Bacas sensei (6th dan Aikikai-Aikido) began his aikido career in 1972, his frist lessons were under Maitre Dedobbeleer sensei (6th dan). Later he became a personal student of Fujita Sensei for very many years. Bacas sensei began spreading aikido in the Netherlands since 1978 in cities such as The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft, Utrecht, Leiden & Amsterdam. In addition he travelled with Fujita sensei to many seminars in easter europe and Russia.

He was, and remains, a great source of aikido inspiration to his students. A sensei that was highly creative and a person with enormous energy on and off of the tatami. Bacas sensei died in 2006 unexpectedly just hours after giving an energy-filled aikido class. His spirit remains as his legacy in all of his students and those whom his inspired.

Here is an interview with Peter Bacas sensei several years ago, in celebration of his 65th birthday. Recommended reading for all who wish to wish to learn who Peter Bacas Sensei was. The interviewer was Lawrence Warry, now sandan aikikai aikido.

Interview with Peter Bacas Sensei

Here is a memoir on Bacas sensei by Bete Romanzini:

"I had so much luck to know Bacas Sensei. I trained with him for a short period in 1999, and that little time was of great importance for me. Bacas Sensei was a Samurai, always ready for anyone. So many times I saw him offer food for all and look after the wellbeing of everyone, without getting tired. On the tatami, Bacas Sensei was impressive. He wasn't tall, but he was big in the atmosphere, so, training with him was next to what an aikidoist can imagine as perfection. He had all the right words, the right gesture, the right time for each student.

Every time I think of Bacas Sensei I think that if I did not know him, my choices in Aikido would be very different. He gave me the direction I would like to follow in Aikido. All of this in that little time together. A Japanese zen saying says: I shin den shin (from heart to heart), that´s the way he deeply touched me. The last thing I remember about him was something that happened outside of the dojo. He brought us (me and a friend of mine) to the station to take the train to Paris, late at night. All of us were tired after some days of full time Aikido practice. I had my small backpack but my friend had a lot of heavy luggage. Going up and down the stairs the three of us all carried my friend's belongings. Bacas Sensei didn't appear to grow tired from this. I heard him say "Next time...." I was tense, thinking he was upset but he said: " bring more friends to help us to carry all this luggages" I had a lot of fun. It´s my last delightful souvenir from him.

Bacas Sensei was that way, always in a simple, good mood. Always ready for life and death. Bacas Sensei, there is a picture of you in our humble Tensei Dojo. And there will always be a hot cup of tea for you after the training. Please, accept our gratitude.

Bete Romanzini, 1st dan"