Leuven - Vechtsportzaal - Dojo - Sportzaal - Kwoon

Aikibudo
In feudal Japan, many lords were experienced in the handling of weapons (sword, etc.), but the ruling class (clan leaders called daimyo or great lords) had to possess sophisticated secret techniques in order to face any unexpected attack. Some clans devised defence methods allowing them to overcome armed and unarmed attacks. The Aizu clan carried the development of such techniques, that were jealously kept secret, to a great extent. However, Japan had greatly evolved by the end of the 19th century, and the days of samurai at arms were over. The Aizu clan, personified by lord Saigo Tanomo (Hoshiwa), decided to authorize the teaching of its techniques to certain outsiders.

The man in charge of this teaching, O Sensei Takeda Sokaku, settled his school in Hokkaido (island north of Japan) and named it Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. He had among his students the initiator of the fantastic development of aiki movements throughout the world: O Sensei Ueshiba Morihei. Having become a Daito Ryu teacher himself, Master Ueshiba had many students, including Master Mochizuki Minoru who introduced Aikijujutsu Ueshiba Ryu (then called Aikido-Jujutsu of Yoseikan - the name of his dojo) in France in 1951. The first non Japanese he trained in Aikido-Jujutsu over a long period of time in his dojo at Shizuoka, was a young Frenchman: Master Jim Alcheik. Pertaining to the history of Aikibudo, he also trained one of Master Jim Alcheik's students, who had also been the student and assistant of Master Hiro Mochizuki: Master Alain Floquet.

Meanwhile, Master Ueshiba had developed and deeply modified the art he was teaching before World War II. This transformation led to the creation of Aikido toward 1948. In 1982, Master Floquet, who was still teaching under the heading Aikido-Jujutsu of Yoseikan, adopted the name Aikibudo with Master Mochizuki’s consent. Moreover, he took up with the mother school and the heir (or soke) of Daito Ryu, Takeda Tokimune, and integrated this original form of Aikijujutsu into his teaching along with Katori Shinto Ryu.

In Master Floquet’s mind and practice, these three entities (the fondamental techniques of Aikibudo, the art of Daito Ryu , and the art of Katori Shinto Ryu) are one and the same, and form the basis of the art of Aikibudo.

Aikibudo is a martial art characterized by the lack of indulgence and brutality. The term "bu" does not mean war, as it is often heard, but rather refers to the force that allows peace.