About Aikido

The founder of Aikido (1883-1969)

Aikido is a martial art first developed in the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba.
He was born in December 1883, and was encouraged by his parents to take up martial arts to strengthen his constitution and counter-balance an intense interest in religion and philosophy.

He studied a variety of martial arts including jujitsu, swordsmanship and spear fighting, all of which being rooted in practical battlefield techniques were designed to kill or at least seriously damage an opponent. However, he maintained a strong interest in religious and philosophical matters, studying Zen buddhism and actively promoting the Omoto-kyo religious sect founded by Wanisaburo Deguchi.

This continuing interest in philosophy and religion led him to have a profound “enlightenment” in which he realised that the role of martial arts was to protect and encourage love and respect between individuals.
After many years of study with some of the leading masters of martial arts Ueshiba opened his own school in 1936, at the age of 53, initially calling his style Aikibudo. The name “aikido” was first registered with the central authority for martial arts, the Japan Butokukai, in 1942, when Ueshiba was 59.

During his life he was considered to be the foremost martial artist in Japan, able to defeat any style and any number of opponents. He said of himself that he could never be beaten because he never fought with his opponent. By this he meant that he never opposed their strength with strength.

Ueshiba died in 1969 at the age of 86. He continued practising until close to the end of his life.

The founder’s decision to call his art “aiki - do” (Ai = harmony, love, meeting, Ki = spirit, mind,chi, prana, Do = path, way, method) reflects a number of key elements.

Harmony with one’s self.
Harmony with one’s opponent. Aikido movements do not “clash” with the opponent’s movement but harmonise. For example, blows are not solidly blocked, but are absorbed and re-directed. Similarly, aikido practitioners will seek to blend with their opponents’ movement and subtly take control of it.
Continued practice of aikido, like the practice of meditation, should lead to the individual being in tune with themselves.
As with other forms of meditation, control and use of breath, and an awareness of one’s centre is important.
Movements are natural, relaxed and filled with “Ki” energy.
A critical element of aikido is its non-aggressive nature. Unlike most other martial arts it does not seek to damage or destroy its opponents. Nor does it require the application of strength to be effective. Indeed many aikido techniques work best when applied without strength. This is because the application of strength almost invariably results in a counter-reaction by the opponent. The ideal is to apply the technique such that the opponent does not realise what is happening to them until too late. Advanced practitioners of aikido develop great sensitivity to their opponents’ movement and an automatic ability to change techniques to blend with any movement the opponent makes.

The founder was, and many of the current high ranking officials of aikido are, Shinto priests. On a spiritual level aikido seeks to develop respect for all things and thus to develop harmony with the universe. It is up to individuals how far they wish to progress along this particular path.

Our club - Aikido Takemusukai

Suzuki Toshinobu and Morihei Ueshiba

This school of aikido was until recently led by Suzuki Toshinobu sensei who trained with the founder Morihei Ueshiba and was awarded 10th dan by him. Suzuki Toshinobu sensei has now passed (2009) and leave the leadership to Shigeyuki Suzuki sensei. There are a number of dojos (training halls) spread around Japan but mostly in and around Tokyo.

Suzuki Toshinobu & Hishunuma (1985)

In the UK the school is led by Richard Simms sensei (6th dan) who is based in Bristol. Other UK branches are based in London and Norfolk. Other international branches are based in Australia (Brisbane) led by George Eaton sensei 7th dan and Brazil (Sao Paulo) led by Marcello Silva, 5th dan.

Members of the international branches regularly travel to Japan to train at the summer training camp in August and to meet their Japanese and international colleagues. The global aikido takemusukai group sees itself very much as a family and these occasions provide an opportunity both to study aikido, meet old friends and make new ones.

UK and Australian members in Japan 2007

About Aikido Takemusukai UK

- History

- Our teachers

- Training requirements

- Promotions

- Fees

History

The UK branch was founded in the early 1970s by sensei Andrew Moxon (now living in Australia). The current head of the UK branch was one of Mr.Moxon's early students.

Teachers:

Our UK teachers have a wealth of experience. All our teachers have been studying aikido for a minimum of 10 years and some for well over 20 years.

