About Us - Kokikai Aikido
Kokikai Aikido
What is Kokikai Aikido?
Kokikai Aikido 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 “minimal effort for maximum effect.” The name Kokikai means “school of radiant ki”.
Our style uses four basic principles:
Keep One Point (to develop calmness)
Relax progressively
Correct posture (in everything)
Develop your Positive Mind
The style was founded by Shuji Maruyama (referred to as Maruyama Sensei, or just 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.
The History
Kokikai-Ryu Aikido founder Sensei Shuji Maruyama began his study of Aikido in 1955 under Koichi Tohei Sensei who was at the time chief instructor of Aikido under Master Ueshiba. Later after receiving an introduction from Tohei, Maruyama Sensei apprenticed directly with Master Ueshiba.
Aikido was developed by the founder of Aikido Master Ueshiba in the samurai tradition of Budo. Master Ueshiba placed emphasis on maximizing human potential – emphasizing strength and efficiency through the coordination of mind and body. Through a special realization he was able to develop his potential power. The essence of his realization was that he discovered how to use only necessary strength. He understood his natural human ability and how to use that ability correctly and efficiently, and he applied his understanding to develop a system of new techniques that would eventually solidify into the art known as Aikido.
The Results
An effective form of self-defense, Kokikai Aikido relies on a strong mind and correct technique not physical strength alone. As a result classes include both men and women practicing on equal footing. Designed to defend against multiple attackers, it offers many solutions to aggressive behavior by others.
By emphasizing human development, Kokikai Aikido results in self-improvement. Kokikai Aikido training promotes centering, correct posture, relaxing progressively and positive mind. The combination of these elements produces a different concept of strength which results when mind and body work together in a relaxed way. This discipline not only allows us to defend ourselves, it enables us to increase our enjoyment of our daily lives and enrich the lives of others. Most importantly, Kokikai Aikido offers us the opportunity to learn how to control ourselves, so that we can deal with any situation gently, and with confidence.
The Refinement
In the further development of Kokikai Aikido, Maruyama Sensei has stayed true to Master Ueshiba’s tradition and has refined the techniques to make Aikido more effective in modern circumstances. Maruyama Sensei has caught Ueshiba’s feeling for using only necessary strength, using the minimum effort necessary to achieve maximum results, but he now applies that feeling to technique responsive to the realities of modern unarmed fighting. Kokikai Aikido practice is characterized by realistic, focused attacks, and the fluid responses that employ timing and rhythm to take the opponents balance completely before the application of a throwing technique.
Anyone Can Do It
In our teaching we encourage everyone. Maruyama Sensei has said not everyone can be a great marathon runner or tennis player, but everyone can become proficient in Aikido through Kokikai training. He says "I can do it, you can do it."
We invite you to join us to experience, the power and enjoyment of Kokikai Aikido.
Leadership
Heather Randolph, Sensei
Sensei Heather Randolph, Sandan (3rd degree black belt) Dojo Head Instructor
Sensei Randolph has been teaching Aikido since 2002. She was assistant instructor and taught an Aikido class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for three years prior to starting this dojo in August of 2006.
Sensei Randolph began studying Kokikai Aikido under Takashi Isobe Sensei, 5th dan and for 10 years under David Comi Sensei, 5th dan the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sensei Randolph was invited to visit Japan by Kokikai founder Shuji Maruyama to take part in a special presentation for Japanese media in 2004. Recently she was invited to join other top martial artists in Boston as the only Aikido instructor at the Boston Academy of Martial arts, a one day martial arts certification program. The dojo was also invited in August of 2010,2012 and 2013 to participate in the August Moon Festival in Chinatown, and the Lantern Festival in Chinatown for the last few years. Sensei Randolph personally teaches class several days a week snd has been studying Aikido for the last 30+ , and teaching it for the last 15+ years. Sensei Randolph attended from four to seven seminars with Shuji Maruyama per year (pre Covid 19). Sensei Randolph lives in Bay Village in Boston Massachusetts.
