The difficulties of a knife program

Let's face it martial artists, fighting is really hard. Our art essentially is a series of games with rules to let us work on the principles we see as valuable in conflict. But when it comes down to it, I do not go to the dojo to fight. I go to the dojo, in case I ever find myself in a bad situation I will have some tools to protect self and others. All martial arts run under a system of rules and assumptions. Because as Tomiki Sensei once wrote, "martial arts without rules is just violence."

As some of my readers, teachers and students might know I am currently engaged in training around the concept of finding aiki in tanto jujutsu. It is a shift in thinking from the typical aikido and judo throw-is-goal mentality. I have watched the array of art forms practice with knives. There is some great stuff out there, and predictably there is a lot of work that is incomplete.

I would like to start looking at the problems surrounding knife work. The first problem is that knife fighting is difficult.

I would like to take a look at two art forms today.

The first is a Russian group calling themselves tanto jutsu. They look karate based, or at least atemi based system of fighting. They have knife competitions to add to their striking. It looks to be a dizzying brutal affair. These guys don't mess about. The initial engagement looks like power cuts from a fencing style model. There is some interception with strikes and some grappling.



After watching this, we see how unclean the lines are in engagements. Things get pretty wild real fast. The one thing about this video to consider is that they are all matched opponents for a contest. They know the rules and have certain expectations from their opponents abilities. Also, while I am sure they are not looking forward to getting hit, there likely is not the fear associated with real blades. An interesting case study anyhow.

The second clip illustrating the difficulty of knife work comes from my own beloved art of Tomiki Aikido. Some branches of Tomiki Aikido are known for having a sporting competition as part of their training. It typically looks like a man getting battered by another man holding a pickle. The assault continues for 3-5 minutes with the knifeless man getting cut 100 or so times. However there are very specific rules about how the knife attacker can score points, so most of these cuts are ignored. After getting murderd for a while, the man getting stabbed might get a riough and tumble variation on a judo throw, and everyone tumbles to the floor.



I am not a big fan of this kind of training, but by no means does it look easy. Again we have two trained competitors squaring off, knowing the specific rules and capabilities of the other person.

Needless to say, developing the training and skills to successfully deal with such a difficult situation will be a challenge. The moral of the story, knife fighting looks hard, never get into one. It looks like a a good training challenge though.

List of Dojos with Tomiki roots in U.S.A.

There is no single list of all the Tomiki lineage dojos on the United States (till now). It is has been quite a hard task putting this list together. It is invariably incorrect with many details. Many of the dojos have stylistically drifted and changes in the 30 years since Tomiki's passing. Some even no longer call their style a Tomiki style. My qualifier to make it on the list is that school or organization has roots in the teaching methods of Kano, Ueshiba, Tomiki, and Ohba.

Please write thedragonsorb@gmail.com with any thoughts,changes,additions or add it to the comments box below it. Last Update - November 2010


Numbers of Dojos in Organizations (A few dojos are in multiple organizations)

This section is incredibly inaccurate. There have been a great many political shifts in the past few years in American Tomiki Aikido and it is impossible to track until organizations update their websites.


7 ATAA (American Tomiki Aikido Association)
13 Jiyushinkai
14 Aikido America International
21 Kaze Uta BudoKai (not yet posted all)
28 TAA (Tomiki Aikido of the Americas) formally JAA
51 Fugakakai (might be old information) added members up to New York
2 International Aikido Alliance (maybe 8)
? Zan-totsu Kai (NW group that I currently have no information on)

Top 3 Tomiki States

19 dojos Oklahoma
18 dojos Texas
12 dojos Ohio

Number of dojos on list

131




The Dojos




Alabama


Kumayama Dojo *American Tomiki Aikido Association*
Frankie Canant, 6th Dan Aikido
Hueytown, AL
Phone: (205) 497-3151
Email: kumayamadojo@gmail.com

Onami Dojo *American Tomiki Aikido Association*
Johnathan Mayhall, Rokudan
Jasper, Alabama

Kurokawa Dojo *American Tomiki Aikido Association*
Beau Burchfield
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Henry Copeland Aikido & Jyodo *Fugakukai*
Henry Copeland, Aikido 8th Dan
2005 Alpine Drive; Florence, Alabama
Phone: (205) 766-6939
E-Mail: chcopeland@comcast.net


Arkansas


Crow Mountain Dojo *Fugakukai*
Dan Martin Aikido 6th dan
Russellville, Arkansas 72802
Phone: (479) 890-0033
E-Mail: martinaikido@hotmail.com
http://www.crowmtndojo.com

The Thicket Aikido Dojo *Fugakukai*
Vicki Goodman 1st dan
Brinkley, Arkansas
Phone: (870) 589-0263
E-Mail: vjkgoodman@hotmail.com

Monticello Aikido Club *Fugakukai*
Robert Kersten Aikido 2nd Dan
256 Mason Hill Road; Monticello, Arkansas 71655
Phone: (870) 853-2320

Monticello Aikido Club *Fugakukai*
Kavan Dodson Aikido 2nd Dan
UAM Wesley Foundation; Monticello, Arkansas 71655
E-Mail: edwardkavanaugh@hotmail.com

