Shodokan Aikido

Shodokan (Japanese昭 道 馆Shodokan ) is a style of Japanese martial art Aikido, Tomiki Kenji of the ( 1900-1979 ) was developed. Tomiki was a student of Kano Jigorō, founder of Kodokan Judo, and Ueshiba Morihei, founder of Aikido. Shodokan - Aikido combines the techniques of traditional Aikido with the modern didactics and structure that uses Kanō Jigorō to the teaching of Judo. The result is a modern, effective and structured Aikido, which is taught around the world in Japan and in many countries today.

The main differences between the Shodokan system and the traditional Aikido are:

  • Exercise of competitions.
  • Structuring in Kata and other specified forms of exercise.
  • Abandonment of the wearing of the hakama.
  • 2.1 disciplines
  • 3.1 General
  • 3.2 content
  • 3.3 Examination Board

History

The development of the now widely used modern Japanese martial arts is related to the economic and cultural opening of Japan from 1853., The traditional Japanese martial art that was focused on killing the enemy, proved in the age of firearms as outdated. The pioneers of modern Budo, especially Kanō Jigorō (judo ), Morihei Ueshiba ( Aikido ) and Gichin Funakoshi ( Karate ) have from the end of the 19th century changed various traditional fighting styles in a way that they as a method of physical education and mediation could be used moral values. This modernization has prevented the centuries matured tradition sank into oblivion.

Kenji Tomiki learned at primary school as judo, reaching in 1919 as a member of the judo clubs from Waseda University in Tokyo, the first Dan. As a judoka he has learned to appreciate the value of a structured learning system, and the benefits of competitive sport ( Randori Shiai ).

In 1926 he was presented Ueshiba Morihei and also took courses in the dojo. Ueshiba had with Tomiki Kenji reliable Uchideshi, who followed him to Tokyo in 1934. After Ueshiba 1940 Kyū-/Dan-Stufensystem introduced, he made Tomiki in 1942 for the first carrier of the eighth Dan.

After he was elected in 1954 to the top of the sports faculty of Waseda University, he spent four years later was given the opportunity to found an Aikido club. However, this was subject to very strict conditions: it should, among other competitions can be performed similarly as was already the case in judo or kendo. Tomiki made ​​from a virtue of necessity and brought his many years of experience in judo to develop a competitive system for aikido ( Aikirandori -ho). For this decision, Ueshiba Morihei had no understanding, because competitions were allowed no place in Aikido.

Dissemination

Over the years, Tomiki was able to win many judoka and other Budō student for his work. With financial support from Japanese industrialist in 1967, he opened a private aikido dojo in Osaka. The basic framework for the Shodokan as an independent Aikido teaching system was about 1970 installed; This year, a first Aikido tournament between students from different universities took place.

As a result, Tomiki and his students have a lot of time on Shodokan - Aikido in Japan and to spread internationally. In a particularly fertile ground this teaching activity fell in the U.S., Australia and the UK. These countries existed since the end of World War II particularly intense relationships, which simplified the implementation of training courses. Also, the Allied forces commanders were very interested in the Japanese martial arts.

Since 1989, international Shodokan - Aikido tournaments are conducted, in 1999 the first tournament outside of Japan was held in Australia.

Shodokan - Aikido today

The current Shihan ( Grand Master ), Tetsuro Nariyama, continues the international spread of Shodokan - Aikido. It takes place every year he led courses. Currently, there are about 10,000 active members worldwide. The next World Championship will take place in 2005 in Tokyo, is expected to attract about 600 participants from over 20 countries.

Competitions

The running of competitions in Aikido has long been controversial. In the opinion of many Aikidoka other styles confrontation and competition thinking are contrary to the philosophy of Aikido. However, Kenji Tomiki held despite the criticism of some students Ueshiba and Ueshiba Morihei in the introduction of Aikirandori -ho fixed. He was encouraged by this Kanō Jigorō that already two large groups of traditional defense techniques ( Nage Waza - holding techniques - throwing techniques and Gatame Waza ) has integrated into a competition system. Tomiki had the goal of becoming the other two groups, namely atemi waza ( striking techniques ) and Kansetsu Waza ( techniques around joints), to adapt in this way and thus to obtain permanent. Aikirandori -ho should establish itself alongside kendo and judo to the third modern competitive sport in Japan.

According to Tomiki the running of competitions is very well compatible with the philosophy of Aikido. Randori Shiai, the Japanese term for competition does not mean " to achieve common progress free training ", " confrontation", but. When is trained with this goal, however Aikirandori -ho quite in keeping with the philosophy of Ueshiba.

Disciplines

There are three different competition disciplines:

Exams and grades

General

As in other modern Japanese martial arts also, in the Shodokan Kyu and Dan system is applied. There are 8 kyu and dan grades 8. Beginners place after a few months of training, the examination to 8th Kyu; followed by increasingly longer waiting periods further testing. After about 8-10 years can be a test for 1st Dan, Black Belt including teaching license are stored. In Japan, the first Dan also be achieved after one year of intensive daily training.

Content

For the kyu grades the demonstration of specific techniques is required in increasing difficulty. Tests for Dangrade also include a theoretical part, in which the candidate must respond in writing to a specified by the examiner issue. For levels 1 - 3rd Dan is also the ability of the candidates tested to be able to defend in a free context ( randori ) efficiently, in terms of competitions. For the higher Dangrade also the merit of the candidates in the teaching and dissemination of Shodokan - Aikido is considered.

Examination Board

  • 8 - third Kyu: Teacher of the association of the candidate.
  • 2nd Kyu- third Dan: National Technical Commission.
  • From 4th Dan: Technical Director of Shodokan (currently Tetsuro Nariyama ).
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