Iwama dojo
Encyclopedia
Iwama is an important historical location from the development of Aikido
. It has a famous dojo of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba
, who lived there from 1942 until his death in 1969. It has become "a Mecca
to the aikido community."
This dojo
is also where Morihiro Saito
, one of the founder's closest students, learned and taught aikido from 1946 until 2002. The lineage of aikido that has been passed on through Saito is highly acclaimed. It is often referred to as Iwama style
.
Iwama was a small farming village in Japan
, located 100km north-east of Tokyo
and at the centre of Ibaraki prefecture
. Iwama was annexed into the city Kasama
in 2006 (dissolving Nishiibaraki
county, which had previously contained Iwama-machi). The Iwama aikido dojo are now addressed in the Yoshioka district of Kasama city, Ibaraki.
The Iwama dojo were significantly damaged in the 2011 earthquake
.
dojo
run by the Aikikai Foundation
.
This dojo was originally called Aiki Shuren Dojo (合気修練道場, lit. harmonising drill dojo). It was built by Morihei Ueshiba
, the founder of aikido, and completed in 1945. At first it did not include tatami mats
, and students received training directly upon the wooden floor. Eventually 24 mats were installed. The dojo was later relocated to the present day location and expanded to 60 mats.
Saito Morihiro Shihan was the caretaker and chief instructor at the Iwama Dojo after the Founder died. After Saito Shihan died, the dojo has been renamed the Ibaraki Shibu Dojo by the Aikikai. The current head instructor is Hiroshi Isoyama
8th dan. Isoyama first began training at Aiki Shuren Dojo in 1949, at age 12.
Ibaraki branch has about ten instructors in total, and there is training held for an hour every day of the week.
built by Morihei Ueshiba
in Iwama in honor of the deities of aikido
. (Jinja is the Japanese term for a shrine.) The shrine grounds include a dojo
(training hall).
The first small shrine building was built in the 1940s. The second bigger one was erected in front of the small one in 1962. They were both renovated by the Saito family in 2001-2002 with the approval of Dōshu Moriteru Ueshiba
. This renovation also included a fence set up around the compound, and a huge stone with the carvings "Aiki Jinja" designed by Seiseki Abe
, a master of both calligraphy
and Aikido who was the calligraphy teacher of Morihei Ueshiba.
In the aiki jinja once a month, Ueshiba would preside over what was initially a very small religious ceremony called Tsukinamisai (月並み祭), which lasted up to an hour. Food offerings of fruits, vegetables, and fish - but no red meat - adorned the shrine. Eventually, the Saito family took responsibility for hosting the ceremony every month on the 14th. Later, a small party with all the uchi deshi
(resident students) and the Saito family was held inside the old dojo. This tradition is kept up by current Dōshu Moriteru Ueshiba
.
Every year on April 29 (the start of the Japanese Golden Week holiday), the annual shrine festival is held by Oomoto
priests in commemoration of Ueshiba's death on April 26, 1969. Through the years, the Saito family developed this event, transforming it into a very big day for the small town of Iwama. Hundreds of Aikido practitioners come to Iwama to participate in the event. A religious celebration is held inside the shrine and ancient music is played. Before finishing, a small ritual demonstration of Aikido, hōnō embu (奉納演武) is held. To finish, all of the visitors are invited to a huge lunch in the dojo compounds.
, who is the son of Morihiro Saito
. It is the main dojo of the Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai.
Tanrenkan dojo was built in 2000.
Hitohiro's organisation was formed as a reaction to political friction between Morihiro Saitō
(who had been designated by the founder as caretaker of the shrine and instructor responsible for the training at the dojo) and the Aikikai
(inheritors of the property, including the dojo and shrine) and particular the Aikikai's reassertion of control of the facilities upon Saitō's death in 2002. However, some of Saitō's other followers (most notably the three that Saitō had promoted to 7th dan, William Witt,Paolo Corallini and Ulf Evenås) have remained affiliated with Aikikai.
It is generally not permitted to train at both Tanrenkan and at Aikikai Ibaraki branch.
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...
. It has a famous dojo 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....
, who lived there from 1942 until his death in 1969. It has become "a Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
to the aikido community."
This 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...
is also where 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...
, one of the founder's closest students, learned and taught aikido from 1946 until 2002. The lineage of aikido that has been passed on through Saito is highly acclaimed. It is often referred to as Iwama style
Iwama style
Iwama Style is the style of aikido that was taught at Iwama dojo by the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, and especially the lineage passed on through Morihiro Saito, a close disciple who was given responsibility over Iwama dojo by Ueshiba....
.
Iwama was a small farming village in 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...
, located 100km north-east of 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...
and at the centre of Ibaraki prefecture
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...
. Iwama was annexed into the city 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...
in 2006 (dissolving Nishiibaraki
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...
county, which had previously contained Iwama-machi). The Iwama aikido dojo are now addressed in the Yoshioka district of Kasama city, Ibaraki.
The Iwama dojo were significantly damaged in the 2011 earthquake
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
.
Ibaraki branch
Ibaraki branch dojo (茨城支部道場 Ibaraki Shibu dojo), also known as Ibaraki dojo or Ibaraki branch, is a small aikidoAikido
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...
