Kenji Tomiki
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese aikido
and judo
teacher and the founder of aikido style Shodokan
.
Tomiki was one of the early students of the founder of aikido Morihei Ueshiba
, and also of Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo
. In 1925, the year he joined Morihei Ueshiba, he obtained 5th dan
in judo. In 1929 he represented Miyagi Prefecture in the first judo tournament held in front of the Emperor - this tournament became the All Japan Tournament the following year. From 1936 till the end of the second world war he lived in Manchukuo
(Manchuria) where he taught aikibudo (an early name for aikido) to the Kanton army and the Imperial Household Agency. In 1938 he became an assistant professor at Kenkoku University in Manchukuo. He went on to be awarded the first 8th dan in aikido (1940) and an 8th dan in judo (1978). After returning from a three year internment by the Soviet Union
, he taught both judo and aikido for many years at Waseda University
. It was there that he formulated and expanded his theories concerning both kata
based training methods and a particular form of free-style fighting which would put him at odds with much, but not all, of the aikido world.
In 1974, he founded the Japan Aikido Association
(JAA) from an earlier organization of the same name to promote his theories. He called his style Shodokan Aikido
and a honbu dojo, dedicated solely for the study of aikido and named Shodokan, had been built in 1967 in Osaka
. The current head of the dojo and chief instructor of the JAA is Tetsuro Nariyama
.
Tomiki is perhaps best known in the judo world for his influence in the developing of Kodokan Goshin Jutsu
kata
. His work Judo, published in 1956, is considered a classic. The aikido appendix to the book is thought to be the earliest English language text on 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...
and 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...
teacher and the founder of aikido style Shodokan
Shodokan Aikido
is the largest organized branch of the Tomiki Ryu founded by Kenji Tomiki（富木 謙治 Tomiki Kenji, 1900–1979). Tomiki Ryu is sometimes referred to as "Sport Aikido" because of its use of regular competitions, and although Tomiki used the name Shodokan without any reference to his own name, the...
.
Tomiki was one of the early students of the founder of aikido 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....
, and also of Jigoro Kano, the founder of 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...
. In 1925, the year he joined Morihei Ueshiba, he obtained 5th 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 judo. In 1929 he represented Miyagi Prefecture in the first judo tournament held in front of the Emperor - this tournament became the All Japan Tournament the following year. From 1936 till the end of the second world war he lived in Manchukuo
Manchukuo
Manchukuo or Manshū-koku was a puppet state in Manchuria and eastern Inner Mongolia, governed under a form of constitutional monarchy. The region was the historical homeland of the Manchus, who founded the Qing Empire in China...
(Manchuria) where he taught aikibudo (an early name for aikido) to the Kanton army and the Imperial Household Agency. In 1938 he became an assistant professor at Kenkoku University in Manchukuo. He went on to be awarded the first 8th dan in aikido (1940) and an 8th dan in judo (1978). After returning from a three year internment by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, he taught both judo and aikido for many years at Waseda University
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
. It was there that he formulated and expanded his theories concerning both kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
based training methods and a particular form of free-style fighting which would put him at odds with much, but not all, of the aikido world.
In 1974, he founded the Japan Aikido Association
Shodokan Aikido
is the largest organized branch of the Tomiki Ryu founded by Kenji Tomiki（富木 謙治 Tomiki Kenji, 1900–1979). Tomiki Ryu is sometimes referred to as "Sport Aikido" because of its use of regular competitions, and although Tomiki used the name Shodokan without any reference to his own name, the...
(JAA) from an earlier organization of the same name to promote his theories. He called his style Shodokan Aikido
Shodokan Aikido
is the largest organized branch of the Tomiki Ryu founded by Kenji Tomiki（富木 謙治 Tomiki Kenji, 1900–1979). Tomiki Ryu is sometimes referred to as "Sport Aikido" because of its use of regular competitions, and although Tomiki used the name Shodokan without any reference to his own name, the...
and a honbu dojo, dedicated solely for the study of aikido and named Shodokan, had been built in 1967 in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
. The current head of the dojo and chief instructor of the JAA is Tetsuro Nariyama
Tetsuro Nariyama
Tetsuro Nariyama is a Japanese aikido teacher, the technical director of the Japan Aikido Association and chief instructor of the Shodokan Hombu Dojo in Osaka, Japan....
.
Tomiki is perhaps best known in the judo world for his influence in the developing of Kodokan Goshin Jutsu
Kodokan Goshin Jutsu
Kodokan Goshin Jutsu is a set of prearranged self-defence forms in Judo.It is the most recent kata of Judo, having been created in 1956. It incorporates techniques from aikido through the influence of Kenji Tomiki...
kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
. His work Judo, published in 1956, is considered a classic. The aikido appendix to the book is thought to be the earliest English language text on aikido.