Kenji Shimizu
Encyclopedia
, b. 1940, is an aikido
teacher and founder of the aikido style Tendoryu (天道流).
Shimizu was born in 1940 in Fukuoka
, Japan
. He had been training judo
since childhood and held a 4th dan
in this art when he changed to aikido in 1963. He then became one of the last personal students of the aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba
. After Ueshiba died in 1969, Shimizu, then with a 7th dan in aikido, founded his own school in Tōkyō
named Tendoryu (School of the Way of Heaven).
Tendoryu Aikido is characterized by its large and clear movements, emphasizing naturalness and harmonic flow of motion.
Since 1978, Shimizu has regularly held seminars in Germany
and other Europe
an countries. A German Tendoryu Society was founded in 1993.
He received the 8th dan aikido from the Japanese Budo Federation in 1998 and has co-authored a book titled Zen and Aikido (ISBN 4-900586-13-7) with Shigeo Kamata.
Shimizu received an award from the Foreign Minister of Japan on July 16, 2002 for his work spreading aikido abroad. In the same year he was invited to the autumn garden party at the imperial palace in Akasaka
, Tōkyō.
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...
teacher and founder of the aikido style Tendoryu (天道流).
Shimizu was born in 1940 in Fukuoka
Fukuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
, 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...
. He had been training judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
since childhood and held a 4th dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
in this art when he changed to aikido in 1963. He then became one of the last personal students of the aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei 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....
. After Ueshiba died in 1969, Shimizu, then with a 7th dan in aikido, founded his own school in Tōkyō
Tokyo
, ; 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...
named Tendoryu (School of the Way of Heaven).
Tendoryu Aikido is characterized by its large and clear movements, emphasizing naturalness and harmonic flow of motion.
Since 1978, Shimizu has regularly held seminars in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and other Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an countries. A German Tendoryu Society was founded in 1993.
He received the 8th dan aikido from the Japanese Budo Federation in 1998 and has co-authored a book titled Zen and Aikido (ISBN 4-900586-13-7) with Shigeo Kamata.
Shimizu received an award from the Foreign Minister of Japan on July 16, 2002 for his work spreading aikido abroad. In the same year he was invited to the autumn garden party at the imperial palace in Akasaka
Akasaka, Tokyo
is a residential and commercial district of Minato, Tokyo, located west of the government center in Nagatachō and north of the Roppongi nightlife district....
, Tōkyō.
External links
- Tendokan Tokyo / Japan Tendokan Tokyo / Japan
- Tendoryu Aikido Federation Germany Tendoryu Aikido Federation Germany
- Tendoryu Aikido Berlin e.V. Tendoryu Aikido Berlin e.V. - translation from the articles written by Kenji Shimizu sensei.
- Tendoryu Aikido - Nederland Tendoryu Aikido - The Netherlands
- Tendoryu Aikido - België Tendoryu Aikido - Belgium
- Tendoryu Aikido / Slovenia Tendoryu Aikido / Slovenia
- Tendoryu Aikido / Serbia Tendoryu Aikido / Serbia
- TendoRyu Italy / Italy Tendoryu Aikido Italy