Shodokan Aikido
Encyclopedia
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 style is still often referred to as Tomiki Aikido. Nariyama Shihan explains that the only area of the Shodokan system which Tomiki gave his name to is the Taiso exercises used as a warm up, which, ironically, is not often practiced within clubs practicing 'Tomiki Aikido' but is a core part of Shodokan style. Shodokan places more emphasis on free-form randori
sparring than most other styles of aikido. The training method requires a balance between randori and the more stylized kata training along with a well-developed set of training drills both specific for randori and for general aikido development. The participation in actual shiai (competitive randori) very much depends on the club with greater emphasis being found in the university clubs, although randori is core to all Shodokan clubs.
In 1967 Kenji Tomiki built a Shodokan hombu dojo
in Osaka
, Japan
, to teach, train and promote his style. Shodokan Aikido is organised as the Japan Aikido Association (JAA) with Tetsuro Nariyama
as the current chief instructor.
: Tetsuro Nariyama
and Fumiaki Shishida
. Nariyama
is the technical director of the JAA and chief instructor of the Shodokan hombu dojo
in Osaka
, Japan
. Shishida
is Professor of Intellectual History of the Japanese Martial Arts at Waseda University
in Tokyo
.http://www.waseda.jp/intl-ac/bulletin/c04-09.html
These two instructors are the head of the JAA as founded by Tomiki and followed by Ohba.
Together, they wrote a key monograph, in Japanese, entitled "Aikido Coursebook" (ISBN 4-469-16288-4), which describes the history of and many technical details about the style of aikido propounded by Tomiki
. This book, first published in 1985, was subsequently translated into English by Shodokan Publishing USA under the title, "Aikido: Tradition and the Competitive Edge" (ISBN 978-0964708327).
Nariyama Shihan and Shishida Shihan are the only two Shihan of the JAA. However the term Shihan is used in an organisational way to describe other roles, such as below.
In recent years, Sato Tadayuki, also of Kodokan Judo fame was made Shihan of Waseda University Aikido Club. He, along with Kenshi Uno, of Shikoku Japan, have created Shidokan, with the blessing of Shishida Shihan. This system follows the same teachings of Tomiki Sensei, but with different emphasis on teachings. It is important to note this is not a rift within the JAA. All of this is still the teachings of Professor Tomiki's Aikido, but just performed with a different approach. Tomiki Sensei gave his art the name Shodokan, and many people were concerned with the introduction of a new name Shidokan. However this is just to show the various paths available within Tomiki Sensei's aikido.
The late Senta Yamada of Hakata lived and trained with both Tomiki, Jigoro Kano (the founder of judo), and Morihei Ueshiba, the creator of Aikido. On the rare occasions that he stood in line with Shishida and Nariyama Shihans, he would take the senior position. Yamada didn't approve of competition in Aikido, being of the opinion that it would make Aikido lose its roots in the same way that he felt competition Judo has little connection with its roots and good basic movements. Yamada Senta didn't form any big-name organization or dojo, but has a small number of dedicated students and clubs who continue his direct teaching and styles passed down through him from Tomiki, Kano and Ueshiba, as well as a couple of self-promoters who never understood and have corrupted his style and teachings and who disrespectfully use his name for their own interests. Yamada's surviving family and representatives in Japan, correctly, don't give these people the time of day.
.
for yondan and up.
Competitions take the form of tanto randori or toshu randori, and also embu (演武) in which pairs (tori
and uke) are judged on their kata. Toshu randori (徒手乱取) is barehanded, and both practitioners are expected to perform techniques on one another and attempt to resist and counter each other's techniques. The appearance of this form is heavily influenced by judo
randori with a few changes designed to enhance the use of aikido technique (for example, one is not allowed to grasp the opponent's keikogi
).
In tanto randori (短刀乱取), there is a designated attacker (tantō
) and a designated empty-handed defender (toshu). The attacker attempts to stab the defender with a training knife (usually rubber or stuffed) while the defender attempts, with any of seventeen basic aikido techniques, to throw or perform joint-locks on the attacker. Tantō is expected to resist or counter with the first five techniques. In competition, the roles switch, with competitors having the same amount of time with and without the knife. In both these forms of randori, the traditional separation between the performer of technique (tori) and the receiver of technique (uke) no longer exists, as either participant may throw the opponent.
