Studygroup Tomiki Aikido

26/10/2025

Celebrating 50 yrs Tomiki Aikido Nederland

12/09/2025

Dogmatism versus Evolution Every martial art that respects itself must not cling to dogmatic thinking. Japanese martial arts often use "kata" to practice fundamentals. However, many kata have become so formalized that etiquette and choreography have become more important than the original fundamental principles they intended to convey. We encounter the same perspective in Western martial arts, which often also employ dogmatic approaches to gain legitimacy....

Dogmatism versus Evolution Every martial art that respects itself must not cling to dogmatic thinking. Japanese martial arts often use “kata” to practice fundamentals. However, many kat…

04/09/2025

Introduction: Beyond the Mat - Exploring the Deeper Dimensions of Tomiki Aikido It has been a while since I wrote about my thoughts on martial arts, particularly on Tomiki Aikido. Recent challenges regarding the use of Kenji Tomiki's books as study tools have forced me to reconsider my involvement in this martial art. I find myself at a crossroads: I could simply disappear from the Tomiki Aikido scene, or I could take a different path—one that explores and articulates the ideas and concepts within Tomiki's work that extend far beyond its competitive format....

Introduction: Beyond the Mat – Exploring the Deeper Dimensions of Tomiki Aikido It has been a while since I wrote about my thoughts on martial arts, particularly on Tomiki Aikido. Recent chal…

13/05/2025

In Kenji Tomiki's comprehensive framework for understanding martial arts in the modern world, two contrasting yet complementary philosophical approaches to physical education emerge: tanren-shugi (鍛錬主義) and goraku-shugi (娯楽主義). These concepts represent different dimensions of how physical activity, particularly martial arts, can be approached in educational settings. Tanren-shugi (鍛錬主義): The Discipline-Oriented Principle Tanren-shugi literally translates as "discipline-centered principle" or "forging doctrine." The term draws on metallurgical imagery—just as metal is tempered through fire to become stronger, the human character is forged through rigorous training....

In Kenji Tomiki’s comprehensive framework for understanding martial arts in the modern world, two contrasting yet complementary philosophical approaches to physical education emerge: tanren-s…

06/05/2025

Early Life and Education (1900-1929) Kenji Tomiki was born in March 1900 in Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture in northern Japan. He progressed through Kakunodate Elementary School and Yokote Prefectural Middle School before attending Waseda University's Second Higher Academy. He ultimately graduated from Waseda University's Faculty of Political Science and Economics. Tomiki began practicing judo from elementary school and distinguished himself in Waseda University's judo club, obtaining his 4th dan rank while still a student....

Early Life and Education (1900-1929) Kenji Tomiki was born in March 1900 in Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture in northern Japan. He progressed through Kakunodate Elementary School and Yokote Prefectural…

01/05/2025

Translating Kenji Tomiki's "Budōron" (武道論): Critical Concepts Requiring Clarification The translation of Kenji Tomiki's "Budōron" (武道論 - "Theory of Martial Arts" or "Discourse on the Martial Way") presents unique challenges due to its rich philosophical content and historical context. Several critical concepts in this seminal work require careful clarification to preserve their full meaning and significance. The ultimate goal in translating Budōron should be to make Tomiki's innovative martial philosophy accessible to non-Japanese readers while preserving the depth and subtlety of his thought....

Translating Kenji Tomiki’s “Budōron” (武道論): Critical Concepts Requiring Clarification The translation of Kenji Tomiki’s “Budōron” (武道論 – “Theory of M…

21/04/2025

Mushin Mugamae is a Japanese expression often used in the context of Tomiki's Aikido. It is usually translated as 'empty mind, no posture'. But is this really the case? We need to understand and describe this expression in a much broader context. A summary of the comments made by Kenji Tomiki regarding Mushin Mugamae "No mind" ("mushin" 無心) represents the highest mental state in human cultivation....

Mushin Mugamae is a Japanese expression often used in the context of Tomiki’s Aikido. It is usually translated as ’empty mind, no posture’.  But is this really the case? We n…

10/04/2025

European Martial Arts Through Time European martial arts have a rich history that spans thousands of years, with distinct traditions developing across different regions and time periods. Unlike Asian martial arts, which often maintained continuous traditions, European martial arts experienced periods of evolution, transformation, and sometimes discontinuity. Here's how they can be traced and catalogued through different historical periods: Ancient Period (800 BCE - 500 CE)...

European Martial Arts Through Time European martial arts have a rich history that spans thousands of years, with distinct traditions developing across different regions and time periods. Unlike Asi…

06/04/2025

Kenji Tomiki was a prominent Japanese martial artist known for his contributions to both judo and aikido. He was also a pedagogue of martial arts theory, known as "Budoron" in Japanese. This term refers to the study and philosophy of martial arts, encompassing the principles, ethics, and educational methods associated with these disciplines. Tomiki's work in Budoron focused on integrating the philosophical and practical aspects of martial arts to create a comprehensive system of training and personal development....

Kenji Tomiki was a prominent Japanese martial artist known for his contributions to both judo and aikido. He was also a pedagogue of martial arts theory, known as “Budoron” in Japanese.…

03/04/2025

Kenji Tomiki wrote several books about Japanese martial arts. In his books he describes his view of Aikido as an integral part of Kodokan Judo. Especially in his earlier books he described the necessity of preserving the old Aiki-no-jutsu in a modern educational system. His earlier work is less focused on the competitive format for which Tomiki's Aikido is known worldwide....

Kenji Tomiki wrote several books about Japanese martial arts. In his books he describes his view of Aikido as an integral part of Kodokan Judo. Especially in his earlier books he described the nece…

15/03/2025

Although this blog has a non-commercial format, most of the original Kenji Tomiki has to be removed from this blog.Perhaps in the near future some of the "original" information can be used again to explain the different aspects of Kenji Tomiki's work.

Although this blog has a non-commercial format, most of the original Kenji Tomiki has to be removed from this blog.Perhaps in the near future some of the “original” information can be u…

19/12/2024

A person is identified not just by their name but by the human values they embody. Strip away those values, and the person becomes an object, easily manipulated by dictators, corporations, and social media.Similarly, a martial art is defined by its name and the human values it imparts. Remove those values, and it becomes vulnerable to exploitation by salespeople, corporations, or worse—it loses its purpose and is discarded as irrelevant....

A person is identified not just by their name but by the human values they embody. Strip away those values, and the person becomes an object, easily manipulated by dictators, corporations, and soci…