Showa Dojo is an Aikido dojo officially certified by Aikikai Founation headquartered in Tokyo. Showa Dojo enjoys a high reputation due to its history and founder. It was founded by Hideo Owaki sensei (7th dan) in 1968 as an early Nagoya branch dojo of Aikikai Hombu Dojo with the objective of seeding and cultivating Aikido in the Nagoya-Tokai area. Owaki sensei studied Aikido under O-sensei, the founder, in the 1960s and pioneered the development of Aikido in Nagoya. His Aikido is firmly based on Judo (5th dan) and Kendo (6th dan) as well as other martial arts. Practicing as a pharmacist and acupuncturist during the daytime, he trained a large number of Aikidoists in his dojo in the evening and on weekends for over 40 years. He was also active in community affairs having served as a councilman of Nagoya City for 15 years. In March 2012, he retired from the position as head of Showa Dojo at the age of 90. Starting April 2012, Dr. Makoto Ohtsu (7th dan) has taken over the position of head and chief instructor of Showa Dojo.
■Location and Access to Showa Dojo
Showa Dojo is located at Komagata-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, about 8 minutes walking distance from Kawana Station on the Subway Tsurumai Line, and in front of Komagata Junior High School (see the map in the “Showa Dojo Map” section).
■About Dojo Floor Space
The building is a two-story structure with a wooden first floor and a tatami-laid second floor. Aikido is practiced primarily in the second floor. A dojo of 89 tatami mats boasts one of the most spacious dojos in town where students can practice without worrying about clashing into each other.
■Classes and Testing
Showa Dojo is one of a few dojos in Nagoya which owns its own dojo building. As such, instruction is given as often as 5 days a week. Our dojo offers 1. General class; participants who have passed the basic 6th kyu test in Aikido and are 16 years and older. 2. Children’s class; participants who are children aged 6 to 15. 3. Beginners' class; participants who are teen-agers and adults without any previous Aikido experience. In the beginners' classes, we teach basic movements such as break-falls and footwork,followed by a few basic techniques during the first few months. General class members are free to practice in any session, but at present, weekend sessions are attended primarily by those who are unable to come on weekdays (Please refer to the “Class Schedule” section to see when these classes are offered).
■Qualified Instructional Staff
The Showa Dojo instructional staff consists of highly qualified people with three 7th dans, one 6th dan, one 5th dans, and five 4th dans. Each covers a wide range of techniques from one man open-hand attack to multiple people attack through attacks with weapons such as a knife, a sword, and a jo stick (Please see the “Instructional Staff” section for details of the instructors).
■Members
The dojo currently has 41 members in the adult section and 15 in the youth section as of June, 2024. The age range spans from the youngest at 10 years old to the oldest at 85, covering a diverse range of age groups. This reflects the characteristic of Aikido, where people can start practicing even in their middle and senior years. In terms of gender distribution, the ratio is 7:1 in the adult section and 1:3 in the youth section. Despite having zero new entrants since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in individuals taking up Aikido recently.
■ Facilities
Showa dojo is equipped with an AED. Staff members who have completed the basic rescue course by the Nagoya City fire department are available.
From July 2024, two Daikin air conditioners for 70 square meters have been installed. We also have a stock of drinks for rehydration.