Aikido Lineage

Brisbane Aikido Republic is an independent study group that until recently followed Master Koretoshi

Maruyama, a direct student of the founder of Aikido and his now retired international chief instructor Michael Williams Sensei. Following their examples we have practiced widely in the aikido arts and some other budo to enrich our core practice.

We started Aikido with the Ki Society,l before following Williams Sensei to Maruyama Sensei's Aikido Yuishinkai at its inception. Today we are a founding member of the Great Ocean Aikido Community.  We co-opened Brisbane's first Aikido Yuishinkai dojo at Southbank. 

Yuishinkai Aikido represented an opportunity to practice 'Aikido without boundaries' and whilst a seemingly lighter yoke than other schools carried with it the responsibility to continue to learn. Aikido Yuishinkai was a rare opportunity to study directly with one of the few remaining uchideshi of O'Sensei and a man committed to further developing his own Aikido through the roots of the art he studied as a young man. recently we have been following an interest in the internal strength movement.

A big part of learning is studying with high level instructors where possible. Below are many of the seminars attended by our instructors. Thus striving to "drink from a flowing stream of knowledge, rather than a stagnant pool"

Ki Aikido beginnings

1. Taketoshi Kataoka Sensei 1995, Goshinkan, Byron Bay.

Chief Instructor of Ki Society International and head of the Kiatsu school in Japan, Sensei was our most frequent visitor in Maruyama Sensei's absence with the feeling of a "samurai hiding behind the shoji" on the mat.

2. Ken Ota Sensei and Steve Ota Sensei 1995

Mt. Gravatt Showgrounds, Brisbane.

Senior Ki Society instructors from Southern California as well as senior Judo instructors. This seminar focused on ukemi, breakfalling... something for which they are famous.

3. William Reed Sensei 1997

Goshinkan, Byron Bay.

Training first with the Aikikai and following Koichi Tohei Sensei to the Ki no Kenkyukai (Ki Society).  Responsible for the translation into English of much of Tohei Sensei's writing and author of 'Ki: a practical guide for westerners' and many other titles.  Sensei continues to live in Japan and study with the top masters.  He was able to communicate so many aspects of Aikido from a western point of view.

4. Iwao Tamura Sensei and Ohara Sensei 1997

Goshinkan, Byron Bay.

The late Tamura Sensei, listed as one of O'Sensei's 4th generation students, brought old school samurai mind to Australia.  Heading up ~50 dojos in Japan it was a real treat to have a senior Ki Society instructor not based at hombu come and teach us.

5. Takashi Nonaka Sensei and Eric Nonaka Sensei 1998?

Goshinkan, Byron Bay.

Based in Hawaii, Nonaka Sensei (from the first generation of Aikido students) is well known for his mastery of the sword.

6. Yoshigasaki Sensei 1998 Birmingham, UK.

, Brighton, UK. 1999

Sensei was the head of Ki Society in Europe, before establishing his own organisation recently.  Trained as a scientist, Sensei was a unique blend of east and west with a focus on our perception of Aikido.

7. Taketoshi Kataoka Sensei 2000

Goshinkan, Byron Bay.

Kataoka Sensei returned to Byron bay focusing on Aikido and oneness rhythm exercises to develop relaxed Aikido.

8. Roby Kessler Sensei 2002, Brisbane.

Roby Kessler, appointed as the new Australian Head Instructor of Ki Society gave a weekend seminar in Brisbane.

Maruyama Sensei returns

1. Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei 2002, Goshinkan, Byron Bay.

Maruyama Sensei, emerging from 10 years seclusion in a temple returns to Australia to show us what he has been working on. What a mind blowing seminar, and people came out of the woodwork to see and train with him.

2. Michael Williams Sensei Feb 2002 - present

Cleveland and Griffith University dojo, Brisbane.

Michael Williams Sensei as former Chief instructor for Ki Society Australia, Chief Instructor Aikido Yuishinkai Australia and International Chief Instructor Aikido Yuishinkai International gives annual Brisbane seminars focusing on delivering the syllabus.

3. Restraint and Removal, Joe Thambu 2002,2006

Palmwoods, Queensland.

