Greetings

The number of people infected with the new coronaviruses spread all over the world in 2020 and 2040. In Japan, the threat of the new coronavirus infection began to subside in September last year, but unfortunately, with the appearance of the Omicron strain at the end of November.
The threat of the new coronavirus has temporarily begun to subside. Even now, in 2022, it has not yet come to an end.
At the Igarashi Dojo, we were unable to practice from the end of March to the end of May last year (2020) due to the request to close the dojo under the emergency declaration. However, thankfully, from June to the present, we have been able to practice almost normally due to shortened practice hours and thorough disinfection.
There are still many countries where the training conditions in overseas dojos are more difficult than in Japan. There is still no bright light for us to go out to teach overseas or for our overseas dojos to come to Japan. I would like to get out of the long, dark tunnel of the Corona pandemic as soon as possible.
In the midst of the Corona pandemic, I would like to announce that we will be holding a new training camp, which has been suspended since the 35th anniversary of the Aikido Igarashi Dojo in 2018, due to strong requests of members and my selfishness. I am pleased to announce that we will be holding the camp as follows.
We are also planning to hold a celebration party in May and training camp in June 2023 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of Aikido Igarashi Dojo. We would appreciate your cooperation and participation.

2022 Training Camp Igarashi Dojo
Date：May 21(Sat) - 22(Sun), Place：Kitahara-kan, Iwai Beach, Chiba

2023 Igarashi Dojo 40th Anniversary Celebration and Training Camp
Celebration：Sunday, May 28, Place：Machida Hotel, Tokyo
Training camp：June 3(Sat) - 4(Sun)
at"Shisei-so", Yamanaka-Lake, Yamanashi

I hope that we will soon be able to have a normal life, practice without masks, and have fun practicing with Aikido friends from Japan and abroad.

Dojo-cho Kazuo Igarashi

Dojo-cho is wearing a mask with the Dojo Logo.

What is Aikido?

Aikido is a modern, nonviolent Japanese martial art that was developed in the earlier part of last century by the late master, Morihei Ueshiba. The Founder passed away in 1969 at the age of eighty-six.
Effective as Aikido is as a martial art, its essence goes beyond the resolution of physical conflicts. Based on his background of rigorous training in several traditional Japanese jujutsu, the Founder spent the years from the middle of his life developing his art as a means of refining and uplifting the human sprit. The Founder succeeded in creating what he then named "Aikido", "The Way of Harmony with the Forces and Principles of Nature." Aikido is a true "budo", a path in which the keen edge of martial training is utilized as a "Way" to spiritual growth.
Despite its growing popularity, Aikido remains true to the goals of "budo". Its methods are based on the Founderﾕs deep faith in "austere training for the sake of improving the human sprit through tireless polishing and perfection of the mind and body." In accordance with the Founderﾕs ideals, the art has been kept separate from sports, in which one person competes with another. Aikido is rather, a path of personal development for people who sincerely desire to perfect their own human nature. As such, Aikido places great importance on the Oriental conception of the universal principle, "Ki"―the life-force or breath. Aikido seeks to achieve the total unification of this universal "ki" with the "ki" of the individual human "self". Aikido is a budo to harmonize the individual with the universal Principle, and to establish concord among all peoples. Out of the ancient traditions of Japanese martial arts, Aikido thrives today as a source of harmony to counter the disharmonious forces that exist in the world today.

Igarashi Sensei teaches at Three Dojos in the Kanto area, which together are known as "Igarashi Dojo".

These are :
1. The main Dojo at Hashimoto, Midori-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa,
　　established in February, 1983
2. Hachioji Dojo, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo
3. Honatsugi Dojo, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa

In the adult class training is more rigorous, but naturally always under the strict guidance of the instructor, everyone participating to the extent they enjoy. While　placing emphasis on basic skills, such as empty-handed techniques, there is also　practice with weapons, primarily the aiki-sword and staff. This includes mainly partner drills with weapons, but also other combinations, such as one against many.

The Igarashi Dojo has friendship agreements with training centers in Canada and the Republic of China. There are also ongoing exchange programs with Dojos in other countries, including the United States, Sweden, Finland and Australia.

AIKIDO IGARASHI DOJO
　5-20-2 Hashimoto, Midori-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-0143 JAPAN
　Tel: 81-42-773-6362 　Fax: 81-42-773-6375

How to get to Hashimoto Station from Narita Airport