Kenshiro Abbe 8th Dan Judo
Kenshiro Abbe was born 15th December 1915 in the Tokushima Province of Japan and in 1955, at the age of 40, came to England to form the International Budo Council.
Abbe was an accomplished Judo champion and teacher but had also studied for ten years under Morihei Ueshiba the creator of Aikido. Abbe became his senior student and Ueshiba probably had the greatest personal influence on Abbe's life in Budo.
Abbe launched his own Theory of Kyushindo and was responsible for introducing _the previously unknown arts of Kendo, Aikido, Karate, Kyodo, Jukendo, Iaido, Yarido and Naginatado into Europe and the UK.
After becoming disillusioned with training in the UK he bought a van and set out for Marseilles and became a traveling teacher. He would visit towns and set up his 15 Tatami mat and teach Judo to anyone who wanted to learn.
In 1960 a car accident dislocated and damaged his neck. Abbe found himself in constant pain and unable to think clearly. His health worsened and in 1964 he returned to Japan.
In October 1968, he read the writings of the great Buddhist leader, Nichiren Daishonin. Following the reading, he found himself cured. After this remarkable recovery he began teaching again and in 1969 returned to Britain and formed the British Judo Council with Bill Woods 2nd Dan.
Abby’s lifelong training partner, O'tani later took on the responsibility of the school and continued until his own death. Abbe returned to Japan for the second time in the late seventy's and stayed there until his death in June 1986.
Kenshiro Abbe was one of the most influential figures in Britain’s martial arts history and had a profound influence on Peter Monkman who constantly referred to Abbe’s teachings and philosophies in his own training sessions.