Peder Jensen, 7th Dan Aikido
Little Rock, AR
Phone: (501) 590-2788
Email: pederjense53@hotmail.com

Vernon Dutton, 4th Dan Aikido
Phone: (501) 223-3724
Email: vernon.dutton@regionsinsurance.com

Triangle Aikido Club *Tomiki Aikido of the Americas*
Impact Martial Arts
Ed Mink
16 W Township Fayetteville, AR 72703
479-251-8783
edmink@comp.uark.edu
www.fayettevillemartialarts.com

Conway Aikido *Fugakukai*
Jason Brantley Aikido 2nd Dan
566 Hwy 64 E; Conway, Arkansas 72032
Phone: (501) 733-5412

Little Rock Athletic Club - Aikido *Fugakukai*
Gary Moore, Aikido 4th Dan
Little Rock, Arkansas
E-Mail: webmaster@moorecsi.net


Arizonia


Renshinkan *Jiyushinkai*
Charlie Atkinson Instructor
Michael Hacker Instructor
415 S. McClintock Rd #7
Tempe, AZ 85281-2250
Phone: (480) 968-6646 Dojo

Mushin Aikido Dojo *Tomiki Aikido of the Americas*
In Step School of Dance
Tom Manfredi, 4th Dan
340 W. Wickenburg Way
Wickenburg, AZ 85390
928-684-7149
tom.manfredi@gmail.com www.mushindojoaz.com

Arizona Aikido Clubs *Fugakukai*
Saul Alverez, Phillip Norrell 3rd Dan
Wickenburg and Yuma
Phone: (520) 684-5529 or (520) 783-5160
E-Mail: pnorrell@bannerhealth.com or soa@sleepcenterofyuma.com


California


Aishinkan *Jiyushinkai*
Marc Fox, Chief Instructor
PO Box 2292
Alpine, CA 91903
Phone: (619) 445-5968

Shakokan *Jiyushinkai*
Toby Hill, Chief Instructor
2745 Waltrip Lane
Concord, CA 94518
Phone: (925) 798-1111

Pacific Tomiki Aikido *Aikido America International*
Instructor: Marc Kantorow
Los Angeles, California
E-Mail: kantorow@jseint.jsei.ucla.edu

Bat Area Shodokan *T.A.A.*
Warren Pottebaum, 3rd Dan
Ash Morgan, 3rd Dan
Berkeley, CA (see website for locations)
bayareashodokan.org/
wpottebaum@hotmail.com
ashmorgan@bayareashodokan.org

Intel Santa Clara Aikido *T.A.A.*
Shane Branch 1st Dan
Santa Clara, CA
branchsc@gmail.com

Univ. of California San Diego Tomiki Aikido Club *T.A.A.*
Bob Dziubla, 7th Dan
UCSD main gym (next to Natatorium and outdoor basketball courts)
858-699-4367
rdziubla@kenworthcapital.com

USC Shodokan
Mark Colopy
USC Campus
markcolopy@cox.net

Ted Miller Aikido *Fugakukai*
Ted Miller
San Diego, Ca
Phone: (619) 725-3629 and (858) 457-4431
E-Mail: tedamiller@earthlink.net


Colorado


Colorado Shodokan Aikido *T.A.A.*
Dave Nettles, 6th Dan
Alpine Cheer, 18850 Clarke Rd
Parker, CO
303-740-7424
nettles@tomiki.org

DBT Aikido *T.A.A.*
Ron Abo, 5th Dan
Denver Buddhist Temple Gym, 1947 Lawrence St
Denver, CO
ron@theabogroup.com

Colorado Aikido *Fugakukai*
Mary Steffeck, Aikido 6th Dan
Aurora, Colorado
Phone: (303) 424-1457
E-Mail: mlsteffeck@comcast.net

Mark Owens, 5th Dan Aikido
Castle Rock, CO
Phone: (303) 589-3456
Email: amarkowens@yahoo.com

Hyland Hills Tomiki Aikido *T.A.A.*
Seiji Tanaka, 8th Dan
9165 Lowell
Westminster, CO
303-427-7906

Atlantic Aikido
Brian Sutherland 5th dan
1750 30th st, Boulder, CO, 80309
(303) 819-6456

Connecticut


Central Connecticut Tomiki Aikido Club
Tiffany Doan, 2nd Dan
Kaiser Hall "Bubble"
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT
tiffperu@yahoo.com


Florida


Mushindo Dojo *Fugakukai*
John LaCorte, Aikido 4th Dan
Sebastian, Florida
Phone: (772) 539-1906
Email: offbalanceone@yahoo.com

Vero Beach Aikido *Fugakukai*
Kevin J. Anderson, Aikido 5th Dan
Vero Beach, Florida
Phone: (772) 559-8193
Email: aikidoverobeach@gmail.com
http://www.verobeachaikido.8m.com

Martial Arts of Jupiter
Jerry Dooley, Judy Shedd, Mike Exizian
Jupiter, FL
Phone: (561) 744-9025 home, (561) 747-5717 dojo
Email: tigua@evcom.net

