Tomiki shihan’s Conviction
From 17th to 23rd August 1969, the summer training camp of the Kokushikan University Aikido Club was held at the Yamagata Prefectural Police dojo. One night during the camp, an elderly gentleman visited the Shimizuya Inn where we were staying. This gentleman brought famous local sweets as a gift, and told us “I am Shirata Rinjiro. I would like to meet with Tomiki sensei.” Like Tomiki shihan, Shirata Rinjiro sensei had been a direct student of Ueshiba Morihei O sensei, and at that time, he was reportedly working as an insurance salesperson. However, Tomiki shihan had not participated in the training camp due to poor health, so they were unable to meet on that occasion.
Several years later, around 1977, Tomiki shihan went to the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku, for a meeting with Kisshomaru doshu. I accompanied him to and from the meeting, but I was not allowed to join the meeting itself, and so I waited for Tomiki shihan at a nearby coffee shop. I learned later that Tomiki shihan had met with Kisshomaru doshu and Shirata Rinjiro sensei, who was at that time Chairman of the Aikikai. They had apparently requested that when Tomiki shihan taught his practice methods, he use names such as ‘Tomiki ryu’ (Tomiki Style) or ‘Tomiki System’ and refrain from calling his methods ‘Aikido’.
On the way back from the meeting, Tomiki shihan appeared unusually indignant. I still vividly remember him speaking passionately, “The only person who can try to excommunicate me is Ueshiba Morihei sensei… Judo has never been called ‘Kano Judo.’ I have never aimed to develop competitive aikido for it to become a single school or style… If Aikido remains as it is now, with only kata practice, it will be ridiculed by other martial arts. Competition does not need to be the be all and end all, but aikido must include at least one aspect of competitive practice.”
Tomiki shihan’s thoughts shared during a discussion
In the publication ‘Karatedo’ (issued by the publishing company Sozo in March 1977), an interview was published featuring the following four persons, Imamura Yoshio (President of the Japanese Academy of Budo), Tomiki Kenji (Vice President of the same Japanese Academy of Budo), Eriguchi Eiichi (Executive Director of the All Japan Karatedo Federation), and Nakabayashi Shinji (Assistant Professor at the University of Tsukuba). The interview was that of a roundtable discussion focused on the history of various combat arts.
During their discussion, Mr. Imamura and Mr. Eriguchi talked about the need for preserving the techniques of individual karate schools, while simultaneously trying to modernize and spread these techniques by meeting the conditions required by the Ministry of Education for inclusion in the school curriculum. A key condition was the necessity of establishing a universally accepted set of rules, just like any other sport. Tomiki shihan stated, “That is exactly the same as what I am attempting to undertake within Aikido.”
The conversation then shifted specifically to the issue of the name ‘Tomiki ryu’ (Tomiki Style). This exchange clearly highlights how Tomiki shihan viewed this name as something completely contrary to his own intentions. The following is an excerpt from this published discussion:
Imamura: “The problem is that people call it ‘Tomiki ryu.’ As long as it is called that, it will never be accepted into the school system.”
Tomiki: “No, I have absolutely never used such a name.”
Imamura: “But even so, that’s still what some people call it. That’s how it is often generally seen to be.”
Tomiki: “It’s entirely different. I have never named it that, instead, others have tried to push that name onto it.”
Imamura: “That still won’t do. For the Ministry of Education to accept your system into the school curriculum, they would need to gather authorities from every style to examine the system officially. If these authorities concluded that this wasn’t a single ‘Tomiki ryu’ style, but instead a standardized framework that could be adopted by the Ministry of Education, then that would be alright. But that will never happen as long as it is referred to as ‘Tomiki ryu.'”
Tomiki: “Well, with all due respect, if that is what is required, then I think the only way it will ever happen is if you, Imamura sensei, become the Minister of Education yourself.”