Kokikai

Infobox martial art group

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name = Kokikai Aikido
aka = Kokikai Aikido International
date founded = 1986
country =
founder = Shuji Maruyama
head = Shuji Maruyama
arts = Aikido
ancestor_arts =
descendant_arts =
ancestor schools = Aikikai, Ki-Aikido
descendant schools=
notable pract =
website = www.kokikai.org

Nihongo|Kokikai|光気会 is a style of Aikido, founded by Shuji Maruyama.Gaku Homma, [http://www.aikidojournal.com/article.php?articleID=273 "Silent Pioneer: Shuji Maruyama Sensei, Kokikai Founder,"] Aikido Journal, November 17, 2002] [Brian Ashenfelder, [http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/EJN_vol2_no5.htm "Aikido: Traditional Martial Art or New Age Fad?,"] Japan Now,Vol. 2, No. 5 (March 21, 2006)] Gaku Homma, [http://www.aikidojournal.com/article.php?articleID=522 "A New Leader in Iwama,"] Aikido Journal, March 8th, 2004] [cite encyclopedia
last = Pranin
first = Stanley
title = Kokikai
encyclopedia = Encyclopedia of Aikido
date = 2006
url = http://www.aikidojournal.com/encyclopedia?entryID=414] The organization is called "Kokikai Aikido International".

The Kokikai style emphasizes natural movement, ki development, relaxation, good posture and mind-body coordination. It is a minimalist martial art that focuses on making techniques effective while using little physical effort. An axiom of the style is “minimum effort for maximum effect.” The name Kokikai means “school of radiant ki”.

The style lists four basic principles:

*Keep One point (to develop calmness)

*Relax progressively

*Find Correct Posture (in everything)

*Develop your Positive Mind

The style was founded by Shuji Maruyama (referred to as Maruyama Sensei, or Sensei), and continues to be led by him. He continues to develop the art, so there is no set textbook way of performing any technique.

Maruyama Sensei was originally sent to the United States in 1966 by the Aikikai Hombu. He taught in the US for many years. When Koichi Tohei Sensei left Aikikai to found Ki-Aikido, Maruyama Sensei followed him. This was consistent with Japanese martial arts tradition, because he was a direct student of Tohei Sensei. Maruyama Sensei separated from Ki-Aikido in 1986 to found the Kokikai organization. [cite encyclopedia
last = Pranin
first = Stanley
title = Maruyama, Shuji
encyclopedia = Encyclopedia of Aikido
date = 2006
url = http://www.aikidojournal.com/encyclopedia?entryID=457]

As of August 2008, the directory on the official Kokikai website listed dojos in Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan and 18 US states. [ [http://www.kokikai.org/directory.php Dojo directory] , Kokikai Aikido International website (accessed August 5, 2008)]

References

External links

* [http://www.kokikai.org/ Official Kokikai Aikido International website - USA]
* [http://www.aikidojournal.com/article.php?articleID=273 Aikido Journal Online Feature on Shuji Maruyama]
* [http://www.kokikai.org/md/video/video.php Videos] of practice at a Kokikai dojo