Aikido Kokikai is a form of Aikido. Aikido or “The Way of Gathering Energy”,
was first developed in the early 20th Century by Morihei Ueshiba (often referred
to as O-Sensei), as a form of self-defense utilizing an attacker’s own energy to
redirect and neutralize his attacks. Shuji Maruyama, Kokikai-Ryu Aikido's Founder
and President, was one of O-Sensei’s Uchideshi, or first students. Maruyama Sensei
was one of the first Aikido Instructors to come to America from Japan, in the 1960’s.
He worked in America many years before returning to Japan in the 1980’s. He founded
Kokikai , “The School of Eternal Light”, in 1975, with the idea of “Minimum Effort
for Maximum Effect”, emphasizing correct body alignment, timing and “Ki projection”,
or the ability to catch and use the opponent’s energy (ki) against him by movement
and adding your own ki, thus causing your opponent to lose balance. Kokikai differs
from other forms of Aikido in subtle ways, mostly in relation to timing and movement.
A Kokikai practitioner understands that true Kokikai Ki Power results from being
natural and relaxed. We strive to increase the strength of both body and mind, discover
Kokikai Ki Power through mind-body coordination, and stimulate good health. In this
way we create a secure foundation for a strong and successful life. We discover our
whole human ability, our full potential power, through self-mastery. As a form of Aikido,
Kokikai emphasizes non-violent (but not necessarily painless!) ways of redirecting and
projecting an attacker’s energy. This is a common thread in nearly all forms of Aikido.
For more information about Kokikai-Ryu, its principles, and founder Shuji Maruyama, go
to the Aikido Kokikai International website at www.kokikai.org, or
visit the Lehigh Valley Kokikai Aikido website.