Ken Nin Dojo *Jiyushinkai*
Jim Hanna, Chief Instructor
Steven Bonett, Asst. Instructor
World Martial Arts Center
6020 NW 4th Place, Suite "G"
Gainesville, Florida 32607
Phone: (352) 375-4348

West Coast Aikikai *Jiyushinkai*
Jim Hanna, Chief Instructor
208 43rd Street Blvd N.E.
Bradenton, FL 34208
Phone:(941) 745-2919

Dharmakaya Aikido *Fugakakai*
Charles M. Crist Aikido 2nd Dan
481 Rio Grande Way; Poinciana, Florida 34759
Phone: (321) 746-9811
E-Mail: dharmakaya_aikido@yahoo.com
WWW: www.aikidodharmakaya.8m.com-a.googlepages.com

Ohrikai Dojo *Fugakukai#
Tim Dudley, Aikido 6th Dan
4020 42nd Street; Sarasota, Florida 34235
Phone: (941) 426-7675
E-Mail: tomothym.dudley@gte.net
WWW: http://www.ohrikai.org

Biscayne Park Aikido Club *International Aikido Alliance*
Ron Gotlin, Aikido 6th dan
Susan Gotlin, 6th Dan
Ed Burke Recreation Center
11400 NE 9th Court
Biscayne Park, Florida 33161
Phone: (305) 945 - 7863
E-mail: tsunamido@aol.com

Tampa Judo and Aikido Dojo
Phil Van Treese, Aikido 7h dan
1005 W. Busch Blvd (Chamberlain Square)
Tampa, Florida
Phone: 813-892-5317 or 813-968-7647


Illinois


Chicago Jiyushinkai Aikibudo *Jiyushinkai??*
Vladimir Stoyanov, Chief Instructor
Arlington Heights, IL
E-Mail: davidsmartin@hotmail.com

American Aikido Society *T.A.A.*
Gary Wyshel, Mike Walters
Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave
Chicago, IL
GaryWyshel@earthlink.net

New City Aikido *T.A.A.*
Stan Nevin, 5th Dan
Chicago, IL
stannevin@mac.com
www.newcityaikido.org


Indiana


Yobushin Dojo *Jiyushinkai*
Paul Smith, Chief Instructor
7487 N. John Young Rd
Unionville, IN 47468
Phone: (812) 336-8036

Aikido club of Lafeyette
Not a tomiki school but they have a Tomiki kata 15 study group
Thomas Burdine
111 South 7th Street
Lafayette, IN 47901
(765) 423-1962


Kansas


Walter Lee, 5th Dan Aikido
Wichita, KS
Phone: (316) 978-6139
Email: walter.lee@wichita.edu


Louisiana


Gentle Wind Dojo *Jiyushinkai*
Denzil Miracle, Chief Instructor
11153 Muriel
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Phone: (225) 272-8500

Mokurin Dojo *Jiyushinkai*
Shane Mokry, Dojo cho
1430 W. Elm St. Suite B
PO Box 698
Jena, LA 71342
Phone: (318) 992-8045

Shodokan of New Orleans
I cannot find information about this dojo
I did find a youtube site
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNoGTfbayWg

New Wind Dojo *Fugakukai*
Chainn Gahagan, Aikido 2nd Dan
301 Memorial Drive; Ruston, LA 71270
Phone: (318) 255-4291 or (318) 280-0841
E-Mail: cgahagan@hotmail.com

West Monroe Aikido *Fugakukai*
Steve Horne, Aikido 4th Dan
5709 New Natchitoches; W. Monroe, LA 71292
Phone: (318) 255-4291 or (318) 280-0841
E-Mail: hornesk@worldnet.att.net


Maryland


Aikido - Baltimore Tomiki Center *Aikido America International*
Frank Faris
Baltimore, Maryland
Phone: 410-727-5457

Atlantic Martial Arts *Aikido America International*
Jeff Mims Aikido 2nd dan
Baltimore, Maryland
E-Mail: brian@atlanticmartialarts.com
Phone: 410-944-1559

Catonsville Aikido Club *Aikido America International*
Dean Clarke
Catonsville, Maryland
E-Mail:sharonrosewag@aol.com
Phone: 410-747-5779

Chesapeake Aikido Club *Aikido America International*
Richard Kelley, Glenn Beaumann, Ray Mack
Arnold, Maryland
E-Mail: gatorgraph@toad.net
Phone: 410-360-1328

Columbia Aikido & Judo Club *Aikido America International*
Dr. Yoji Kondo
Columbia, Maryland
Phone: 410-730-6744

Loyola College Aikido Dojo *Aikido America International*
Bert Graham
Baltimore, Maryland
Phone: 410-435-6871

Aikido of Maryland *Fugakukai*
Roma Strathman, Aikido 7th Dann
College Park, Maryland
Phone: (301) 441-2647
E-mail: aikido@aikidomd.com
http://www.aikidomd.com

