Traveler

William T. Gillespie, the author of the book "Aikido in Japan and The Way Less Traveled", is a pioneer of Aikido in China.
As the sign in his first Aikido Dojo in Los Angeles read, "Not even a million dollars can buy back one minute of your life".
This is why W.T. Gillespie resigned from a professional career as a trial attorney in Los Angeles, also leaving his position as an assistant instructor in Furuya sensei's dojo.
He cast aside all the enviable benefits and considerable comforts of life in Southern California to move to Tokyo to devote himself to intensively study Aikido at the Aikikai World Headquarters.
Currently a 6th Dan Aikikai, his martial arts adventures in Japan and beyond to South East Asia, Korea and even The People's Republic of China became a fantastic journey of self-discovery and personal development that continues to unfold. As the Japanese say, "Doing is a mistake; not doing is a bigger mistake". Go forward! Find your Way! With the right mind, the whole world can become your dojo, all things are learning and every moment an adventure.

Contents: About WT Gillespie. Intro. California. Good Old Days Stories. Japan. The Training Culture at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Furuya Sensei's Helping Hand. Asa-keiko, the Morning Class. Balancing Life in Tokyo. Living With O-sensei's Legacy in Japan. The True Greatness of Kisshomaru Ueshiba. The Yin/Yang of the Grading System in Aikidō. Searching for Aikidō Applied. The Aiki-body. Being an Aikidō Pioneer in China