About Us

The Essence and Spirit of our Founder
We are a Japanese dojo in Australia, fiercely dedicated to the budo culture and training of Shodokan honbu dojo in Osaka Japan and the organisation of which it is the pinnacle, the Japan Aikido Association. We are an extension of that culture and perceive it to be our mission to spread and preserve it in Australia.

We uphold the manner and courtesy inherent in Japanese culture and Japanese budo in particular without which the true spirit of budo will never flourish and Aikido would merely become another form of physical activity. We pursue the perfection of the physical and the spiritual discipline of Japanese budo through our practice of Shodokan Aikido in order to achieve deep inner development and strength of character.

We practice in the true spirit of our founder, Tomiki Kenji shihan, a true master. He came to Australia in 1977, the only country outside of China that he taught Aikido. 

Our Shihan
Our Shihan is Nariyama Tetsuro 8th dan, Technical Director of the Japan Aikido Association and the chief instructor of Shodokan Honbu in Osaka and is the teacher of our head instructor, Alan Higgs. Nariyama sensei was trained by Tomiki sensei and Oba sensei in addition to Kobayashi sensei (head of Kansai Aikikai and a Shihan at Shodokan)) and groomed to take over Shodokan after Tomiki sensei's death. Nariyama shihan has travelled extensively around the world teaching aikido and presides over the Shodokan International Network,  a collection of all the dojos which use the name Shodokan and follow its training and examination syllabus. Because of his efforts the competition of aikido has spread in popularity thoughout the world and much unity has been achieved.

Our Sensei
Alan Higgs 6th dan Shodokan Honbu instructor
at Shodokan in Japan since 1979, Deshi to Nariyama Shihan. Also taught by Tomiki sensei, Oba sensei, Kobayashi sensei.  Black belt in Judo.
All Japan Aikido Tournaments,
1981 3rd place Team Randori
         4th place runner up award Kata enbu
1985 1st place Kata enbu (All Japan Champion)
         2nd place Team Randori
1987 1st place Kata enbu (All Japan Champion)
         3rd place  Team Randori
1998 3rd place mixed team event
Other Qualifications
JAA Shodokan Honbu Shinsa-in (examiner)
JAA "A" Class International Referee and Judge                   Former Vice Chief Referee Japan Aikido Association,          Kansai Referees Assoc.