Towson Aikido Dojo *Aikido America International*
Brian Sutherland, Bert Graham
Towson, Maryland
Phone: 410-435-6871


Minnesota


Uptown Aikido *Fugakukai*
Deanna Newman, Aikido 5th Dan
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Phone: (612) 377-2154
E-mail: webmaster@uptownaikido.com
http://www.uptownaikido.com


Mississippi


Mississippi State University Aikido Club
Dr. John Usher, Aikido 6th Dan
Starkville, Mississippi
Phone: (662) 325-7624
E-Mail: usher@ise.msstate.edu
http://www.msstate.edu/org/aikido/

Mokuren Dojo
Patrick Parker, Aikido 6th Dan
Magnolia, Mississippi
Phone: (601) 248-7282
Email: mokurendojo@gmail.com
http://www.mokurendojo.com

Dallas Lloyd, 2nd Dan Aikido
Longbeach, MS
Phone: (228) 871-7003
Email: knapster66@yahoo.com


New Hampshire


Manchester YMCA Aikido Club *Aikido America International*
Manchester, New Hampshire
Instructor: Ben Duggar
E-Mail: benduggar@pobox.com


New Jersey


New Jersey Shodokan *TAA*
Ari Reinstein, 3rd Dan
Sussex County YMCA
15 Wits End Road
Hardyston, NJ
arijodi@embarqmail.com


New Mexico


New Mexico Aikido Club *Fugakukai*
Robert Romero, Aikido 6th Dan
Espanola, New Mexico
Phone: (505) 753-1892 or (505) 747-2285 (Gym)
E-Mail: robert_l_romero@hotmail.com


New York


Kinetic Symmetry Aikido *Fugakukai*
Nicholas George, Aikido 6th Dan
Hudson Falls, NY
Phone: (518) 926-8688
E-Mail:Nick@kineticsymmetry.com
http://www.kineticsymmetry.com/aikido/index.php

CNY Tomiki Aikido *Fugakukai*
Dan McCarthy, Aikido 3rd Dan
4936 TinderBox Circle; Manlius, NY
Phone: (315) 682-0825
E-Mail:danbo@twcny.rr.com
WWW: http://home.twcny.rr.com/cnytomikiaikido

Tomiki Ronin *TAA*
Manny Vargas, 5th Dan
tomikironin@optonline.net

Vassar College Aikido *TAA*
Sean Flynn, 3rd Dan
Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave, #424
Poughkeepsie, NY
flynn@vassar.edu
http://vassar-aikido-club.com

Yama Arashi Dojo *TAA*
Alex Izaguirre, 2nd Dan
200 Hamilton Ave. Suite 15 B
White Plains, NY
914-584-5958
yama_arashi@msn.com
http://www.stormingmountain.com


North Carolina


Asheville Aikido *Fugakukai*
David Russell, Aikido 6th Dan
Asheville, NC
Phone: (828) 628-0462
E-Mail: david@ashevilleaikido.com
http://www.ashevilleaikido.com

Raleigh Aikido Club *Aikido America International*
Jason Koch
Green Road Community Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
E-Mail: aikidokoch@gmail.com
Phone: 919-694-4919

UNC at Chapel Hill *Aikido America International*
Erik Townsend
UNC Fetzer Gym, Chapel Hill, NC
E-Mail: tomikiaikido@gmail.com
Phone: 919-622-4928
Website: http://studentorgs.unc.edu/aikido

Winston-Salem Aikido *Aikido America International*
Brian Wright
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
E-Mail: wrightb@mindspring.com


Ohio


David Szerensci - Aikido
David Szerensci, Aikido 5th Dan
Richfield, Ohio
Phone: (216) 659-6985

Massillon Aikido Academy
John Brown, 3rd Dan Aikido
Massilon, OH
Phone: (330) 833-2396
Email: sandan1@ibm,net

Black Walnut Dojo *TAA*
Bob King, 5th Dan
1342 US Highway 42
Ashland, OH
robertking@zoominternet.net

Churchill Aikido Club *TAA*
Michael Gelum
189 Churchill-Hubbard Rd
Liberty, OH
330-219-0146
SenseiArashi@WarrenBudokan.com
http://warrenbudokan.com

Warren Budokan/Academy of Arts and Humanities *TAA*
Michael Gelum
261 Elm Road
Warren, OH 44483
330-219-0146
SenseiArashi@WarrenBudokan.com
http://warrenbudokan.com


Warren Budokan - Shizuka na Arashi Aikido Dojo *TAA*
Michael Gelum
1549 Transylvania
Warren, OH
330-219-0146
SenseiArashi@WarrenBudokan.com
http://warrenbudokan.com

Crossroads Aikido *TAA*
Keith Sigler
Vandalia Parks and Recreation
Vandalia, OH
937-836-6252
ssigler@woh.rr.com

CSM Aikido *TAA*
Wade Current, 5th Dan
12475 State Route 29
Conover, OH
csmaikido@hotmail.com

Just This Aikido *TAA*
Moe Stevens, 6th Dan
The Mojo, 1470 Hiner Rd
Orient, OH
614-871-3268
mastevens@columbus.rr.com
www.justthisaikido.com

