AIKIDO

Aikido is a Japanese martial Art that stresses self-defense by harmonizing with an attack and controlling the attacker by joint locks or their own momentum. One of the main concepts in aikido is the blending of your ki (spirit or energy) with that of your partner. Because blending with your partner's power means there is no competition or conflict between you, aikido does not require a great deal of physical strength and is therefore a Japanese martial art that anyone at any age can do.

The three characters (or kanji) representing aikido are translated as follows:

合 Ai - Means harmony
気 Ki - Means energy or spirit, either your own, or the world's collective energy
道 Do - Means the way or the approach to training that includes learning the physical movements as well as developing your whole self.

Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the mid 1930's. He is known as O'Sensei, or great teacher. He had mastered several martial arts in his youth and had a very strong spiritual side as well. O'Sensei had a realization that his martial art was not about fighting and winning, but that it was about love and harmony. Thus, Aikido was born.

YOSHINKAN

Yoshinkan Aikido is one of the three main styles of Aikido and was founded by Shioda Gozo in the mid 1950's. Shioda Sensei studied extensively with Morihei Ueshiba Sensei after which he created his own unique style of Aikido known for its dynamic energy and focused Kamae (stance). The three characters representing Yoshinkan are translated as follows:

養 Yo - Means to foster or to raise
神 Shin - Means spirit or to develop divine skilled
館 Kan - Means a large building, a hall

Shioda Sensei said that Aikido is a tool that enables students to learn about themselves, about others, and to enhance their health and vitality.

ROPPONGI YOSHINKAN AIKIDO

Established by Roland Thompson Sensei and Michael Stuempel Sensei who studied under Shioda Gozo from the late 1980's to the mid 1990's to further the teaching of Yoshinkan Aikido and to contribute to the realisation of a rich and peaceful society through mental and spiritual training.