AIKIKAI SWITZERLAND ACSA
Cultural Association of Switzerland for Aikido
NEWS
Aikido in Switzerland was (and is) influenced by many different Japanese sensei. Sensei Masatomi Ikeda, who taught the ACSA Aikidokas as a shihan for over twenty years and influenced generations of Swiss Aikidokas, should certainly be mentioned first and foremost. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. Dômo arigatô!
We have taken the liberty of briefly introducing some of the sensei who lead or have led ACSA (Aikikai Switzerland) stages and thank them most sincerely for their teaching.
Aikido in Switzerland was (and is) influenced by many different Japanese sensei. Sensei Masatomi Ikeda, who taught the ACSA Aikidokas as a shihan for over twenty years and influenced generations of Swiss Aikidokas, should certainly be mentioned first and foremost. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. Dômo arigatô!
We have taken the liberty of briefly introducing some of the sensei who lead or have led ACSA (Aikikai Switzerland) stages and thank them most sincerely for their teaching.
Mitsuteru Ueshiba Sensei is the great-grandson of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. He is not a graduate, as he is a future Doshu outside the Aikikai graduation system. The word doshu can be roughly translated as master of the way or keeper of the way. Thus Mitsuteru Ueshiba will become the fourth doshu after his father, the current third doshu, according to the traditional martial arts principle of Iemoto. He is currently also teaching at the Hombu Dojo. He is married and has a son. He is also known as Waka Sensei, which can be translated as "young teacher".
Mitsuteru Ueshiba Sensei
Mitsuteru Ueshiba Sensei is the great-grandson of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. He is not a graduate, as he is a future Doshu outside the Aikikai graduation system. The word doshu can be roughly translated as master of the way or keeper of the way. Thus Mitsuteru Ueshiba will become the fourth doshu after his father, the current third doshu, according to the traditional martial arts principle of Iemoto. He is currently also teaching at the Hombu Dojo. He is married and has a son. He is also known as Waka Sensei, which can be translated as "young teacher".
Mitsuteru Ueshiba Sensei
Hiroshi Tada Sensei, 9th Dan Aikikai, is the teacher of Ikeda Sensei and has been coming to Switzerland regularly for over thirty years. He comes from a Samuari family on the island of Tsushima, which lies in the south of Japan between Korea and the island of Kyūshū. He was born in Tokyo and came into contact with martial arts as a child through his father. He first learned archery from him. Later, during high school, he also trained in kendo with Ichiro Yano. On March 4, 1950, at the beginning of his studies, he began aikido training at the Ueshiba Dojo (now the Hombu Dojo) under the supervision of O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. He also trained in Shotokan karate with Jichin Funakoshi Sensei, but after a few years he stopped training karate and devoted himself exclusively to aikido. In 1964 he was sent to Italy to teach aikido. He settled in Rome and shortly afterwards the Aikikai Italy was founded. Six years later, he returned to Japan. Nevertheless, contact with Italy has not been broken off. He regularly teaches several times a year at various stages in Italy and comes to Switzerland once a year for the summer stage in Saignelégier. He is one of the last active sensei who are still direct students of O Sensei. He is still the Technical Director of Aikikai Italy. In 2014 he celebrated his fiftieth anniversary in Italy. Congratulations to him!
Hiroshi Tada Sensei
Hiroshi Tada Sensei, 9th Dan Aikikai, is the teacher of Ikeda Sensei and has been coming to Switzerland regularly for over thirty years. He comes from a Samuari family on the island of Tsushima, which lies in the south of Japan between Korea and the island of Kyūshū. He was born in Tokyo and came into contact with martial arts as a child through his father. He first learned archery from him. Later, during high school, he also trained in kendo with Ichiro Yano. On March 4, 1950, at the beginning of his studies, he began aikido training at the Ueshiba Dojo (now the Hombu Dojo) under the supervision of O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. He also trained in Shotokan karate with Jichin Funakoshi Sensei, but after a few years he stopped training karate and devoted himself exclusively to aikido. In 1964 he was sent to Italy to teach aikido. He settled in Rome and shortly afterwards the Aikikai Italy was founded. Six years later, he returned to Japan. Nevertheless, contact with Italy has not been broken off. He regularly teaches several times a year at various stages in Italy and comes to Switzerland once a year for the summer stage in Saignelégier. He is one of the last active sensei who are still direct students of O Sensei. He is still the Technical Director of Aikikai Italy. In 2014 he celebrated his fiftieth anniversary in Italy. Congratulations to him!
Hiroshi Tada Sensei
Katsuaki Asai Sensei, 8th Dan Aikikai, grew up in Tokyo, very close to the Ueshiba Dojo, and began practicing Aikido as a teenager. Ten years later, in 1965, he came to Germany at the age of 23 and 4th Dan. He was sent to West Germany by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the head of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo at the time. He taught in Münster and Düsseldorf. In 1967, the Aikikai Deutschland - Fachverband für Aikido e.V. was founded. The plan was to stay for three years, but after a short stay in Japan in 1968, Asai Sensei returned to Germany and stayed until today. Four years later, he opened his own dojo in Düsseldorf. By this time, he was already giving regular weekend courses at various locations in Germany and accompanying Tada Sensei to various embukais in Europe. Asai Sensei is now a member of the Senior Council of the International Aikido Federation, alongside Tada Sensei and Yamada Sensei. He regularly gives courses in Germany and abroad. For example, at the winter days of the ACSA (Aikikai Switzerland).