KCW Aikido Club *TAA*
Carol Apple, 5th Dan
Butler H.S. Student Athletic Center, 600 S. Dixie Dr
Vandalia, OH
capple555@hotmail.com

Mansfield Aikido Club *TAA*
Scott Calderhead, 5th Dan
Sensei Bob King, 5th Dan
Mansfield YMCA, 750 Scholl Rd
Mansfield, OH
scalderhead@neo.rr.com
www.mansfieldtomikiaikido.com

Piqua Tomiki Aikido *TAA*
Steve Wood, 6th Dan
Miami County YMCA, 223 West High St
Piqua, OH


Oklahoma


Windsong Dojo *Kaze Uta Budo Kai*
Nick Lowry, Aikido 8th, Judo 8th, Jyodo 8th
Oklahoma City, OK
phone: (405) 943-6246
Email: nick@windsongdojo.com
http://www.windsongdojo.com/

Autumn Wind Dojo
Jason Junkens, 5th Dan Aikido
Tahlequah, OK
Phone: (918) 633-4219
E-Mail: junkens@nsuok.com
http://www.budoarts.com/tahlequah

Charles Corey - Aikido
Charles Corey, Aikido 6th Dan
Edmond, Oklahoma
Phone: (405) 340-7918

Shobu Aiki Dojo *Jiyushinkai*
920 W. Britton Rd
Oklahoma City, OK
David Martin (5th dan)
405-364-3665
www.shobuaikidojo.com

Elk City Aikido Club
Paul Firth, Aikido 2nd Dan
Elk City, Oklahoma
Phone: (580) 821-1202
E-Mail: aikido@itlnet.net
http://www.itlnet.net/aikido

Hikari Aikido Dojo
Will Gable, Aikido 8th Dan
Edmond, Oklahoma
Phone: (405) 495-8128
E-Mail: angesan999@yahoo.com
http://hikariaikido.com/

Lawton Aikido
George K. Spriggs, Aikido 6th Dan
Lawton, OK
Phone: (580) 536-3697
http://www.lawtonaikido.com

Mountain Spirit Dojo
Mike Lewis, Aikido 2nd Dan
Claremore, Oklahoma
Phone: (918) 740-2958
E-Mail: mrmikesauto@sbcglobal.net

Stepwaters Dojo *Kaze Uta Budo* Kai
Jack Burdett, Aikido 4th Dan
Norman, OK
Phone: (405) 364-0966

Rafael Nerris, 4th Dan Aikido
Lawton, OK
Phone: (580) 353-7955
Email: rjjbn4@att.net

Wes Griffee, 3rd Dan Aikido
Phone: (580) 510-0309
Email: wesgriffee@sbcglobal.net

Preston Rash, 1st Dan Aikido
Stilwater, OK
Phone (405) 747-6444
Email: prestonrash@hotmail.com

Ed Cunliff
Edmond, OK
Phone (405) 341-2926
Email: mandoaiki@yahoo.com

Shadow Mountain Dojo
Jimmy Jones, 5th Dan Aikido
Claremore, OK
Phone: (918) 344-0938
Email: shadowmountaindojo@sbcglobal.net

Chuck Rowden, 3rd Dan Aikido
Claremore, OK
Phone: (918) 343-1393
Email: cwkjpr@rapidfire.net

Bruce Selby, 3rd Dan Aikido
Enid, OK
Phone: (580) 242-3356
Email: fritz10000000@aol.com

Tulsa Tomiki Aikido Club *TAA*
Dave Axe
111th and Memorial
Tulsa, OK
918-747-1260
ADaxaroo@aol.com

Tulsa Tomiki Aikido and Jujitsu *TAA*
William Sharp, 3rd Dan
8190 South Memorial
Tulsa, Oklahoma
918-459-0657
aikido21@cox.net

Lawton Aikido Club
J.W. Bode
Lawton Oklahoma
Phone:580-514-9915



Oregon


Portland Jiyushinkai Dojo *Jiyushinkai*
8440 SE 55th Ave
Portland, OR 97206
Steve Duncan, Chief Instructor
Yoko Sato, Instructor
503-775-5615


Pennsylvania


Philadelphia Judo and Aikido
John J. Disimone, 4th Dan
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 888-4354
E-Mail: phillyjudo@aol.com

Aikido of Pennsylvania *TAA*
David Thorne
Wayne, PA
610-687-1141
davidlthorne@cs.com


Tennessee


Red Dragon Martial Arts Center
John Kirby, Aikido 5th Dan
Jefferson City, TN
Phone: (865) 475-8510
http://www.rdkarate.com
E-Mail: jkirby00@hotmail.com


Texas



Clif Norgaard
Clif Norgaard, Aikido 9th Dan
Phone: (956) 793-1896

Kitae Dojo (Houston) *Jiyushinkai*
Denis Dorris
Phone: (281) 364-0531

Clear Creek Aikido *American Tomiki Aikido Association*
Tim Cleghorn
Clear Creek Aikido
11419 Hall Road
Houston, Tx
281-450-0373

