History of the Pearl City Aikido Dojo
Pearl City Aikido Dojo was founded and established in 1955 by then Resident Minister Ryoshin Okano Sensei of the Jodo Shinsu Section and former Chief Instructor of Hawaii Aiki Kwai, Yukiso Yamamoto. Over the years, more than 2,000 students have practiced at Pearl City Aikido Dojo with over one hundred practitioners receiving a Shodan or higher ranking. Currently the club has two Sandans, three Yondans and one Godan. Children's classes are very popular, as many students from the earlier generation of practitioners are now sending their children to Aikido.
The Chief Instructor of Pearl City Aikido Dojo is Donald S. Moriyama Shihan. For nearly half a century, Donald S. Moriyama Shihan, has devoted his life to the study, practice and perpetuation of the Japanese martial art of Aikido in its traditional form. Please follow this link for a brief biography of Moriyama Shihan.
Affiliation
Pearl City Aikido Club's organizational affiliation is with Honbu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan.
Schedule of Classes and Seminar Information
Aikido classes are offered for men, women and children of all ages at the Pearl City Hongwanji Mission located at 858 Second Street, Pearl City. Class Schedule:
Tuesday and Thursday Evenings
6:00 - 7:00 PM Beginners and children
7:00 - 8:00 PM Intermediate beginners and color belts
Hongwanji functions, summer and winter School schedules, and holidays may affect class days and times. Color belts and sempai’s assist in conducting classes.
Visitors are welcome to attend any class and are encouraged to call to confirm class days and times. For further information, or directions to the Dojo, telephone 455-7000 during regular class hours.
Seminar Information
Once a year Pearl City Aikido Dojo has a family outing and seminar on a neighbor island, beach home or at the Dojo. The club also hosts a Bonekai (End of Year) and a Shinnekai (New Year) celebration for students and their families.
In the past, Pearl City Aikido Dojo has had the honor of hosting guest instructors such as Kisshomaru Doshu Sensei, Koichi Tohei Sensei, Hitohiro Saito Sensei, and Akira Tohei Sensei.
TAKEMUSU AIKI
"The secret of Aikido is to harmonize ourselves with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself." - Morihei Ueshiba
The heart and soul of Aikido is Takemasu Aiki. To acquire the true meaning of Aikido is to master Takemusu Aiki. This unique philosophy should be the goal of every Aikido trainee. When practicing Aikido, Takemusu Aiki means to be in perfect blend or harmony with your partners. If there is no harmony between partners Takemusu Aiki will never be attained and if there is no Takemusu Aiki there is no Aikido. Master Ueshiba emphasized that Aikido techniques will not be effective if they are not applied with a perfect blend or harmony with one's partner. In Takemusu Aiki one should never try to defeat his or her opponent since this is contrary to the philosophy. The meaning Takemusu Aiki then is to execute one's movements precisely and to harmonize with those of your partner. Only then will the various techniques be practiced correctly.
But Aikido means much more than practicing physical movements. Takemusu Aiki also means that the student must have the proper mental attitude and discipline when executing his or her movements. Every technique must be done wholeheartedly and with full concentration as if one's survival depended on doing that technique correctly. There is no room for complacency.
The key to Takemusu Aiki is to influence one's partner into reacting and then harmonize with his or her movements. Takemusu Aiki should be the goal of every Aikido student.
Often referred to as an "Old-Style" dojo, the Pearl City Aikido Dojo practices traditional Aikido as taught by its founder, Master Ueshiba, and Takemusu Aiki is an integral part of our training.
