On 2nd March 2008 at the Zen Judo (Spring) Budo Course held at Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club, Sensei John Goldman 7th Dan UBA, presented a copy of the certificate  awarded to Kenshiro Abbe by  Emperor Hiroshito at the Imperial Palace, Japan , on March 23rd 1945. To Shihan Gordon Lawson 6th Dan BZJFA.

(left to right) Sensei John Goldman 7th Dan UBA and Shihan Gordon Lawson 6th Dan BZJFA.

This certificate was awarded to Kenshiro Abbe by Emperor Hirohito at the Imperial Palace, Japan, March 23rd 1945 and it is a record of Abbe's importance as a Budo master in Japan.

John Goldman is now the keeper of the original certificate. It was sent to him in 2005 by the Abbe family as a token of their continuing friendship with John and to celebrate 50 years of Abbe's arrival in the UK.

John has promoted this treasured document as something to be shared. He has had special copies made for varying bodies including the Kodokan in Japan, the world headquarters of judo.

The translation of this certificate is:

The Japanese Emperor knights Kenshiro Abbe with the fifth class medal/Cordon of the Order and bestows on him the Sacred Treasure.

The Son of Heaven's stamp is facilitated in Miyagi on March 23 1945 (20th year of Showa).

March 22 1945 (20th year of Showa)
The president of the Decoration Bureau Yasuji Seko.
It will be recorded on the medals for Merit list as
Congratulation no. 54225.
The Secretary of Decoration Bureau Yachiho Murata.