Shoyukan Aikikai France
History
The SHOYUKAN AIKIKAI FRANCE group has been built up patiently and naturally over the years under the impetus of Daniel JEAN PIERRE Shihan 7th Dan, who for 40 years has invited sensei from the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo to international seminars: Mitsuteru UESHIBA Dojo-Cho, Shoji SEKI Shihan 8th Dan, Hiroshi FUJIMAKI Shihan 7th Dan, Makoto ITO Shihan 6th Dan, Seishiro Endo Shihan 8th Dan, Mitsugi SAOTOME Shihan 8th Dan.
Many Aikido practitioners from very different countries and cultural backgrounds (Japan, Lithuania, Russia, Switzerland, Morocco, Colombia, the United States, Bulgaria, England, Brazil, etc.) have regularly come together for seminars lasting several days at the CREPS facilities in Boulouris, St-Raphaël.
Guest sensei from the Hombu Dojo
- Mitsuteru UESHIBA Dojo-Cho
- Shoji SEKI Shihan 8th Dan
- Hiroshi FUJIMAKI Shihan 7th Dan
- Makoto ITO Shihan 6th Dan
- Seishiro ENDO Shihan 8th Dan
- Mitsugi SAOTOME Shihan 8th Dan
SHOYUKAN AIKIKAI FRANCE expresses its particular respect and gratitude to Master SEKI, at once an example of humility and rigour, for the unifying role he has played in the development of our group.
The strong moral values that are the landmarks and foundations of SHOYUKAN AIKIKAI FRANCE aim to reproduce the teaching and traditions of the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo.
At once an example of humility and rigour.
The official recognition of SHOYUKAN AIKIKAI FRANCE, which came as a reward for Daniel JEAN PIERRE Shihan’s 40 years of work and for the loyalty of the teachers and club members, was granted by Moriteru UESHIBA Doshu on 1 March 2012.
SHOYUKAN AIKIKAI FRANCE is a new space for practice that opens the way to a different philosophy of how to bring a group of aikidoka together: one inherited from the Japanese tradition and freed from the technocracy of the sports federations, whose regulations and administrative constraints seem out of step with the spirit of the HOMBU DOJO and the Japanese tradition.
Biography of Daniel JEAN PIERRE Shihan
Daniel JEAN PIERRE began practising Aikido in 1963, in Avignon. From 1966 he followed Nobuyoshi TAMURA Sensei for 10 years.
After studying architecture, in 1976 he founded his first Aikido dojo in Lons-le-Saunier.
In 1977 he decided to leave for Japan to train intensively at the Tokyo Aikikai with Doshu Kisshomaru UESHIBA, becoming one of his uke, and then with his son Moriteru, every morning at 6.30 on the mats. He also trained diligently alongside the future Sensei (uchi-deshi).
He also studied with other Sensei, such as WATANABE, ISHIIHATCHI, TADA, YAMAGUCHI, ENDO, etc.
He took private lessons in staff weapons with MATSUDA Sensei, in the bokken with SHIBATA Sensei, and in iaido with KANETSUKA Sensei at the police dojo in Yotsuya-Sanchome.
Throughout this period he taught French and gave lectures on French painting at the cultural centre of the Athénée Français in Tokyo.
In January 2017 the world Aikido headquarters in Tokyo conferred the title of Shihan on Daniel JEAN PIERRE.
Shihan is the highest title for Aikido teachers trained by the world headquarters in Tokyo. It means, literally, “the model”. It carries international standing and represents the highest Japanese distinction for an Aikido teacher.
While the title of Shihan certifies his deep knowledge of Aikido, it also acknowledges his commitment since 1963 and his unwavering dedication to teaching and to the growth of this traditional discipline, at once martial, cultural and philosophical.
This exceptional promotion is the culmination of very many years of loyalty, recognition and dedication to the cause of Aikido and to the teaching received from the first Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba.