Aikido Delaware Aikikai

02/24/2026

01/16/2023

Our deepest condolences to our Aikido Family, as another giant in the Aikido World embarks on his Journey. 🙏

Regarding the passing of Yamada Yoshimitsu Shihan
Yamada Yoshimitsu Chief Shihan of New York Aikikai passed away on January 15, 2023 (local time). (Age 84).
We offer our deepest condolences at this time.

山田嘉光師範逝去のお知らせ
山田嘉光ニューヨーク合気会主席師範が、令和5年1月15日（日）（現地時間）に逝去されました。（享年84）
ここに謹んでお悔やみ申し上げます。

06/19/2022

Happy Father's Day! Enjoy this beautiful day and please have a great day! All the love!

05/05/2022

Our Guiding Light

🙏🌹🌈💕 Rev. Zenko Okimura 💕🌈🌹🙏

On his 49 Days since March 7th, Continues on his Life Journey to the ultimate peace and tranquility. Although we will not be able to see him physically his enormous compassion, love and care will live within us and so many people that he cared dearly for. Compassion and love are beyond time and space, and so is our Okimura SHIHAN. How can love leave you, how can compassion leave you, now you are hosted by our heart. Now you have chosen this new home to guide us from within because you are the one compassionate soul who never leaves his love ones. Now we have homed him in our heart to be even closer than before and guide us from within us and his essence and blessings will always fill our life.
🌺🌺🌺

💕Our Gathering will be July 16th.💕

More will be announced.

11/26/2021

Aikido Delaware Aikikai (ADA) are happy to announce the launch of our fundraising campaign on 'Rainbow Thursday'.

Aikido Delaware Aikikai designed this T -shirt to commemorate the 60 year anniversary of O’Sensei coming to Hawaii and building a ‘Silver Bridge’ to the Western world.

This t-shirt was designed with love by the members of Aikido Delaware Aikikai (ADA) to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Aikido’s introduction to the US. Your support of our fundraiser will allow ADA to continue to promote our mission of Embracing Peace throughout Delaware and the world.

About Aikido
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art created by the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba (known as “O’Sensei”). The philosophy of Aikido makes it very personal as it cherishes the uniqueness in every soul and embraces collaboration between people and the tolerance of others.

Aikido is the process of learning how and the way of living in harmony in accord with O'Sensei's philosophy.

60th Anniversary Celebration
After creating Aikido out of his studies of the traditional martial arts practiced by the Samurai, O’Sensei came to Hawaii in February 1961 to spread his Aikido teachings to the West. During his visit, O’Sensei said: "I have come to Hawaii in order to build a ‘silver bridge.’ Until now, I have remained in Japan, building a ‘golden bridge’ to unite Japan, but henceforward, I wish to build a bridge to bring the different countries of the world together through the harmony and love contained in aikido.”
Since that time, millions of Aikido Practitioners, AikidoKA have heard the call and diligently practice the unifying peaceful loving art of Aikido. This T-shirt is a banner for those who have embraced O'Sensei’s teachings on and off the mat.

About Aikido Delaware Aikikai
Aikido Delaware Aikikai (ADA) is the first traditional Japanese Aikido Cultural Center in Delaware, and it is the International Headquarters of World Aikido Aikikai, Incorporated (WAAI), with affiliate dojos throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. It was founded in 1993 by Rev. Zenko N. Okimura, 7th Dan.
Okimura Shihan had the unique opportunity of seeing O’Sensei’s Aikido demonstration in Hawaii at the tender age of 9. At that time, his understanding of the art was limited, and he blurted out “That’s fake” so loudly that O’Sensei gave him a stern look—an experience Okimura Shihan never forgot. He began his Aikido studies two years later in 1963 and has continued learning and teaching ever since.

***Aikido Delaware Aikikai (ADA) are happy to announce the launch of our fundraising campaign on 'Rainbow Thursday'.*** Aikido Delaware Aikikai designed this T -shirt to commemorate the 60 year anniversary of O’Sensei coming to Hawaii and building a ‘Silver Bridge’ to the Western world. This t...

