Aikido Styles

Aikido evolved from its forerunner, Daitoryu aiki-jujutsu. The founder of Aikido, Morehei Ueshiba, progressively refined his art from a purely battlefield art to that which can subdue an opponent without injury. He had many students who practiced with him and formed their own dojos that eventually grew into ryuha (branches of Aikido).

Here are some of them in roughly chronological order of their development.

Pre-war Aikido

Aikikai 

The family Aikido style passed on from father to son, currently in 3rd generation. Today it is the largest Aikido organisation. Some consider it more of an umbrella organisation run by various shihan (master instructors).  Multiple Aikikai organisations run in Australia, each under the direction of different shihan.

Yoshinkan

Founded by Shioda Sensei, a pre-war student of the founder, it is regarded as a physically demanding style of Aikido. Famous for training the Tokyo Riot Police.

Tomiki

Founder by Tomiki Sensei, a top student of Kano's Judo. He developed a competition form of Aikido to help promote it as a sport, and use competition to enhance practice.

Iwama

Named after the farm where the founder spent significant periods of time. Iwama's custodian Saito Sensei dedicated himself to preserving the techniques as taught to him by the founder. Recently, following Saito Sensei's passing, the Iwama ryu separated from the Aikikai as the land was passed back to the Ueshiba family.

Ki Styles

Students of Koichi Tohei fomed their own styles such as Shuji Maruyama (Kokikai), Izumai Sensei (Shin Budo Kai), Ken Williams (Ki Federation) Yoshigasaki (Ki Society International), Oskima Sensei (Kodokai)