Kenji Tomiki Books & DVDs

Kenji Tomiki (富木 謙治) (1900-1979) was a pioneering Japanese martial artist who made significant contributions to both aikido and judo. Born in Akita Prefecture, Japan, Tomiki began his martial arts journey studying judo under its founder, Jigoro Kano, earning his 5th dan by 1927.

In 1926, Tomiki became one of the earliest students of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido. He trained extensively under Ueshiba while maintaining his judo practice, becoming the first person awarded an 8th dan in aikido. This dual background gave him unique insights into both arts.

After serving as a professor at Manchuria University during World War II, Tomiki returned to Japan and became a professor at Waseda University. There, he developed a systematic approach to aikido that incorporated elements of judo's rational teaching methods and competitive format. In 1958, he established the Japan Aikido Association and introduced a form of aikido competition called randori, which remains controversial in traditional aikido circles.

Tomiki's synthesis, often called Tomiki Aikido or Shodokan Aikido, was designed to make aikido training more accessible and measurable through objective standards while preserving its technical essence. His approach emphasized scientific principles and practical application.

Beyond his martial innovations, Tomiki was a respected academic who wrote extensively on martial arts theory. His legacy continues through the worldwide spread of Shodokan Aikido and his influential teaching methodology, which bridges traditional martial arts philosophy with modern educational approaches.