Aikido History
Vermont Budokan バーモント 武 道 館 is part of
Aikido Byōdōkai Community 合 気 道 平 等 会
Aikido Vermont held its first class in September of 2013 at Orwell Town Hall. After two years there, classes shifted to Brandon at the same time we incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization. Classes were held at Pillar Pilates Studio on Rossiter Street up until the pandemic, when all classes ceased.
Aikido Vermont held its first class in September of 2013 at Orwell Town Hall. After two years there, classes shifted to Brandon at the same time we incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization. Classes were held at Pillar Pilates Studio on Rossiter Street up until the pandemic, when all classes ceased.
We trained outdoors and far apart for many months, both behind the Brandon Inn and in Wade-sensei's yard. As pandemic restrictions eased, we began a partnership with Friends of Town Hall (FoTH) and the Brandon Rec. Department (BRec) to hold classes on the main floor at Brandon's Town Hall, 1 Conant Square, Brandon, Vermont. That space, at least during Aikido classes, is called Vermont Budokan. バーモント 武 道 館 Classes continue there throughout November 2023, when we will train at the Brandon Area Rescue Squad while the main floor of the Brandon Town Hall is redone. We will return to Town Hall in late January of 2024.
We trained outdoors and far apart for many months, both behind the Brandon Inn and in Wade-sensei's yard. As pandemic restrictions eased, we began a partnership with Friends of Town Hall (FoTH) and the Brandon Rec. Department (BRec) to hold classes on the main floor at Brandon's Town Hall, 1 Conant Square, Brandon, Vermont. That space, at least during Aikido classes, is called Vermont Budokan. バーモント 武 道 館 Classes continue there throughout November 2023, when we will train at the Brandon Area Rescue Squad while the main floor of the Brandon Town Hall is redone. We will return to Town Hall in late January of 2024.
Aikido History
Aikido History
Ueshiba-sensei
Shioda-sensei
Kushida-sensei
Aikido was originated by Morihei Ueshiba Sensei -- frequently referred to as O-sensei -- in the first half of the 20th Century. His blending of the highly effective techniques of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujitsu with the harmonious ideals of Omoto-kyo, a Shinto-based sect, created a path of study where fighting techniques began to look more like dancing.
Aikido was originated by Morihei Ueshiba Sensei -- frequently referred to as O-sensei -- in the first half of the 20th Century. His blending of the highly effective techniques of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujitsu with the harmonious ideals of Omoto-kyo, a Shinto-based sect, created a path of study where fighting techniques began to look more like dancing.
One of O-sensei's early students, before WWII, was Gozo Shioda Sensei. After the war, Shioda-sensei founded Yoshinkai-style Aikido. Known as a 'hard' (as opposed to 'soft') style of Aikido, Yoshinkai-style Aikido focused more on physics and mechanical advantage than concepts of 'feeling your partner's energy' or 'extending your Ki'.
One of O-sensei's early students, before WWII, was Gozo Shioda Sensei. After the war, Shioda-sensei founded Yoshinkai-style Aikido. Known as a 'hard' (as opposed to 'soft') style of Aikido, Yoshinkai-style Aikido focused more on physics and mechanical advantage than concepts of 'feeling your partner's energy' or 'extending your Ki'.
One of Shioda-sensei's top students was Takashi Kushida Sensei. In 1973, Kushida-sensei moved to the US to spread Aikido. In 1991, Kushida-sensei founded Yoshokai-style Aikido with its Headquarters at Genyokan Dojo in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kushida-sensei passed away in 2012. Click here for a more detailed history, from the Aikido Yoshokai Association of North America.
One of Shioda-sensei's top students was Takashi Kushida Sensei. In 1973, Kushida-sensei moved to the US to spread Aikido. In 1991, Kushida-sensei founded Yoshokai-style Aikido with its Headquarters at Genyokan Dojo in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kushida-sensei passed away in 2012. Click here for a more detailed history, from the Aikido Yoshokai Association of North America.
Wade-sensei trained under Kushida-sensei at Genyokan from 1999 through Sensei's passing in 2012.
Wade-sensei trained under Kushida-sensei at Genyokan from 1999 through Sensei's passing in 2012.
Wade-sensei
Wade Davis Sensei started his Aikido study in 1991 at what is now called Kyobukan Dojo at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. He trained both there and at the Minneapolis Kobukan Dojo though the mid-90s. Wade-sensei spent a year training at Enbukan Dojo in the Bay Area, and a year living in Burlington in the late 90s, before he moved to Ann Arbor in 1999 to study at Genyokan, Aikido Yoshokai Headquarters Dojo. There, he was able to study directly under Kushida-sensei and, in 2004, earned Sandan (3rd degree blackblet), joining Sensei's Shidobu group of senior instructors.
Wade Davis Sensei started his Aikido study in 1991 at what is now called Kyobukan Dojo at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. He trained both there and at the Minneapolis Kobukan Dojo though the mid-90s. Wade-sensei spent a year training at Enbukan Dojo in the Bay Area, and a year living in Burlington in the late 90s, before he moved to Ann Arbor in 1999 to study at Genyokan, Aikido Yoshokai Headquarters Dojo. There, he was able to study directly under Kushida-sensei and, in 2004, earned Sandan (3rd degree blackblet), joining Sensei's Shidobu group of senior instructors.
While in Ann Arbor, Wade-sensei also graduated from three Kenshu -- instructor training -- courses. He started teaching Aikido in April of 2000. In 2002, he took over teaching at the Ann Arbor Rec. Dojo, expanding to offer Youth Classes in 2004. In 2013 Wade-sensei moved with his family to Vermont and, in 2015, founded Aikido Vermont, an independent, non-profit organization.
While in Ann Arbor, Wade-sensei also graduated from three Kenshu -- instructor training -- courses. He started teaching Aikido in April of 2000. In 2002, he took over teaching at the Ann Arbor Rec. Dojo, expanding to offer Youth Classes in 2004. In 2013 Wade-sensei moved with his family to Vermont and, in 2015, founded Aikido Vermont, an independent, non-profit organization.
In 2023, the non-profit Aikido Byōdōkai Community was formed with Wade-sensei as one of three founding directors. There are Aikido Byōdōkai Community clubs in Minnesota and Ohio, in addition to Vermont.
In 2023, the non-profit Aikido Byōdōkai Community was formed with Wade-sensei as one of three founding directors. There are Aikido Byōdōkai Community clubs in Minnesota and Ohio, in addition to Vermont.
