Joe Thambu
Encyclopedia
Joe Thambu is a teacher of Yoshinkan Aikido (currently 7th Dan
, Shihan
) with over 35 years experience in the art. He is the third youngest of 8 children and is of Malaysian Tamil
heritage.
As a teenager Joe Thambu was fortunate that his uncle's school was next door to his father's house. Internationally famous martial artists were frequent visitors to his uncle's school in Seremban, Malaysia. Amongst these were Donn F. Draeger
, a prolific martial arts historian and researcher who wrote over 30 books on Eastern martial arts. Draeger was expert in Judo
, Karate
and Jōdō
and was the first non-Japanese to be ranked Menkyo-Kaiden (teaching certificate) in the classical system of Muso Shinto Ryu Jodo.
Other notable visitors included Junichiro Yagi Sensei (8th Dan) and former Yoshinkan Aikido Shihan (master title), as well as Kenji Shimizu
Sensei, a past headmaster of Muso Shinto Ryu Jodo.
In 1980, Joe Thambu emigrated to Melbourne, Australia to undertake tertiary studies. After reportedly being unable to find an Aikido school with a training ethic to equal his experience in Malaysia, he began teaching Aikido.
In 1983, Joe Thambu first travelled to Japan
to further his Aikido training. Whilst in Japan, he trained at the Yoshinkan Hombu dojo in Koganei. Whilst living in Japan he received instruction from teachers including Gozo Shioda
, Kyoichi Inoue
, Takafumi Takenoi, Tsutomu Chida
, Hitoshi Nakano and then assistants Jacques Payet and Tsuneo Ando
. From this time onwards Joe Thambu focused solidly on the modern Yoshinkan
syllabus, whilst still incorporating aspects of his earlier training.
Thambu was the first person to teach and disseminate Yoshinkan Aikido in Australia. On his return to Australia from Japan in 1983, he established his first premises at 308 Saint Georges Road, Thornbury in the city of Melbourne (Australia). This became the first of two permanent homes for his school the Aikido Shudokan.
Thambu returned to Japan numerous times in the years from 1983–2000, mostly training a few weeks at a time, testing and/or demonstrating at the annual All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration. Thambu gave a particularly memorable demonstration in 1995 when the audience broke out into spontaneous applause on seeing his now characteristic "suwari jiyuwaza" (seated freestyle Aikido).
In 1993 Thambu became the last person to be graded by Yoshinkan founder Gozo Shioda, before his death in mid-1994. Also, at only 32 years of age, he became the youngest non-Japanese to be awarded a 5th Dan in Yoshinkan Aikido. This record has since been passed by Thambu's former student, Jon Marshall, who was awarded 5th Dan in 2006 at Yoshinkan Hombu at 31 years of age.
During the period from 2000–2010, Thambu taught widely outside of Australia
, generally at the invitation of younger teachers in other countries.
Thambu conitnues to teach from his school in Melbourne, Australia, frequently hosting students from overseas. Many are aspiring teachers staying for extended periods, coming from countries like the United Kingdom
, Poland
, Malaysia and Indonesia
. Interestingly, many students travel past Japan in order to train under a high level Aikido practitioner who is not Japanese
.
and Karate
(perhaps due to the similarity in name between Shudokan and Shotokan
). However, video and anecdotal sources suggest that Thamby Rajah
(Joe Thambu's uncle and original teacher) has always taught a natural derivation of the techniques he learned at Yoshinkan Hombu Dojo (circa 1959). Thamby Rajah's
technique is also influenced by extensive experience in Kodokan Judo, and his earlier Jujitsu training under Walter De Silva in Malaysia during the post war years.
Thamby Rajah's
Aikido is fundamentally the same as Yoshinkan Aikido, but is more reflective of the early days of Gozo Shioda's
Aikido.
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...
, Shihan
Shihan
- 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]...
) with over 35 years experience in the art. He is the third youngest of 8 children and is of Malaysian Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
heritage.
Personal history
Joe Thambu began his training in 1972 under his uncle, Thamby Rajah at the age of 11. Thamby Rajah Sensei is often credited as the first Malaysian to be graded to black belt in both Aikido and Judo.As a teenager Joe Thambu was fortunate that his uncle's school was next door to his father's house. Internationally famous martial artists were frequent visitors to his uncle's school in Seremban, Malaysia. Amongst these were Donn F. Draeger
Donn F. Draeger
Donald 'Donn' Frederick Draeger was an expert practitioner of Asian martial arts, an author of several martial arts books, and a United States Marine...
, a prolific martial arts historian and researcher who wrote over 30 books on Eastern martial arts. Draeger was expert in 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...
, Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and Jōdō
Jodo
, meaning "the way of the jō", or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The art is similar to bōjutsu, and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword. The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet long...
and was the first non-Japanese to be ranked Menkyo-Kaiden (teaching certificate) in the classical system of Muso Shinto Ryu Jodo.
Other notable visitors included Junichiro Yagi Sensei (8th Dan) and former Yoshinkan Aikido Shihan (master title), as well as Kenji Shimizu
Kenji Shimizu
, b. 1940, is an aikido teacher and founder of the aikido style Tendoryu .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...
Sensei, a past headmaster of Muso Shinto Ryu Jodo.
In 1980, Joe Thambu emigrated to Melbourne, Australia to undertake tertiary studies. After reportedly being unable to find an Aikido school with a training ethic to equal his experience in Malaysia, he began teaching Aikido.
In 1983, Joe Thambu first travelled to 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 further his Aikido training. Whilst in Japan, he trained at the Yoshinkan Hombu dojo in Koganei. Whilst living in Japan he received instruction from teachers including Gozo Shioda
Gozo Shioda
was a Japanese master of aikido who founded the Yoshinkan style of aikido. He was one of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba's most senior students. Shioda held the rank of 10th dan in aikido.-Early life:...
