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Aikido and Tokyo Metropolitan Police
Martial arts training stands as a cornerstone within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department 警視庁, serving as a pivotal element in the physical and mental preparation of police officers entering the demanding realm of law enforcement. At the Metropolitan Police Academy 警察学校, martial arts form a compulsory subject, with cadets dedicating at least an hour each day to training. While both men and women share this training requirement, they have the flexibility to choose different disciplines based on their individual preferences and perceived benefits. Male police officers often opt for Judo 柔道 or Kendo 剣道, disciplines that emphasize grappling techniques, striking maneuvers, and mental resilience. Conversely, female officers have the added…
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A Journey of Naming: From Daito Ryu to Aikido (Part I)
Aikido, renowned for its philosophy of harmony and non-resistance, has a rich history that traces its roots back to Daito Ryu Jujutsu 大東流柔術. During the evolution of Aikido, Ueshiba used various names for his art before settling on the term “Aikido 合気道”. Ueshiba had studied multiple martial arts, including Tenjin Shinyo Ryu 天神真楊流, Kito Ryu 起倒流, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu 柳生新陰流, and Judo 柔道 before encountering the martial arts master Sokaku Takeda 武田惣角. In 1915, Ueshiba came across Takeda during his exploratory journey in Hokkaido 北海道. Astonished by Takeda’s knowledge and techniques, he swiftly decided to become Takeda’s disciple. The following year, Ueshiba established a dojo in Shirataki 白滝村 and invited…
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Kenji Tomiki and his Vision of Competitive Aikido
Kenji Tomiki 富木 謙治 was a scholar and a prominent martial artist who held an 8th dan in both Judo and Aikido. He was an early student of Morihei Ueshiba and played a crucial role in the development of Aikido and the establishment of Shodokan Aikido 昭道館合気道, also known as Tomiki Aikido. Born on March 15, 1900, in Kakunodate 角館町, Akita Prefecture 秋田県, Japan, Tomiki started training in Judo when he was about 10 years old and obtained his shodan rank in 1919. He continued to practice Judo and only in 1926, he was introduced to Morihei Ueshiba by his friend Hidetaro Mishimura, and started training in Aikido (still known…
