History of the Aïkikai So Honbu and the UBeA
The first European Aikido event took place in France in Bordeaux in 1949 by Mochizuki Sensei.
Mr. André Nocquet, a Judo practitioner, followed the teaching of Mochizuki Sensei and traveled from 1951 to 1955 to Japan to study with O’Sensei. He returned with the rank of 4th Dan. In 1945, Mr. Minne created the Judo and Jiu-jitsu Club of Belgium. In 1946, Kawaishi Sensei, represented by Jean De Herdt, created the Belgian Judo League which became in 1950 the Federal Union of Dojos. This union grouped some black belts of the Kawaishi method (Perpete, Cardon, Vishoff, Lindebrings, Naessens, Barzin, etc.).
A confederation was created between Mr. Minne’s Group and the U.F.D. in 1951.
It was Jean De Herdt who informed about the arrival of Abe Sensei in Paris. He taught in Kawaishi Sensei’s hall.
The first Aikido class in Belgium, initiated by Mr. Lindebrings, took place on November 28, 1953
In Belgium, as in France, future practitioners were mainly recruited among Judo practitioners.
For some time, Mr. Perpete and Mr. Lindebrings went to Paris to perfect their knowledge of Aikido. And it was on June 4, 1954, that Abe Sensei decided on the first examination.
There were approximately 80 practitioners. During the various grade tests, several succeeded at different levels. The first three who passed the 1st Dan exam were J. Lindebrings No. 166 Aikikai, Georges Schiffelers No. 167 Aikikai, Mr. Stas No. 168 Aikikai.
At the 3rd seminar organized by Mr. Jean Lindebrings and Mr. André Jean at Mr. Vishoff’s dojo on December 21, 1958, there was an exam. Jean Lindebrings became the only Belgian 2nd Dan under No. 42 Aikikai. André Jean was appointed 2nd Dan in 1960.
It was also in 1960 that Abe Sensei said goodbye and returned to Japan. Our Belgian practitioners continued practice with Mr. Nocquet who was at that time 4th Dan.
An incredible stroke of luck served Mr. Lindebrings. He discovered Murashige Sensei. He took the necessary steps for Murashige Sensei to accept to lead classes in Belgium. Murashige Shihan is 9th Dan, and personal representative of the founder of Aikido, O’Sensei Ueshiba.
After an exam on December 24, 1961, Murashige Sensei awarded the 3rd Dan rank No. 49 Aikikai to Jean Lindebrings.
Meanwhile, Noro Sensei arrived in France to replace Abe Sensei as the official delegate of the Aikikai of Japan.
Messrs. Chassang, Stas, Naessens went to follow his teachings while Messrs. Lindebrings, André Jean, Georges Schiffelers stayed around Murashige Shihan.
Murashige Shihan promoted Mr. Nocquet to 5th Dan.
On April 20, 1962, the founder O’Sensei Ueshiba authorized the creation for the first time of a Belgian federation called the Aikikai So Honbu of Belgium with Murashige Sensei as technical director (Founders: Messrs. Lindebrings, Perpete, and Toussaint, current honorary president). Published in the Belgian Official Journal on 15/11/1961 under number 4293.
On September 1, 1962, the inauguration of Murashige Sensei’s dojo took place at chaussée de Vleurgat, 286 in Brussels. Several personalities were present, official representatives of INEPS (now ADEPS), Madame Takebayashi (2nd great lady of Japan).
In March 1964, Murashige Sensei was mortally injured in a car accident. Before passing away, he asked Jean Lindebrings to continue his work in the spirit of Aikido as defined by O’Sensei. Jean Lindebrings was appointed 5th Dan. Madame Takebayashi and Mr. Mikata from the Japanese embassy were present.
Following the tradition that at the death of the Master, his close disciples receive an additional rank, André Jean became 5th Dan and André Nocquet received 6th Dan.
In 1964, Master Noro, having founded his own school in Paris, a young master was sent by the Aikikai of Tokyo, Tamura Nobuyoshi Sensei.
Jean Lindebrings, on the advice of André Nocquet, decided to wait and take some time after the death of Murashige Sensei.
In 1965, several students of Mr. Naessens such as Messrs. Gailly, Rousseau, Dedobbeleer managed to gather and with the help of Pierre Chassang (a very influential figure in French and European Aikido, who passed away on April 23, 2013) obtained the support of Tamura Sensei.
It was in 1966 – 1967 that they created the A.C.B.A., a copy of the A.C.E.A., today the F.E.A. At no time did they contact the Aikikai So Honbu of Belgium, which is historically the first Belgian Aikido federation and the federation recognized by I.N.E.P.S.
In 1977, the Belgian Aikido Union was born, heir to the Aikikai So Honbu of Belgium.
It was the first to be recognized by A.D.E.P.S. from January 1, 1979. It was on its suggestion that other federations quickly joined (AFA, CNCNFB). “Assistant instructor” courses were created. Three teachers from UBeA (Messrs. Lindebrings, Picrit, and Engelbeen) and one from AFA (Mr. Gailly, founder since then of another federation, the BABF) developed specific theoretical and pedagogical courses, and Sugano Sensei took care of practice.
Today, besides the Aikikai So Honbu of Belgium, which includes UBeA and Aikido Vlaanderen (U.Be.A. being recognized by Aikikai So Honbu and the European Aikido Federation), other federations are part of the Aikido federation panel: AFA, Budo Council, IMAF, EPA, etc.
Tamura Sensei, recognizing the work of Mr. Jean Lindebrings, posthumously awarded him the 6th Dan of the Aikikai of Tokyo.
I think that today, following his promise to Murashige Shihan, fulfilling Master Jean Lindebrings’ objectives to unite the federations under one roof would be the best for Aikido.