View source for Aikikai

{{Short description|School of aikido}}
{{Infobox martial art group
| logo              = AIKIKAI-logo-07CBA50695-seeklogo com.gif
| logocaption       =
| logosize          =
| image             = 
| imagecaption      = 
| imagesize         = 150px
| name              = Aikikai Foundation<br>(公益財団法人合気会 ''Kōeki Zaidan Hōjin Aikikai'')
| aka               = Aikikai; Aikikai Honbu
| date founded      = c.1948
| country           = Japan
| founder           = [[Morihei Ueshiba]]
| head              = [[Moriteru Ueshiba]] Dōshu
| arts              = [[Aikido]]
| ancestor_arts     =
| descendant_arts   =
| ancestor schools  = [[Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu]] • [[Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū]] • [[Yagyū Shingan-ryū]]
|A few well known members    = [[Steven Seagal]], [[Kisaburo Osawa]], [[Seiseki Abe]], [[Yoshimitsu Yamada]], [[Mitsunari Kanai]], [[Nobuyoshi Tamura]], [[Isamu Takeshita]], [[Christian Tissier]], [[Seiichi Sugano]]
| website           = http://www.aikikai.or.jp
}}
{{Infobox sport
| name       = Aikido
| image      = Ueshiba Mitsuteru (Nippon Budokan, 2017).webm
| imagesize  = 220px
| caption    = [[Mitsuteru Ueshiba]] at the 55th All Japan Aikido Demonstration held at the Nippon Budokan (May 2017)
| union      = [[International Aikido Federation]]
| nickname   = 
| first      =
| firstlabel =
| country/region = Worldwide
| registered =
| clubs      =
| contact    = Yes
| team       =
| mgender    = Yes
| category   = Martial art
| equipment  =
| venue      =
| obsolete   =
| olympic    = No
| paralympic =
| IWGA       = [[1989 The World Games|1989]]{{snds}}[[2005 World Games|2005]] (invitational)
}}

The '''Aikikai''' is the original school of [[Aikido]].<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Japanese Arts and Self-Cultivation|last = Carter|first = Robert Edgar|publisher = SUNY Press|year = 2008|pages = 27}}</ref> It is centered on the [[Aikikai#Aikikai Foundation|Aikikai Foundation]] in Japan, and its figurehead is the [[Aikikai#Doshu|Doshu]] (the family heir of the founder of Aikido). It is represented globally through the [[Aikikai#International Aikido Federation|International Aikido Federation]].

== Aikikai Foundation ==
The {{Nihongo|'''Aikikai Foundation'''|公益財団法人合気会|Kōeki Zaidan Hōjin Aikikai}} is the original aikido organization. It has been an incorporated entity in Japan since 1940 under the name {{Nihongo|Kōbukai Foundation|財団法人皇武会|Zaidan Hojin Kōbukan}}, then re-registered under the name "Aikikai" after the ban on Aikido practice was lifted by the GHQ in 1948. It is headed by the doshu, the living successor of the founder of aikido.

The Aikikai Foundation operates  [[Aikikai#Hombu dojo|Hombu dojo]], which is also named Aikido World Headquarters. It is sometimes called the Aikikai Hombu to distinguish it from the headquarters of later aikido organisations. It is located in [[Tokyo]]. The term "Hombu" may sometimes be [[Metonym|used loosely]] to refer to the upper echelons of instructors at Hombu dojo, or to the Aikikai Foundation itself.

The Aikikai Foundation also currently manages one satellite dojo, the historical [[Iwama dojo]] in [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]] (about 100&nbsp;km northeast of Tokyo).<ref>[http://www13.big.or.jp/~aikikai/ Ibaraki branch dojo] main website.</ref>

The Aikikai Foundation sends instructors around Japan on a continual basis.<ref name="aikikai"/> It also issues certificates of grading and instructor titles legitimated by the Doshu throughout the world.

In April 2012, the Aikikai Foundation became a "Public Interest Incorporated Foundation (Japan)".

== ''Dōshu'' ==
{{multiple image
   | width     = 100
   | footer    = ''Dōshu'' of Aikido
   | image1    =
   | alt1      = ''O-sensei''
   | caption1  = Ueshiba Morihei
   | image2    =
   | alt2      = Second Doshu
   | caption2  = Ueshiba Kisshomaru
   | image3    =
   | alt3      = Present Doshu
   | caption3  = Ueshiba Moriteru
  }}

''Dōshu'' (道主 / どうしゅ) literally translates as 'Master of the Way'. It is the title denoting the head of the Aikikai, although the same term could be used as a title within other disciplines. In Japanese, its most common meaning is specific to the Aikikai Foundation.<ref name="dict"/>

The system of having the heir of a [[martial arts]] school be the previous headmaster's son (either natural or adopted for the sake of succession) was common in ''[[koryū]]'' (traditional schools) and such heirs often are referred to as ''[[iemoto]]''.
 
