for outstanding paired weapons performance.
2015..... Saturday 11th April 2015
International Kenpo Kwai Seminar, Kent, United Kingdom.
Soke Andy McGill 10th Dan Kenpo hosts the Seminar and invites BSA to share our Aikido teachings.
The Black Star Aikido Team attend and enjoy sharing Aikido to students of Jujutsu, Kenpo, Judo and Karate.
2016.....
Black Star Aikido Academy is launched.
The Academy’s aim is to reach out to the smaller independent Aikido Dojos and Instructors in the U.K and offer them the hand of friendship. The Academy seeks to enhance the profile of Aikido by raising the standards through training / education and unity.
2016..... Saturday 3rd September 2016
SCOTTISH KEMPO ACADEMY
Chief Instructor Neil Hourston 8th Dan Kempo invites us to teach at their Annual Self Defence Seminar in Inverness, Scotland.
BSA Team committed themselves to the 7 hour car journey to support the Organisation and further their knowledge in Japanese Martial Arts and help spread their love & passion of Aikido to others.
This promotes a great link between our 2 Organisations, exchanging views and sharing the traditional values of Japanese martial arts with one another.
2017..... Saturday 14th October 2017
The Black Star Aikido team are proud to host the 2017 International Budo Kamp at their U.K Dojo Headquarters with top instructors from the U.K and Sweden.
See our newspaper clippings folder at the Dojo.
