What Is Aikido?
Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of Aikido, 1883-1969, explained Aikido as follows:
Aikido techniques are developed to use the whole force of attackers. This means that the stronger an attacker's force,
the easier we can handle the attacker.There is no offensive technique in Aikido because to attack means to be defeated
in spirit. Aikido is based on the principle of ultimate nonresistance so that any attacker will feel no force from a person who
has mastered Aikido. There are no enemies in Aikido; even if there is an opponent, a person who practices Aikido should
freely handle the opponent as a part of his/her own body.

Introduction of Mitsuru Sobue Shihan.
1943 Born, Nagoya, Japan
1964 Joins the Aikido club of the Aichi Graduate Studies University (Aichi Gakuin Daigaku)
1965 Receives the first dan certification from founder Morihei Ueshiba. Becomes
the third club public relations officer. Participates in the composition of the
statutes of the association of university Aikido clubs of the Chubu region.
Mitsunari Kanai Shihan, sent by the Hombu Dojo to teach in Nagoya,
departs for the United States.
1966 Receives the second dan from founder Morihei Ueshiba. After finishing his
studies, continues training in the Aikikai section of Nagoya and at the
Nagoya YMCA, as well as at the Aikido club of the Asahi Shinbun newspaper.
Kazuo Chiba Shihan, sent by the Hombu Dojo to teach in Nagoya, departsfor
England. Sobue Shihan then receives training from Norihiko Ichihashi Shihan
and Nobuyuki Watanabe Shihan, come to Nagoya as replacement.
1969 Receives the third dan of the 2nd Doshu Kishomaru Ueshiba. Is put in charge
of teaching in the Aikikai section of Nagoya and at the Nagoya YMCA.
1979 Receives the fourth dan of the 2nd Doshu Kishomaru Ueshiba.
1982 He starts to receives instruction from Seigo Yamaguchi until the death of the
latter. He trains at the University of Nagoya, Meiji University, at the Nerima
Sports Center, and at the Zoshukan of Shibuya.
1984 Becomes co-administrator of the Aikikai section of Nagoya. Presides over the annual black belt gathering.
1985 Receives the fifth dan of the 2nd Doshu Kishomaru Ueshiba.
1987 Studies the “Yagyuu Shinkage ryu” sword style with the 21st soke, Nobuharu Yagyuu.
1990 In order to study the techniques of Seigo Yamaguchi Shihan in Nagoya, he
creates the “Meirin-Juku” association there of which he is the leader. The
training takes place at the Tsuyuhashi sports center.
1993 Recieves the sixth dan of the 2nd Doshu Kishomaru Ueshiba.
1994 Participates in a seminar specially organized for the 70th birthday of Seigo
Yamaguchi Shihan..
1996 After having taught at the Hombu Dojo until his final days, Seigo Yamaguchi
Shihan dies of a chronic illness that suddenly escalates. The same year
Sobue Shihan invites Seishiro Endo Shihan to Nagoya for a research seminar
to be organized every year from that point on.
1998 Is put in charge of the Aikido section of the Open College of the junior college
Nagoya Bunka Tanki Daigaku, where he teaches for two years.
1998 In August he opens his “Meirin-Juku Dojo” at 3-8-8 Kanayama, Nakaku,
Nagoya, which he still leads, with the objective of deepening the study
of the techniques of Seigo Yamaguchi Shihan.
2005 Receives the seventh dan of the 3rd Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.

Introduction of Aikido Meirin-Jyuku Dojo

-Aikido is practiced by unifying mind and body, and becoming one with the partner.The aim of Aikido
is not to harm others, but to awaken the natural abilities of the human body.
-Meirin-juku Dojo wasestablished in October, 1990 with members whos aim was to highten each other
through practice. Trainings were initially held at the Tsuyuhashi Sports Center, after which through the
help and support of many, the current Kanayama dojo was established on August, 1998.
- In Meirin-Jyuku Dojo, a nonprofit group of pursuing Aikido, all members should practice Aikido techniques
to improve each other's hability.A beginner is expected to start by learning the forms and names of the
basic Aikido techniques recommended by Aikido Hombu Dojo. Becoming skilled in Ukemi (breakfall), he/she
will shift to a stage of pursuing the meaning of Aikido with the attitude "Respect all others as teachers."
We should practice Aikido with the spirit "If I failed yesterday, I can overcome and succeed today," and
consider the meaning of each technique. During each lesson, we should do Aikido with a positive feeling.
- A person of high school age or older can be a student of the dojo and is required to wear an Aikido Gi
(Judo or Karate Gis are also acceptable). All members should buy Accident Insurance every April. Any injury
or accident during practice is the responsibility of each member. All members should do warming-up
exercise before to start the practice. If any trouble occurs during practice, it must be cleared by the
involved members.
- All members should pay their membership fees at least one month in advance. If a member fails to
pay his/her membership fees for two months or more without notice, he/she will be removed from the
member's list. When a member gives a leave of absence notice, the membership fee will be reduced to
500 yen per month.
- To improve the practice environment, all members are recommended to clean inside and outside the
dojo after practice. Since the dojo is located in a densely built-up area, keep quiet before and after practice.
The dojo has no parking lot so all members and visitors are recommended to use public transportation.