A well known and senior Yoshinkan Aikido practitioner, Sensei gave a course for security personal based on Aikido principles at David Dangerfield's Sunshine Coast dojo.

4. Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei 2003, 

Goshinkan, Byron Bay.

Moonshadow, lizard leg footwork is introduced. inspired by the shinkage-ryu sword school it adds a level of precison to the art. Also the three levels of practice kotai, juntai and ryutai are refined. Some partner sword exercises - that are the forerunner of shinkage ryu inspired kata to be =revealed at later seminars.

5. Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei 

Goshinkan, Byron Bay.2004,The rising moon and lightening kata are introduced for paired sword and jo practice together with further refining the yuishinkai syllabus.

6. Taketoshi Kataoka and Iwade Sensei May 2003 Indooroopilly, Brisbane, 2004 Hill End, Brisbane.

Kataoka Sensei introduces Ki Society deshi Iwade Sensei.  The seminar was focused mostly on Ki development and the oneness rhythms excercises explaining Aikido was a path to understand Ki and not a martial art per se.

7. Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei, Goshinkan, Byron Bay.2005

Marauyama Sensei returns and introduces the weapons practice of the Shinkage ryu and his concept of yuki.  Hints at, then formalises his incorporation of the Daito ryu lineages of Aikido into Aikido Yuishinkai.

8. Koretoshi Maruyama 2006

Griffith University, Brisbane (attendee and seminar organiser)

Maruyama Sensei returned to Griffith University after almost 20years teaching sword arts and original koryu aiki techniques as an aid to understanding Aikido

Further afield

1. David Dangerfield Sensei (local organiser and host) Friendship Seminars 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Palmwoods, Queensland.

Learning Yoshinkan Aikido and Shinto Muso ryu (and more recently the aiki of Shinto Muso ryu).

2. David Brown Sensei May 2004, 2005, 2006 Brisbane Aikikai.

A senior Australian Aikikai teacher, Sensei has reinterpreted the kata of aikido as an art where there are no technique and no throws, instead uke is led running into limbs or falling over. Developed as a result of a long association with Bob Jones, its a unique bunkai to help understand aikido

3. Minoru Oshima Sensei and Yoshitake Hashimoto Sensei 2007, Adelaide.

Oshima Sensei, former student of Maruyama Sensei and founder of Kodokai Aikido gave a seminar focusing on the stretching of the body through Aikido practice. Attended by most dojo in Adelaide of all different Aikido styles it was a real melting pot experience.

4. Maruyama Sensei 2007, Brisbane. (attendee and seminar organiser)

5. Maruyama Sensei 2008, Cleveland, Brisbane.

6. Maruyama Sensei, Okajima Sensei, Williams Sensei 2009, Goshinkan, Byron Bay.

7. Maruyama Sensei, Oshima Sensei, Williams Sensei, International Friendship Seminar 2010

Matsusaka, Japan. (attendee and International Coordinator)

8. Shimamoto Shihan, Bayside Budokai, Augest 2010

9. Williams Sensei 2010, October, Byron Bay.

10. Satoshi Takeda Sensei 2010, Sept Noosa, Queensland.

11. Grant Periot Sensei, Takumakai Daito Ryu seminar, redlands Aikido Yuishinkai, 2010

12. Maruyama Sensei, 2011, Goshinkan, Byron Bay and Wellington New Zealand.

13. Hirosawa Sensei, Sydney Aikido Takemusu, 2011

14. 2012 David Brown Sensei Brisbane Aikikai and Bayside Budokai

15. 2012 Paul Sinkinson,  Brisbane Aikikai

15. 2012 Jack Sato, Brisbane Aikikai

17. 2012 Annoiki sensei (Kyoju Dairi), Takumakai, Gold Coast

18. 2012, William Gleason Sensei, Shobu Aikido , Boston USA 

Other budo

A part of studying budo (or martial way) is to occasionally draw on experiences in other arts, sometimes developing relationships with these arts.  In addition some of the seminars attended in other arts include the following.

1. Wally Jay and Leon Jay, small-circle jujitsu and Dillman method of ryukyu kempo (pressure points) 1998

Hamilton, Brisbane.

