History |
Hokkaido, Japan dojo. The men in suits are Shodo Morita (left) and Tominosuke Nara (right). Richard Bowe, the only American in the group, is standing far right. |
Master Shodo Morita founded the art of Nihon
Goshin Aikido. He was trained by Yoshiro Kitaro, an instructor of Daito
ryu Aikijitsu. Master Kitaro also trained in his family's system of self-defense.
In addition to training in Daito ryu, Master Morita trained in Judo, Kobudo
(weapons), Karate, and the esoteric arts. After mastering these arts,
Master Morita realized that although they were highly effective, no single
style was complete. Each art focused on a separate element of self-defense:
The karate arts focused on striking. The judo arts focused on throwing.
The jujitsu arts focused on joint locks.
Master Morita incorporated principles and techniques of each system into a new system called Nihon Goshin Aikido. It is significant to note that he did not merely choose the best techniques from each system, but a variety of techniques, recognizing that what works well for one person may not be effective for a second person due to height differences. Nihon Goshin Aikido is a highly effective form of martial arts due to its variety of principles. |
Shihan
Richard Bowe |
|
Richard Bowe and Shodo Morita, Hokkaido, Japan, dojo
Tominasuke Nara |
Nihon Goshin Aikido was brought to the United States by Shihan Richard A. Bowe. Shihan Bowe was stationed on the island of Hokkaido during his military career. While there he reviewed a variety of systems, including karate and Aikido (Ueshiba style), but due to his previous training he felt that, although he respected those arts, they did not contain what he sought in a martial art. He continued his search until he came across Shodo Morita. Shihan Bowe was impressed with the ease with which Master Morita's students were able to throw him. Shihan Bowe trained with both Shodo Morita, who awarded him a black belt, and with Shodo Morita's adopted son, Tominosuke Nara, who took over the system after Master Morita. Shihan Bowe returned to the United States and began teaching Nihon Goshin Aikido in 1962 at a local karate school. On September 12, 1963, he opened his own dojo in Gutenberg, New Jersey. In 1976 Shihan Bowe was promoted to 5th degree black belt by Master Nara. Shortly after that Master Nara retired from public teaching. As far as we know, Nihon Goshin Aikido is no longer taught in Japan. However, the Black Belts from Shihan Bowe's dojo and the students of his students are teaching in numerous dojos throughout the United States. Shihan Bowe continues to teach a class for Black Belts in his North Bergen dojo. |
Special Thanks
to www.aikidoinc.com for providing the information in this section |