Cultures·Events

Do you know one of the Japanese martial arts, Aikido?

 In Aikido, each technique is not completed until layering your own force on the pushing or pulling force of the opponent. It does not matter whether you are sturdy-built or not, strong or fragile, male, female, young or old, to join practicing this martial art. The system of not employing competition within the school enables you to learn techniques without being mentally pushing around. 

 Even though having interested in Aikido, I think not a few people are having anxieties as; “I have no experience of any martial arts before. Can I do this?”, “I do not think I can do it with my poor physical strength”, “Where can I have lessons?”, “I am a bit nervous because there is no one I know in Dojo”.

 Today, I am going to show you an Aikido Dojo in Kawaguchi. 

  I visited “Yoshinkan Aikido Byakko, Kawaguchi Dojo” to interview Master Sugaya, who toured me around this Dojo’s usual practice routines. Master Sugaya, a mild-mannered person, gently and politely talked about this Dojo. While answering to this interview, he was giving instructions to practitioners by articulating each word very carefully. 

 Yoshinkan Aikido is recognized its practicality well enough to be employed as one of the in-service trainings for Riot Police Officers at the Metropolitan Police Department. On the other hand, Aikido is a martial art that demands no preparations for all to start. If you are interested in Aikido, why do not you start your experience in Kawaguchi? 

 Yoshinkan Aikido Byakko Kawaguchi Dojo is giving lessons on every Sunday, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, at Kawaguchi Municipal Shiba Sports Center. The day I visited happened to be a sweltering hot day of September, however, Dojo area of Shiba Sports Center is an ideal place to have trainings since it is equipped with super-sized air conditioner. There were six practitioners on the day I visited. Girl in a junior high school, office worker just graduated from a university, practitioners in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, people of different age groups gathered to have trainings. I mentioned about this point to Master Sugaya, then he answered, “Literally anyone, people of all ages and both sexes can start practicing this and the training itself is adjustable to each one’s physical strength and condition. That is the virtue of Aikido. From little children to seniors, they enjoy taking lessons in here. If you long have been interested in starting martial arts, Aikido is the one for you since it is much easier to get started”. He also had this to say; “Aikido techniques use practical body movements in suppressing the opponent. For that, a central force of the body is what you need to acquire. Through lessons you can strengthen your trunk”. I also had a chance to talk with a parent of a junior high schooler. “My child started Aikido when she was in second year of elementary school. I assume her core is quite toughened. I have an impression that she rarely gets injuries from school’s club activities compare to her friends there”.

 Training routine is like this; they do 6 basic forms of Aikido for 25 minutes. Then, practice Ukemi-receiving technique for 30 minutes. They need to learn how to do Ukemi to apply techniques and defend themselves safely. You will not get bruised because Ukemi practice is done on a mat. After Ukemi practice, they start practicing each technique called Waza. They have short breaks between each practice to avoid too much exhaustion. 

  From joint-locking technique to throwing technique, you will see various kinds of technique in this martial art. “Through practicing basic forms and Ukemi, both the base of every technique, you will find effective ways of practicing Waza-techniques”

Master Sugaya says they welcome foreign residents too since he has no problem in speaking English. Always welcomes visitors/trial lesson. Let’s give it a try! How about starting your Aikido experience from a Dojo in Kawaguchi?

Admission procedure

Always welcoming visitors/trial lesson.

Place: Kawaguchi Municipal Shiba Sports Center

Lesson hours: Each Sunday    1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

(Visitors for trial lessons; bring such easy-to-move clothing as sportswear)

Contact e-mail address of Kawaguchi Dojo: spataka._.v8@ezweb.ne.jp

Official website of Kawaguchi Dojo: http://aikidokawaguchi.web.fc2.com/index.html

Editor’s Note

Various kinds of techniques are used in Aikido. It is quite interesting just watching their routine. Though, I am sure you are going to be instigated to do it yourself. Visit the Dojo and see it yourself!　　　　　　　　　　　　　　By M.S

“Discover! Kawaguchi” Editorial Staff : M.S

Enthusiast for mountaineering, road bike riding, running.　My passion for mountaineering was developed by the experience of climbing in the Northern Alps.

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