Iwama Aikido

Traditional Aikido: As Taught in Iwama, Japan

Credits

Westlake Village Aikido logo by Scott Cattanach

Website design and development by Mitch Dunaway


Equipment Recommendations

Training Weapons

While you are welcome to purchase training weapons from any supplier you wish, provided what you order will hold up to full-contact strikes, there are two suppliers I recommend above others: Nippon Budogu and Kingfisher WoodWorks.

Bokken

From Nippon Budogu I recommend the Aikido Heavy Bokken (formerly the Iwama-Ryu bokken).

From Kingfisher WoodWorks I recommend the Iwama Bokken or the Enhanced Iwama Bokken (direct links not available).

Jo

From Nippon Budogu I recommend the White Oak Jo.

From Kingfisher WoodWorks I recommend the Jo or the Enhanced Staff (direct links not available). The height of the jo should correspond to your armpit height.

Gi

For a heavy-weight uniform, I recommend either Tozando or HSU.

Hakama

I recommend Tozando hakama. My personal preference is the Tozando Polyester Aikido Hakama "UME". I recommend contacting Tozando to get extended front straps to allow for greater range of tying styles.


Links

Aikido Journal is the best place for general Aikido information and materials (DVDs, books, etc). Founded by the late Stan Pranin Sensei and currently run by Josh Gold, it started as the best Aikido magazine in print but has since evolved into a strictly online resource.

Aikiweb is a good Aikido information site and includes a very convenient dojo finder.

No Nonsense Self-Defense is a site run by Marc "Animal" MacYoung. Marc "Animal" MacYoung is one of the most knowledgeable martial artists in the world. This site is an amazing martial arts/awareness/fighting resource. You can learn more from this website than you can from most martial arts classes. Marc "Animal" MacYoung is also the author of many valuable self-defense books which can be purchased from most major online bookstores. I highly recommend all of them.

Takemusu Aikido Association. Austin Iwama Aikido is a member of the Takemusu Aikido Association.

Saito Shihan Tribute Site

Minnesota Aiki Shuren Dojo

Koga Institute

Aikido Institute

Aikido By The Bay

Aikido Silicon Valley

Bay Marin Aikido

Aikido in Fredericksburg

Aikido at the Center

Traditional Aikido of Sonoma

Isoyama American Aikido Academy

Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki-Shuren-Kai (Hitohiro Saito - Iwama, Japan)