History of Takeda Ryu Nakamura Ha (the Nakamura style of the Takeda school) and its progress

8. History of Nihon Aikido Renmei* (*Nihon Aikido Federation) and its progress

- TRADITION:

Nihon Aikido Renmei (Takedaryu Nakamuraha) has succeeded the flow of "Takedaryu Aiki no Jutsu" which was regarded as an esoteric martial arts of Takeda family, Kai Genji* (*Genji = Minamoto family).

"Kai Genji, Takeda family" started when Yoshikiyo, the second son of Shiragi Saburo Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, was ordered to defend Kai country. Shiragi Saburo Minamoto no Yoshimitsu was the younger brother of Hachimantaro Minamoto no Yoshiie* (*1039 －1106A.D.) who was a descendant of Seiwa Genji Mitsunaka who's ancestor was Seiwa Tenno* (Emperor Seiwa)(*850 - 880A.D.). Only "Takedaryu" Bugei* (*Samurai arts) that was succeeded by Takeda family, is said as the origin of Bujutsu and many contemporary schools of Bujutsu started with Takedaryu.

One can list up the main categories of Takedaryu as "Kyuba* (*bow on horseback) no Jutsu," "Tachiuchi no Jutsu" and "Aiki no Jutsu," but there are much more categories which have been succeeded by Takedaryu Nakamuraha. They are called today Aikido, Iaido, Jodo, Jukempo, Kendo, Shuriken, Shugijutsu, Kanpo Iho* (*old Chinese medicine), Kiba Batto and Bajo Kumiuchi which are a part of Kyuba no Jutsu. Above all, Aikido (Aiki no Jutsu), which was founded by Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, originated by Shiragi Saburo Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, is one of the greatest Bugei.

- BRANCH ROAD OF DESTINY:

In autumn in 1948, having jumped from Shinshu* (*Nagano prefecture) to one of my aunts living in Kitakyushu, I found a Dojo of Takedaryu in Yagurayama in Nakahara, Kokura-ku, Kitakyushu.

In spring in 1950, I knocked the door of Takedaryu and was accepted to enter the school by Soke, Oba Ichio. Entering the school of Takedaryu was so severe at that time that I needed two guarantors. The rule book for the entrance said, "Any accidents occurred in Dojo shall not be claimed to Dojo." "Any techniques* (*Waza) learnt in Dojo shall NEVER disclosed to outside people including the students' family members." Further, the tuition was very expensive and the monthly fee was a quarter of monthly salary of average office workers who were newly recruited from college. Because I had of course understood and accepted the above conditions before the entrance, I was very happy to enter the Dojo. Since this moment, it seems that I was loaded with the destiny to go with Budo for my whole life.

In 1953, after being a Sotodeshi* (* a student living outside of Dojo) for 3 years, I was finally accepted by Soke as Uchideshi* (*a student living inside of Dojo together with Soke). Around this time, having debouched to Tokyo, Soke Oba built Takedaryu Honbu Dojo "Seibuden" in Matsubara, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. Trying to promote Budo, he organized Nihon Budo Renmei.

In autumn in 1956, since Morimoto Shihandai* (* deputy Shihan) who had been acting for Soke Oba, had to leave Takedaryu and to return home due to his family matters, I came to Tokyo to act in place of Morimoto Shihandai. My long-cherished dream to come to Seibuden was then fulfilled at last.

However, 3 years later, in late 1959, Soke Oba suddenly passed away due to a disease. And thereafter, Seibuden also became unpopular. As I had no other talent, I would take only one way to go ahead.

In spring in 1960, I made up my mind to go ahead with Budo for all my life and I became independent.

- INSATIABLE PROCESSES:

In March 1960, I rented Nakagawa Judojo in Hanazonocho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo and started with the name of "Budokai." But, in next year, 1961, Nakagawa Judojo was going to be renovated and I had to move. I found Kitabayashi Judojo in Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo and rented it so that I could make every effort to continue Keiko.

In December 1960 Aikido Club was born in Rikkyo University and in May 1961, Aikido Club was born in Nihon University which started to form the association somehow or another thanks to our efforts.

In October 1963, we welcomed Mr.Osamu Kato (current director, Nihon Univ.) as the president of "Nihon Aikido Renmei" consisting of "Honbu Budokai Aikido" "Aikido Club of Rikkyo University" and "Aikido Club of Nihon University."