Charles Harris Tae Kwon Do & Aikido
32932 Katy Freeway Suite 106
(Mason Creek Business Park)
Katy, Texas 77450

Ray Williams *Aikido America International*
League City, TX
E-Mail: rawilliams@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 281-338-4668

Aikibudokan *International Aikido Alliance*
L.F. Wilkinson 8th dan
Crown Door Business Park
5701 Bingle Road (at 290), Suite B - 101
Houston, Texas 77092-2155
713-826-5877
sensei@aikibudo-aikido.com

Full Circle Aikido *American Tomiki Aikido Association*
Jeff and Gail Duncan, Aikido 3rd dan
2707 Poage Circle
Killeen Tx 76543
(254)466-8980
Jeff@fullcircleaikido.com

Dallas Aikido Club
Mark Morgan, Aikido 6th Dan
Dallas, Texas
Phone: (972) 396-1438

Jita Kyoei Dojo *Jiyushinkai*
Chamberlain Studios of Self-Defense
Bill Parker, Aikido 4th dan
2739 Bachman Drive
Dallas, TX 75220
phone: 214-351-5367


Denton Aikido Club *Kaze Uta Budo Kai*
Jack Bieler, 7th Dan Aikido
Denton, Texas
Phone: (940) 382-0780
E-Mail: jjbieler@airmail.net
http://www.dentonaikido.com

Karl Geis Judo School, Inc.*Fugakukai*
Karl Geis, Aikido 10th Dan
Houston, Texas 77080-7611
Phone: (713) 468-4879
http://www.karlgeis.net

Robert Graham - Aikido
Robert Graham, Aikido 4th Dan
Pottsboro, Texas
Phone: (903) 786-2715

Kihara Budo System *Fugakukai*
Rianard Jackson, Aikido 7th Dan
Corpus Christi, Texas
Phone: (512) 882-9655
http://home.swbell.net/rianardj/aikido_jodoswbell2.html

Tim Joe's School Judo-Aikido *Fugakukai*
Tim Joe, Aikido 9th Dan
Amarillo, Texas
Phone: (806) 353-1011

Weatherford Aikido Club
Robert Himes, Aikido 2nd Dan,
Nathan Himes, Aikido 2nd Dan
Weatherford, TX
Phone: Robert (817) 374-3368;
Nathan (817) 565-7452
E-Mail: nathan_himes@yahoo.com
http://www.weatherfordaikido.com

Galvan's Martial Arts
Emmanuel Galvan, Aikido 1st Dan
Brownsville, TX
(956) 504-5566
http://www.galvansmartialarts.com

KyuRyu AikiBudo *Kaze Uta Budo Kai* *A.T.A.A.*
(South Austin)
Eric Pearson, 4th Dan Aikido
Glen "Scooter" Dembowski, 1st dan Aikido
Austin, TX
(512) 947-9585
Email: thedragonsorb@gmail.com

Austin Center For Martial Arts or Austin Budokan
(I-35 and 51st)
Zdenek Matl, 9th dan Judo
Eric Pearson, 4th Dan Aikido
Austin, TX
(512) 947-9585
Email: thedragonsorb@gmail.com


Aikibudo Dojo
Russell Waddell, 6th dan Aikido
1128 W. Main
Lewisville, Texas 75067

Bonsai Dojo *Kaze Uta Budo Kai*
James Bedwell, Aikido 5th Dan
Shelby Bedwell, Aikido 2nd Dan
Arlington, TX
Phone: (817) 563-6769
WWW: http://sites.google.com/site/bedwellaikido
E-Mail: james_bedwell@sbcglobal.net


Washington


David Sipe, 1st Dan Aikido
Anacortes, WA
Phone:(360) 395-5829

Jiyushinkan *Jiyushinkai*
Monroe, WA
Aaron Clark, Dojocho Aikido 6th dan
C. Clark, Chief Instructor Aikido 8th dan
Phone: (360) 863-2627


West Virginia


Almost Heaven Aikido/Judo Academy
John C. Allen, 8th Dan Aikido
Parkersburg, WV
Phone: (304) 991-2150
Email: ajohntori@aol.com
http://almost-heaven-aikido-judo.com/

The Tomiki Aikido Club of West Virginia University
*Aikido America International*
Dr. Marc Kantorow
Morgantown, West Virginia
Phone: 304-293-5201, ext 2557

Yamada Senta Sensei

It is with deep sadness and regret to announce the passing of, Senta Yamada Sensei, who died at 5pm on the 8th August 2010, after battling with Pancreatic Cancer. His daughter, Tomiko, was at his bedside, lovingly nursing him throughout his illness. He was 86 years old. John & Pepi Waite........., Peter Martin and Adrian Walters, managed to visit Yamada sensei a few times during their visit to Fukuoka and although he was in too much pain to speak they did manage to obtain recognition from him by the way he smiled and held their hands.He will be greatly missed by all his Family and many, many Friends worldwide.The funeral will be held on Thursday the 12th of August.

