OUR HISTORY
History is an important part of Aikido. Ours begins with the founder of Aikido, Osensei Morihei Ueshiba, and passes through a line of skilled Aikidokas to Shihan Bill Sosa, who instructed our own Shihan Edward Contreras and Sensei Victor Garza.
The brief biographies below illustrate the legacies of our predecessors and give an idea of the roots of Aikido and our dojo.
O'SENSEI
MORIHEI UESHIBA
1883-1969
The Founder of Aikido
SHIHAN
KOICHI TOHEI
1920Â - 2011
10th Dan Aikikai, Shinshin Toitsu Aikido. Born in Japan. Began practicing Aiki Budo with the founder in 1939. Tohei was one of the leading figures in the spread of Aikido to America. After the founder's death, Tohei was head of the Aikikai Hombo Dojo teaching staff. In 1974, he resigned from the Aikikai to form the Ki Society and the Shinshin Toitsu Aikidokai.
SHIHAN
ISAO TAKAHASHI
1912Â - 1972
7th Dan Aikikai, Born in Hawaii. Lived in Japanfrom age five to ten. Attained high rankings in Judo and Kendo. Takahashi was one of the first to study Aikido in Hawaii under Tohei in 1953. He became a pioneer of the art in Hawaii. He relocated to Los Angeles in 1960 to become chief instructor of the Los Angeles Aikikai. He later moved to Chicago to become chief instructor oh the Illinois Aikido Club. Takahashi was a major force in the early development of Aikido in America.
SHIHAN
RODERICK KOBAYASHI
1932Â - 1995
6th Dan Aikikai, Shinshin Toitsu Aikido, Seidokan Aikido. Born in Hawaii and raised in Japan. He began his study of Aikido in 1957 under Takahashi and Tohei. He moved to Southern California in the early 60's and played a role in the development of Aikido in the west. He followed Tohei when he split from the Aikikai in 1974. In 1981, he established the Seidokan Aikido system.
SHIHAN
BILL SOSA
1934 - 2002
6th Dan Aikikai, Shinshin Toitsu Aikido, Seidokan Aikido, International Aikido Association. Born in Texas. He trained in Boxing, Judo, and Karate. At the age of 31, he started his Aikido Training with Takahashi and Tohei in Chicago. Moved to Dallas, Texas in 1972 and began teaching. He formed the Southwestern Aikido Institute and was responsible for the spread of Aikido in Texas and much of the southwest and Mexico. In 1981, he joined with Kobayashi in Seidokan Aikido. In 1995, he resigned from Seidokan to form the International Aikido Association.