Katsuaki Asai Sensei
Katsuaki Asai Sensei, 8th Dan Aikikai, grew up in Tokyo, very close to the Ueshiba Dojo, and began practicing Aikido as a teenager. Ten years later, in 1965, he came to Germany at the age of 23 and 4th Dan. He was sent to West Germany by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the head of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo at the time. He taught in Münster and Düsseldorf. In 1967, the Aikikai Deutschland - Fachverband für Aikido e.V. was founded. The plan was to stay for three years, but after a short stay in Japan in 1968, Asai Sensei returned to Germany and stayed until today. Four years later, he opened his own dojo in Düsseldorf. By this time, he was already giving regular weekend courses at various locations in Germany and accompanying Tada Sensei to various embukais in Europe. Asai Sensei is now a member of the Senior Council of the International Aikido Federation, alongside Tada Sensei and Yamada Sensei. He regularly gives courses in Germany and abroad. For example, at the winter days of the ACSA (Aikikai Switzerland).
Katsuaki Asai Sensei
Yoji Fujimoto Sensei, 8th Dan Aikikai, was born in Yamaguchi in southern Japan and learned kendo and judo as a teenager under his father's supervision. At the age of 14, he made his shodan in aikido. During his studies at the Faculty of Sports Science at Nittaidai University, he practiced aikido within the university, first under the supervision of Koichi Tohei Sensei and later Matsuda Sensei. In January 1971, at the age of almost 23 and after a short stay in the United States, Fujimoto Sensei arrived in Milan. As 3rd Dan at the time, he supported Kawamukai Sensei, who was already present in Milan and did not teach Aikido full-time. In the same year, Fujimoto Sensei made his first trip through Italy (Piedmont and Napoli) and, accompanied by Claudio Pipitone, one of the first black belts in Italy, got to know the Italian aikido world. In 1983, he opened his dojo in Via Porpora, which is now run by his students. Fujimoto Sensei taught Aikido in Italy for over forty years, but also abroad. For example, in South Africa, Russia and at the ACSA Winter Day. He was vice director of the Aikikai Italy. Fujimoto Sensei received the 8th Dan in 2011. He died in February 2012 after a long illness.
Yoji Fujimoto Sensei
Yoji Fujimoto Sensei, 8th Dan Aikikai, was born in Yamaguchi in southern Japan and learned kendo and judo as a teenager under his father's supervision. At the age of 14, he made his shodan in aikido. During his studies at the Faculty of Sports Science at Nittaidai University, he practiced aikido within the university, first under the supervision of Koichi Tohei Sensei and later Matsuda Sensei. In January 1971, at the age of almost 23 and after a short stay in the United States, Fujimoto Sensei arrived in Milan. As 3rd Dan at the time, he supported Kawamukai Sensei, who was already present in Milan and did not teach Aikido full-time. In the same year, Fujimoto Sensei made his first trip through Italy (Piedmont and Napoli) and, accompanied by Claudio Pipitone, one of the first black belts in Italy, got to know the Italian aikido world. In 1983, he opened his dojo in Via Porpora, which is now run by his students. Fujimoto Sensei taught Aikido in Italy for over forty years, but also abroad. For example, in South Africa, Russia and at the ACSA Winter Day. He was vice director of the Aikikai Italy. Fujimoto Sensei received the 8th Dan in 2011. He died in February 2012 after a long illness.
Yoji Fujimoto Sensei
Masatomi Ikeda Sensei, 7th Dan Aikikai, grew up in Tokyo and practiced judo as a child. During his university studies, he also began practicing sumo and aikido. These different experiences were later reflected in his aikido teaching. In 1965, after graduating from university as a physical education teacher, Ikeda Sensei was sent to Italy to teach aikido as a representative of the Hombu Dojo. He spent most of his time in Napoli and Salerno. He maintained his relationship with Italy, especially the area around Napoli, even after his arrival in Switzerland. The stage with Ikeda Sensei's friend Pasquale Aiello, 7th Dan Aikikai, still takes place every year in Praiano.
