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"Next Time I am not taking an assistant who's so handsome!” I joked about all the attention my assistant received at a public Aikido demonstrations ration.
During the late 70S, the martial arts gained wide popularity in the United States due to images created by Bruce Lee and other "macho martial arts movie heroes Trying to introduce Aikido among these stereotypical images was quite a challenge during the early years of the dojo’s development. Giving demonstrations to promote the dojo was important to further its growth, but it was even more important to overcome the "movie star" image that had been created about the martial arts. To accomplish this, I introduced classes and held demonstrations of other Japanese cultural arts along with those on Aikido. At that time, Nippon Kan held more than eight classes a day offering instruction in different aspects of Japanese culture. Demonstrations were given in over 80 percent of all the elementary, junior high, and high schools in the Denver metropolitan area. Because of this unique and authentic approach, the classes and demonstrations were a success, receiving frequent coverage from the news media. Today, Aikido demonstrations are limited to those school programs· that are seriously involved in learning about Aikido and Japanese culture. Although it may look like a cultural demonstration on the surface, performing at public fairs and festivals is just that performing. Audiences who watch martial arts demonstrations while drinking beer and eating hot dogs are really there only to be entertained, and the purpose of a demonstration can get lost when it becomes only a sideshow attraction. Cross-cultural exchange is a method of education, not just an opportunity to give a flashy performance of tricks and acrobatics in front of a cheering audience.