, Kyoichi Inoue
Kyoichi Inoue
Kyoichi Inoue is a 10th dan Yoshinkan aikido master. He was an uchideshi under Yoshinkan founder Gozo Shioda, in what became the Yoshinkan senshusei course....
, Takafumi Takenoi, Tsutomu Chida
Tsutomu Chida
was previously one of the highest ranking shihan of Yoshinkan aikido, at 8th dan, and dojocho of its hombu dojo from 2002. He first became a part of Yoshinkan in 1969 but split from the organization in January 2008 following the resignation of kanchou Kyoichi Inoue...
, Hitoshi Nakano and then assistants Jacques Payet and Tsuneo Ando
Tsuneo Ando
Tsuneo Ando is an 8th dan Yoshinkan Aikido master. He spent 14 years as uchi deshi to Gozo Shioda Sensei, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. He is said to most closely resemble Shioda Sensei in terms of size; speed and style...
. From this time onwards Joe Thambu focused solidly on the modern Yoshinkan
Yoshinkan
Aikido Yoshinkan is a style of aikido founded by Gozo Shioda after World War II...
syllabus, whilst still incorporating aspects of his earlier training.
Thambu was the first person to teach and disseminate Yoshinkan Aikido in Australia. On his return to Australia from Japan in 1983, he established his first premises at 308 Saint Georges Road, Thornbury in the city of Melbourne (Australia). This became the first of two permanent homes for his school the Aikido Shudokan.
Thambu returned to Japan numerous times in the years from 1983–2000, mostly training a few weeks at a time, testing and/or demonstrating at the annual All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration. Thambu gave a particularly memorable demonstration in 1995 when the audience broke out into spontaneous applause on seeing his now characteristic "suwari jiyuwaza" (seated freestyle Aikido).
In 1993 Thambu became the last person to be graded by Yoshinkan founder Gozo Shioda, before his death in mid-1994. Also, at only 32 years of age, he became the youngest non-Japanese to be awarded a 5th Dan in Yoshinkan Aikido. This record has since been passed by Thambu's former student, Jon Marshall, who was awarded 5th Dan in 2006 at Yoshinkan Hombu at 31 years of age.
During the period from 2000–2010, Thambu taught widely outside of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, generally at the invitation of younger teachers in other countries.
Thambu conitnues to teach from his school in Melbourne, Australia, frequently hosting students from overseas. Many are aspiring teachers staying for extended periods, coming from countries like the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Malaysia and Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. Interestingly, many students travel past Japan in order to train under a high level Aikido practitioner who is not Japanese
Gaijin
is a Japanese word meaning "non-Japanese", or "alien". This word is a short form of gaikokujin , which literally means "person from outside of the country". The word is composed of two kanji: , meaning "outside"; and , meaning "person". Thus, the word technically means "outsider"...
.
Shudokan
The words "Shudokan Aikido" have sometimes been misconstrued as a separate style to Yoshinkan Aikido. Some online sources have also cited Joe Thambu as teaching "Shudokan Aikido", and some have even suggested incorrectly it is a derivation from 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...
and Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
(perhaps due to the similarity in name between Shudokan and Shotokan
Shotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi . Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including...
). However, video and anecdotal sources suggest that Thamby Rajah
Thamby Rajah
Thamby Rajah is a Malaysian Aikido teacher and is often called 'the Father of Malaysian aikido'. He also founded the Shudokan Institute of Aikido in Seremban, Malaysia....
(Joe Thambu's uncle and original teacher) has always taught a natural derivation of the techniques he learned at Yoshinkan Hombu Dojo (circa 1959). Thamby Rajah's
Thamby Rajah
Thamby Rajah is a Malaysian Aikido teacher and is often called 'the Father of Malaysian aikido'. He also founded the Shudokan Institute of Aikido in Seremban, Malaysia....
technique is also influenced by extensive experience in Kodokan Judo, and his earlier Jujitsu training under Walter De Silva in Malaysia during the post war years.
Thamby Rajah's
Thamby Rajah
Thamby Rajah is a Malaysian Aikido teacher and is often called 'the Father of Malaysian aikido'. He also founded the Shudokan Institute of Aikido in Seremban, Malaysia....
Aikido is fundamentally the same as Yoshinkan Aikido, but is more reflective of the early days of Gozo Shioda's
Gozo Shioda
was a Japanese master of aikido who founded the Yoshinkan style of aikido. He was one of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba's most senior students. Shioda held the rank of 10th dan in aikido.-Early life:...
Aikido.
Awards and honors
- Awarded 5th Dan by Gozo Shioda Kancho, Sept 1993
- Awarded 6th Dan by Hideo Yamada Kaicho, Dec 2001
- Awarded 7th Dan by Shioda Yasuhisa, Dec 2007
- Tokubetsu Embushou (Special Demonstration Award), 50th All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration, 2005
- Awarded title of Shihan (master) by Aikido Yoshinkai International, 2007
- Blitz Magazine, Aikido Instructor of the Year, 1997
External links
- All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration (2005)
- Aikido on Mind, Body & Soul (series made for pay TV) transcription available here
- History of Aikido Shudokan
Affiliated sensei
- Jon Marshall, 5th Dan Melbourne, Australia
- Andy Hobday, 2nd Dan - Nottingham, England
- Mark Hadiarja, 3rd Dan - Bandung, Indonesia
- Alireza Atarrezaei, 1st Dan - Teheran, Iran
- Ramlan Ahmed, 4th Dan - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Pawel Felisiak, 4th Dan - Gliwice, Poland
- Michal Pabiadsz, 3rd Dan - Lubliniec, Poland