Iwama, Ibaraki
Encyclopedia
is a small town
in Nishiibaraki District
, Ibaraki
, Japan
.
On March 19, 2006 Iwama, along with the town of Tomobe
, also from Nishiibaraki District
, was merged into the expanded city of Kasama
.
and near the city of Mito
.
Iwama is at the base of Mt. Atago, or Atago-san. Atago-san is a part of a larger Prefectural Park that extends up toward Kasama
. On top of Mt. Atago is a kids play area with a giant slide (about 150m in length) as well as the Atago shrine (or "jinja").
of 16,588 and a density
of 332.23 persons per km². The total area was 49.93 km².
, founder of Aikido
, from 1942 until his death. It was during this period that the term "Aikido" came into use. The world's only shrine to Aikido was built here by the founder along with a small dojo
. Practitioners from around the world come to Iwama to train as uchideshi (内弟子) or “live-in students”. There are two famous Aikido dojos in the town including the original dojo (now called the Aikikai Foundation Ibaraki Branch Dojo) and the Shin-Shin Aiki-Juku. The latter is operated by Hitohiro Saito
(the son of one of Ueshiba's most famous disciples Morihiro Saito
) who formed his own organisation (the Aiki Shuren-Kai) in 2003. Ueshiba’s dojo
continues to operate within the Aikikai
under his original students, including acting dojo head Hiroshi Isoyama
, Shigemi Inagaki and others. The Aiki Jinja, or Aikido
Shrine
, is situated opposite the Aikikai Foundation Ibaraki Branch Dojo and near the Aiki Shuren-Kai Shin-Shin Aiki-juku.
The Aiki Jinja Rei Taisai (Aiki-Shrine Grand Festival) is held every April on the 29th (Showa holiday) and features a hono embu (demonstration offering) by the Aikido Doshu. More than a thousand people usually come for the celebration which also features a Shinto
ceremony carried out by Ōmoto-kyō priests.
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...
in Nishiibaraki District
Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki
Nishiibaraki , literally West Ibaraki, was a district located in Ibaraki, Japan. As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 52,291...
, Ibaraki
Ibaraki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan, located in the Kantō region on the main island of Honshu. The capital is Mito.-History:Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as Hitachi Province...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
On March 19, 2006 Iwama, along with the town of Tomobe
Tomobe, Ibaraki
Tomobe was a town located in Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki, Japan.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 35,657 and a density of 607.34 persons per km². The total area was 58.71 km²....
, also from Nishiibaraki District
Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki
Nishiibaraki , literally West Ibaraki, was a district located in Ibaraki, Japan. As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 52,291...
, was merged into the expanded city of Kasama
Kasama, Ibaraki
is a city located in central Ibaraki, Japan.Kasama was once a castle town and post-station town during the Edo Period , and a shrine town of Kasama Inari Shrine in the Meiji Period . Stone quarrying is its main activity...
.
Geography
Iwama is located about 100 km northeast of TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and near the city of Mito
Mito, Ibaraki
is the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan and has a central location, moderately offset towards the coast in that prefecture. As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 263,748 and a total area is 217.45 km², giving a population density of 1,212.91 persons per km²...
.
Iwama is at the base of Mt. Atago, or Atago-san. Atago-san is a part of a larger Prefectural Park that extends up toward Kasama
Kasama
The toponym Kasama may refer to:* Kasama, Ibaraki , Japan* Kasama, Zambia* Kasama Project- See also :Related toponym:* Kazama * Kazami* Kazemi* Hazama...
. On top of Mt. Atago is a kids play area with a giant slide (about 150m in length) as well as the Atago shrine (or "jinja").
Demographics
As of 2003, the town had an estimated populationPopulation
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 16,588 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 332.23 persons per km². The total area was 49.93 km².
Notable residents
Iwama is known for having been the residence of Morihei UeshibaMorihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
, founder of Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
, from 1942 until his death. It was during this period that the term "Aikido" came into use. The world's only shrine to Aikido was built here by the founder along with a small dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
. Practitioners from around the world come to Iwama to train as uchideshi (内弟子) or “live-in students”. There are two famous Aikido dojos in the town including the original dojo (now called the Aikikai Foundation Ibaraki Branch Dojo) and the Shin-Shin Aiki-Juku. The latter is operated by Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito is an aikido instructor and founding headmaster of Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai. Hitohiro is the son of Morihiro Saito. At age of seven, he started to learn aikido from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. After Ueshiba died in 1969, he...
(the son of one of Ueshiba's most famous disciples Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito was a teacher of the Japanese martial art of aikido, with many students around the world. Saito's practice of aikido spanned 56 years, from the age of 18, when he first met aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, until his death in 2002.-Early life:Morihiro Saito was born in Ibaraki...
) who formed his own organisation (the Aiki Shuren-Kai) in 2003. Ueshiba’s dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
continues to operate within the Aikikai
Aikikai
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu . It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation....
under his original students, including acting dojo head Hiroshi Isoyama
Hiroshi Isoyama
is a Japanese teacher of the martial art of aikido. He currently holds the rank of 8th dan shihan in the Aikikai and is that organization's Technical Councillor.Isoyama is the acting head of the Ibaraki Shibu Dojo in Iwama on behalf of Ueshiba Moriteru...
, Shigemi Inagaki and others. The Aiki Jinja, or Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
Shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
, is situated opposite the Aikikai Foundation Ibaraki Branch Dojo and near the Aiki Shuren-Kai Shin-Shin Aiki-juku.
Festivals
The town's official matsuri is held on the last week of September, but throughout the year it also observes the usual Japanese holidays.The Aiki Jinja Rei Taisai (Aiki-Shrine Grand Festival) is held every April on the 29th (Showa holiday) and features a hono embu (demonstration offering) by the Aikido Doshu. More than a thousand people usually come for the celebration which also features a Shinto
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
ceremony carried out by Ōmoto-kyō priests.
External links
- Official website in Japanese
- Blog of American Aikido student living in Iwama 2004-2006
- Homepage of the Aikikai Foundation Ibaraki Branch Dojo(Ueshiba Moriteru)
- Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai Shin-Shin Aiki-juku (Hitohiro Saito)