Headmaster:
 M . Sobue, 　 7th Dan
Manager:
 K . Kusano, 　5th Dan
Secretary:
 A . Kondo, 　 5th Dan,
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　8-8 3-Chome, Kanayama, Naka-Ku, Nagoya-Shi 460-0022, JAPAN
Practice Hours:
 Beginner Class: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
　　　　　　　　　 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Sunday
Black belts Class: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday
Ordinary Class: 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
　　　　　 　　　 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Sunday

Note: Please check for notices in the dojo since the dojo may be closed on some Saturdays and
Sundays due to other practice responsibilities of the headmaster.

Entrance Fee:
 \8,400
(Including the registration fee of Aikikai Hombu Dojo; a person having Hombu Dojo registration: \6,000)
Monthly Fee:
 Ordinary Member: \6,000
(Discounted for a lump-sum payment: \34,000 for 6 months and \66,000 for 12 months)
Family(couple): \10,000  
(Discounted for a lump-sum payment:\56,000 for 6 months and \110,000 for 12 months)
Student: \5,000  
(Discounted for a lump-sum payment:\28,000 for 6 months and \55,000 for 12 months)
Beginner:
 3-month advanced payment required
(lump-sum payment discount applicable)
Visitor:
 \1,500/practice
(Practice is allowed after getting the permission of the teacher in charge of the lesson)
Family visitors
 \1,000/person
Accident Insurance:
 \1,600/year
For students who hope to pay monthly fee by account-to-account transfer, please contact
the headmaster for the bank account.
The payment already received will not be returned for any reasons except mistake.


To Visitors Who Want To Observe or Start Aikido Practice
in Meirin-Jyuku Dojo:

