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THE HISTORY OF AIKIDO SHUDOKAN

AIKIDO HISTORY, OUR FOUNDERS & KEY FIGURES

The history of Aikido from 1800 is closely linked to the development of Japan’s martial arts culture during the Edo period (1603-1868) and the subsequent Meiji era (1868-1912).

During the Edo period, Japan was ruled by a shogunate that imposed a strict social order and banned the use of weapons among the common people. As a result, many martial arts were developed in secret, often by samurai who wanted to maintain their fighting skills.

One of these martial arts was Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, which was developed by Sokaku Takeda in the late 19th century. Takeda was a skilled martial artist who had studied several different styles, including swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. In 1915, Morihei Ueshiba, who had been studying various martial arts since childhood, began studying Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu with Takeda.

Ueshiba quickly became one of Takeda’s top students and eventually became a master of the art himself. However, Ueshiba was not satisfied with the aggressive and combative nature of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu. He began to develop his own style, which focused more on harmonizing with an attacker’s energy and using techniques that would not cause serious injury. Ueshiba’s new style was initially called “Aiki-Budo,” but he later changed the name to “Aikido” to reflect his emphasis on harmony and the spiritual aspects of martial arts.

Aikido became increasingly popular in Japan and eventually spread to other countries, with Ueshiba traveling and teaching his art until his death in 1969. Today, Aikido is practiced all over the world and continues to evolve as new generations of practitioners bring their own insights and innovations to the art.

sokaku takeda

The founder of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu
1859 - 1943

Sokaku Takeda was a prominent martial artist and the founder of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, which is considered to be one of the precursor arts to Aikido. Takeda was born on October 10, 1859, in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan. He was born into a samurai family and began his martial arts training at a young age.

Takeda was a skilled martial artist who traveled throughout Japan, teaching his art to students and earning a reputation as a formidable fighter. He studied a variety of martial arts styles, including swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat, and eventually developed his own style, which he called Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu.

Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu focused on using an opponent’s energy against them, rather than relying on brute force or physical strength. The art included joint locks, throws, and other techniques that allowed a smaller and weaker opponent to defeat a larger and stronger one.

Takeda taught Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu to a select group of students, including Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Ueshiba studied with Takeda for several years and eventually developed his own style of martial arts based on Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu.

Takeda continued to teach Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu until his death on April 25, 1943. Today, his art is still practiced by a small group of dedicated students and is considered to be one of the most effective and sophisticated martial arts styles in Japan.

Ueshiba Morihei

The founder of Aikido
1883 - 1969

A considerable influence to the formation of the art of Aikido was Daito-Ryu Jujutsu, founded in 850-880, passed down as the secret art of the Takeda house. Sokaku Takeda innovated this to create Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu. Ueshiba Morihei Sensei was one of his leading students.

O Sensei

Referred to as O Sensei, or “Great Teacher”. This title was given due to the number of master pupils of Ueshiba. The likes of Minoru Mochizuki, Kenji Tomiki and Gozo Shioda, Koichi Tohei, all forming their own Aikido streams still practiced today.

1936 “Aiki Budo”

Distincing his art from Daito Ryu Aikijutsu, Ueshiba called his martial art Aiki Budo.

1942 “Aikido”

Japan was undergoing a transformation of self-improvement, to “DO” or “The Way”. Jujutsu became Judo, Kenjutsu became Kendo and Ueshiba’s art being something very different, became “AikiDo”

Shioda Gozo Soke

Founder of Yoshinkan Aikido
1915 -1994

Shioda Gozo Soke was a prominent martial artist and the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido, which is one of the major styles of Aikido practiced today. He was born on September 9, 1915, in Tokyo, Japan, and began his martial arts training at a young age.

Shioda studied a variety of martial arts styles, including judo and kendo, but his main focus was on Aikido. He studied under the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, for several years and eventually became one of his top students.

In 1955, Shioda founded his own style of Aikido, which he called Yoshinkan Aikido. This style of Aikido focused on practical self-defense techniques and emphasized the importance of strong, precise movements.

Yoshinkan Aikido became increasingly popular in Japan and eventually spread to other countries, with Shioda traveling and teaching his art throughout the world. He also trained members of the Tokyo Riot Police and other law enforcement agencies in Japan, emphasizing the practical self-defense applications of his style.

Shioda continued to teach and promote Yoshinkan Aikido until his death on July 17, 1994. Today, his style of Aikido is practiced by thousands of students around the world and is known for its practicality, precision, and effectiveness in real-world self-defense situations.

