The calligraphy above represents my dojo’s name, Aikido Sho Bi Juku. The calligraphy was done for my dojo by my lineage teacher Shoji Nishio Sensei.
Aikido is a Japanese martial art with non-violent principles. It is a Budo. The term Budo is generally accepted as meaning martial arts, however it’s deeper meaning is to stop the clashing of weapons.
One of my Sensei’s described Aikido as the palm of the martial arts hand and the other fighting arts it’s fingers. You need the whole hand in order to grasp the path of Budo.
The sword played an important role in the history of Japan, and in Aikido training the sword serves as a tool to understand how to disarm a weapon. The training with Bokken – wooden sword, and Jo – short staff, as well as the Tanto – knife, creates effective empty hand techniques.
‘Aiki Toho Iaido’ is a study of katas – sword forms that represent Aikido techniques, and is based on Aikido principles. The katas translate to Kumidachi, a controlled sparring form practiced with a partner, using an array of weapons. The founder of these katas and techniques is Shoji Nishio Sensei. This style of Aikido translates the Iaido katas to weapons training and sparring, to empty hand techniques (throws and pins) and then to the disarming of weapons.
Iaido has been described as the art of not drawing the sword. The practice of Iaido consists of four movement studies. The drawing of the sword, cutting, wiping away of the blood from the sword, and its re-sheathing.
The Art of Peace takes honest hard work. My Aikido is inspired by the tireless efforts of my former lineage teacher Shoji Nishio Sensei who passed away in March of 2005. I am currently continuing in his lineage with Yoshida Sensei.
‘Sword destroys sword, grasp the no sword.’ Huang po
We are located at 2202 Pico Blvd. at 22nd street in the Gojo Ryu Building – dojo, in Santa Monica.
Sensei Michele Benzamin-Miki
phone (760) 782-9223
cell (310) 339-3531
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