Kenji Tomiki
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...
（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 style is still often referred to as Tomiki Aikido. Nariyama Shihan explains that the only area of the Shodokan system which Tomiki gave his name to is the Taiso exercises used as a warm up, which, ironically, is not often practiced within clubs practicing 'Tomiki Aikido' but is a core part of Shodokan style. Shodokan places more emphasis on free-form randori
Randori
is a term used in Japanese martial arts to describe free-style practice. The term literally means "chaos taking" or "grasping freedom," implying a freedom from the structured practice of kata. Randori may be contrasted with kata, as two potentially complementary types of training.The exact meaning...
sparring than most other styles of aikido. The training method requires a balance between randori and the more stylized kata training along with a well-developed set of training drills both specific for randori and for general aikido development. The participation in actual shiai (competitive randori) very much depends on the club with greater emphasis being found in the university clubs, although randori is core to all Shodokan clubs.
In 1967 Kenji Tomiki built a Shodokan hombu 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...
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...
, 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...
, to teach, train and promote his style. Shodokan Aikido is organised as the Japan Aikido Association (JAA) with 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....
as the current chief instructor.
Past Directors of Shodokan Aikido
- First Director Kenji Tomiki (till 1979)
- Second Director Hideo OhbaHideo Ohbawas a Japanese aikido and judo teacher and the Second Director of Japan Aikido Association after the death of Kenji Tomiki.He was born as Hideo Tozawa in a village called Nakagawa in Akita prefecture. In 1936, he adopted his wife's name upon marriage in deference to her fame as a young teacher of...
(1979–1986)
Shihan
Within the JAA there are two ShihanShihan
- Title of "Master" is a Japanese Honorific Title, Expert License Certification used in Japanese martial arts for Master Level Instructors. The award of the Expert License Certification is if designated by the qualification by virtue of endorsement by the [A] Association of Chief Instructors or [B]...
: 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....
and Fumiaki Shishida
Fumiaki Shishida
Fumiaki Shishida is a Japanese aikido teacher, and one of traditionally two Shihan of the Japan Aikido Association where he holds the rank of 8th dan....
. 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....
is the technical director of the JAA and chief instructor of the Shodokan hombu 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...
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...
, 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...
. Shishida
Fumiaki Shishida
Fumiaki Shishida is a Japanese aikido teacher, and one of traditionally two Shihan of the Japan Aikido Association where he holds the rank of 8th dan....
is Professor of Intellectual History of the Japanese Martial Arts 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...
in Tokyo
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...
.http://www.waseda.jp/intl-ac/bulletin/c04-09.html
These two instructors are the head of the JAA as founded by Tomiki and followed by Ohba.
Together, they wrote a key monograph, in Japanese, entitled "Aikido Coursebook" (ISBN 4-469-16288-4), which describes the history of and many technical details about the style of aikido propounded by Tomiki
Kenji Tomiki
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...
. This book, first published in 1985, was subsequently translated into English by Shodokan Publishing USA under the title, "Aikido: Tradition and the Competitive Edge" (ISBN 978-0964708327).
Nariyama Shihan and Shishida Shihan are the only two Shihan of the JAA. However the term Shihan is used in an organisational way to describe other roles, such as below.
In recent years, Sato Tadayuki, also of Kodokan Judo fame was made Shihan of Waseda University Aikido Club. He, along with Kenshi Uno, of Shikoku Japan, have created Shidokan, with the blessing of Shishida Shihan. This system follows the same teachings of Tomiki Sensei, but with different emphasis on teachings. It is important to note this is not a rift within the JAA. All of this is still the teachings of Professor Tomiki's Aikido, but just performed with a different approach. Tomiki Sensei gave his art the name Shodokan, and many people were concerned with the introduction of a new name Shidokan. However this is just to show the various paths available within Tomiki Sensei's aikido.
