Kazuo Chiba
Encyclopedia
Kazuo Chiba is an aikido
teacher from Japan
who has spent a considerable part of his teaching career in the United Kingdom
and United States
. He is an 8th dan
in the aikido organisation Aikikai
, and founder of dojos in London and San Diego, California
. He is also the founder of an international aikido federation known as Birankai International. In the aikido world, Chiba is sometimes known as a representative of the "hard" or "tough" side of aikido, with a strong emphasis on weapons training. In 2006, he announced his gradual retirement.
. At 14 years of age, he began serious judo
training at the International Judo Academy. He began the study of Shotokan
karate
at age 16. Dissatisfied with the martial arts he had studied, he began searching for the art which would satisfy his yearning.
In 1958 he found aikido
and began seven intensive years of live-in study as an uchideshi with aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba
, at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Chiba became a close disciple of Ueshiba, travelling with him as his personal assistant during most of this seven year period. During this time, he also studied iaido
. By 1960, Chiba earned the rank of 3rd dan, and was assigned to Nagoya to establish a branch school and serve as its full-time instructor. In 1962, he earned 4th dan and began teaching at the Hombu Dojo. Within three years, during which he taught at many local universities, Chiba completed his training as uchideshi, earning promotion to 5th Dan.
On the instruction of Morihei Ueshiba
, Chiba moved to Sunderland, England
, in 1966. After a few months he moved to London where in 1967 he established London Aikikai. In 1968 he formed the Aikikai of Great Britain (later renamed British Aikido Federation in accordance with International Aikido Federation guidelines) with London Aikikai as its headquarters. In 1970, he received 6th dan and was awarded the title of shihan
.
In 1975, Chiba returned to Japan to serve as Secretary of the International Department at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. During this time he also studied zen
meditation in Shizuoka Prefecture
.
In 1981, Chiba accepted an invitation from the United States Aikido Federation to move to San Diego, California
, where he formed the San Diego Aikikai. Currently he is Chairman of the Teaching Committee of Birankai International.
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 from 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...
who has spent a considerable part of his teaching career in 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...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He is an 8th 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 the aikido organisation 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....
, and founder of dojos in London and San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. He is also the founder of an international aikido federation known as Birankai International. In the aikido world, Chiba is sometimes known as a representative of the "hard" or "tough" side of aikido, with a strong emphasis on weapons training. In 2006, he announced his gradual retirement.
Biography
Chiba was born February 5, 1940 in TokyoTokyo
, ; 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...
. At 14 years of age, he began serious 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...
training at the International Judo Academy. He began the study of 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...
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,...
at age 16. Dissatisfied with the martial arts he had studied, he began searching for the art which would satisfy his yearning.
In 1958 he found 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 began seven intensive years of live-in study as an uchideshi with 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....
, at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Chiba became a close disciple of Ueshiba, travelling with him as his personal assistant during most of this seven year period. During this time, he also studied iaido
Iaido
is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
. By 1960, Chiba earned the rank of 3rd dan, and was assigned to Nagoya to establish a branch school and serve as its full-time instructor. In 1962, he earned 4th dan and began teaching at the Hombu Dojo. Within three years, during which he taught at many local universities, Chiba completed his training as uchideshi, earning promotion to 5th Dan.
On the instruction of 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....
, Chiba moved to Sunderland, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in 1966. After a few months he moved to London where in 1967 he established London Aikikai. In 1968 he formed the Aikikai of Great Britain (later renamed British Aikido Federation in accordance with International Aikido Federation guidelines) with London Aikikai as its headquarters. In 1970, he received 6th dan and was awarded the title of 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]...
.
In 1975, Chiba returned to Japan to serve as Secretary of the International Department at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. During this time he also studied zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
meditation in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
.
In 1981, Chiba accepted an invitation from the United States Aikido Federation to move to San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, where he formed the San Diego Aikikai. Currently he is Chairman of the Teaching Committee of Birankai International.