125th anniversary - Tomiki Kenji

Kenji Tomiki, born on March 15, 1900, in Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture, Japan, is celebrated as a visionary in the world of Japanese budo. This year marks the 125th anniversary of his birth, a moment to mark his contributions to both judo and aikido.

Tomiki shihan was a pioneer who bridged the disciplines of judo, founded by Jigoro Kano, and aikido, developed by Morihei Ueshiba. His unique approach to teaching aikido sought to combine the structured, competitive elements of judo with the fluid, defensive techniques of aikido. This vision led to the creation of Shodokan Aikido, (Tomiki Aikido), which introduced a competitive format to aikido while still preserving traditional methods, techniques and philosophical essence.

Throughout his life, Tomiki shihan emphasized the importance of martial arts as a means of lifelong physical education and personal development. His innovative methods (within aikido) and teachings developed initially for a university based teaching environment have inspired generations of practitioners worldwide, fostering a deeper understanding of the harmony between physical technique and mental discipline.

 
15 minutes .WAV

As we commemorate his birthday anniversary with this short podcast, we reflect on Tomiki's enduring legacy—a testament to his dedication to the martial arts and his belief in their power to enrich lives.