What is aikido?

Aikido (pronounced eye-key-doe) is a Japanese martial art developed between the early years of the twentieth century and the death of its founder in 1965. Morihei Ueshiba was a hugely experienced martial artist who refined many disciplines into the formation of Aikido, but particularly the eighteenth century fighting techniques of Aikijutsu.

Essentially a defensive art, Aikido seeks to use an attacker’s force and strength against him. The defender deflects and blends with the attack, seizing wrist or arm, and often with circular movements throws the aggressor. The use of strikes, grips and locks can be employed to further distract or subdue an opponent.

With practice the results are both graceful and devastatingly effective. Nor is it a wholly unarmed system, the teaching includes defence with and against sword, knife and 1.2m staff.

The Aikido taught at the Goshinaikikwai is that of Kenji Tomiki, one of Ueshiba’s most able students. Some of the many techniques are used in a more fluid and free moving way giving our style a distinctive competitive aspect.