Aikido Facts

Aikido was among the first martial arts freed from the ban imposed on their practice by the US government after World War II.

In some areas, Japanese police officers are required to hold at least a Shodan (black belt) in Aikido.

Aikido History in Japan

The year 1942 is often cited as the beginning of modern aikido. It was at that time that the Dai Nihon Butokukai, desiring to achieve a standardization in teaching methodology and nomenclature for modern Japanese martial arts, reached an agreement with the Kobukai representative Minoru Hirai to call the jujutsu form developed by Morihei Ueshiba aikido. Thus, AIKI BUDO joined the ranks of judo, kendo, kyudo and other modern martial arts.

Inaba Sensei

Yasuhisa (Yas) Inaba Sensei was born November 26, 1952 in Osaka, Japan. He married Keiko Inaba and immigrated to Calgary in 1980. Yas began his career in Canada as a petroleum engineer, as well as to begin his own dojo as a teaching master of Aikido. He later began his own business, practising and teaching acupuncture and shiatsu. Yas obtained his sixth degree black belt in Aikido and title of Shihan. Yas took great pride in teaching his children the art of Aikido and was very proud of their accomplishments. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, teacher, healer and friend. He will be dearly missed by all his family, patients, friends and students.(November 26, 1952 – January 26, 2009)

Hakama

What is the name of the kind of skirt the aikidoka’s wear?

Hakama. It was originally worn by samurai’s and is used to conceal the movind of the legs. It depends on the dojo where you’re in if the wearing of it is permitted when you’re not a shodan.