*Founder (開祖 ''Kaiso'') [[Morihei Ueshiba]] (1883-1969) originated the art of Aikido. Sometimes referred to as ''dōshu'' during his time, but more commonly known as ''O-sensei'' (great teacher).
*Second ''dōshu'' [[Kisshomaru Ueshiba]] (1921–1999) took over leadership of the organisation and assumed the title of ''dōshu'' in 1969 upon the death of his father, the founder. Kisshomaru was the first person in aikido to be widely referred to by the title ''dōshu''.
*Third ''dōshu'' [[Moriteru Ueshiba]] (born 1951) is the current holder of the title. Grandson of the founder. Succeeded to the position in 1999 upon the death of his father.<ref name="aikikai"/>

According to the tradition, Moriteru is expected to be succeeded as dōshu by his son, [[Mitsuteru Ueshiba]] (born 1981).

== ''Hombu Dōjō'' ==
{{Coord|35|41|56.9|N|139|42|51.5|E|type:landmark|display=title}}
[[File:Aikidohombu.jpg|thumb|left|Aikikai ''Hombu Dōjō'']]
The ''Hombu [[Dōjō]]'' in [[Tokyo]] is the headquarters of the Aikikai.

The ''Hombu Dōjō'' is officially named Aikido World Headquarters, and is entirely operated by the Aikikai Foundation.  It is sometimes called the Aikikai Hombu to distinguish it from the headquarters of later aikido organisations.

''Hombu Dōjō'' has about 30 instructors, and most are [[shihan]]. The instructors include the Doshu and [[Hiroshi Tada]] 9th dan.<ref name="aikikai"/>

The location of ''Hombu Dōjō'' is in Wakamatsu-cho, [[Shinjuku, Tokyo|Shinjuku]], Tokyo, [[Japan]]. (This same location was formerly the [[Ushigome]] District of Shinjuku.)<ref name="aikikai"/>

The ''dōjō'' was established in April 1931 by the founder of Aikido. It was originally named ''Kōbukan Dōjō'' ({{linktext|皇|武|館|道|場}}, imperial warrior training hall) but was called ''Hombu Dōjō'' after [[World War II]].
<ref>[http://www.aikidofaq.com/history/osensei.html History of Aikido], Aikido FAQ.</ref>

In 1967 the original single-story wooden structure was replaced by a five-story modern building. Training takes place in three rooms which total about 250 [[tatami]] in area.<ref name="aikikai"/> The main training area has 105 tatami mats (170m<sup>2</sup>). The other two training areas, containing 72 and 42 tatami mats respectively, are often used for beginner's classes, children's classes, women's classes, or fixed term and enrollment "academy" courses.

Classes are held seven days a week. Beginners' and regular classes are open to all Aikido practitioners that are or become Aikikai members.<ref name="aikikai"/>

== Aikikai school of Aikido ==
[[File:Aikido keyhole.jpg|thumb|''Dōshu'' demonstrating Aikido to students from around the globe, at the IAF Congress in [[Tanabe, Wakayama|Tanabe]] (birth town of Ōsensei)]]
Within Japan, there are about 1800 other training locations affiliated with the Hombu. These are united under the All-Japan Aikido Federation.
<ref>[http://www.aikikai.or.jp/jpn/organization0.htm Organisation diagram] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517202950/http://aikikai.or.jp/jpn/organization0.htm |date=2011-05-17 }} (Japanese), Aikikai Foundation. Note: page may not work in Firefox.</ref>

Overseas, there are about 100 foreign aikido organisations recognised by the Hombu. These are ostensibly national aikido organisations that each represent many dojos and many students. The gradings of students in these organisations are certified specifically by the Hombu. (The Hombu has procedures for examinations and recommendations of aikido grades and instructor titles, and ideally this ensures a degree of international consistency and serves to prevent local instructors from boastfully exaggerating their own ranks.) However, regardless of recognition, all foreign aikido groups remain organisationally independent from the Aikikai Foundation.<ref name="aikikai"/>

The students of recognised dojo worldwide are loosely referred to collectively as the Aikikai school of aikido, although this "school" is not an official organisation. Their aikido technique may be referred to as Aikikai style, although this encompasses a wider spectrum of technical styles characteristically than later (and smaller) schools of aikido.

== International Aikido Federation ==
{{See also|International Aikido Federation}}
[[File:IAF-logo.gif|thumb|100px|International Aikido Federation original logo]]
The [[International Aikido Federation]] was formed in 1976 to serve as the primary global aikido organisation. It is an [[umbrella organisation]] with member organisations from more than 40 nations (for example, the All-Japan Aikido Federation is one member). All members must be recognised by the Hombu, so the IAF exclusively represents the Aikikai. The IAF is a nominally democratic organisation but special roles are given to the Doshu and a council of senior instructors, to safeguard the "technical and moral" integrity of aikido. The IAF currently admits only one member organisation per country and gives each such member equal vote (it was modelled on the [[United Nations|UN]]; it does not necessarily give every Aikikai student equal representation).

