Ken Cottier shihan, RIP
Gernot Hassenpflug
Cottier, 7th dan Aikikai, passed away earlier today from lung cancer
at a hospice in England. He will be sorely missed.
Here is the announcement from the chairman of the IAF, Peter
Goldsbury, taken from E-budo:
"I have heard from a close mutual friend that Kenneth Cottier Shihan
passed away early this morning. Mr Cottier trained for some years at
the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo and then moved to Hong Kong, where he
was the chief instructor of the Hong Kong federation. He was also
technically responsible for the aikido federation in South Africa and
was Technical Councillor for the IAF.
Cottier Shihan was suffering from lung cancer and entered a hospice in
the UK a short while ago.
May he rest in peace.
Peter Goldsbury"
And my statement on Aikiweb:
"Ken Cottier sensei can rightly be called the mentor of South African
aikido, and personal mentor of almost all the current seniors there. I
first met Cottier Sensei in I think it was 1990 at the first summer
camp I attended, and could not help but be impressed with his passion
for aikido, and for people. His heart was all-encompassing, felt even
through the pain of his applied shihonage!
I remember well the "war stories" told at the food and drink session
after classes, and of driving him around during the 30th anniversary
celebrations of the Aikido Federation of South Africa, including to
visit a Chinese doctor for acupuncture for his knees.
After coming to Japan I exchanged letter and postcards with Cottier
Sensei for some years while training with Abe sensei, but lost touch
about two years back. I am saddened to hear of the situation and hope
that my thoughts will bring him some support. Cottier Sensei, I think
of you often, as an inspiration to my training especially now in
bujutsu with the Aunkai, and my way of life. I thank you for showing
me and others a better and a decent way by your sterling example. I
will never forget you."
Cottier sensei spent 25 years living and training in Japan, directly
under Morihei Ueshiba, and is the founder of the Hong Kong Aikikai. He
will be greatly missed, but his influence will continue in his
students and his memory will remain bright in our minds.
Best regards,
Gernot Hassenpflug
--
Gernot Hassenpflug
roger taylor
Very sad news.
Ken taught at our little club a few times. A direct link back to
O-Sensei but no side to him, to use a local expression. Nice guy, very
approachable, good teacher. Sad news indeed
Roger Taylor