　
Q1: How can I observe the practice in Meirin-Jyuku Dojo?
　
　　　A: Meirin-Jyuku Dojo welcomes everybody who wants to observe the practice except for the Advanced
　　　　Class. See the Practice Schedule and Map on the Home Page and visit the dojo at ease.
　　　　We cannot deal with visitors during a practice so that contacting us before the practice will be
　　　　convenient to answer your questions and the like.　
　
Q2: What is a practice observation?
　
　　　A: Observing the practice in a dojo is also a very important way of practicing Aikido.
　　　　A person who cannot continue the practice once a week for at least a year would obtain no fruit
　　　　of it. Before joining the dojo, judge whether you have a strong will for Aikido by observing a
　　　　practice completely.
　
Q3: What is a dojo?
　
　　　A: A dojo is originally a holly and serious place where the essence of a martial art (Budo) is passed
　　　　down from a teacher to members, which means that any member cannot enter the dojo without a
　　　　permission from the teacher after beginning a practice.
　　　　In other words, Meirin-Jyuku Dojo is a place for practicing Aikido not only enjoying it as a sport.
　
Q4: How can I select a good dojo?
　
　　　A: You can feel a glass of water to be cool or warm by touching and drinking it practically. Also, each
　　　　one has individual feeling. Regardless of transportation convenience or the like, it is more important
　　　　than merely practicing to select the most suitable dojo for you by observing various dojos.
　
Q5: I'd like to practice a variety of dojos...
　
　　　A: Acquiring the spirit and techniques of Aikido requires serious practices under a reliable teacher.
　　　　 Although Meirin-Jyuku Dojo recommends members to practice in other dojos for enlarging their
　　　　 view, it would be meaningless if there is no foundation of practice. You should select a dojo that
　　　　 you can be proud of and rely on.
　
Q6: What kind of dojo is Meirin-Jyuku?
　
　　　A: We consider that practice is a chance for members to learn the essence of Aikido via his/her
　　　　sensitivity, which means that there is no fruit from only paying membership fees.
　　　　Meirin-Jyuku is a dojo for all members with a motto "Respect all others as teachers". We expect
　　　　from members to take part in managing the dojo and practicing together.
　
Q7: I would like to enter the dojo after experiencing a practice...
　
　　　A: Although there are many demands of experiencing a practice before joining the dojo, we accept
　　　　a number of practice observations so that you are recommended to start practicing form the
　　　　Beginner Class.
　
Q8:l What is practicing as a visitor?
　
　　　A: We welcome visitors who should belong to the other Aikikai dojo and be allowed to practice in
　　　　Meirin-Jyuku Dojo from their instructor. All visitors should also follow the practice method
　　　　and the rules in　Meirin-Jyuku Dojo.
　
Q9: Are there any differences between the Beginner and Ordinary Classes?
　
　　　A: In the Beginner Class, a member should start learning the basic attitude and body movements.
　　　　Before entering the Beginner Class, it is required to pay 3-month advanced fees (lump-sum
　　　　payment discount applicable). To entry the Ordinary Class, it is basically required to complete
　　　　the Beginner Class (30 hours); however, if recognized as safe for practices, he/she can enter
　　　　the Ordinary Class from the first day. Delayed participation to a practice is also accepted when
　　　　members cannot join the class from the beginning due to their working condition or the like.
　
Q10: What kind of practice is carried out in the Advanced Class?
　
　　　A: The Advanced Class is a special class limited for the instructors in Meirin-Jyuku Dojo in which
　　　　the theory　and techniques in Aikido are pursued. Participating in this class without permission is
　　　　not allowed as well as the practice observation. After obtaining the permission from the headmaster,
　　　　it is required to pay the extra fee in addition except for students.
　
Q11: Please explain the membership fee?
　
　　　A: Meirin-Jyuku Dojo is a nonprofit and amateur group of pursuing Aikido where all expenses are
　　　　covered by the membership fee. All members should pay their membership fees at least one month
　　　　in advance. The visitor fee is \1,500 a day. The payment already received will not be returned for
　　　　any reasons except mistake. If a member fails to pay his/her membership fees for two months or
　　　　more without notice, he/she will be removed from the member's list with corresponding duty of
　　　　paying membership fees remained. Submit the notice of recess or withdrawal without fail.
　　　　For a long-term recess, the advanced notice can reduce the membership fee to \500 a month.
　　　　If the membership becomes invalid, no support will be given from the dojo.
　
Q12: How the dojo copes with any injury during practice?
　
　　　A: Any injury or accident during practice is the responsibility of each member. All members should
　　　　buy Accident Insurance every April (\1,500 a year). When withdrawing from the dojo, he/she will
　　　　become no object of paperwork.
　
Q13: I'd like to practice Aikido as the art of self-defense...
　
　　　A: We consider that it will be the art of self-defense to maintain a secure condition without using
　　　　any self-defense techniques. There might be other effective methods to improve only one's
　　　　physical strength.
　
Q14: Can I practice Aikido wearing glasses?
　
　　　A: Wearing glasses could be dangerous for some techniques; even if closing your eyes, you can
　　　　practice by feeling the partner's movement. Normally, you can wear glasses suitable for sports
　　　　during practice.
　
Q15: Is there any entry qualifications in Meirin-Jyuku Dojo?
　
　　　A: We accept a person who is a high school student or older and has a will to continue the practice
　　　　for at least six months regardless of nationality, gender, age, etc. The headmaster will determine
　　　　his/her entrance after an interview. A junior high school student will be allowed to become a
　　　　member when he/she can practice with ordinary class members without undue stress.
　
Q16: Can I make a school boy/girl learn Aikido?
　
　　　A: Meirin-Jyuku Dojo has 50 members in its 40-mat room. The dojo has three-level classes
　　　　(Beginner, Regular, and Advanced) and is running out of space. To avoid any accidents, please
　　　　wait until we have the Schoolchildren Class.
　
Q17: What attitudes are to be held during practice?
　
　　　A: How to get the instructor's message during practice depends on each student's sensitivity so
　　　　that every member should develop his/her sense with the spirit that "If I failed yesterday, I can
　　　　overcome and succeed today" unveiling one's sensitivity.
　　　　After all, Aikido movements consist of just "sitting, standing, and walking appropriately".
　
Q18: Is there no practice on national holidays?
　
　　　A: Except the beginning and the end of the year, there is no break in the practice throughout.
　　　　Please check the notice in the dojo or the message board in the Meirin-Jyuku Dojo's HP since
　　　　the dojo could be closed on some　Saturdays and Sundays due to other practice responsibilities
　　　　of the headmaster. (The message board can be accessed from all types of cellular phones.)
　
Q19: Please teach me how to hold up a hakama.
　
　　　A: In Meirin-Jyuku Dojo, a male member can wear a hakama from the 1st dan (black belt) and a
　　　　female member from the 5th kyu (white belt). Since a hakama has many structural folds it will
　　　　easily crinkle　up after folding it carelessly. The members having a hakama are recommended to
　　　　learn the formal holding method referring How To Hold a Hakama.
　
Q20: Can I get any membership card or certificate of registration from the dojo?
　
　　　A: Meirin-Jyuku Dojo does not issue any kind of certificates. We will attach a Hombu Dojo's
　　　　membership card to the certificate of 5th Kyu when a member passes.
　
Q21: Are there any other precautions?
　
　　　A1: All activities concerning religions and politics are prohibited in the dojo.
　
　　　A2: Do not treat the other member to meals and/or drinking for free! Split the bill with gratitude
　　　　 to each other.