Toronto Aikido Centre and Aikido History

1955 - Present

Yoshinkan Aikido

The Aikido Yoshinkan Foundation was founded in 1955 by Gozo Shioda Sensei.
Shioda Sensei's style of Aikido is known as Yoshinkan, a name that he inherited from his father who owned a Kendo (Japanese fencing) and judo dojo by that name. "YO" means cultivating, "SHIN" means spirit or mind and "KAN" means house.
Now, Honbu Dojo (headquarters of Yoshinkan) is located at the heart of Tokyo in Shinjuku. There are many different courses offered, such as instructor, special training, police force training, classes for overseas students, children's classes, beginner and regular courses. The dojo itself is a modern, open design with full facilities, large changing rooms, administration offices plus a number of additional facilities to cater to the "uchi deshi" or live instructor trainee.

In Yoshinkan style, the emphasis is-on the fundamental movements and basic solid techniques as well as gaining philosophical insight into the conduct of life and human relationships.