Shodokan Aikido

Shodokan Aikido, also known as Tomiki style Aikido, is the system that we train. It was founded by Professor Kenji Tomiki, an academic who studied under Jigaro Kano, the founder of Judo, and Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. He was Morihei Ueshiba's most senior student during the pre-WWII period, and the first to gain his teaching certificate.

The main emphasis is the use of kata (an organised system of teaching techniques) and the use of a method of training called randori ho (freestyle training), which has its basis in Judo, and can be used competitively and is known as Aikido kyogi or sport Aikido. Competiitive matches are called shiai.

The aim of kata is to build the Aikidoka's technical skills. This is done by learning techniques in a very specific manner in order to develop technical precision. It is trained with a co-operative partner thus allowing a student to understand how a technique works. The randori phase is used to help the student test his skills against an unpredictable opponent. Training in randori is split into several phases which build the essential skills required for shiai in a progressive manner.

Tomiki saw Aikido as physical education, self defence and sport:

Aikido as a martial way or budo

To gain skills to protect yourself and others. I.e. the ability to perceive a threat, the ability to respond to an aggressive act instinctively (yet humanely) by redirecting and neutralising the physical force of the attack, leaving the defender and the attacker unharmed.
To develop the mental strength and resilience required to face the ordinary and extraordinary challenges of life.
To develop self discipline, self assertiveness, respect and a temperate spirit.
To cultivate the state of mind Mushin Mugamae, i.e. an open, relaxed, responsive and flexible state of mind, reflected physically in one's posture.
To forge one's spirit through training of both body and mind, and to try to take the aikido approach into every day life.

Aikido as physical education

To maintain good health through physical activity.
To increase functional strength, co-ordination, agility, flexibility, and posture.

Aikido as sport or kyogi

To test our skill, courage and determination in pressured and unpredictable situations.
To refine the essential budo skills of speed, timing, and adaptability of technique, in a safe environment.
To provide an incentive to train consistently and diligently.
To help promote a community of like minded individuals with a desire to compete courageously, yet not promoting the 'win at all costs' mentality.
To bring together Aikidoka from other clubs nationally and internationally for regular competitions.

This view of Aikido as sport does conflict with the view taken by the Aikikai (the traditional Aikido style).

The current head of Shodokan Aikido is Tetsuro Nariyama Shihan who has blended some elements of Morihei Ueshiba's teaching of his later years into Tomiki's harder pre-war style. This was because Tomiki Sensei sent him to study under Morihei Ueshiba's last deshi called Kobayashi who had been taught a more circular and fluid Aikido. Nariyama is continuing the development of Aikido kyogi (sport Aikido).

Matt Houlton, 4th Dan 19th July 2005

Source

Wildish, Paul (1998) Principles of Aikido Thorson.