Log Out 

The History of the New York Aikikai

1964 Yoshimitsu Yamada arrives from Hombu Dojo to become Chief Instructor.
Yamada was an uchi deshi (home student) of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba at Hombu dojo – Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo. He spoke English after having taught aikido to U.S. military personnel in Japan, which made him the perfect candidate for the job.

1965 Yamada Sensei brings over Koichi Tohei, Chief Instructor at Hombu Dojo, for the purpose of promoting aikido through demonstrations.

1965 New York Aikikai moves to 142 West 18th St. 2,000 sq. ft., second floor loft above a parking garage provides members with larger dressing rooms and two showers. By year end, Yamada Sensei is able to bring his wife and daughter to join him in New York.

1968 Dojo imports canvas-covered tatamis from Japan. Quality and softness of ukemi improves dramatically.

1969 Morning class time changed to start at 6:45 AM. Class was originally at 7:00 AM but since all non-commercial vehicles were banned on 18th St. after 8:00 AM, several members left class to find their cars towed by the police. The new time helped create NYC’s first budget deficit.

1974 Dojo expands to next building. The print shop next to the dojo goes out of business and the NY Aikikai takes the space. The mat area was expanded. The men’s dressing room moved to the new side along with Yamada Sensei’s office. The women’s dressing room was enlarged, but still faced 18th St.

1975 Second mat area added. To accommodate the growing membership, the men’s dressing room was moved and a new mat set up on the second side of the dojo for the purpose of an evening beginner’s class at 5:30 PM. Yamada Sensei taught the class and it grew to become popular with advanced students as well as beginners. Eventually, no one was left on the main mat, so Yamada Sensei dropped the beginner’s class and everyone moved back to the main mat for one large evening class.

1984 The New York Aikikai celebrates its 20th anniversary. A special weekend seminar was held at New York’s Hunter College. The special instructor of honor was Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba. The rest of the all-star instructors included Osawa Shihan (Jr.) from Hombu dojo, Tamura Shihan from France, Chiba Shihan from England, Kanai Shihan from New England, Sugano Shihan from Australia, Tohei Shihan from Chicago and, of course, Yamada Shihan. Over 500 aikidoists from around the world participated in the classes. The celebration culminated in a public demonstration by Doshu and all the Shihan that attracted nearly 1,000 paid observers.

1994 (March) Aikikai buys dojo building, establishing a permanent home for aikido in New York City. With rising rents in NYC threatening the dojo’s existence, there was really no alternative but to buy something. Fortunately, the dojo’s relationship with the owner of the building it was renting from was excellent and an agreement was reached for the purchase of the entire building. A small down payment on the building was made possible through the generosity of the aikidoka of the United States Aikido Federation.

2000 A new mat made of individual vinyl tatamis is installed in place of the old canvas one. Students start adapting their ukemi to the new surface.

2000 (March 23^rd) Sensei's office catches fire. Some students smell the smoke and after realizing what's going on call emergency 911. Firemen come from a block away (the fire station is located at 17th street), and save the building. However, Sensei's office is completely destroyed. A good number of old photos, videos and personal effects are all gone. Through the generosity of aikido members and friends from all over, a fund is created and Sensei's office is reconstructed. An initiative to restore his CD collections has a welcoming response and Sensei is inundated with jazz, classical music, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald, among others.

2001 Yamada Sensei starts using his renovated office. Now Sensei has a beautiful new office which he uses for his many responsibilities running the dojo and the US Aikido Federation, as well as entertaining visitors. He now enjoys his very own bathroom and shower, and a kitchen.

2002 (July-August) The NY Aikikai renovates its facilities improving changing rooms, restrooms and showers.

Throughout its history, the New York Aikikai has had the good fortune to host seminars by world-renowned Shihans, including the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the current Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, the late K. Osawa, K. Tohei, M. Saito, S. Yamaguchi, N. Tamura, M. Kanai, K. Chiba, I. Kurita, S. Shibata, Miyamoto and Osawa Jr., among others.