Aikido Seikikai CHIEF INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Minoru Kurita

Kurita Sensei began his study of Aikido at the age of 17. He says that his older brother "made" him go the Hombu Dojo to watch O-Sensei (Kurita Sensei's older brother was uchideshi to OSensei at that time). Kurita Sensei was slightly unimpressed that this old man was throwing around young men. He thought it was just showmanship. O-Sensei noticed this and invited him to "experience" his Aikido. From that time on Kurita Sensei began serious study with O-Sensei.

Kurita Sensei traveled with O-Sensei as an assistant and as uke during his term as uchideshi to Iwama and other locations for demonstrations and other events. His face and the bottoms of his feet appear in quite a few photos from that period. Kurita Sensei stayed with O-Sensei as both a live-in and later a commuting student until O-Sensei's death in 1969. Kurita Sensei was the last live-in uchideshi to O-Sensei and the last person to take ukemi for him before his death.

Kurita Sensei was promoted to the position of Shihan (Master Instructor) by O-Sensei and has chosen to teach independently of other schools in order to further the art as he received it from the Founder. Kurita Sensei founded the Seikikai School of Aikido in order to further the principals of Aikido as taught to him by O-Sensei.

Kurita Sensei, in addition to serving as personal student to O-Sensei, has instructed Aikido at the Aikikai world headquarters in Tokyo while O-Sensei was alive.

Kurita Sensei was also a student of the late Mr. Tempu Nakamura, well known in Japan as the leading exponent of Shin Shin Toitsudo (the Way of Coordinating Mind and Body).

What Is Aikido?

Aikido, rather than being just another sport oriented fighting art, is an approach to life based upon a philosophy of bettering oneself by helping others to do the same. Only as a side benefit does it become the most effective of self-defense arts. Unlike many schools of martial arts, competitive sports, and the business practices of the modern world, Aikido is summed up in the Japanese phrase "masa katsu agatsu" (true winning is to win against oneself).

About The Classes

Aikido can be practiced by people of any age. The effortless grace of the Aikido movements are not developed through the use of muscle but by the development of personal power, Ki, through the disciplines of the art.

Aikido emphasizes calmness, stability and the development of a harmonious relationship with others. Aikido principals gradually permeate and improve every aspect of our lives, helping us to realize our potential as true human beings.

The classes are divided into adult's and children's classes. There are no beginner's classes. One enters the class much as one enters life - you just begin. Each individual is, however, encouraged to progress as they are able. The setting is formal and proper etiquette is stressed.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student of the art special attention is paid to the individual needs of each student. If a beginner you are encouraged to progress but not obliged to go past what you are able or willing to do. The classes are one hour of intensive training and varied enough to insure steady progress in the technical ability of even the most advanced student.

Seikikai also offers an instructor training program for those who feel that teaching Aikido is what they wish to do with their lives. This program is fully sanctioned and supported by Kurita Sensei.

All ranks are verified by Mr. Kurita and certificates are issued and recorded at the Seikikai Hombu Dojo in Japan. Testing is done approximately every 4 months.

Training Locations

Please visit Aikido Seikikai's homepage. For more information about Aikido Seikikai, please email Parks Sensei, c/o David Kennedy, at