Ikeda Sensei returned to Japan after seven years in Italy. He continued his training in Aikido and also practiced Hojo (Kobudo Chokoshinei-ryu), a very old sword kata. He was also interested in alternative healing methods. In 1977 he accepted the request of the ACSA (Aikikai Switzerland), which was looking for a sihan, and became the technical director of the ACSA. In addition to his structured teaching, Ikeda Sensei impressed above all with his warmth and sensitivity. Nine years later, he opened the Aikido Ikeda Dojo at Hardturmstrasse 100 in Zurich, where he taught not only Aikido but also Hojo and Genkikai, a form of therapeutic gymnastics. One year later, he was awarded the 7th Dan Aikikai. In addition to his regular training sessions, he traveled tirelessly in Switzerland and abroad and regularly gave courses. After 1995, he was also active in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Russia and other countries. Ikeda Sensei maintained intensive contact with other Japanese masters. The summer course with his teacher, Tada Sensei, still takes place today. The annual winter days in Zurich, where Asai Sensei, Hosokawa Sensei and Fujimoto Sensei used to teach together, are also still held thanks to the efforts of Asai Sensei. In 2002, Ikeda Sensei unexpectedly fell seriously ill and was therefore forced to give up teaching. Ikeda Sensei passed away in Japan on June 21, 2021.
Masatomi Ikeda Sensei
Masatomi Ikeda Sensei, 7th Dan Aikikai, grew up in Tokyo and practiced judo as a child. During his university studies, he also began practicing sumo and aikido. These different experiences were later reflected in his aikido teaching. In 1965, after graduating from university as a physical education teacher, Ikeda Sensei was sent to Italy to teach aikido as a representative of the Hombu Dojo. He spent most of his time in Napoli and Salerno. He maintained his relationship with Italy, especially the area around Napoli, even after his arrival in Switzerland. The stage with Ikeda Sensei's friend Pasquale Aiello, 7th Dan Aikikai, still takes place every year in Praiano.
Ikeda Sensei returned to Japan after seven years in Italy. He continued his training in Aikido and also practiced Hojo (Kobudo Chokoshinei-ryu), a very old sword kata. He was also interested in alternative healing methods. In 1977 he accepted the request of the ACSA (Aikikai Switzerland), which was looking for a sihan, and became the technical director of the ACSA. In addition to his structured teaching, Ikeda Sensei impressed above all with his warmth and sensitivity. Nine years later, he opened the Aikido Ikeda Dojo at Hardturmstrasse 100 in Zurich, where he taught not only Aikido but also Hojo and Genkikai, a form of therapeutic gymnastics. One year later, he was awarded the 7th Dan Aikikai. In addition to his regular training sessions, he traveled tirelessly in Switzerland and abroad and regularly gave courses. After 1995, he was also active in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Russia and other countries. Ikeda Sensei maintained intensive contact with other Japanese masters. The summer course with his teacher, Tada Sensei, still takes place today. The annual winter days in Zurich, where Asai Sensei, Hosokawa Sensei and Fujimoto Sensei used to teach together, are also still held thanks to the efforts of Asai Sensei. In 2002, Ikeda Sensei unexpectedly fell seriously ill and was therefore forced to give up teaching. Ikeda Sensei passed away in Japan on June 21, 2021.
Masatomi Ikeda Sensei
Hideki Hosokawa Sensei, 7th Dan Aikikai, was born in Tokushima on the island of Shikoku. His family's mon (family crest) represents the sun and the eight planets around it. As he was very interested in martial arts, the young Hosokawa was drawn to Tokyo, where he began with judo and also learned karate for a short time. He later became a student of Tada Sensei and met O-Sensei in the 1960s. He became an uchideshi at the Hombu Dojo and also took part in lessons with O-Sensei and other masters. He also continued to study with Tada Sensei. As he felt the need to deepen his knowledge, he also learned other traditional martial arts, especially those dealing with the Japanese sword. After 16 years of studying Aikido in Japan, he arrived in Rome in July 1974, where he taught for some time in the central dojo of Aikikai Italy and also took on the role of vice-director. Ten years later he settled in Cagliari, Sardinia, where he taught Aikido until 2003. He regularly gave stages in Italy and abroad, such as the international winter days in Zurich. He had known Ikeda Sensei since his time in Japan. In 2004, he unexpectedly fell seriously ill and had to give up teaching.
Hideki Hosokawa Sensei
Hideki Hosokawa Sensei, 7th Dan Aikikai, was born in Tokushima on the island of Shikoku. His family's mon (family crest) represents the sun and the eight planets around it. As he was very interested in martial arts, the young Hosokawa was drawn to Tokyo, where he began with judo and also learned karate for a short time. He later became a student of Tada Sensei and met O-Sensei in the 1960s. He became an uchideshi at the Hombu Dojo and also took part in lessons with O-Sensei and other masters. He also continued to study with Tada Sensei. As he felt the need to deepen his knowledge, he also learned other traditional martial arts, especially those dealing with the Japanese sword. After 16 years of studying Aikido in Japan, he arrived in Rome in July 1974, where he taught for some time in the central dojo of Aikikai Italy and also took on the role of vice-director. Ten years later he settled in Cagliari, Sardinia, where he taught Aikido until 2003. He regularly gave stages in Italy and abroad, such as the international winter days in Zurich. He had known Ikeda Sensei since his time in Japan. In 2004, he unexpectedly fell seriously ill and had to give up teaching.
Hideki Hosokawa Sensei
ACSA Central Office
CH-8307 Effretikon
Tel. +41 79 414 83 47
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