Aikido

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合気道

What is Aikido.

Aikido is a practice of body movements to evade or redirect an attacking opponent thereby enabling opportunities for escapes, throws, joint-locks, or counter strikes.

What are the origins of Aikido.

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art founded in the 1930s and 1940s by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), referred to as O'Sensei, as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy and religious beliefs through which practitioners could use to defend themselves ideally without unnecessary injury to the attacker.

The empty-handed foundation of Aikido are derived primarily from O'Sensei's study of Daitō-Ryū Aiki-jūjutsu however Aikido's technical structure has clear relation to his study of Kenjutsu (swordsmanship) - Yagyū Shingan-ryū and Kashima Shintō-ryu. To a lesser extent Sōjutsu (spear), Jūkendō (bayonet) and Judo had influence on the development of his art.

In the late 1920s, O'Sensei became involved with the Ōmoto-kyō, an organisation whose Shinto based teachings influenced his spiritual path for the remainder of his life.

O'Sensei gave different names to his art during its earlier development, including Aikijutsu, Aiki-Bujutsu, and Aiki-Budo, however Aikido became the official name of the art in 1942 when the Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society (Dai Nippon Butoku Kai) was engaged in a government sponsored reorganization and centralization of Japanese martial arts.

During his life O'Sensei continued to refine and develop his art and as a result his senior students have different emphasis in Aikido training and different interpretation on O'Sensei's philosophy of Aikido, depending partly on which point in his life they studied with him. This has lead to the various schools throughout the world that have grown from the teaching passed on by these senior students.

What is involved in Aikido training at Kuroyama Budokai.

Currently Kuroyama Budokai offers Aikido training as part of the Aikido Kenkyukai Canberra. Kenkyukai translates as "research group" and reflects a focus on individual "exploration" in the study of Aikido.

Practise involves basic drills to understand movement, paired kata to study techniques, and a distinct study of the elements of Awase (coming together) as a method of engagement.

To understand the application of Aikido body movements, various levels of freestyle practices are included.

What "style" of Aikido do we train at Kuroyama Budokai.

The foundation syllabus of Aikido Kenkyukai Canberra is available at other related locations in Canberra. Subsequently the class conducted at Kuroyama Budokai has a blended focus on the underpinning influence of kenjutsu to Aikido movements, and draws inspiration from the diverse experiences of our instructors (including civilian and law enforcement self defence instructor qualifications) and the teachers that have influenced them (including direct training with Aikido Shihan in Japan who are Buddhist Priests by occupation).

Who are the Aikido Instructors at Kuroyama Budokai.

Our Principal Instructors are:

Damon Schearer - Yondan (4th Dan)

Who are the governing bodies for Aikido at Kuroyama Budokai.

Aikido Kenkyukai Canberra is the Canberra organisation representing the Aikido Kenkyu Kai International (AKI), an international network of like-minded practitioners inspired by the teachings of Shihan Yoshinobu Takeda, 8th Dan who encouraged the practise of Aikido as research. AKI members are part of the Aikikai Foundation (Aikido World Headquarters).

Aikikai Foundation is the parent organization, officially recognized by the Japanese government in 1940, for the development and popularization of Aikido throughout the world.

Australian Jujitsu Federation (AJF) is the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) recognised as the governing body representing Jujitsu and related martial arts (including Aikido).