Inside a small, unassuming East Side fitness studio, more than 20 people gathered to watch and learn from one of the world's best aikido instructors.
For about three hours people learned how to fend off knife attacks and protect themselves from Fujitani Shihan, a small, cordial, and unassuming Japanese woman.
Despite her small stature, Shihan, a seventh dan, or level, (out of 10) in aikido, flipped her student, Cody Lewallen, several times.
Shihan has been teaching aikido for 40 years. She travels all over the world teaching the martial art.
Last Saturday was her first visit to Tucson.
Lewallen, the founder of Aikido Shoubu Dojo in Tucson, studied under Shihan while living in Osaka. He said he moved to Japan "just to learn the art of aikido."
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For someone of Shihan's fame to come to Tucson was a "great honor," Lewallen said.
Many of the people who were at the lesson at Ultima Self-Defense and Fitness, 7649 E. Speedway, were from out of town. Mitsumo Yagi came from her home in Tokyo and Jim Talley came with his wife, Mercedes Talley, from their home in Los Angeles.
"This was really worth it for us," Jim Talley said. "It's an incredible opportunity to be around her."
After Shihan demonstrated a technique on Lewallen, the group broke off into pairs to practice. Shihan went to each group to help them learn the moves. She didn't leave until it was to her liking.
"It feels really good," Shihan said through Lewallen, who served as her translator. "Everyone really listens to what I have to say."
