During yesterday`s conversation with shihan Antonino Cherta, we were officially informed that our study group becomes a dojo. Sensei Cherta, our teacher for Daito ryu Aikijujutsu and Ono ha Itto ryu Kenjutsu (Takeda den), on this way rewarded our determination and readiness to train and nurture the art, same as he himself trained at Tokimune Takeda.
This happens after the three year membership in his organization as an associate, respectively the three year test for our will power and determination. Daito ryu Macedonia – Koryu Dojo, from this day forward is an equal member with the other dojos in the organization European Daito Kai.
http://www.daito-ryu.com/association.html
What is interesting, because of his humbleness, today few people know sensei Cherta, although he is one of the greatest masters for traditional Japanese martial arts in Europe. In 1991, as a master for Aikido, he leaves for Japan and directly makes for the Hombu dojo in the city Abashiri, where he becomes a personal student of Tokimune Takeda (36th soke of Daito ryu). Sensei Cherta is the first non-Japanese who was accepted for a personal student of Tokimune, but also the first and only non-Japanese who earned the title shihan (master teacher). After the death of Tokimune Takeda, Antonino Cherta keeps training as a personal student of one of the greatest masters in Abashiri: the shihans Kato, Sano and Arisawa.
After the suggestion of soshi Kato Shigemitsu, sensei Cherta in 2006 founds the organization European Daito Kai, with purpose to nurture and transfer the knowledge of Tokimune Takeda to Europe.
Sensei Cherta devoted all his life to the Japanese martial arts, and is author of the book: „Daito-ryu Aikibudo, History and techique“
http://www.budovideos.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=23778
At the end, we thank to sensei Cherta for the shown honor, and we are going to continue with the hard work further on so we can justify his trust.