Aiki Shuren Dojo Adelaide
Aiki Shuren Dojo Adelaide
Call 0407 770 894
Aikido is Budo
Aikido is rooted in the samurai code of Bushido. Budo (武道), translating to "martial way," refers to Japanese martial arts focused on integrating mind, technique and body.
Aikido comprises a comprehensive system of throwing, joint locking, striking and pinning techniques, coupled with traditional Japanese weapons such as the sword and staff. It provides excellent physical and mental conditioning, enabling a person under attack to assume control of their situation.
Founder of Aikido
Morihei Ueshiba or 'O'Sensei', the founder of Aikido was born in Tanabe in 1883, a tumultuous period in Japanese history. After serving in the army he led a community to the remote wilderness in Hokkaido, northern Japan. It was here that he received instruction under Takeda Sokaku, founder of Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu. On leaving Hokkaido in 1919, O'Sensei joined the Omote movement in Ayabe serving as a martial arts instructor under the enigmatic leader Onisaburo Deguchi. It was during these years that he experienced a great spiritual enlightenment. After this experience his martial art skill and ability was largely enhanced.
With the onset of the war, O'Sensei moved to Iwama, a remote
rural farming community, to immerse himself deeply in training and misogi. O'Sensei continued to refine his art in Iwama up until his passing in 1969.
(Excerpt from the Encyclopaedia of Aikido by S. Pranin).
O'Sensei's longest serving student
Morihiro Saito Sensei, 9th dan, trained with O Sensei in Iwama for 23 years, often as the only student and cared for O Sensei up until O Sensei's passing in 1969.
It was in Iwama that Aikido took its modern form. Saito Sensei has been credited for systemising Aikido and developing a vast weapons system which is an identifying feature of the Iwama style.
Saito Sensei spent many years promoting O Sensei's Aikido throughout the world and implemented an uchi deshi program where foreigners could live and study Aikdio in Iwama. Saito Sensei's legacy has been retained through his son Hitohira Saito Sensei.
Head of Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shuren Kai - our Sensei
Hitohira Saito Sensei began training as a seven year old under O'Sensei who regarded the young Saito as a grandson. As a young man he took on the responsibilities of his father, caretaking of the Founder's dojo and the Aiki Jinja.
Eventually Hitohira Saito Soke inaurguated his own dojo, the
'Tanrenkan', and founded his own organisation Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shureni Kai.
"We preserve and share the great inflence of my father Morihiro while remaining faithful to the technical and spiritual heritage left by the Founder Morihei Ueshiba.
We continually try to improve ourselves through the intensive and systematic practice of kihon, and we believe each training session is a unique opportunity to feel closer to the Founder.
I firstly apply this permanent training to myself."
- Hitohira Saito Sensei, Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shuren Kai.