UKA – Phil Smith 6th Dan – Bedford

Course Cost: £15 or £10 concession
Proof aikido insurance required
Please bring weapons, they may be needed during class

Smith Shihan began aikido as a junior in 1968 when he was nine years old. He is the son of Ren Shin Kan and UKA founder William Smith Shihan, who died in 2006. In 1970, he began training with Kazuo Chiba Shihan, obtaining his Shodan in 1976 at the age of 17.

Following Chiba Shihan’s return to Japan, Smith Shihan travelled extensively with Minoru Kanetsuka Shihan. He also travelled in the USA and continental Europe, training with the following Shihan: Sadateru Arikawa, Nobuysohi Tamura, Yoshimitsu Yamada, Mitsunari Kanai, Katsuaki Asai and Christian Tissier.

In 1988, he represented the UKA at the International Aikido Federation Congress in Tanabe, Japan. He was privileged to be present at the unveiling of the statue of O Sensei commissioned to commemorate the centenary of his birth. Smith Shihan has conducted seminars in Greece, Serbia and Australia.

Smith Shihan has been practising iaido since about 1972 and was promoted to 3rd dan with the British Kendo Association in 1988. He continues to train and teach iaido at Ren Shin Kan with the assistance of Karl Gibbons (3rd dan BKA)

The Bunyan Centre
Bedford, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom