is a style of
Aikido
Aikido ( , , , ) is a modern Japanese martial art that is split into many different styles, including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practiced in aroun ...
, founded by Shuji Maruyama.
[Gaku Homma]
"Silent Pioneer: Shuji Maruyama Sensei, Kokikai Founder,"
Aikido Journal, November 17, 2002[Gaku Homma]
"A New Leader in Iwama,"
Aikido Journal, March 8th, 2004 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
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preserv ...
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 point (to develop calmness)
*Relax progressively
*Find Correct Posture (in everything)
*Develop your Positive Mind
The style was founded by Shuji Maruyama, 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 was originally sent to the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
in 1966 by the
Aikikai Hombu
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu (the family heir of the founder of Aikido). It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation. ...
.
He taught in the US for many years. When
Koichi Tohei
(20 January 1920 – 19 May 2011) was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (literally "aikido with mind and body unified"), but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.
Aikido
Koichi ...
left Aikikai to found
Ki-Aikido
or is a Japanese martial art, a gendai budo (contemporary martial art).
It is part of the martial arts derived from aikido, which appeared after its founder's death in 1969. It started in early 70's with the creation of the Ki Society of Koichi T ...
, Maruyama followed him. This was consistent with Japanese martial arts tradition, because he was a direct student of Tohei. Maruyama separated from Ki-Aikido in 1986 to found the Kokikai organization.
As of August 2019, there are Kokikai
dojos listed in
Australia,
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
Aikido Kokikai Berlin,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
,
Israel
Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...
,
Japan,
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...
and in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
, which are now organized a
Aikido Kokikai Federation USADojo directory
Kokikai Aikido International website (accessed August 5, 2008)
References
External links
Official Kokikai Aikido International website - USA
Aikido Journal Online Feature on Shuji Maruyama
Aikido organizations
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