Aikido FAQ interview - 1957

C: Were there any episodes while you were at the Toyama School?

O Sensei: Strength contests?...One incident took place, I believe, before the episode with the military police.

Several captains who were instructors at the Toyama School invited me to test my strength against theirs.
 They all prided themselves in their abilities,
 saying things like: "I was able to lift such-and-such a weight," or "I broke a log so many inches in diameter".
 I explained to them, "I don't have strength like yours, but I can fell people like you with my little finger alone.

 I feel sorry for you if I throw you, so let's do this instead."
 I extended my right arm and rested the tip of my index finger on the end of a desk and invited them to lay across my arm on their stomachs.
 One, two, then three officers by themselves over my arm, and by that time everyone became wide-eyed.
 I continued until six men lay over my arm and then asked the officer standing near me for a glass of water.
 As I was drinking the water with my left hand everyone was quiet and exchanging glances.

B: Aside from Aikido, you must have tremendous physical strength.

O Sensei: Not really.