AIKIDO SHOWA DOJO

Q: What motivated you to start learning Aikido?
A: I am an international student at Nagoya University. In my home country, I knew a 5th Dan Aikido instructor who introduced me to the ideas and principles behind Aikido. I was very impressed, so I wanted to try Aikido when I came to Japan. I think Aikido’s philosophy and techniques are a wonderful combination for both personal and social development. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: The first reason was that I could receive support from English-speaking instructors and senior students. Another reason was that many of the instructors and assistant instructors are highly experienced Aikido practitioners, which means students can learn from a wide range of people with different experiences and perspectives. Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about starting Aikido?
A: Aikido seems to be a perfect combination of mental and physical development, and it can enrich your life in many ways. It is not always easy, but it is very rewarding. It also seems to be something you can continue throughout your life, while still learning something new every time you train.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I work for a company in Nagoya. I began Aikido when I was at university and continued training regularly for several years after graduation. Later, because of job changes and transfers, I had long periods away from training. A few years ago I had some health problems, and I wanted to start moving my body again as part of my rehabilitation. That is why I joined Showa Dojo in the summer of 2024. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I wanted to try something new. When I entered university, the first club that approached me during the welcome period happened to be the Aikido club, so I began Aikido then. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: I was looking for a dojo within cycling distance that offered many practice days. When I visited, I found that it was a dedicated dojo and relatively spacious. There were many black belt members, the dojo had air conditioning, and there was no designated dojo uniform. I could use the gi, hakama, and belt I had bought before, so there were no extra initial costs. Those were the reasons I chose Showa Dojo. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: I try to attend practice as much as possible, with a goal of training twice a week. I would like to continue for a long time, aiming to move naturally without relying on strength. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: Because Aikido has no competitions, anyone can practice at their own pace, regardless of age or gender. I think it is possible to begin at any age. If you are interested, please feel free to come and observe a class.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I only started last year. At first I had muscle pain after every practice, but I am finally getting used to it. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: Compared with other martial arts, I found the way Aikido controls the opponent’s movement very distinctive. I had wanted to learn it for some time. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: Showa Dojo has its own dedicated dojo, offers many practice days, and publishes clear information about the dojo. That made it easy to understand what kind of place it was. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: I find it both interesting and difficult that techniques work better when I relax rather than use force. My goal is to reach a stage where I can respond naturally. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: The instructors teach kindly and repeatedly, so if you are interested, please come and observe a class.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a junior high school student who began Aikido this spring. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I had always been interested in self-defense. When I looked into it, Aikido came up, and I wanted to try it. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It is close to my home and easy to attend. I also enjoyed the trial lesson because the atmosphere of the dojo was very good. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: The techniques are difficult, but when I understand the movements, it is a lot of fun. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: I think it is good to start casually and give it a try.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a second-year junior high school student and a beginner in Aikido. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I became interested because my family recommended it. I also saw something on TV about receiving an attack without using force, and I thought, “Wow, can that really be done?” That made me interested. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It was the closest dojo to my home, and when I looked at the website, I found it very interesting. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: I feel very happy when I can perform each technique cleanly. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: It is fun, so please give it a try.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I started attending around September. I am a second-year junior high school student. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I had admired martial arts for a long time. Wanting to be able to protect myself was also one of the reasons. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: I saw the website online and thought I would like to go there. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: After being promoted to 6th Kyu, I have discovered many things by training with black belt members. My goal is to pass the next grading examination and become 5th Kyu. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: There is very little worry about injury, and each movement is taught carefully. I recommend it even to people with no martial arts experience.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am currently a second-year junior high school student and 5th Kyu. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I had always been interested in martial arts. During a school vacation, I wanted to start something new, and since there was a dojo nearby, I decided to try Aikido. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It was close enough to reach by bicycle from my home, and it had a website, which made me feel that I could trust it. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: When I first started, I had a hard time remembering the techniques. But as time passed, I gradually became able to remember them. There is still a lot to learn, but I want to keep improving. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: Aikido techniques are complex and difficult to remember, but it is very fun to experience something out of the ordinary, such as throwing and being thrown. If you are interested, please give it a try.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a second-year junior high school girl. I will be taking the 6th Kyu examination this time. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: When I entered junior high school, I wanted to start some kind of exercise. My father had practiced Aikido in the past, and that made me interested. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: Because it was close to my home. