TESTIMONIALS
Peter’s character and technical ability are such that anyone would recognize that he is worthy of the highest rank.
Peter is the man I trust most in the world. His aikido techniques are of an equivalent level to mine, and even more than that, you could even say that he is me – Koretoshi Maruyama. That is not to say that he imitates me, but rather, he understands me at the deepest spiritual level. When I first met Peter at a seminar in 2002, we instantly understood each other, and now we have reached the point where we don’t even need words. I think this is the connection inherent in true aikido. I am forever grateful for the blessing from heaven that brought us together.
On July 4, 2020, I granted the International Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai, Peter Kelly, the rank of 10th dan.
In Japan, not just in Aikido, but in all martial arts, it is customary to grant high ranks, known as “honorary ranks,” to those who have made great contributions to the art, irrespective of their technical ability. I have granted 10th dan to two people on that basis.
However, Peter Kelly is different. Both his character and technical ability are such that anyone would recognize that he is worthy of the highest rank. Furthermore, nobody except me can judge this, but he has mastered the special technique of ai-nuke, which is the most advanced technique in Japanese martial arts. He never talked about it, but it was demonstrated by the founder of aikido, Ueshiba Morihei, and I perceived it. That is why I didn’t leave the founder’s side until his passing. Now, Peter has learned the founder’s special technique of ai-nuke through me.
I hereby declare that Peter Kelly is worthy of the highest rank in Aikido Yuishinkai.
Even though he is a gifted athlete, Peter has constantly applied himself to refining his understanding of aikido.
I have trained in aikido with Peter Kelly for more than twenty years, but still remember the first time we trained together. We started with ikkyo, a technique we have returned to many times. Peter very politely enquired as to why I executed the movement in the way that I did. I outlined the motivation for my approach, then he suggested something similar in gross movement but with a range of subtle differences that completely transformed the technique, aligning it more closely with sword technique, and making the technique actually much easier to execute – especially on a larger partner. Despite the fact that I was ostensibly the more senior training partner, it was quite clear to me that Peter actually had a deeper understanding of the body mechanics and background to the development of the technique. Nothing much has changed in that perception in the ensuing couple of decades, other than my appreciation of the insights into aikido that Peter has generously offered me and others fortunate to have trained with him.
Those insights aren’t something that alighted on Peter out of thin air. I have seen a little of the work that has gone into refining them. Even though he is a gifted athlete, Peter has constantly applied himself to refining his understanding of aikido and, importantly, its teaching. The result is a body of technique, understanding and capacity to impart that understanding unparalled in my experience. Remarkably, given that level of excellence, a training session with Peter is generally casual and friendly. His interest in not in maintaining a hierarchy, or impressing anyone, but in genuinely learning together to improve our aikido.
Back on that ikkyo theme, I have continued to learn, year on year, more of the subtlety and richness of the aikido embodied in that apparently simple set of movements thanks mostly to Peter’s efforts.
Peter is an extraordinary martial artist and instructor who undoubtedly knows the art of Budo.
It is very rare to come across a martial arts instructor of Peter’s calibre. In fact, in my 25 years of training, studying and teaching, few, if any, have what Peter Kelly Sensei possesses. He deeply understands the mechanics of the body, where to be and NOT to be, the true principles of Aikido that O Sensei was attempting to express right through to working with students on all levels.
Peter is someone who has done the work required of a 10th Dan. In fact, Mauryama Sensei has often said ‘he is the one.’ Further, Mauryama Sensei has been on a journey for 65 years trying to find a student to take over Yuishinkai Aikido only to stumble across a rare gem in Australian born Peter Kelly appointing him Chief Instructor – World Technical Advisor in 2016.
Regardless of the art you are teaching or stuyding, I encourage all martial artists and instructors, in particular dojo owners to have Peter Kelly Sensei conduct a seminar or workshop at your premises. What you will learn is merely life changing!