== Aikikai style of aikido ==
Aikikai is not one style of aikido but instead, encompasses a diversity of technical styles. This is associated with the broad base of first generation instructors, who each had their own interpretation of the art, and other influences. Nonetheless Aikikai is often described as a style for comparison with separate aikido organisations. Aikikai is described as the most traditional; Aikikai has stayed loyal to the Ueshiba house and is sometimes called Ueshiba Aikido. It has retained many of the aspects which Morihei Ueshiba valued, such as the non-competitive training system (as contrasted with [[Kenji Tomiki|Tomiki's]] development). Spiritual interpretations are not emphasised compared to in [[Ki Society]].

Morihei Ueshiba's own style evolved significantly over his lifetime. The pre-[[World War II|war]] ''aikibudo'' techniques taught by [[Morihei Ueshiba]] were  generally closer to [[aikijujutsu]] whilst flowing technique was more emphasised as he became older, and this is reflected in the aikido of people who studied at different periods in time.

 [[Seiseki Abe]] said: <blockquote>"As far as the Aikido [O-Sensei] practiced in his later years, even young girls, old people and children could do [the techniques]. That is a big difference. I suppose you could say that it was a difference in the severity or the strictness of the training. Before the war, it was severity and strong technique, as opposed to the (kind of) techniques that invigorate our partners as we have now."<ref>[http://www.aikidojournal.com/article.php?articleID=151 Interview with Seiseki Abe] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605095151/http://www.aikidojournal.com/article.php?articleID=151 |date=2011-06-05 }} by Stanley Pranin (February 1982)</ref></blockquote>

[[Kazuo Chiba]] has implied that the style of training in Hombu concentrated less on physical rigor because of its demographic: <blockquote>"A large portion of the membership at [[Iwama Dojo]] consisted of local farmers, hard workers who spent all day in the fields. They had thick bones and great physical strength, combined with a peculiar local character known as "Mito kishitsu," a type of manliness close to gallantry.
Altogether, it was quite an opposite culture from Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. Because it is in the capital of Japan, Hombu’s membership consists of white-collar workers, intellectuals, businessmen, politicians and university students."<ref>T.K. Chiba, [http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=308 Memorial Address for Saito Sensei] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226185117/http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=308 |date=2010-12-26 }}, Aikido Journal.</ref></blockquote>

It has been noted by aikido researchers affiliated with other styles that many of the senior teachers at the Aikikai spent little time training under Morihei Ueshiba, and that Kisshomaru Ueshiba and Koichi Tohei (and following Tohei's departure, [[Kisaburo Osawa]]) were largely responsible for the Aikikai curriculum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aikidojournal.com/2016/01/14/is-o-sensei-really-the-father-of-modern-aikido-by-stanley-pranin-2/|title=Is O-Sensei Really the Father of Modern Aikido? by Stanley Pranin|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304152321/http://aikidojournal.com/2016/01/14/is-o-sensei-really-the-father-of-modern-aikido-by-stanley-pranin-2/|archive-date=2017-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aikidotakemusu.org/en/articles/modern-aikido|title=Modern aikido - Takemusu Aiki Intercontinental}}</ref> As a result, it has been argued that the teachings of the Aikikai are derived from those of the second Doshu, Kisshomaru, and that the art promulgated by the Aikikai differs from that taught by the founder, Morihei Ueshiba.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aikidosangenkai.org/blog/ueshiba-legacy-mark-murray/|title=The Ueshiba Legacy, by Mark Murray - Aikido Sangenkai Blog|date=7 November 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{Portal|Martial arts}}
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="aikikai">[http://www.aikikai.or.jp Aikikai Foundation] official website. Includes list of affiliated organisations (and associated regulations), and current training timetables. Japanese version includes reports covering instructor travel, and details of current and past buildings.</ref>

<ref name="dict">Denshi Jisho. Definition of: "doshu" - [http://jisho.org/words?jap=%E9%81%93%E4%B8%BB 道主]; "kai" - [http://jisho.org/words?eng=assembly+club 会]. (For the hiragana reading of 道主, see [http://fr.forvo.com/word/doshu_%28%E9%81%93%E4%B8%BB_%E3%81%A9%E3%81%86%E3%81%97%E3%82%85%29/#ja Forvo].)</ref>

}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111117014831/http://www.guillaumeerard.com/en/aikido/travels/guide-to-aikikai.html "The travelling Aikidoka's guide to practice at Hombu Dojo"]. Information and answers to frequently asked questions about travelling to Tokyo in order to train at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo.

{{Aikido styles}}
{{Doshu's of Aikido}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Aikido organizations]]
[[Category:Foundations based in Japan]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Shinjuku]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1940]]
[[Category:International sports organizations]]
[[Category:Sports organizations of Japan]]
[[Category:Public Interest Incorporated Associations (Japan)]]
[[Category:1940 establishments in Japan]]