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: Sometimes we review techniques we have learned, and sometimes we practice new ones. Some new techniques are like applications of things we have done before, so learning them is enjoyable. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: At first there are many things you do not understand and it can feel difficult, but if you keep working on each thing one by one, I think it gradually becomes more fun. Please do your best.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a third-year junior high school student, 15 years old. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I wanted to practice communication and also learn self-defense. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It is close to my home, and the dojo is spacious. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: My goal is to earn Shodan. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: The teachers are kind and good at teaching, so even people who are not good at sports can feel comfortable joining.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I have been attending for about half a year. I recently passed the 5th Kyu grading examination. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I had some health concerns and wanted to begin for the improvement of both body and mind. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It is close to my home and easy to attend. The instruction is also careful and easy to understand. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: Aikido movements are complex, so there are many times when I cannot do them well. But when a technique works, it gives me a real sense of achievement. I want to continue improving through steady daily practice. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: I think it is best to actually try a class first and then decide.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: After retiring from my company at 65, I spend my time following my interests, such as motorcycle touring and cooking. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I practiced Judo when I was a student. I still like martial arts, and I was especially interested in the body movement of classical martial arts. I thought learning Aikido would be the best way to study that. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It is close to where I live, about 35 minutes on foot. When I looked at the website, the teachers seemed very good. The trial lessons and other support for new members also made it easy to join. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: I train about twice a week. At first I felt dizzy and unwell from ukemi, but after two or three months I got much more used to it. I am now in my fifth month, and I am beginning to be able to perform some techniques in my own way, which makes it more interesting. On the other hand, I do not really like suwari-waza because it puts strain on my knees. A 90-minute Aikido class gives a considerable workout because, unlike exercising alone at a gym, it uses the muscles of the whole body in connection with one another. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: If you are interested, I think it is good to begin casually.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a woman in my mid-forties with no previous martial arts experience. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I had long been interested in martial arts for self-defense, but I thought, “At my age, maybe it is too late.” Then, after being hospitalized and having surgery two years ago, I started thinking, “I should do the things I want to do while I am alive.” When I was looking online, I found a phrase on the Showa Dojo website saying that Aikido is a martial art mature adults can learn from the basics. That was the beginning. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: A friend told me that an acquaintance with Aikido experience had seen the Showa Dojo website and said it looked like a good dojo. It was also close to my home. Q: How is your current training going? What do you find interesting or difficult, and what are your goals?
A: When I first started, I had such severe muscle pain all over my body that I could hardly turn over in bed. After a while, my body got much more used to it. I still have trouble remembering techniques and sometimes feel discouraged by my poor memory, but the instructors and fellow students teach patiently and clearly. I want to keep training and aim for higher ranks. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: You can begin at any age, but the moment you think about starting is the best time to begin.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself, including your Aikido background.
A: I am a woman in my thirties. I moved to Nagoya three years ago for work. I began Aikido 12 years ago in my hometown of Fukuoka and reached 2nd Kyu after two years, but then I stopped because I went abroad to study. I tried several times to continue at an Aikido club at my university overseas, but the schedule did not fit, and the larger men used force in their techniques, which made me afraid I might get injured. After returning to Japan three years ago, I looked for a dojo to begin again and joined Showa Dojo in the summer. I have been training here for about two and a half years. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: Since childhood, I had apparently thought Aikido looked cool when I saw it on television, so I had a faint interest in it. Later, through dance and martial arts, I developed an admiration for being able to control the body, and I thought perhaps I could learn that through Aikido. I decided to visit an Aikido class. They told me I could leave partway through if I wanted, but the practice was so beautiful and interesting that I watched until the end and decided to join. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: Besides being relatively close to my workplace, Showa Dojo has a proper home as a dojo, so there are many practice days each week. The website also provides careful information. I have continued here not only because the instruction is excellent and practice is interesting, but also because the teachers and everyone who gathers at the dojo have very good personalities, making it enjoyable to attend. Q: You recently passed your dan examination and became a black belt. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: The teachers watch each person carefully and teach kindly and attentively. They also encourage us to take grading examinations, and senior students kindly help in many ways. I was able to progress through the kyu and dan ranks thanks to the teachers, senior students, and everyone I train with. Wearing a hakama still feels a little unfamiliar, but receiving a dan rank made me feel that I had finally been formally accepted as a member of Aikikai and was standing at the starting line. I was also very grateful and happy that the teachers and seniors celebrated my promotion with me. Learning new things and improving what I have already learned are both interesting, and I want to continue training even more from now on. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: If you are reading this page, you are probably already interested. Before worrying about whether you can do it, trust your own feeling and come to observe a class. If you find it interesting, I think you should start. The people at Showa Dojo are all very pleasant, so I can sincerely recommend it in that respect as well.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself, including your Aikido background.
