On the Anniversary of the Passing of Tomiki Kenji shihan
By Tetsuro Nariyama-shihan
November 25th, 2025
Introduction
It was at 4:10 p.m. on 25th December 1979, that my mentor Tomiki Kenji shihan’s life of 79 years, 9 months, and 10 days came to a close at Ogikubo Hospital in Tokyo. As we observe the 46th anniversary of his death this year, I would like to convey Tomiki shihan’s thoughts regarding the name of our Aikido, based on stories I heard directly from Tomiki shihan, or that I personally experienced.
Tomiki shihan and the Aikikai
On 26th April 1969, the founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei O sensei, passed away at the age of 86. In the same year, Okumura Shigenobu sensei of the Aikikai came to visit Tomiki shihan. Okumura sensei had been a student of Kenkoku University in Manchuria and so the relationship between Tomiki shihan and Okumura sensei was that of a teacher and student. Since Tomiki shihan was absent at the time that Okumura sensei came, Oba Hideo shihan received and spoke with him. Later on, while Tomiki shihan, Oba shihan, and I were drinking tea in the Shihan office at the Waseda University Judo dojo, the topic of Okumura sensei’s visit was brought up in conversation. Okumura sensei had come to speak with Tomiki shihan regarding how Tomiki shihan would address the second Doshu of the Aikikai, Ueshiba Kisshomaru sensei. As part of their long-standing relationship, Tomiki shihan had long called Ueshiba Kisshomaru sensei by the nickname ‘Bocchan’. However, Okumura sensei’s request was that in light of Kisshomaru sensei’s new position as Doshu, that Tomiki shihan no longer use that nickname, but instead refer to him as ‘Doshu’. It left a deep impression on me that Tomiki shihan, after hearing about this request, sat there thinking for a moment before remarking, “Nevertheless, I still can’t help thinking of him as Bocchan.” Tomiki shihan had acted in a guardian-like role to Kisshomaru sensei during the latter’s childhood, looking after Kisshomaru sensei and often entrusted with his upbringing. As such, Tomiki shihan may have felt a strong sense of affection for the name ‘Bocchan’.
An attempt at a Grand Unification
In the early summer of 1970, Ueshiba Kisshomaru doshu and Fujita Masatake sensei came to Osaka and held a meeting with Tomiki Kenji shihan, Kobayashi Hirokazu shihan, and Uchiyama Masaharu sensei, the Chairman of Shodokan, at a Japanese restaurant in the ‘Rodan’ building in Showacho, Abeno Ward. During that meeting, an agreement was reached that on the condition that the Aikikai officially recognize the content of Aikido Kyogi (Competitive Aikido) as was being developed by Tomiki shihan as a part of Aikido, then Tomiki shihan would cease issuing his own dan rankings to his students, and that all of Tomiki shihan’s students would register as members of the Aikikai integrating Tomiki shihan’s students into the Aikikai Dan ranks. However, after this meeting, a meeting of high-ranking instructors of the Aikikai took place, and some of the key figures of the Aikikai’s Shihan division strongly opposed this proposal, leaving both Kisshomaru doshu and Kobayashi shihan in a difficult position. It seems that these teachers’ objection to the practice method of competitive aikido was, “Does this mean we must learn this practice method from Tomiki sensei? That would be unacceptable.” As such, ultimately, this plan unfortunately ended without being realized.
On 27th August 1970, the 1st Japan Budo Festival was held at the special venue of the Festival Plaza at the Osaka Expo. Under the Convention President Sasagawa Ryoichi, Hayashi Teruo sensei of the Karatedo Motobu ha Shito ryu served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee, and several others, including Kobayashi Hirokazu shihan, served as Vice-Chairmen. Aikido participated alongside Judo, Kendo, and Karatedo, but at this time, only the Aikikai participated. Following this, Kobayashi shihan made a proposal that for the next festival, Aikido organizations other than the Aikikai should also be encouraged to participate. From 24th to 26th November 1972, the 2nd Japan Budo Festival was held at the Nippon Budokan. Kobayashi shihan’s proposal was brought to fruition, and the students of Tomiki Kenji shihan and also the students of Shioda Gozo shihan (President of Yoshinkan) participated, alongside the students of the Aikikai. During the section of Tomiki shihan’s teaching, I gave a demonstration of the randori practice method that Tomiki shihan had developed, but at that moment, there was a sudden announcement in the hall that said, “The practice method currently being demonstrated is not recognized by the Aikikai.” This was extremely upsetting for myself and Tomiki shihan’s students. I heard that later, Kobayashi shihan asked Kisshomaru doshu about that moment, and Doshu apparently said, “That announcement wasn’t decided by me.” Incidentally, in addition to my demonstration as a student of Tomiki shihan, I was also scheduled to do a demonstration representing Kobayashi shihan, but there was a notice from the Aikikai side that this would not be permitted. As I could not simply back down, there were various exchanges to discuss this. The person who handled the situation at that time was Fujita Masatake sensei. It may have been because of this exchange with Fujita sensei that a short while later, I received a letter from him. Inside the envelope alongside a thank-you note for my participation in the Budo Festival, were three photographs. The photographs had perfectly captured the moments that I had executed the techniques irimi nage (aigamae ate), gedan ate, and sumi otoshi during my demonstration of randori. The details of the professional photography studio in Yokohama and the photographer, Mr. Sato, had been stamped onto the back of the photographs. I was truly impressed by the quality of the images, and it was clear that the photographer had been a real professional as no amateur could have taken such shots. Since then, I have often made use of those photographs in several instructional textbooks and promotional posters and so on.
In the years around this period, Kobayashi shihan would always visit Kisshomaru doshu for occasions such as year-end greetings and so on, and I would accompany Kobayashi shihan on these visits. During his conversations with Kisshomaru doshu, Kobayashi shihan would often express his opinion on the necessity of a grand unification of the Aikido world, uniting together the Aikikai, Tomiki shihan, and Shioda shihan. After listening to Kobayashi shihan’s ideas, Doshu replied, “Because of my position, I cannot outwardly support you. However, Kobayashi san, you must continue your efforts and do your best.”