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· In memory of Shingo Koshiyama Sensei
 On Friday 4th February 2000 my respected senior Shingo Koshiyama Sensei suddenly passed away in the distant European town of Geneva in Switzerland.
He became ill at the end of January and underwent an operation but his condition did not improve and he journeyed on from this life. He was only 57 years old. Now he is probably enjoying practising aikido with Tomiki and Oba Shihan in heaven.
I would like to express my deep sorrow at his loss and also to write a few words of thanks for his kindness and guidance.
1. A brief personal history
Koshiyama Sensei was a very active member of the Tamaryu Highschool Judo Club in his hometown of Kagoshima despite his small build.
In 1964 he entered Kokushikan University and joined the aikido club which had just been set up in April of the same year by Junkichi Miyake (now Uchiyama) and Kaoru Kimura.
At first he had hoped to join Waseda University where his father had studied. His father had been a member of the Waseda Judo Club and was a close friend of Tomiki Sensei. I believe it was Tomiki Sensei who advised Koshiyama Sensei to join Kokushikan University and become a member of the aikido club there.
Making the most of his judo background he soon distinguished himself in the newly-formed aikido club. When I joined the club in April 1966, Koshiyama Sensei was in his 3rd year. He looked after me right from the start. At that time Kokushikan University was still very strict and the aikido club was no exception. We respected the students in the year above us but the 3rd year students were like gods to us.
Nevertheless Koshiyama Sensei talked to us in a cheerful way giving the impression of warmth and a big heart. I was often at breaking point because of the severe training but at these times I was able to keep going a little more because of Koshiyama Sensei's quiet encouragement. He had great aspirations and we often went to the practices at Waseda University and at training camps. Now I look back on those days with only fond memories knowing and realise that they were the main reason I aimed at making aikido my profession later.
2.His contribution to our Association.
Koshiyama Sensei graduated from University in March 1968 and took over the management of his father's shipping business. He became busy representing his father's firm all over south-east Asia. However he couldn't shake off his enthusiasm for aikido during his time as a student and handed over his father's business to his younger brother Shogo. In 1973, with Tomiki Sensei's recommendation, he travelled to Switzerland to take over from Kunihiro Amakura Sensei an old boy of the Waseda Aikido Club who had graduated in 1971.
From then until his death, some 27 years, he taught and encouraged the young people in Switzerland. Apparently, at first there were a lot of difficulties but his cheerful nature and optimism carried him over the obstacles.
More recently, through his likeable character and enthusiasm for aikido, he brought together instructors from various parts of Switzerland to form the Swiss Aikido Federation. Most recently he has been actively working on the preparation for the 2001 International Tournament to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Tomiki Sensei's birth.
He had a full and happy life with his wife Arianne supporting him in his activities. They married within two years of his arrival in Switzerland and were blessed with two children.
The results of his efforts can be seen clearly by the existence of these 5 dojo:
• Aikido Kwai Club at Lancy (run by Abdelaziz Benzaoui)
• Carouge Aikido Club (run by Pietro Bonadei)
• Gryon Aikido Club (run by Jean-François Ruchet)
• Aigle Aikido Club (run by Julio Casarini)
• Bex Aikido Club (run by Pierre-Alain Zeiter)
They are all practising under the supervision of Koshiyama Sensei. The combined membership of these 5 clubs is well over 100 students. Up to now in Switzerland about 80 people have managed to reach black belt level so we can see his tremendous achievements. As one of the instructors of the Japan Aikido Association and his junior at university I would like to express my deep gratitiude for his great contribution.
Tetsuro Nariyama Shihan
Japan Aikido Association
25th February 2000
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