Griffith Aikido Press release 2006
Media Release October 9th, 2006
Aikido Master visits Griffith University
On October 6-8th Master Koretoshi Maruyama returned to Griffith university after a 20 year absence to give a series of master classes on Aikido. For 10 of these years Master Maruyama has been in secret seclusion in a temple in Japan. During these classes over 90 people where able to learn from a direct student of O’Sensei (the founder of Aikido) some of the secrets of Aikido. The historical background of Aikido, as a battlefield art of the Samurai was explored during the seminar through weapons practice, aikido techniques, self defence techniques and meditations.
Many clubs in Australia are now run by people who began their training at Griffith University. Today Michael Williams Sensei under the guidance of Master Koretoshi Maruyama heads Aikido Yuishinkai International, an organization of over 90 clubs around the world from his head quarters in Fiji.
“The aikido club offers students and members from the community the chance to study a traditional Japanese martial art in a safe, non-competitive atmosphere” says Dr. Daniel James, current club president and a Griffith University Academic.
Club members have an opportunity to gain a Japanese recognised and issued degree in Martial Arts, whilst completing their regular degree at the University
Aikido is based on traditional Samurai battlefield techniques, modified so that an attackers force is used to subdue them without injury. Often called ‘The art of peace’ it has no attacking moves and is learnt in a co-operative environment.
Attending the seminar was a diverse group of people from the local community including teenagers, the trades, professionals and a number of people over the age of seventy, some of whom have just recently earnt their black belts. Joining the seminar also were people from Rockhampton, Cairns, Byron Bay and as far a field as perth, New Zealand and the Scily Islands of the UK.
Following the seminar Maruyama Sensei continued his Australia New Zealand tour with seminars in Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. Aikido Yuishinkai has over 90 dojos worldwide with 20 of them in Australia
With regular practice at Nathan and branch dojos at Red, Hill, South Brisbane and Logan campus the club is always keen to have new members join them. Begineers courses start the first Tuesday of every month. Enquiries can be made to 0410 260 003, info@griffithaikido.com and http://griffithaikido.com has all details on the clubs activities and how to get involved.
Comment and Enquiries
Dr. Daniel James
3735 5036
0401 683 592
http://griffithaikido.com
Media Images
http://maxwell.me.gu.edu.au/dj/aikido/media/
Club History
A Griffith University aikido dojo was formed in 1981 by Michael Williams Sensei and was the first Ki no Kenkyukai (Ki Society) Aikido dojo in Australia. The Griffith University Aikido Club was officially established and recognised by the university around this time. It was visited by the then Chief Instructor Maruyama Sensei in 1985. Training was initially conducted in the Hub building. During this time the tatami was shared with a number of table tennis tables. Apparently ukemi often involved the dodging of flying ping-pong balls. Before moving to its current location at the Nathan gym the dojo was located in University house. Here we were treated to sticky floors as it was often used as the student kasbar at other times, prior to this location In 1989 Williams Sensei relocated to Byron Bay to build the Australian headquarters dojo - Goshinkan dojo.
In 2001 the club began operating its own dojo(s) run by staff and students of the university and other club members. Around this time the club was supporting three styles of aikido. The club dojos rose from the humble beginning of a few academics and students practicing 'kumijo' on the ovals and rooftops at lunchtime, word slowly spread and a club dojo was formalised. Today we are able to offer morning, lunchtime and evening training on three campuses of Griffith University and conduct begineers courses for staff, students and the wider community through Campus life, the city council and QUT.
Following the return of Master Koretoshi Maruyama in 2002 (after 10yrs of seclusion in a temple) the club was pleased to affiliate with Aikido Yuishinkai We also conduct specialist weapons training as a part of his syllabus. In 2003 we were delighted to open dojos at the Southbank and Logan campuses of Griffith University as well.
The aikido club today has many yudansha (black belt members), often outnumbering the kyu grades in the mornings. Many Australian aikido dojos of a number of styles are now run by instructors who began their training at Griffith University.
About Aikido
Aikido is a purely defensive martial art, involving no kicking or punching per se. Instead a skilled aikidoka redirects an opponents ki(momentum/force/intent) to throw or immobilise them. All techniques are learned with a partner in a non-competitive environment. Taninzugake(freestyle) training with several partners is often practiced as well. Bokken(wooden sword) and Jo (staff) are often used as training aids to help understand the principles of aikido. Aikido is often called the art of peace, because conflict is neutralised without the need for force. breathing methods and other forms of meditation are sometimes also practiced.
Aikido
A modern martial art developed from the traditional Samurai class of martial arts in Japan. Aikido has no blocks or punches but instead redirects the attackers energy to throw or immobilise them. Suitable for men, women and children. With a good mix of aerobic and weight bearing training its a good way to maintain inner and outer health and pick up some handy skills as well.
Griffith Aikido
A dynamic martial arts club that has been operating on Brisbanes Southside for over 25yrs offers regular beginners courses for newcomers, classes for kids and advanced training for the old hands. Men and women of all ages enjoy training in a co-operative atmosphere under the guidance of Japan recognised instructors and benefit from regular visits by senior instructors from Japan. Start Today
