Kenji Shimizu

Kenji Shimizu (Japanese清水 健 二, Kenji Shimizu; * 1940 in the prefecture of Fukuoka, Iizuka city, district TENTO, Japan) began in 1953 with the judo training and carried the 4th Dan, as in 1963, after studying at Meiji University, about moving to Aikido. He was one of the last personal students ( Uchi - deshi ) of Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of Aikido. As Ueshiba died in 1969, Shimizu had the 4th Dan held. In the same year he founded in Tokyo, Shimizu dojo, which he renamed in Tendokan 1975 ( Gate to Heaven ). Shimizu remained until 1973 at the Aikikai and then moved to the IMAF. In 1982, he finally established his own style of Aikido named Tendoryu (Japanese天道 流, " sky " ten, do " way," ryu "school" ).

In 1987, Master Shimizu separated from the IMAF and others founded the Nihon Budo Budo Masters Kokusai Renmei. In 1988 he was awarded 8th Dan.

The term Tendo is derived from a word in the Chinese classical work The happy medium in which it is said, sincerity is the way to heaven. At the same means as well as Master Shimizu's birthplace.

Since 1978 master Shimizu keeps repeatedly seminars in Germany and other European countries annually. In 1993, the German Tendoryu Association ( TAD) was officially established.

Tendoryu Aikido is characterized by large, clear movements and convincing naturalness and harmonious flow of movement.

Shimizu Sensei has received for many years spread of aikido abroad, the award of the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs for the year Heisei 14 ( 2002). In recognition of his outstanding achievements in the long-term cultural exchange with other countries Shimizu Sensei was invited by the imperial family to a garden party at Akasaka - 2002 Imperial Palace in Tokyo.