Since its inception, Yokohama AikiDojo has been committed to serving its close community in the Yamate and Honmoku area by spreading the positive teachings of Aikido.
To this effect, we have recently started a free after school program for the elementary school students at Saint Maur International School. Classes will be offered every Friday afternoon from 3.30 to 4.30 to Elementary School students from Grade 2 to Grade 5.
For a number of years, Elementary School students at Saint Maur have been able to enjoy the practice of Kendo, a Japanese martial art that focuses on swordsmanship. With its emphasis on proper manners, sportsmanship, and safety awareness, Kendo has proved a wonderful way to help our younger students to grow and develop as global and moral citizens.
Aikido was founded in 1942 by Ueshiba Morihei, one of the most prominent martial arts instructors of his time. It is a purely defensive art performed by blending with the motion of the opponent and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. With Aikido now also being offered along with Kendo as an after school elementary club, we are very hopeful that students and their parents will be able to appreciate the very positive values that are transmitted through the practice of traditional Japanese martial arts.
Through this, we also hope to help the international community in Yokohama to get in touch and experience first hand an essential part of Japanese culture.
