Koichi Tohei

Koichi Tohei

4 Episodes

Koichi Tohei (January 20, 1920 – May 19, 2011) was aikido's first 10th dan and served as Chief Instructor of Hombu Dojo (the Aikido World Headquarters) for many years.

He later founded the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (literally "aikido with mind and body unified"), commonly known as Ki-Aikido.

Tohei first met O-sensei at age 20 in 1940 already possessing extensive judo experience. He became Ueshiba's student immediately. Koïchi Tohei was a leader in introducing aikido to the West, mainly through regular teaching journeys to Hawaii, the continental US, and Europe.

After serving as Chief Instructor at Aikikai Hombu Dojo for many years, conflicts motivated him to break away from the Aikikai. On 1 May 1974, Koichi Tohei officially left the Aikikai organization to concentrate on his newly created Ki-aikido and Ki-society. This breakup came as a shock to many aikidoka throughout the world. This, in turn, led to several dojos breaking with the Aikikai and joining Tohei in his new style.

Stories on Koichi Tohei:
http://aikidojournal.com/?s=koichi+tohei

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Koichi Tohei
  • Koichi Tohei: 1962 Hombu Dojo

    Episode 1

    A compilation of rare footage featuring Koichi Tohei teaching at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo during his time as Chief Instructor. The videos show Ki exercises, instruction of basic movements to beginners, jo dori, tanto dori and randori. Also appearing are Seiichi Sugano, Mitsuunari Kanai, Nobuyoshi...

  • Morihei Ueshiba: 1954 and 1962 Demonstrations

    Episode 2

    Two short films of Morihei Ueshiba (the Founder of Aikido).

    The first film was shot in 1954 at the old Aikikai Hombu Dojo. The second film shows a special demonstration by O-Sensei commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Johoku Branch dojo in 1962.

    Ukes include some of the top legends i...

  • Koichi Tohei 1974 Seminar: Part 1

    Episode 3

    Part 1 of surviving footage of a seminar conducted by Koichi Tohei in 1974 in San Francisco, California. This was near the period of time of his resignation as chief instructor from the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Tohei Sensei was teaching a mixture of his style of aikido techniques together with the “Ki...

  • Koichi Tohei 1974 Seminar: Part 2

    Episode 4

    Part 2 of surviving footage of a seminar conducted by Koichi Tohei in 1974 in San Francisco, California. This was near the period of time of his resignation as chief instructor from the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Tohei Sensei was teaching a mixture of his style of aikido techniques together with the “Ki...