A: I began Aikido when I was at university and joined Showa Dojo after becoming a working adult. Because I had many job transfers, I was away from Aikido for more than ten years. When I returned to Nagoya, I rejoined the dojo after turning 40. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: During the orientation camp for new university students, I saw members who had just joined the Aikido club practicing shikko in the hotel hallway from the morning. I thought it was unusual and became interested, so I joined the club. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: Because there were many practice days, five days a week, and many choices of days. I thought it would be easier to continue even without a fixed work schedule. Q: You passed your dan examination last year and became 2nd Dan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: I can only attend practice on my days off, but I have continued this far with the goal of training at least once a week. I want to continue for the rest of my life while balancing practice with work. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: I think Aikido is a martial art that you can restart at any age.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a woman in my forties with no previous martial arts experience. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I had been interested in martial arts since my twenties, but because my work schedule was irregular, I had given up on the idea. However, around autumn four years ago, I again felt that I really wanted to try. I looked into various options and decided on Aikido. I had also become mentally and physically exhausted through work and personal matters, and I wanted to take a fresh look at my weaker self, so I took the step and entered the dojo. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: Showa Dojo had beginner classes, and because my work sometimes prevents me from attending every time, I appreciated that it offered more practice days than other dojos. I also joined a trial lesson, found the atmosphere very good, and was taught carefully. I strongly felt that I wanted to train here. Q: You recently passed your dan examination and became a black belt. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: Three full years after joining, I was able to take the Shodan examination. Thanks to the support of the teachers who always guide me and the fellow students who train together with me, I was able to take the exam and pass. I am very happy. Now that I have become Shodan, I feel deeply that further training and daily discipline are necessary. I am grateful for a martial art that can be continued regardless of age, and I would like to continue steadily for a long time. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: The teachers and fellow students are very friendly and easy to get along with. Please feel free to come and observe a class.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a working adult male, 32 years old, and I began Aikido as a beginner. I have been training for three and a half years. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I had been interested in Aikido for some time, and I also wanted to improve my tendency to rely on force when exercising. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It was close to my home, and since I was a beginner, I chose it because there were trial lessons and beginner classes. Q: You passed your dan examination last year and became Shodan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: Thanks to the guidance of kind instructors and senior students, I somehow managed to become Shodan. However, there are still many parts that I am not satisfied with, and I would like to keep practicing and improve little by little. When you become Shodan, you begin wearing a hakama, but I still struggle with getting used to it. From now on, I think more advanced training will be needed as a black belt. I want to return to what I have learned so far and review it carefully as I continue training. At the same time, as a working adult, balancing practice with work is essential, so I would like to continue in a way that has a positive effect on both. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: If you are interested, I think it is a good idea to come for an observation or trial lesson first. Since the system is available, it is worth using. I also joined after trying a lesson and feeling that I could continue.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a man in my forties. I have been training for three and a half years. Before joining, I only knew Aikido by name. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: My work had settled down and I had a little more time, so I was thinking of finding a hobby. Then I learned that there was a dojo very close by and went to observe a class. My first impression was that it might be a little difficult for me, but there were separate beginner classes, so I decided to try it casually. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It was close to my home, and the beginner classes were well established, with classes three times a week. Q: You passed your dan examination last year and became Shodan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: When I first started, I never imagined I would continue this long, so I am truly grateful to have been blessed with good teachers and training partners. I thought that if I began with the beginner course, I would be reasonably good by the time I reached Shodan, but I still cannot move well at all. People often say that Shodan is the starting point, and I now feel the depth of Aikido again. It will take time, but I would like to develop the feeling of sensing the partner’s force through my center and moving softly. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: If you have no experience, it may feel difficult to enter at first, but if you are interested, please come for an observation or trial lesson. Aikido is fun.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself, including your Aikido background.
A: I was born in Hokkaido and began Aikido when I was at university. After graduation I became busy with work and drifted away from Aikido, but I resumed training while working alone in Hokkaido. I now live a relaxed pensioner’s life. As someone right in the middle of the baby-boom generation, I am aware that I may cause various difficulties for the younger generations. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I practiced Judo until junior high school and was good at seoi-nage. But when I entered high school, I was still small, and in matches larger opponents would defeat me with uchimata. I began to feel uncertain about Judo. At university, I saw a small person in hakama in the Aikido club throw a huge opponent with ease, and I was amazed by how mysterious it seemed. I joined immediately. During my university years, I also went to Mito for training. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: The dojo is close to my current home, and when I visited, the atmosphere was so good that I immediately wanted to join. The careful instruction in both technique and spirit was the main reason. In my university days, instruction was almost nonexistent. Q: You passed your dan examination last year and became 3rd Dan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: I have passed the age of seventy. The origin of the Japanese word koki, meaning the age of seventy, is said to come from a line in a poem by Du Fu: “Since ancient times, reaching seventy has been rare.” By the traditional way of counting age, two more years have already passed since then. In sports of Western origin, an active athlete is often considered to be around forty, but for me the appeal of Aikido is that through steady training, even after seventy, one can still dream of going further. I feel the source of that appeal is that Aikido is a martial art of dialogue. I want to continue training in Aikido, where people can grow together across generations, gender, and race. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: Aikido is a martial art, but the opponent you face is the person you were yesterday. It gives you a chance to look again at yourself in daily life.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself, including your Aikido background.
