Thamby Rajah
Encyclopedia
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.
Early in his career he Thamby trained in Karate
as well as Jujutsu
under Walter De Silva and was awarded a black belt in 1952. In a brave move at the time, Thamby moved to Japan
in 1957 for a year to study Judo
at the Kodokan
. Most of his training being under Haruyoshi Ichijima Sensei, a student of Kyuzo Mifune
the famous Judo 10th Dan teacher. Upon his return Thamby Rajah became the first Malaysian to gain a black belt in judo.
Whilst training in Japan Thamby Rajah was introduced to Gozo Shioda
the headmaster of the Yoshinkan Aikido
. Returning to Japan in 1959, Thamby Rajah trained in Yoshinkan Aikido under Gozo Shioda. Thamby was awarded a black belt before returning to Malaysia, becoming the first Malaysian to attain a Yoshinkan Aikido Dan rank.
After returning home Thamby Rajah opened the Shudokan Institute of Aikido in his home town of Seremban
. This name was given to him by Gozo Shioda .It means 'a house to study the way'. Thamby Rajah's most notable students include Joe Thambu
(7th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido), the first Yoshinkan Aikido teacher in Australia, as well as Edwin Stratton
the founder of the Shudokan Institute in the United Kingdom.
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 and is often called 'the Father of Malaysian aikido'. He also founded the Shudokan Institute of Aikido in Seremban, Malaysia.
Early in his career he Thamby trained in 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,...
as well as Jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
under Walter De Silva and was awarded a black belt in 1952. In a brave move at the time, Thamby moved 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...
in 1957 for a year to study 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...
at the Kodokan
Kodokan
, or the Kodokan Institute, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Literally, kō means "to lecture" or "to spread information," dō means "the way," and kan is "a public building or hall," together translating roughly as "a place for the study or promotion of the way." The Kodokan was...
. Most of his training being under Haruyoshi Ichijima Sensei, a student of Kyuzo Mifune
Kyuzo Mifune
has been categorized as one of the greatest exponents of the art of judo after the founder, Kanō Jigorō. He is considered by many to be the greatest judo technician ever, after Kanō.-Early life:...
the famous Judo 10th Dan teacher. Upon his return Thamby Rajah became the first Malaysian to gain a black belt in judo.
Whilst training in Japan Thamby Rajah was introduced to 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:...
the headmaster of the Yoshinkan Aikido
Yoshinkan
Aikido Yoshinkan is a style of aikido founded by Gozo Shioda after World War II...
. Returning to Japan in 1959, Thamby Rajah trained in Yoshinkan Aikido under Gozo Shioda. Thamby was awarded a black belt before returning to Malaysia, becoming the first Malaysian to attain a Yoshinkan Aikido Dan rank.
After returning home Thamby Rajah opened the Shudokan Institute of Aikido in his home town of Seremban
Seremban
Seremban is the capital of the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan, located within the district of Seremban, one of the seven districts of Negeri Sembilan. The town's administration is run by the Seremban Municipal Council or Majlis Perbandaran Seremban...
. This name was given to him by Gozo Shioda .It means 'a house to study the way'. Thamby Rajah's most notable students include Joe Thambu
Joe Thambu
Joe Thambu is a teacher of Yoshinkan Aikido with over 35 years experience in the art. He is the third youngest of 8 children and is of Malaysian Tamil heritage....
(7th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido), the first Yoshinkan Aikido teacher in Australia, as well as Edwin Stratton
Edwin Stratton
Edwin William James Stratton was a British aikido teacher and the founder of Yoshinkan UK, and the Shudokan Institute of Aikido International.-External links:**-Sources:...
the founder of the Shudokan Institute in the United Kingdom.