Wally Jay, famous for his development of small-circle jujitsu (a jujitsu with very similar aiki-type principles), co-taught with his son, a senior instructor, at this Dillman method seminar.  Attended by many different arts - it was a fascinating insight into the principles of Aikido as jujitsu and the lurking vital point techniques in Aikido technique.

2. Glenn Zwiers, Close Quarters Combat 2001

Brisbane

One of the military styles popular at the moment this was a great opportunity to find out more and discover a few new tricks, reality based fighting and to discover Aikido skills are a good foundation for doing these things.

3. Steffen Messerschmidt, Knife Defence seminars  2003

A senior Jeet Kune do and Jujitsu instructor Stefan taught Philipino based knife fighting as a precursor to knife defence over 2 weekend seminars. Interestingly Aikido skills with some careful tweaking (to take it from the armour-clad samurai and into a back alley) seemed to be similar.

4. Mike Allen, Target Focus training 2007, 2008; 

Sydney.

Brisbane. (attendee and host)

The pointy end of the stick, these sessions were lead by an experienced Aikido instructor who is now an authorised TFT instructor.

5. Catherine Schnell Sensei, Personal Safety Concepts 2008 Brisbane. Sensei award winning Self defence programme was presented for the 3rd time and she authorised several to deliver the programme

Dojo memberships

1. Spring Hill Ki Society 1993-1998, Spring Hill, Brisbane.

   1. Finsbury Park Ki Aikido 1998-1999 (2 months)

   2. Muswell Hill Ki Federation 1999 London.(3 months)

2. Brighton Ki Society 1998-1999

3. Wesley Clark Persaidiri Silat 1989, 1996 Tarragindi, Brisbane

• 1. Griffith University Tae Kwon Do club 1996 (3 months)

  2. Wu-style Tai Chi 1999  London.(beginners course)

4. Griffith University Aikido Club 1993- Brisbane.

5. Coorparoo Ki Society 1998-2000, Coorparoo, Brisbane.

6. Cleveland Ki Society 1996-1998, Cleveland, Brisbane.

Visiting dojo

Whilst travelling I try to pack a dogi, and hakama to train abroad.  Here are some of the dojo I have  visited:

• 1. Coventry Ki Society 1998

  2. Goshinkan, Byron Bay. (many times) 1995-2005

  3. Rocky Mountain Ki Society, Boulder, Colorado. 1996

  4. Shinmeikan Aikikai, London. 1998

  5. The dojo, London. 1998

  6. Iwama, London. 1998

  7. Shindai Aikikai Florida june 2002

  8. Parsons Green Ki Society 2002

  9. Toronoto Aikikai Oct, 2003

  10. Vienna Shumeikan, Oct 2004, July 2010

  11. Clifton Hill Aikikai 

1. David Brown, Christmas Hills. Feb 2005

2. Melbourne Aikikai 2004. Mar 2006

3. RyuShinkan, Melbourne 2004

4. Shudokan, Melbourne 2004

5. Tokyo Aikido Yuishinkai Sept 2005, Sept 2006, 2007, 2008

6. Osaka Aikido Yuishinkai and Daito ryu aiki-jujitsu. Sept 2005

7. Osaka Ki Society. Sept 2005

8. Shosenji Temple, Osaka. Sept 2005

9. Osaka Aikido Yuishinkai and Daito ryu aiki-jujitsu. 2011

Relevant Professional Development

Drawing on the professional sporting community is a good way to develop coaching, learning methodologies and safe practices in the dojo.

1. NCAS Level 2 2011(Danny and Alison), 2012, (Anthony), National Coaching Accreditation Scheme, through the Australian Jujitsu federation for qualification issued by the Australian Sports Commission, Australian Government

2. 'Be Active', joint Australia Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, National Physical Activity Conference and  National Sports Injury Prevention, 14-17 October 2009, Brisbane. (attendee and symposium chair)

3. ASICS Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport 2008, Hamilton Island.(attendee and presenter, best poster award)

4. Joint Symposiums on Sports Engineering and Human Dynamics 2006, 2007, 2008, Japan.(keynote Kanazawa 2006, Tsukuba 2007, presenter Aikita 2008)