A: I am an office worker in my early forties. I had about eight years of Aikido experience and had trained at two other dojos before. When I joined Showa Dojo, I was 3rd Kyu. Because of job transfers and other reasons, I had been away from Aikido for about eight years, but I came to Showa Dojo to start again. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I have a slender build, and in sports with matches I never felt that I could win. Because Aikido has no competitions, I became interested in it. When I first observed Aikido, I was also captivated by the beauty of the techniques, and that made me decide to begin. Another reason was that, as long as I had a gi, I could practice anywhere and continue for a long time. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It was reasonably close to my home and had many practice days. Because I am busy with work and cannot always attend practice, the number of available practice days was important when choosing a dojo. Q: You passed your dan examination last year and became 2nd Dan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: After becoming 2nd Dan, I feel that I may finally be able to perform techniques that are more like Aikido. I think I am beginning to gain a sense not of “applying a technique to the partner,” but of the partner “being taken by the technique.” Someday, I would like to sharpen my body’s sensitivity to the point where my body moves unconsciously. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: Strength alone does not make you strong, and having a large body does not mean you can apply techniques well. You continue to face yourself, but that is exactly why Aikido can be practiced for a lifetime. Because it is not a martial art that defeats people with force, you can become better and stronger as you age. I recommend it to people who want to become strong without relying on physical strength or athletic ability.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a woman in my thirties with no previous martial arts experience. It has been a little over four years since I joined. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: A few years ago, a friend of mine was training at this dojo and told me that the practice was enjoyable. That was how I first learned about Aikido. Recently I was looking for a hobby involving physical movement, and I also wanted to begin a martial art that might be somewhat useful for self-defense, so I started Aikido. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: There was a beginner course, and the environment made me feel safe because I could be taught carefully from the beginning. It was also close to my workplace, and the practice time was convenient even after work, so I thought I could continue without difficulty and joined. Q: You passed your dan examination two years ago and became Shodan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: I am happy to have received a black belt, which had been my goal when I started Aikido. At the same time, I feel some pressure because I have only learned the general outline of the techniques and many details are still unclear. I want to return to the beginner’s mind and carefully review the basics. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: This is an environment where complete beginners can be taught carefully from the very beginning. I think women can also begin casually, so if you are interested, please come and observe a class.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am an international student from Taiwan and am currently in the third year of my doctoral program. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: Besides studying, I wanted to have one hobby, so I decided to begin a Japanese martial art. I also thought Aikido might suit me because there are no matches and it does not require a contest of strength. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It was close to my home, and beginners could receive one-on-one instruction. Also, because there was an English website, I felt that the dojo seemed open to foreigners. Q: You passed your dan examination last year and became Shodan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: As the teachers say, I feel that continuing is important. I want to keep training steadily and for a long time so that I can reach a level appropriate for Shodan. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: This is a place where even beginners can enjoy practicing. Please come and train Aikido with us.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself, including your Aikido background.
A: I work in data science for a manufacturing company in Nagoya. I earned Shodan in Aikido in 1998 and then stopped training, but I restarted in 2015. In addition to my own practice, I help with the Monday and Wednesday children’s classes as much as I can. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: Because Aikido is a martial art without competition. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: When I was at university, Dojo Head Otsu had taught me, so when I restarted Aikido, I wanted to train under him again. By chance, the dojo was also within cycling distance from my home. Q: You passed your dan examination last year and became 3rd Dan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: Aikido is interesting, and it is the sport I have continued longer than anything else. At the same time, it still makes me feel that I want to improve more and that I can still improve. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: The only costs for Aikido are the monthly fee, drinking water, and for some people contact lenses. Cost is an important factor in continuing. Also, because students practice together, it is easier to keep going than a sport you do alone. Aikido repeatedly uses the strength to fall and get back up, so it is good not only for building muscle but also for losing weight.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a man in my forties with no previous martial arts experience. I have been training for a little over five years. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I had long been interested in martial arts, and I also wanted to solve my lack of exercise. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: It was within walking distance from my home, and there were many practice days, so it was easy to attend. The decisive factor was that the atmosphere of the dojo was very good and beginners were taught carefully. Q: You passed your dan examination two years ago and became Shodan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: For the dan examination, I struggled because there were many techniques to remember. Looking back, it was difficult to secure time for practice without affecting work and family. I would like to continue training and aim for 2nd Dan. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: If you take the plunge and begin, it is very enjoyable, so I strongly recommend joining.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself, including your Aikido background.
