Kokikai
Encyclopedia
is a style of Aikido
, founded by Shuji Maruyama. The organization is called Kokikai Aikido International.
The Kokikai style emphasizes natural movement, ki
development, relaxation, good posture and mind-body coordination. It is a minimalist martial art
that focuses on making techniques effective while using little physical effort. An axiom of the style is “minimum effort for maximum effect.” The name Kokikai means “school of radiant ki”.
The style lists four basic principles:
The style was founded by Shuji Maruyama (referred to as Maruyama Sensei, or Sensei), and continues to be led by him. He continues to develop the art, so there is no set textbook way of performing any technique.
Maruyama Sensei was originally sent to the United States
in 1966 by the Aikikai
Hombu. He taught in the US for many years. When Koichi Tohei
Sensei left Aikikai to found Ki-Aikido
, Maruyama Sensei followed him. This was consistent with Japanese martial arts tradition, because he was a direct student of Tohei Sensei. Maruyama Sensei separated from Ki-Aikido in 1986 to found the Kokikai organization.
As of August 2008, the directory on the official Kokikai website listed dojo
s in Australia
, Canada
, Israel
, Japan
, Russia
and 19 US
state
s.
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...
, founded by Shuji Maruyama. The organization is called Kokikai Aikido International.
The Kokikai style emphasizes natural movement, ki
Qi
In traditional Chinese culture, qì is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts...
development, relaxation, good posture and mind-body coordination. It is a minimalist martial art
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
that focuses on making techniques effective while using little physical effort. An axiom of the style is “minimum effort for maximum effect.” The name Kokikai means “school of radiant ki”.
The style lists four basic principles:
- Keep One pointDantianDantian, dan t'ian, dan tien or tan t'ien is loosely translated as "elixir field". It is described as an important focal point for internal meditative techniques.There are various points of dantian...
(to develop calmness) - Relax progressively
- Find Correct Posture (in everything)
- Develop your Positive Mind
The style was founded by Shuji Maruyama (referred to as Maruyama Sensei, or Sensei), and continues to be led by him. He continues to develop the art, so there is no set textbook way of performing any technique.
Maruyama Sensei was originally sent to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1966 by 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....
Hombu. He taught in the US for many years. When Koichi Tohei
Koichi Tohei
was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido , but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.-Koichi Tohei and aikido:...
Sensei left Aikikai to found Ki-Aikido
Ki-Aikido
is the style of aikido developed by Koichi Tohei.- Koichi Tohei :Ki is a Japanese word meaning Life Force, which is conceptually related to the Chinese Qi and is of great importance to the way in which Koichi Tohei's style of aikido is taught...
, Maruyama Sensei followed him. This was consistent with Japanese martial arts tradition, because he was a direct student of Tohei Sensei. Maruyama Sensei separated from Ki-Aikido in 1986 to found the Kokikai organization.
As of August 2008, the directory on the official Kokikai website listed 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...
s in 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...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, 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...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and 19 US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
s.
External links
- Official Kokikai Aikido International website - USA
- Aikido Journal Online Feature on Shuji Maruyama
- Videos of practice at a Kokikai dojo