Continental, Determined Martial Art
Abe: When Mr. Deguchi went to Mongolia (year of 1924), he took close aides along with him. He asked O''Sensei to go with him. It looked as if he was taken as a guard. But, in fact, O''Sensei just wanted to study about continental martial arts furthermore after he went through all martial art schools in Japan.
He went there as a warrior. He wanted to study continental martial art, what is now called Tai Chi, from Mongolia and after that, he tried to enhance Aikido more.
--- Do you mean that the trip to Mongolia gave great influence to O''Sensei?
Abe: Yes, it was for martial arts. I think he had foresight. O''Sensei thoroughly studied Tai Chi. There were many Tai Chi schools, and he had chances to see something great in Mongolia.
I followed same path (Laughter). The era was different, though. I have visited Beijing two times. The first time was for studying about Calligraphy. I mainly organized the second trip. Although I wanted to know about martial arts and Tai Chi, everyone else went there for Calligraphy.
When I went there, I said, "I do Calligraphy besides Aikido." and demonstrated Aikido. One of the audiences said to me, "I have studied Tai Chi from my father since I was 2 or 3 years old. As I was very touched your technique, I would like you to see my Tai Chi, please." And he showed it to me. It was completely different from Tai Chi people do at the streets. This was a special technique. It is as same as special technique of Aikido.