Shodokan Aikido UK connects clubs, instructors and students practising Shodokan Aikido — the branch of Aikido, founded by Kenji Tomiki, where competitive randori is trained alongside traditional technique.
Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba, built around blending with an attacker’s movement rather than meeting force with force. Kenji Tomiki — a senior student of Ueshiba and a high-ranking judoka — developed Shodokan Aikido to teach that same technique using a structured, progressive method, including live competitive randori. It’s often called Tomiki Aikido after its founder.
The Shodokan Honbu Dojo in Osaka remains the international home of the style, currently led by Nariyama Shihan and Sakai Shihan. Clubs affiliated with Shodokan Aikido UK maintain that same connection — training technique that is graded, refereed and competed, not just performed.
Membership provides recognised insurance cover for training, gradings and competition at affiliated clubs.
Kyu and Dan gradings follow a consistent syllabus recognised across every affiliated club in the UK.
From your first inter-club shiai to national competition, with a structured route into refereeing and judging.
Affiliated clubs maintain direct ties to the Shodokan Honbu Dojo, with regular seminars from visiting Japanese instructors.
No. Every affiliated club welcomes complete beginners — most run a free first class so you can try it before joining.
It’s the only major branch of Aikido that trains competitive randori alongside traditional kata, giving students a way to test technique under live, resisting pressure.
Use the Find a Club page to see clubs affiliated with Shodokan Aikido UK. If nothing is listed near you yet, get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction.
You join through your local club, which affiliates to Shodokan Aikido UK. See the Membership page for what that includes.