Nothing Is Original

Some Dai San thoughts

I have been working through some of the problems of the Tomiki Koryu Dai San kata lately. I will try to make Wilkinson Sensei (my internet kata enthusiast friend) happy and practice them more regularly. The Koryu Dai San is a large 2 person collection of techniques.

To be honest I am not always the biggest fan nor advocate of the rigid and overly structured kata system. There are hundreds of redundant techniques piled haphazardly together in this gargantuan system.

But not to keep my students from being exposed to the katas, we have been digesting various pieces from time to time. I am beginning to find a new relationship with the higher kata of the Tomiki system. They remind me of chess puzzles. In chess they have puzzles that are the last few moves of a game. They take the skills you have, and allow you to exercise them in a particular context. Thus, the theory might be that it exercises the mind to play effectively in more circumstances and with differing patterns. Ok I buy it. They may not be the meat and potatoes of the system, but they may be a useful game to play.

To add one stipulation though, I do find that I change the techniques around my ideal of what aikido should be. , but I will fix all the bad ideas as I go. Isn't that the way it should be? (I can already hear the strict kata buffs groaning and gnashing their teeth.)

Differing connections through weapons

I feel that the usual Aikido weapons ciriculum is somewhat lacking. There is the Jo and Bokken. Sometimes the tanto is used, bit only to be taken away.

In the history of Aikido we see OSensei exploring and using a variety of implements. I know he studied spear, jo and sword. He has been pictured using fans. I read he even explored the naginata upon request. I think modern players can expand greatly upon his work.

So here at the Dragon's Orb blog I would like to suggest budoka start exploring different weapons and different connections through objects. Last week I posted a lovely randori with escrima men with sticks. At my dojo we can been using hula hoops, ropes, knives, double sticks, wakizashis and sai lately.

Today I have a short film with my favorite Silat teacher, Guru Maul. His scarf work is worthy of some deep study.

Tomiki and Ueshiba in Manchuria

I have been reading the histories of famed Aikido teachers Morihei Ueshiba , Kenji Tomiki, and Hideo Oba. Again and again it comes up that Kenji Tomiki went upon Ueshiba's request to teach budo in Manchuria. Ueshiba and his son went there yearly to teach and demonstrate. What bugs me is this is the period of the Manchurian invasion. This was a period of facist Japan at it’s worst. This was essentially Japan's lowest and bloodiest point, perhaps in it's entire history. The Japanese army marched in, committed mass executions, pillaged, raped, did sick medical experiments on civilians and enslaved a nation. And in the middle of it all we find famous teachers arming the military with aiki-budo techniques.
I would like to look at the political climate of the time to understand what Ueshiba and Tomiki were doing in China during this dark time.



The War In Manchuria

“The Mukden Incident, also known as the Manchurian Incident, was an early event in the Second Sino-Japanese War, although full-scale war would not start until 1937. On September 18, 1931, near Mukden (now Shenyang) in southern Manchuria, a section of railroad owned by Japan's South Manchuria Railway was dynamited.[1] The Imperial Japanese Army, accusing Chinese dissidents of the act, responded with the invasion of Manchuria, leading to the establishment of Manchukuo the following year. While the responsibility for this act of sabotage remains a subject of controversy, the prevailing view is that Japanese militarists staged the explosion in order to provide a pretext for war.”

Wikipedia

“Following the Mukden Incident in 1931 and the subsequent Japanese invasion of Manchuria, Inner Manchuria was proclaimed as an independent state, Manchukuo. The last Manchu emperor, Puyi, was then placed on the throne to lead a Japanese puppet government in the Wei Huang Gong, better known as "Puppet Emperor's Palace". Inner Manchuria was thus formally detached from China by Japan to create a buffer zone to defend Japan from Russia's Southing Strategy and, with Japanese investment and rich natural resources, became an industrial powerhouse. However, under Japanese control Manchuria was one of the most brutally run regions in the world, with a systematic campaign of terror and intimidation against the local Russian and Chinese populations including arrests, organized riots, and other forms of subjugation.[26] The Japanese also began a campaign of emigration to Manchukuo; the Japanese population there rose from 240,000 in 1931 to 837,000 in 1939 (the Japanese had a plan to bring in 5 million Japanese settlers into Manchukuo).[27] Hundreds of Manchu farmers were evicted and their farms given to Japanese immigrant families.[28] Manchukuo was used as a base to invade the rest of China, an action that was very costly to Japan in terms of the damage to men, matériel and political integrity.”

Kenji Tomiki in Manchuria

From Aiki News #128 by Stanley Pranin

Aikido Journal

“Relocating to Manchuria in March 1936, Tomiki became a part-time instructor at Daido Gakuin and taught aikibudo to the Kanton Army and the Imperial Household Agency. In the spring of 1938, he was appointed to the staff of the newly established Kenkoku University in what was then Shinkyo (present-day Changchun). This appointment came about due to Tomiki’s connection with Ueshiba’s Kobukan Dojo. As a historical note, Rinjiro Shirata, one of Ueshiba’s best prewar students, was originally selected for the Kenkoku University post, but was forced to bow out following his conscription into the Japanese Imperial Army in 1937.”
“Tomiki was living in a house in Daiyagai in Shinkyo where he also operated a private dojo. This was in addition to his teaching activities at Kenkoku University. He taught people from the town and commuted to the Military Police Training Hall and the university. Another top prewar student of Ueshiba named Shigemi Yonekawa also lived with Tomiki for a time and assisted him in his teaching duties.”