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...
run by the Aikikai Foundation
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....
.
This dojo was originally called Aiki Shuren Dojo (合気修練道場, lit. harmonising drill dojo). It was built by 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....
, the founder of aikido, and completed in 1945. At first it did not include tatami mats
Mat (gymnastics)
Mats are used for safety in gymnastics, and in training new skills. They are usually a piece of foam ranging from 1.5-28 inches thick, covered in a vinyl or plastic lining. The foam ranges in density from relatively firm to very soft....
, and students received training directly upon the wooden floor. Eventually 24 mats were installed. The dojo was later relocated to the present day location and expanded to 60 mats.
Saito Morihiro Shihan was the caretaker and chief instructor at the Iwama Dojo after the Founder died. After Saito Shihan died, the dojo has been renamed the Ibaraki Shibu Dojo by the Aikikai. The current head instructor is 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...
8th dan. Isoyama first began training at Aiki Shuren Dojo in 1949, at age 12.
Ibaraki branch has about ten instructors in total, and there is training held for an hour every day of the week.
Aiki Jinja
Aiki Jinja (合気神社) is the shrineShrine
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....
built by 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....
in Iwama in honor of the deities 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...
. (Jinja is the Japanese term for a shrine.) The shrine grounds include a 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...
(training hall).
The first small shrine building was built in the 1940s. The second bigger one was erected in front of the small one in 1962. They were both renovated by the Saito family in 2001-2002 with the approval of Dōshu Moriteru Ueshiba
Moriteru Ueshiba
is a Japanese master of aikido. He is a grandson of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, and son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Ueshiba is the third and current Doshu of the Aikikai.-Biography:Ueshiba was born on April 2, 1951, in Tokyo, Japan...
. This renovation also included a fence set up around the compound, and a huge stone with the carvings "Aiki Jinja" designed by Seiseki Abe
Seiseki Abe
was a Japanese shodo and aikido teacher who had a unique relationship with aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, being both his student in aikido and his teacher in calligraphy.- Early years :...
, a master of both calligraphy
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
and Aikido who was the calligraphy teacher of Morihei Ueshiba.
In the aiki jinja once a month, Ueshiba would preside over what was initially a very small religious ceremony called Tsukinamisai (月並み祭), which lasted up to an hour. Food offerings of fruits, vegetables, and fish - but no red meat - adorned the shrine. Eventually, the Saito family took responsibility for hosting the ceremony every month on the 14th. Later, a small party with all the uchi deshi
Uchi-deshi
Uchi-deshi is a Japanese term for a live-in student/apprentice who trains under and assists a sensei on a full-time basis...
(resident students) and the Saito family was held inside the old dojo. This tradition is kept up by current Dōshu Moriteru Ueshiba
Moriteru Ueshiba
is a Japanese master of aikido. He is a grandson of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, and son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Ueshiba is the third and current Doshu of the Aikikai.-Biography:Ueshiba was born on April 2, 1951, in Tokyo, Japan...
.
Every year on April 29 (the start of the Japanese Golden Week holiday), the annual shrine festival is held by Oomoto
Oomoto
Oomoto also known as Oomoto-kyo , is a sect, often categorised as a new Japanese religion originated from Shinto; it was founded in 1892 by Deguchi Nao...
priests in commemoration of Ueshiba's death on April 26, 1969. Through the years, the Saito family developed this event, transforming it into a very big day for the small town of Iwama. Hundreds of Aikido practitioners come to Iwama to participate in the event. A religious celebration is held inside the shrine and ancient music is played. Before finishing, a small ritual demonstration of Aikido, hōnō embu (奉納演武) is held. To finish, all of the visitors are invited to a huge lunch in the dojo compounds.
Tanrenkan
Tanrenkan (鍛錬館, which means "Hardening hall") is an aikido dojo located next to the Ibaraki branch dojo (and opposite to Aiki Jinja). It is run by by Hitohiro SaitoHitohiro 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...
, who is the son of 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...
. It is the main dojo of the Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai.
Tanrenkan dojo was built in 2000.
Hitohiro's organisation was formed as a reaction to political friction between Morihiro Saitō
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 had been designated by the founder as caretaker of the shrine and instructor responsible for the training at the dojo) and 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....
(inheritors of the property, including the dojo and shrine) and particular the Aikikai's reassertion of control of the facilities upon Saitō's death in 2002. However, some of Saitō's other followers (most notably the three that Saitō had promoted to 7th dan, William Witt,Paolo Corallini and Ulf Evenås) have remained affiliated with Aikikai.
It is generally not permitted to train at both Tanrenkan and at Aikikai Ibaraki branch.
Other Iwama dojo
There are also further aikido dojo in Iwama:- Shin-shin Aiki JukuJukuGakushū juku are special private schools that offer lessons conducted after regular school hours and on the weekends....
(神信合氣塾) is located 700 metres south-east from Tanrenkan.
- Nemoto Hiroki (Aikikai 6th dan) has a dojo at his Aiki House.
- There is also aikido at the Iwama Budokan community centre. It is located at Iwama Junior High School, 1.3km north-east from the founder's dojo. It is used by both Nemoto and ISSASK.
External links
- 植芝盛平は神様か？ 日本敗戦の日に思う事 Nippon Kan