The late Senta Yamada of Hakata lived and trained with both Tomiki, Jigoro Kano (the founder of judo), and Morihei Ueshiba, the creator of Aikido. On the rare occasions that he stood in line with Shishida and Nariyama Shihans, he would take the senior position. Yamada didn't approve of competition in Aikido, being of the opinion that it would make Aikido lose its roots in the same way that he felt competition Judo has little connection with its roots and good basic movements. Yamada Senta didn't form any big-name organization or dojo, but has a small number of dedicated students and clubs who continue his direct teaching and styles passed down through him from Tomiki, Kano and Ueshiba, as well as a couple of self-promoters who never understood and have corrupted his style and teachings and who disrespectfully use his name for their own interests. Yamada's surviving family and representatives in Japan, correctly, don't give these people the time of day.
Kata
Shodokan defines several kata. Some of the more important kata are listed below.Junanahon
Randori no kata is the basic kata set for Shodokan Aikido. Junanahon consists of 17 basic techniques, which, with their variations, are legal within Shodokan randoriRandori
is a term used in Japanese martial arts to describe free-style practice. The term literally means "chaos taking" or "grasping freedom," implying a freedom from the structured practice of kata. Randori may be contrasted with kata, as two potentially complementary types of training.The exact meaning...
.
Koryu Goshin no Kata
Old stream self defense kata, includes many techniques that harken back to pre-war aikido (when the art was still taught as Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu). This set of 50 techniques is sometimes referred to as the Koryu dai san and includes weapons as well as empty-hand techniques.Nage no kata omote and ura
A set of throwing techniques: 7 direct and 7 more circular and fluid. This sequence is actually the first part of Koryu dai yon which includes eleven more techniques.Goshin Ho
A set of 50 self defense techniques that are part of the curriculumCurriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
for yondan and up.
Competition
Tori (martial arts)
is a term used in Japanese martial arts to refer to the executor of a technique in partnered practice. The term "tori" comes from the verb , meaning "to take", "to pick up", or "to choose"....
and uke) are judged on their kata. Toshu randori (徒手乱取) is barehanded, and both practitioners are expected to perform techniques on one another and attempt to resist and counter each other's techniques. The appearance of this form is heavily influenced by 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...
randori with a few changes designed to enhance the use of aikido technique (for example, one is not allowed to grasp the opponent's keikogi
Keikogi
or dōgi is a uniform for training, used in martial arts derived from Japan, or budō. . The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century. The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro...
).
In tanto randori (短刀乱取), there is a designated attacker (tantō
Tanto
A is one of the traditional Japanese swords that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the years to become more ornate...
) and a designated empty-handed defender (toshu). The attacker attempts to stab the defender with a training knife (usually rubber or stuffed) while the defender attempts, with any of seventeen basic aikido techniques, to throw or perform joint-locks on the attacker. Tantō is expected to resist or counter with the first five techniques. In competition, the roles switch, with competitors having the same amount of time with and without the knife. In both these forms of randori, the traditional separation between the performer of technique (tori) and the receiver of technique (uke) no longer exists, as either participant may throw the opponent.
Credits
- Tanto tsukiari (短刀突きあり) - 1 point - Awarded for a successful tantō strike. For the strike to count, the tantō must land on the upper half of the torso. The arm must be extended, and the attacker must be moving forward, finished with good balance. Glancing hits do not count. Obviously, this does not apply to toshu randori.
- Yuko (有効) - 1 point - Awarded for a balance break, or for making your opponent retreat out of the designated area.
- Waza-ari (技あり) - 2 points - Awarded for a full throw or lock, but losing good posture and balance.
- Ippon (一本) - 4 points - Awarded for a full throw or lock, keeping good posture and balance.
Penalties
- Shido - 1/2 point - Awarded to the opponent when a competitor commits minor violation. Shido are only counted in pairs.
- Dogi-mochi shido - Grabbing hold of the gi.
- Taisabaki shido - Failure to dodge properly, e.g. by swatting the knife away instead of moving out of its path.
- Tanto shido - Failure to mind the knife: tanto may receive a tanto shido if he or she drops or loses control of the knife; toshu may receive a tanto shido if he or she allows the tanto to be pressed against their body for three seconds.
- Chui - 1 point - Awarded to the opponent when a competitor commits a major violation. In American tournaments, 2 chui end the match.