After playing host to Kuribayashi Shihan's visit to Singapore, Philip Sensei became travel mate and companion as he accompanied Kuribayashi Shihan and Shidoin Kojiro Suzuki on their trip to Aikikai China in Shanghai.

Takanori Kuribayashi Shihan explaining footwork to the class.

After a 5 1/2 hour flight from Singapore, the group finally arrived at Shanghai at 8 p.m., where they were received by representatives from Aikikai China and were promptly treated to a sumptuous welcome dinner.

Photograph taken after the training/dan grading.

The early half of the next day was spent travelling to places of interest around Shanghai. After a rest, Kuribayashi Shihan conducted a seminar, which saw lots of enthusiastic students participating. This was followed by dinner.

Sensei with Takanori Kuribayashi Shihan and Kojiro Suzuki Shidoin instructor at the trademark of Shanghai.

The last day was pretty much the same, with the first half of the day spent sightseeing, followed by a second seminar and the first dan grading ever to be held in Shanghai. After the gruelling grading, all participants went for a dinner together.

A different version of Shihan T. Kuribayashi & Shidoin K. Suzuki.