“ Largely through Tomiki’s efforts, aiki training become a compulsory subject for students of judo and kendo, and therefore he sent for his close associate Hideo Oba, then a 5th dan, from Akita in order to develop a teaching staff. Also, Morihei Ueshiba made regular fall trips to Manchuria during these years also to conduct classes at Kenkoku University. Professor Tomiki made great strides during the Manchuria years in fleshing out his theory of rikaku taisei. This term refers to the use of techniques for dealing with attacks by an opponent separated from the defender. This was part of Tomiki’s view of a “complete judo” which encompassed two parts: “grappling judo” (kumi judo) which equated to Kodokan Judo, and “separated judo” (hanare judo) which was equivalent to aikido.”

“Ueshiba began to adopt the dan ranking system about this time and promoted Tomiki to 8th dan in 1940. Tomiki was the first person to receive this rank from Ueshiba and this honor reflected the high regard in which he was held by the aikido founder. For the next four years, during the summer months Tomiki would visit Japan where he would give instruction to senior judo dan holders at the Kodokan.”

Seated front: Kenji Tomiki and Morihei Ueshiba; standing right: Hideo Oba. Photo taken in 1942 in front of Shimbuden Hall of Kenkoku University, Manchuria

So what was this university in occupied Manchuria? From what I have been able to piece together, the university was a wing of the fascist mass party, manipulated and controlled by the Japanese military, mobilizing rather than responding to popular opinion. Students entering the "Great Unity" college charged with training civil servants (Daido Gakuin, founded 1932) It appears that great numbers of Japanese citizens were being shipped over to Manchuria to repopulate and take over government control. I surmise that this university was a education center to educate a populace in the takeover to help run a puppet government set up on the mainland.
Kenji Tomiki’s work in Manchuria was going on with a backdrop of tyranny. The following atrocities happened the year after Kenji Tomiki arrived in Manchuria.

Link

“When the victorious Japanese poured in, they brought wholesale carnage. Frightened Chinese who made the mistake of running - or standing still - were bayoneted or shot. Houses were entered repeatedly and their trembling occupants robbed, beaten and raped. One young Chinese girl brought on a stretcher to a missionary hospital more than a month after the city's fall described how she had been carried off from her home and kept in a hovel for 38 days at the pleasure of her Japanese captors, who attacked her as many as 10 times a day. Chinese men suspected of having served as soldiers were tied together in groups and machinegunned, used for bayonet or hand-grenade practice or simply doused with gasoline and set afire. According to evidence collected by members of the International Relief Committee, more than 40,000 unarmed Chinese were slaughtered by one means or another during the atrocities at Nanking.”

While by no means am I accusing Kenji Tomiki of participating in these crimes, I think it is worth noting he could not have been ignorant of the terrible oppression that was going on all around him. There he was in the true bloody beginning of the Second World War watching his nation devour another right at the front lines.

“Mr. Tomiki was actually recruited from the Kobukan Dojo to go to Manchuria by Hideki Tojo. Tojo had become the provost marshal of the Guangdong Army sometime before Kenkoku University was established. Mr. Tomiki came to Manchuria and set up the Tomiki Dojo in Daiyagai. Mr. Tomiki came to Manchuria and set up the Tomiki Dojo in Daiyagai. He was the Manchukuo government’s official aiki bujutsu teacher at Daido Gakuin and also an instructor to the military police. Kenkoku University was established a little later, in 1938, and from then on Hideo Oba taught the military police while Mr. Tomiki went to Kenkoku University as an assistant professor.….The military police took their aiki bujutsu training very seriously.” (Pranin, Aikido Journal)

Aikido Journal
When I look at the entire picture of the times it becomes clear to me that the entire staff of famed aikido teachers that actively taught in Manchuria were a product of this dark time. Somehow these great men got caught in the cogs of the fascist machine of imperial Japan. While each individual may have been innocent of war crimes, I think if we look realistically at the dark history of Japan at the pivotal time in the evolution of aikido we see them giving the weapons of budo to those who would use them for aggression and harm.
Perhaps it is in the face of these darkest times, we find the true birth of aikido. Perhaps after seeing the evil of war we may understand why Morihei Ueshiba switched gears and after the war he sought a more peaceful path.

Aikido Journal

“To continue, Ueshiba’s religious and ethical views assumed greater importance in his concept of budo due to the physical and psychological devastation Japan suffered during World War II. Aikido in its modern form developed during the founder’s intensive period of study in Iwama which spanned the period of 1942 through the mid-1950s. Ueshiba’s main impact on aikido during the postwar period was in a spiritual and symbolic sense, rather than technical.”

More readings about Tomiki and Ueshiba in Manchuria
Aikido Journal