All teachers have coaching qualifications from the British Aikido Board together with instructor liability insurance.

Richard Simms sensei (6th dan) has been studying aikido since 1974 and has been given the responsibility of representing Aikido Takemusukai in the UK. He also runs the Bristol branch.

Peter Downs (4th dan) has been studying aikido since 1983 and since moving to Norfolk from London in 2004 now runs the Norfolk branch.

Darian Jenik (3rd. dan) and Alex Ash (2nd dan) jointly teach the London classes. Darian has been training since 1994. Alex has been training in London for 10 years.

Requirements for training

You may train as a guest for a maximum of four sessions. After this period you will be required to join the aikido takemusukai organisation for insurance purposes.

Initially you may train in tracksuits or preferably tracksuit trousers with a non-stretchy top (such as a rugby shirt). If you decide to continue training we recommend you purchase a gi (judo suit). The club can provide these. Men should wear athletic supports and women sports bras.

When first starting please inform your club instructor if you have any disabilities, are under any medication, or have suffered any physical injuries in the last 18 months.

Promotions

These are carried out twice yearly, grades are registered in Japan and certificates are sent from Japan. Grading fees may vary depending on the exchange rate with the Yen. Lower grades currently cost £10 per grade, medium grades £15 and higher grades (1st Dan and above) are on an increasing sliding scale.

Fees

Fees for classes depend upon whether you are a member or a guest. They also vary depending on the location of the class because of the different costs associated with hiring the training hall. Please contact the appropriate person to find out more about the cost of training in your area.

Aikido takemusukai UK is a non-profit making association. Our fees directly reflect our costs. Teachers generally provide their services voluntarily.

Club fees are used in the following ways:
to pay for the hire of training facilities
for teachers' extraordinary travelling expenses
to provide subsidised training for claimants
to purchase stock which is then available for club members to buy
to provide a fund against future losses or the need to replace expensive items of equipment (eg training mats)
to support the relationship with the parent organisation in Japan (including the translation of twice yearly letters, and the purchase of traditional gifts for senior members of the organisation in Japan).

