Aikido Kenkyukai
A student of O’Sensei, Seigo Yamaguchi Shihan instructed at Aikikai Hombu Dojo (World Aikikai Headquarters) and produced several gifted students. One of his most talented students is Yoshinobu Takeda Shihan 8th Dan, chief instructor of Aikido Kenkyukai.
Aikido Kenkyukai is an affiliation of Aikido clubs inspired and led by the teachings of Takeda Shihan. The relationship between Australia and Japan is a close and long standing one, begun in 1979 and continuing to the present with regular visits by Sensei and his senior students.
There are a number of clubs throughout Australia and well as clubs in Canada, the United States, Germany and New Zealand. Australian clubs are located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Sydney, Queanbeyan, Bowral, Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Orange and South Coast NSW.
Aikido Kenkyukai conducts intensive training camps each year at various centres in Australia. A number of Takeda Shihan’s senior students from Japan regularly visit Australia and instruct at these camps. Alternatively, they are led by Stephen Seymour Sensei (head of Aikido Kenkyukai in Australia) or one of the other senior instructors based in Australia. The camps present a unique opportunity to experience advanced Aikido first hand and help ensure that teaching standards are maintained and new insights shared.
Aikido Kenkyukai Orange
Stephen Nugent, 5th Dan, and Fiona Hawke, 5th Dan, have both trained in Aikido since the early 1990s. As senior students and instructors at Aikido Kenkyukai clubs in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra and now Orange, they’ve made significant contributions to the teaching and understanding of Aikido in Australia. Their training has taken them to Japan, North America and Europe, where they have received instruction from Yoshinobu Takeda Shihan and a number of his senior students.
Following a move to Orange in 2001, they established a dojo to further their practice of the art and to provide an opportunity for others to learn with them. Patrick Flynn (Paddy), 4th Dan, is the third instructor at Aikido Kenkyukai Orange. Paddy Sensei has trained in Aikido since the late 1990s as a senior student and instructor at Aikido Kenkyukai clubs in Balmain and Orange.
Orange Dojo classes are held at the Uniting Church Hall in Anson Street Orange, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with special sessions on the first Saturday of each month. New students are invited to join at anytime, but are requested to email aikdioorange@gmail.com or call 6361 0129 prior to attending their first class.
The cost of attending varies depending on a participant’s frequency of attendance and employment status. As an indication, casual attendance for someone in paid employment is $20 per class, while a quarterly fee for unlimted classes (24 to 29 classes) is $200. There is also a $100 annual membership.
Aikido Kenkyukai Orange is a member of Aikido Kenkyukai (NSW) Inc. and Aikido Kenkyulai Australia Inc. Our instructors are accredited through the Martial Arts Industry Association.
