is a style of

Aikido Aikido ( , , , ) is a gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art which is split into many different styles including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai, and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practic ...

, founded by Shuji Maruyama.Gaku Homma
"Silent Pioneer: Shuji Maruyama Sensei, Kokikai Founder,"
Aikido Journal, November 17, 2002Gaku Homma
"A New Leader in Iwama,"
Aikido Journal, March 8th, 2004 The organization is called ''Kokikai Aikido International''. The Kokikai style emphasizes natural movement, ki development, relaxation, good posture and mind-body coordination. It is a minimalist

martial art Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the pres ...

that focuses on making techniques effective while using little physical effort. An axiom of the style is “minimum effort for maximum effect.” The name Kokikai means “school of radiant ki”. The style lists four basic principles: *Keep One point (to develop calmness) *Relax progressively *Find Correct Posture (in everything) *Develop your Positive Mind The style was founded by Shuji Maruyama, and continues to be led by him. He continues to develop the art, so there is no set textbook way of performing any technique. Maruyama was originally sent to the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

in 1966 by the

Aikikai The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu (the family heir of the founder of Aikido). It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation ...

Hombu. He taught in the US for many years. When

Koichi Tohei (20 January 1920 – 19 May 2011) was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (literally "aikido with mind and body unified"), but commonly known as Ki-Aikido. Aikido K ...

left Aikikai to found

Ki-Aikido or is a Japanese Gendai budō, gendai budo (contemporary martial art). It is one of the arts derived from the original Aikido, appearing after the Morihei Ueshiba, founder's death in 1969. Ki Aikido started in 1971 with the creation of the Ki No ...

, Maruyama followed him. This was consistent with Japanese martial arts tradition, because he was a direct student of Tohei. Maruyama separated from Ki-Aikido in 1986 to found the Kokikai organization. As of August 2019, there are Kokikai

dojo A is a hall or place for immersive learning, experiential learning, or meditation. This is traditionally in the field of martial arts. The term literally means "place of the Tao, Way" in Japanese language, Japanese. History The word ''d� ...

s listed in

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Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

Aikido Kokikai Berlin
,

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Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

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and in the

, which are now organized a
Aikido Kokikai Federation USA
Dojo directory
Kokikai Aikido International website (accessed August 5, 2008)

References

External links

Official Kokikai Aikido International website - USA

Aikido Journal Online Feature on Shuji Maruyama

Aikido organizations {{martialart-stub