International Aikido Friendship Seminar in Kyoto, Japan
October 14-16th 2022
Date: Friday October 14 – Sunday October 16, 2022
Location: The Historic Kyoto Butokuden
Content: Aikido instruction by Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei (Boulder Aikikai, CO, USA) and Ryoichi Kinoshita Sensei (Suisenkan, Osaka, Japan) and international guest instructors.
Seminar: Kyoto Budo Center
46-2 Entomicho Shogoin, Sakyo-ku
Kyoto 606-8323
Phone: 075-751-1255
This seminar will take place at the famous Butokuden in Kyoto. The historic Butokuden, Hall of Martial Virtues was built in Kyoto near Heian Shrine to carry out the legacy of ancient traditions which was started in eighth century capital of Kyoto. It is the location in which the His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, views martial arts demonstrations. The seminar will feature Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan from the Boulder Aikikai, Boulder Colorado USA and Ryoichi Kinoshita Shihan from the Suisenkan Dojo in Osaka, Japan. Ikeda Shihan is world famous and travels extensively conducting Aikido seminars within the USA and Europe as well as other parts of the world. Kinoshita Shihan served on the instructional staff at Amenotakemusu Juku Aikido Dojo under Seiseki Abe Sensei for three decades and is the chief instructor at the Suisenkan Dojo in Osaka. The seminar will also feature additional Aikikai instructors from Japan as well as other countries. Please join us in Kyoto for what will prove to be a wonderful event in one of the most beautiful cities in Japan!
Meet the Instructors
Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan is founder and chief instructor of Boulder Aikikai. He began his study of aikido in 1968 at the aikido club of Kokugakuin University in Tokyo, of which Saotome Sensei was the chief instructor. Upon graduation, he trained regularly at Honbu Dojo and at Saotome Sensei’s Remeijuki Dojo. In 1978 he followed Saotome Sensei to the U.S. and in 1980 established Boulder Aikikai. He is a frequent guest instructor at aikido seminars in the U.S. and abroad.
Ryoichi Kinoshita Shihan began Aikido training under Abe Seiseki Shihan in 1974. At age 24, he became a live-in student of Abe Shihan. From 1996 to present day, he has been director and head instructor of Suisenkan Aikido Dojo in Suita, Japan. He instructs full-time in Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. As a longtime student of Abe Sensei, calligraphy teacher of Osensei, Kinoshita Sensei studied calligraphy as well as Aikido with Abe Sensei.
Tatsunori Imamura Shihan is a 7th dan Aikido Shihan from Hokkaido, Japan, who entered the Hombu Dojo in 1965 and was profoundly influenced by his study with Osensei in the last years of the Founder’s life. He is the chief instructor of Sapporo International Aikikai, and travels regularly to teach in Russia and Eastern Europe. Imamura Sensei is very committed to the spiritual core of Aikido. This commitment was enhanced by his studies with Masahisa Goi Sensei (1916-1980), a philosophical/spiritual leader who was a close friend of O-Sensei. Goi Sensei founded the Byakko Shinko Kai, which initiated the movement to plant Peace Poles worldwide.
Jim Alvarez Sensei (ASU 6th Dan through the Aikikai Hombu) is the founder and chief instructor of Aikido of Livermore – Shinrei Dojo. He began his martial arts training in 1973 in Chinese Kung Fu and in 1978 began his study of Aikido. He studied under numerous Aikido Shihan until he met Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan and Mitsugi Saotome Shihan. He has trained exclusively with both Ikeda Shihan and Saotome Shihan since 1990. He is one of Saotome Shihan’s senior students in the USA. In 1992 he began his study of traditional Japanese sword under Toshishiro Obata sensei and is his most senior student in Northern California
Akira Kato Sensei (Aikikai 6th Dan) began an Aikido club with Kinoshita Sensei as a high school student in 1974. At that time he also became a student of Abe Seiseki Sensei. To deepen his understanding of Aikido, he also studied Tai Chi, Chinese Kung Fu, Jeet Kun Do and other martial arts. In 1991, he was promoted to Aikido 5th Dan. The period that he studied with Abe Sensei was the same as for Kinoshita Sensei and their abilities are considered to be similar. Kato Sensei began teaching Aikido in 1980 and has generated many students.
Dan Messisco Sensei holds the rank of Nanadan (7th Dan). He has been training in martial arts since 1964. His martial arts background includes extensive training in both Korea and Japan. He also trained at the Aikikai World Headquarters. Messisco Sensei studied under Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, earning shodan. He studied under Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, earning nidan and sandan ranks. He received his yondan in Japan, his godan while studying in Pennsylvania, and his rokudan while studying in Michigan.
Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan holds the rank of Roku Dan (6th dan), received directly from Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu. She spent over 13 years in Japan training at the Aikido World Headquarters and teaching Aikido professionally at a dojo in Tokyo. Tomoleoni Sensei is Director of the Aikido Shimbokukai, an organization Officially Recognized by the Aikikai Foundation and Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. She also has yudansha ranking in Judo and Iaido and is a member of the Kenshukan Dojo in Tokyo. Tomoleoni Sensei is a coauthor of the book “Along the Way,” a collection of writings about training.
See Photos of the Last Seminar in Kyoto
Schedule and Registration
