Aikido History

A man named Morehei Ueshiba invented aikido in Japan during the early 20th century. He was a man of pre-modern tradition with very little formal education. He was however a genius at mastering many of the traditional Martial Arts of the era, and spent many years of intense study in Jujitsu, Aiki Jitsu and Ken Jitsu. He had a great ability to understand these arts at an intuitive level. All of these previous studies blended with Ueshiba's own ideas into what became known as Aikido.

Morehei Ueshiba taught for many years in various parts of Japan. During this time he taught the men who were to spread Aikido throughout the world. Founders of their own schools of aikido include Kenji Tomiki and Gozo Shioda, who were among Ueshiba's first students. Many of Ueshiba's other prominent students studied with him after World War II and continue with Hombu style aikido, namely Saito, Chiba, Saotome, and Tohei.

Kenji Tomiki was a high-ranking Judoka when he began studying under Ueshiba. While the different students each picked up on different aspects of Ueshiba's teachings, Tomiki believed the literally thousands of techniques were essentially variations on some recurring, central techniques that could be taught more easily and more in-depth. This led to a parting of ways with Ueshiba.

When Tomiki began teaching Aikido classes at Waseda University and at the Kodokan, he interpreted and conveyed the aspects of Aikido in terms of his Judo training, namely: a strong emphasis on off-balance and ways to proliferate and popularize Aikido in modern society. He also emphasized some elementary principles essential to proper execution of techniques.

Professor Tomiki eventually went on to develop his own method of teaching Aikido, based on the Judo model of systematic scientific study. This system is named after him Tomiki Ryu. Professor Tomiki produced his share of fine Aikido practitioners; one of these Ms. Tsunako Miyake has since become one of the highest ranked women Judoka in the world. Miyake Sensei also holds many high ranks in other arts notably: Aikido, Jodo, she is also a Tai Chi Master. She has served as a bodyguard to the Imperial Family, and was also the first coach for the first Women's Olympic Judo Team.

Another prominent student was Karl Geis, the only non-Japanese to be promoted to Rokudan (6th degree) by Professor Tomiki himself. Geis Sensei began studying Judo at the Kodokan in Tokyo in 1955. He was introduced to Aikido the following year, and continued his studies during extended sabbaticals back to Japan throughout the 1960's 70's and 80's covering Judo, Aikido and Jodo. He has run a successful Dojo in Houston, Texas since the late 1950's, and has had extensive Martial Arts experience for over four and a half decades. Miyake Sensei, Geis Sensei and another of their peers Takeshi Inoue together formed the Fugakukai International Association (Fugakukai meaning the place of higher learning), which has continued to grow.

Today our Aikido has grown through the dedication of Geis Sensei and the members of the Fugakukai. The Kihara method of Aikido is a truly soft and dynamic self-confidence giving art that we are proud of. The method is unique to Aikido and the martial arts and takes Aikido to another level.

Kinetic Symmetry Aikido is proud to be a part of the Fugakukai International Association.