In November 1964, having gained strength by the formation of new association, we could open "the 1st Aikido Tournament" at Shinjuku Gymnasium. On the other hand, as the popularity of Judo considerably declined in general, Kitabayashi Judojo finally had to be closed. Then I restarted to look for other Dojo and, by the introduction of my friend, I found a Dojo in Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, called Tokueikan Dojo and could barely continue Keiko there. However, as the then members had gathered to the Dojo in Takadanobaba from the local areas, the numbers of members in the Dojo in Asakusa gradually decreased within 3 months. Then again, I started to look for a Dojo near Shinjuku area, and I was successful in finding one called Maeda Dojo in Waseda. We restarted Keiko at Maeda Dojo in March 1965 which was near Shinjuku only after moving to Asakusa 3 months before.

After the above events, we practiced Keiko for two and half years at Maeda Dojo. During the period, various matters happened such as merger problem with Waseda, the technical improvement, the amendment of rules for Shiai, etc. We started to wish to have our own Dojo which we could use freely and the preparation was well under way.

In November 1967, we could finally open our own Dojo "Nihon Aikido Renmei Honbu Dojo" in a rented building in Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo thanks to the supporting fund donated by the many volunteers. With the opening of the Dojo which was listed in the telephone directory, we started to receive the requests for teaching from U.S.Military Camp Mitaka Green Park, SECOM Co., Ltd. and Denden Aiki Jodo Club. In response to these activities, it was just the time for us to start to expose ourselves frequently in TV broadcasting.

In May 1968, Aikido Club was born in Tokyo Denki University.

In 1969 Aikido Club was born in Hokkaido University.

In May 1970, "Budokai" was renamed to "Nihon Sobudo Rengokai," and at the same time Honbu Dojo changed the name to "Honbu Sobukan."

In June 1970, "Nihon Sobudo Rengokai, Yudanshakai" made a start.

In September 1970, the first branch Dojo called Uguisudani Sobukan opened.

In November 1971, the title of "Aikido Tournament" were changed to "Zen Nihon Aikido Tournament*" (*or All Japan Aikido Tournament) as well as the venue from Shinjuku Gymnasium to Tokyo Gymnasium, and the 8th tournament was held in 1971. Thereafter it has been held always at Tokyo Gymnasium every year and it is the 22nd tournament this year* (*1987).

In June 1972, the second branch Dojo called "Shinagawa Sobukan" was opened under direct control of Honbu Dojo. In October 1972, the third branch Dojo called "Hokkaido Sobukan" was opened in Hokkaido also under direct control of Honbu Dojo. In November 1973, Chiba Sobukan was born as Nakamura Dojo.

In September 1975, "Nihon Children's Aikido Club" was inaugurated, and "The 1st Tournament for Aikido for Children" was held at Gymnasium of National Stadium in Tokyo at the same time. Then, thereafter, it has been held every year and it was already the 12th tournament this year.

In April 1976, "Kameari Sobukan" Utsugi Dojo was opened. In May, "Nihon Aikido Gakusei* (*or Students) Renmei" started. In September 1976, "The 1st Tournament for Aikido for Students" was held at National Stadium which has been held also every year. It was already the 11th tournament this year.

In March 1977, "Saitama Sobukan" Sofue Dojo was opened.

Since April 1977, the monthly magazine called "Gekkan Sobu" has been published for 10 consecutive years.

On 11th February 1978, the day of The Commemoration of Founding of Nation, "Takedaryu Nakamuraha" was officially inaugurated.

In November 1978, "Sekishu Sobukan" Nakatani Dojo was opened in Shimane Prefecture.

In July 1979, "Meguro Sobukan" Fujiwara Dojo and in November "Kawagoe Sobukan" Kamiyama Dojo were opened one after another.

In October 1980, "Hanshikai" started.

In May 1981, "Nanso Sobukan" Morita Dojo was opened.

In March 1983, "Sakado Sobukan" Toyoshima Dojo, and in April "Kamifukuoka Sobukan" were opened in turn.

In April 1984, "Aizu-Wakamatsu Sobukan" started in Aizu-Wakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture.

In December 1984, after very hard time of 25 years, just before the 25th anniversary, the construction work of Nihon Sobudo Rengokai "Nihon Sobukan" was completed and named Nihon Aikido Renmei Honbu Dojo. It was opened on 11th February 1985 that is the day of The Commemoration of Founding of Nation, after as long as 18 years in Yoyogi.