Thamby Rajah Sensei

The Father of Malaysian Aikido
1926-2022

Thamby Rajah Sensei, also known as S. Thamby Rajah, was a prominent Aikido instructor and one of the pioneers of Aikido in Malaysia. He was born on June 10, 1926, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Rajah Sensei began his martial arts training in 1940, studying judo and karate. In the early 1950s, he traveled to Japan and began studying Aikido under the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, and other top instructors.

After several years of intense training, Rajah Sensei returned to Malaysia and began teaching Aikido. He founded the Malaysian Aikido Association in 1963, which helped to promote the art of Aikido throughout Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Rajah Sensei was known for his dedication to Aikido and his deep understanding of the art. He emphasized the importance of proper technique and precise movements, and he encouraged his students to develop a strong mind-body connection through their training.

In addition to his work with the Malaysian Aikido Association, Rajah Sensei was also involved in promoting Aikido on an international level. He traveled to other countries to teach seminars and workshops, and he played a key role in the establishment of the International Aikido Federation in 1976.

Rajah Sensei continued to teach Aikido until his death on December 10, 2022, at the age of 85. He is remembered as a respected and influential figure in the world of Aikido, and his teachings continue to inspire students and instructors around the world.

Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi

Founder of Aikido Shinwakan
1935-2017

Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi (born August 24, 1935) was a highly respected figure in the world of martial arts, renowned for his mastery of Aikido. As one of the few individuals to have achieved the esteemed rank of 10th Dan, Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi’s dedication and skill placed him among the most accomplished Aikido practitioners of his time.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi began his martial arts journey at the age of 15. His first introduction to Aikido came under the tutelage of Gozo Shioda, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido, who he met in 1955. Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi quickly became a devoted student and trained diligently under Shioda for the next 19 years. His hard work and commitment were rewarded when he was appointed as an instructor at the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo in 1969.

Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi’s dedication to the martial art of Aikido continued to grow, and in 1972, he became the Chief Instructor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. His exceptional teaching skills earned him the title of Shihan (master instructor) in 1974. Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi’s influence began to extend beyond Japan as he traveled to teach and demonstrate Aikido techniques in countries such as Australia, the United States, and Canada.

In recognition of his exceptional skill and knowledge, Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi was awarded the rank of 10th Dan in 1991. This rare achievement solidified his position as one of the foremost authorities on Yoshinkan Aikido.

As a revered Aikido practitioner and teacher, Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi left an indelible mark on the martial arts world. His passion for Yoshinkan Aikido and his commitment to sharing its principles with others continue to inspire generations of students and instructors alike.

Inoue Aiko Kaicho

President Aikido Shudokan International

Inoue Aiko Kaicho, 6th Dan, is the head of Aikido Nisshinkan. This organisation, with its headquarters in Japan, was created by Inoue Kyoichi Hanshi to promote the art of Aikido according to his beliefs. Inoue Aiko Kaicho accepted the Aikido Shudokan International’s invitation to become president of the organisation and we value the wealth of knowledge and experience that she brings to Aikido Shudokan International.

Joe Thambu Shuseki Shihan

Founder Aikido Shudokan Australia
1961 - PRESENT

Joe Thambu Shuseki Shihan is a prominent martial arts instructor and practitioner from Australia. He is the founder and chief instructor of the Aikido Shudokan school, which is based in Melbourne, Australia. Thambu Sensei began training in Aikido in 1972,

In 1972, at the age of 11 years old, in his home town of Seremban in Malaysia. Joe Thambu Shuseki Shihan began his martial arts career, training under his uncle, Thamby Rajah Sensei. Through his teenage years, he also trained in Kendo and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo.

In 1978, he was awarded his Shodan, shortly after he travelled to Australia at the age of 19 years old. In Melbourne, Victoria he founded Aikido Shudokan in 1980.

Wanting to continue his learning in Aikido, he travelled to Japan in 1983 where he stayed and trained at the Yoshinkan Honbu dojo. Upon his return, he established the first permanent home for the Aikido Shudokan in Australia.

Thambu Sensei has trained under several notable Aikido instructors, including Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi, Shihan Morito Suganuma, and Shihan Shigenobu Okumura. To date he has taught Aikido seminars and workshops in many countries around the world and is well known for his technical proficiency, teaching skills, and contributions to the development of Aikido.

In 2009, he was awarded the title of Shuseki Shihan by the International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) in recognition of his achievements and contributions to martial arts.