A: I began Aikido at university. After training for four years, I practiced at another dojo for about five years, then had a seven-year break before starting Aikido again at Showa Dojo. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I saw it on television and thought it looked cool, so I began. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: Because there are plenty of practice days. Q: You recently passed your dan examination and became 4th Dan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: I want to train even harder so that my ability will be worthy of 4th Dan. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: It is excellent for relieving stress.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself.
A: I am a company employee in my forties. I had no particular experience in martial arts before joining. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: What attracted me most was the beauty of the techniques. The flowing movements and the way the techniques change one after another made me really want to learn. I was also attracted by the fact that I could begin even without confidence in my physical strength. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: A big reason was that Showa Dojo provides many time slots for beginners. Even when I do not understand something, the teachers and instructors teach patiently and enthusiastically. There are also many practice days each week, which is very helpful for someone like me who works while training. Q: You passed your dan examination last year and became 2nd Dan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: I am very happy to have been promoted to 2nd Dan. This time as well, I received a great deal of guidance and encouragement from everyone at the dojo, and I am filled with gratitude. Thank you very much. When I joined, 2nd Dan seemed like a distant goal, but after continuing to attend practice with enthusiasm, I was able to take the examination I had once thought was still far away. Looking back on those days, I am deeply moved. I have not forgotten how I felt at the beginning. I want to stay focused and continue polishing my techniques and improving my spirit so that I will be worthy of my rank. Q: What are your goals from now on?
A: I think my feeling that I want Aikido to remain part of my daily life will not change. I do not want to be satisfied with where I am now. I want to keep challenging myself with a desire to improve. There are many things to work on, but I will do my best. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: If you have even a little interest, I recommend observing a class first. At first, taking the first step can feel intimidating, and after joining you may worry whether you can keep up. I had those thoughts too, but the teachers and senior students are all very kind. Now I feel that I wish I had started sooner, and I attend practice every day. The talks from the teachers and instructors are also very interesting, so I truly recommend coming for an observation or trial lesson.

Q: Please briefly introduce yourself, including your Aikido background.
A: I am a man in my fifties. It has been about seven years since I joined. Q: What first sparked your interest in Aikido, or what made you decide to begin?
A: I like watching movies and admired Steven Seagal’s action scenes. I apologize for being such a fan. I learned that Aikido is something one can practice according to one’s age, and that led me to join. Q: Why did you choose Showa Dojo?
A: There was practice on Sunday mornings, and the dojo was on my commuting route. Q: You passed your dan examination last year and became 2nd Dan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: Thanks to the support of the teachers and everyone at the dojo, I was able to be promoted. Thank you very much. Recently, I personally feel that Aikido includes many different ways of thinking and styles. I did not pay much attention to this before, but sometimes I now find myself unsure. I want to continue steady practice while also taking time to sort things out in my own mind. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: At Showa Dojo, the warm-up before practice is done carefully, so there is very little worry about injury. Training partners practice at a pace suited to you, so you can train without strain. Let’s practice together.

Q: What made you begin Aikido?
A: I wanted to experience it as “moving Zen” in place of seated Zen meditation. Q: Why did you join Showa Dojo?
A: It was close to my home, and I had known of the dojo for a long time. Q: You recently passed your dan examination and became 2nd Dan. Looking back, how do you feel now, and what are your goals from here?
A: I joined around the age of seventy. For about the first year, everyone kindly helped me in many ways, but I could not learn anything properly. I actually felt that Aikido might not be suited to me and intended to quit after about three years. However, thanks to everyone’s kindness, I have continued to train here, and I was able to be promoted to 2nd Dan. I am still inexperienced, so while learning together with everyone, I would like to keep coming to the dojo and seeking the basics for as long as my body allows. Teachers and fellow students, thank you for your continued guidance. Q: A message for those thinking about starting Aikido.
A: Apart from difficult matters, moving the body is enjoyable at any age.