	The founder of Aikido (1883-1969) Aikido is a martial art first developed in the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba. He was born in December 1883, and was encouraged by his parents to take up martial arts to strengthen his constitution and counter-balance an intense interest in religion and philosophy. He studied a variety of martial arts including jujitsu, swordsmanship and spear fighting, all of which being rooted in practical battlefield techniques were designed to kill or at least seriously damage an opponent. However, he maintained a strong interest in religious and philosophical matters, studying Zen buddhism and actively promoting the Omoto-kyo religious sect founded by Wanisaburo Deguchi. This continuing interest in philosophy and religion led him to have a profound “enlightenment” in which he realised that the role of martial arts was to protect and encourage love and respect between individuals. After many years of study with some of the leading masters of martial arts Ueshiba opened his own school in 1936, at the age of 53, initially calling his style Aikibudo. The name “aikido” was first registered with the central authority for martial arts, the Japan Butokukai, in 1942, when Ueshiba was 59. During his life he was considered to be the foremost martial artist in Japan, able to defeat any style and any number of opponents. He said of himself that he could never be beaten because he never fought with his opponent. By this he meant that he never opposed their strength with strength. Ueshiba died in 1969 at the age of 86. He continued practising until close to the end of his life. The founder’s decision to call his art “aiki - do” (Ai = harmony, love, meeting, Ki = spirit, mind,chi, prana, Do = path, way, method) reflects a number of key elements. Harmony with one’s self. Harmony with one’s opponent. Aikido movements do not “clash” with the opponent’s movement but harmonise. For example, blows are not solidly blocked, but are absorbed and re-directed. Similarly, aikido practitioners will seek to blend with their opponents’ movement and subtly take control of it. Continued practice of aikido, like the practice of meditation, should lead to the individual being in tune with themselves. As with other forms of meditation, control and use of breath, and an awareness of one’s centre is important. Movements are natural, relaxed and filled with “Ki” energy. A critical element of aikido is its non-aggressive nature. Unlike most other martial arts it does not seek to damage or destroy its opponents. Nor does it require the application of strength to be effective. Indeed many aikido techniques work best when applied without strength. This is because the application of strength almost invariably results in a counter-reaction by the opponent. The ideal is to apply the technique such that the opponent does not realise what is happening to them until too late. Advanced practitioners of aikido develop great sensitivity to their opponents’ movement and an automatic ability to change techniques to blend with any movement the opponent makes. The founder was, and many of the current high ranking officials of aikido are, Shinto priests. On a spiritual level aikido seeks to develop respect for all things and thus to develop harmony with the universe. It is up to individuals how far they wish to progress along this particular path. Our club - Aikido Takemusukai Suzuki Toshinobu and Morihei Ueshiba This school of aikido was until recently led by Suzuki Toshinobu sensei who trained with the founder Morihei Ueshiba and was awarded 10th dan by him. Suzuki Toshinobu sensei has now passed (2009) and leave the leadership to Shigeyuki Suzuki sensei. There are a number of dojos (training halls) spread around Japan but mostly in and around Tokyo. Suzuki Toshinobu & Hishunuma (1985) In the UK the school is led by Richard Simms sensei (6th dan) who is based in Bristol. Other UK branches are based in London and Norfolk. Other international branches are based in Australia (Brisbane) led by George Eaton sensei 7th dan and Brazil (Sao Paulo) led by Marcello Silva, 5th dan. Members of the international branches regularly travel to Japan to train at the summer training camp in August and to meet their Japanese and international colleagues. The global aikido takemusukai group sees itself very much as a family and these occasions provide an opportunity both to study aikido, meet old friends and make new ones. UK and Australian members in Japan 2007 About Aikido Takemusukai UK - History - Our teachers - Training requirements - Promotions - Fees History The UK branch was founded in the early 1970s by sensei Andrew Moxon (now living in Australia). The current head of the UK branch was one of Mr.Moxon's early students. Teachers: Our UK teachers have a wealth of experience. All our teachers have been studying aikido for a minimum of 10 years and some for well over 20 years. All teachers have coaching qualifications from the British Aikido Board together with instructor liability insurance. Richard Simms sensei (6th dan) has been studying aikido since 1974 and has been given the responsibility of representing Aikido Takemusukai in the UK. He also runs the Bristol branch. Peter Downs (4th dan) has been studying aikido since 1983 and since moving to Norfolk from London in 2004 now runs the Norfolk branch. Darian Jenik (3rd. dan) and Alex Ash (2nd dan) jointly teach the London classes. Darian has been training since 1994. Alex has been training in London for 10 years. Requirements for training You may train as a guest for a maximum of four sessions. After this period you will be required to join the aikido takemusukai organisation for insurance purposes. Initially you may train in tracksuits or preferably tracksuit trousers with a non-stretchy top (such as a rugby shirt). If you decide to continue training we recommend you purchase a gi (judo suit). The club can provide these. Men should wear athletic supports and women sports bras. When first starting please inform your club instructor if you have any disabilities, are under any medication, or have suffered any physical injuries in the last 18 months. Promotions These are carried out twice yearly, grades are registered in Japan and certificates are sent from Japan. Grading fees may vary depending on the exchange rate with the Yen. Lower grades currently cost £10 per grade, medium grades £15 and higher grades (1st Dan and above) are on an increasing sliding scale. Fees Fees for classes depend upon whether you are a member or a guest. They also vary depending on the location of the class because of the different costs associated with hiring the training hall. Please contact the appropriate person to find out more about the cost of training in your area. Aikido takemusukai UK is a non-profit making association. Our fees directly reflect our costs. Teachers generally provide their services voluntarily. Club fees are used in the following ways: to pay for the hire of training facilities for teachers' extraordinary travelling expenses to provide subsidised training for claimants to purchase stock which is then available for club members to buy to provide a fund against future losses or the need to replace expensive items of equipment (eg training mats) to support the relationship with the parent organisation in Japan (including the translation of twice yearly letters, and the purchase of traditional gifts for senior members of the organisation in Japan).
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