The martial art known as Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba, who lived from 1883–1969. Ueshiba was a highly skilled martial artist with extensive training in classical Japanese systems, most notably Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu. Over time, he developed Aikido as a martial art that emphasized the control of an opponent through throws, joint-locks, and off-balancing techniques. While Ueshiba’s personal expression of Aikido became softer and more spiritually oriented in his later years, several branches of Aikido preserved the hard, practical, and combative methods of his earlier teachings.
One of those branches is Yoshinkan Aikido — the style we practice here at TJMA Dojo. Founded by Gozo Shioda, a direct and long-time student of Ueshiba during his pre-war years, Yoshinkan Aikido is often referred to as the “hard-style” of Aikido. It maintains a strong emphasis on precise technique, powerful movement, and practical self-defense application. Yoshinkan training is known for its structured approach and martial rigor, originally used to train Tokyo riot police and other security personnel.
As a grappling-based martial art, Aikido practice consists of various throws, joint-locks, pins, and off-balancing maneuvers. A person who practices Aikido is called an aikidoka. One of the core principles of Aikido is to use an opponent’s movement and intent against them, redirecting or neutralizing(Kuzushi) attacks with efficiency and control. In Yoshinkan Aikido, this is achieved with decisive movements, solid stances, and committed technique.
Here at TJMA Dojo, our Aikido curriculum includes training against a wide variety of attacks — not just grabs and holds, but also punches, kicks, and multiple attackers. Our training scenarios are designed with real-world application in mind. Students learn to apply technique against sudden, aggressive assaults and unexpected situations. Periodically, aikidoka may be challenged to spar in low-light conditions to sharpen instinct, awareness, and adaptability under pressure.
We at TJMA Dojo believe you’ll find our Yoshinkan Aikido program to be a disciplined, dynamic, and highly effective martial art — whether as a dedicated study or as a powerful addition to other martial arts experience you may already have. We look forward to seeing you on the mats!