Everyone trains for different reasons. But we believe if you don’t love what you’re training in you won’t keep coming back. Our atmosphere is above all open, respectful, and sometimes even fun.
Yoshinkan Aikido
Aikido (the way of harmony) was founded by Ueshiba Morihei (b. 1883 d. 1969). Ueshiba developed aikido predominately from his study of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu – made up of throwing techniques, joint locks, and pinning techqniques – under Takeda Sokaku. He was also influenced by his studies of Tenjin Shin’yō-ryū jujutsu, Goto-ha Yagyū Shingan-ryū jujutsu, judo, Shinkage-ryū sword and Hōzōin-ryū spear as well as bayonet training which he learned in the Japanese military.
Ueshiba was also heavily influenced by his involvement in Ōmoto-kyō, a branch of Japanese Shinto religion, giving aikido its philosophy of universal peace and reconciliation. The art was officially named aikido in 1942. It is primarily made up of throws, joint locks and pins as well as weapons focusing on the sword, jo (4 foot staff) and knife.
Enmeikan aikido is a school of Yoshinkan (Hall for the development of the spirit) which was founded by Shioda Gozo (b.1915 d. 1994) in 1955. Shioda began training under Ueshiba in 1932 when Ueshiba was teaching a harder style of aikido at the Kobukan dojo. Yoshinkan is taught to the Tokyo Riot Police and is considered a style with heavy emphasis on self-defense due to its close relationship with the police and security in Japan.
Enmeikan aikido is a school of Yoshinkan (Hall for the development of the spirit) which was founded by Shioda Gozo (b.1915 d. 1994) in 1955. Shioda began training under Ueshiba in 1932 when Ueshiba was teaching a harder style of aikido at the Kobukan dojo. Yoshinkan is taught to the Tokyo Riot Police and is considered a style with heavy emphasis on self-defense due to its close relationship with the police and security in Japan.
Iai
Tsune ni ite, kyū ni awasu: being constantly prepared to meet the opposition immediately. Iai is a Japanese sword system were one uses a real sword and learns, safely to draw, cut, and, sheath the sword fluidly and with power.
The system taught at Enmeikan is Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu (b 1542, d 1621). The school is broken down into three types of practice; solo practice with a real or mock sword, partner practice performed with wooden swords, and test cutting. All three components are essential to understanding the use of the Japanese sword.
Sakamoto sensei began his study of iai in 1994 at the Seido Kai dojo which is a branch of the Canadian Kendo Federation iaido branch. In 2010 Sakamoto sensei moved to Nara, Japan where he continued his study, this time in koryu (old school) iai at the Nara Ryu Shin Kan dojo under Yoshioka Soryu (Hanshi 9th degree black belt and holder of the kongen no maki: a license of full transmission) and Kusano Kiyoshi (Hanshi 8th degree black belt) in Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū.
Practice at first will be conducted with a wooden sword, after showing competence the student will be allowed to use an iaito. Enmeikan has no affiliation with the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei or the Canadian Kendo Federation.
Zazen Seated Meditation
Sakamoto sensei studied the Sōtō-shū school of zen in Japan. This school was brought to Japan in the 13th century by Dōgen Zenji, who studied Caodong Buddhism in China. The school emphasizes Shikantaza: meditation with no objects, anchors, or content. The meditator strives to be aware of the stream of thoughts, allowing them to arise and pass away without interference.
Sakamoto sensei primarily did his zazen training at the Konoike dojo in Nara, Japan as well as attending several intensives at the Eihei-ji temple in Fukui prefecture.
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