12/27/2020

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings!

This Unique 2020 commemorative hoodie is being released by World Aikido Aikikai Inc (WAAI). It shows the WAAI Rainbow Bridge that unites all WAAI dojos around the world.

During this year in 2020, amongst a turbulent atmosphere of change and challenges, here at WAAI we have instilled and found a uniting familial reservoir in the worldwide fellowship. Thanks to Our Shihan and Our Sensei, WAAI members worldwide are blessed with a heartwarming legacy for us to share with one another until time indefinite into forever.

Your support to our Fundraiser will enable WAAI to continue and promote our Mission to Embrace Peace throughout the world. Your purchase of one or more, and the proposal to family members and friends will spread WAAI projects even more graciously!

In advance, we appreciate your support and purchase of your WAAI 2020 Commemorative Hoodie! Please enjoy wearing your unique hoodie with pride, vigor and warmth!

The commemorative hoodies are available for a limited time only!

To learn more about us, please visit: www.Aikidoda.org

About Aikido
Aikido is a modern Japanese Martial Art created by the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. After the Founder's passing, his son Kisshomaru Ueshiba was inaugurated as Aikido Doshu II. At present, Moriteru Ueshiba has succeeded his father as Aikido Doshu III. Philosophy of Aikido makes it very personal as it cherishes the uniqueness in every soul, while it embraces the life in collaboration between people and the tolerance to others.

Aikido is the process of learning how and the way of living in harmony. It is up to you for what you make of your Aikido and how much you apply it to your daily life - the opportunity is limitless - with you as the center of your own seeking to achieve better living.

About Okimura Shihan
Founder & Chief Instructor of the World Aikido Aikikai Incorporated. Rev. Zenko N. Okimura, was born in Iwakuni, Japan and is the eldest son of the late Bishop & Mrs. Eisho Okimura. Okimura Shihan began his Aikido study in 1963, and received his 1st Dan in 1968 from the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. He currently holds a 7th Dan certified instructors rank. The present Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of the Founder, and Okimura Shihan studied under Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of the Founder, at Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo. The friendship of Moriteru Doshu and Okimura Shihan continues the lineage relationship of their families. Okimura Shihan has been a Head Aikido Instructor in both Japan and Hawaii. He has taught Aikido in Europe as well as throughout the United States. Okimura Shihan is also a Shingon Buddhist priest and has served under late Bishop Eisho Okimura after attaining priesthood at Mt. Koya Monastery in Wakayama, Japan. Okimura Shihan brings great technical and spiritual depth to the students of our WAAI organization. He holds college degrees in Religion and Education.

About WAAI
World Aikido Aikikai Inc. (WAAI) was founded by Okimura Shihan in 2003. He moved from Hawaii, the 50th State, to Delaware, the 1st State of the Union, to create a Rainbow Bridge organization.

To this day, the rainbow remains the symbol for all of WAAI Family. The rainbow represents the golden sun's light to refract and disperse the pure water droplets, creating the abundance of colors.

Colors - diversity of people and cultures
Pure water - a basic human need and quality of goodness
Golden sun's light - heavenly blessings of wisdom and strength

The name WAAI was chosen to represent our Mission of this organization: In Japanese, WAAI means to “embrace peace”.

Over the years, WAAI has grown to now include dojos in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia and together we are strengthening the bonds of our friendship through our Aikido connection. WAAI is headquartered in Newark, DE at Aikido Delaware Aikikai (ADA) USA.

This unique 2020 commemorative hoodie is being released by World Aikido Aikikai Inc (WAAI). It shows the WAAI Rainbow Bridge that unites all WAAI dojos around the world. During this year in 2020, amongst a turbulent atmosphere of change and challenges, here at WAAI we have instilled and found a unit...

10/15/2020

Hello Everyone! This video was made by one of our WAAI Family for Our Okimura Shihan on his 40th Ordination Anniversary Celebration! Made by Pourbayram Sensei from Iran!