Aikido History Dojo History Dojo Yudansha Gradings Brief History of Aikido and the Iwama Style Morihei Ueshiba spent many years mastering a number of martial arts before creating the unique art we now know as Aikido. Aikido was developed at Ueshiba’s home dojo in Iwama, Japan, in the 1940’s. There are now a number of distinct styles of Aikido practiced around the world. The style in this dojo is referred to as Iwama Style to reflect the ties the dojo has with the original Aikido dojo and style. Saito Sensei an Aikido 9th Dan was a personal student of the founder for over 24 years and the head of the Iwama Style. Saito Sensei sadly passed away on 13th May 2002 and his son Hitohiro Saito is now the head of the style. The Iwama style is renowned for its effectiveness, which is gained through the slower and more precise practice of basic technique than in more recent forms. Dojo History and Personalities The Newcastle Iwama style dojo was founded in 1990 by Alan Michener and his wife Keryl. The dojo was originally at the Police Boys club at Windale, it later moved to Tingira Heights, then Warners Bay and finally to its current location at Charlestown. In March 2002 Alan and Keryl moved to Brisbane, the running of the dojo was taken over by Kevin Rees supported by other Yudansha - through the association 'Newcastle Iwama Aikido Incorporated'. In May 2004 the dojo became a member of the Takemusu Aikido Association (TAA). Key Personalities in the Dojo History Founding Sensei Alan Michener (Yon Dan) has been training in Aikido for over 30 years. He first started training in the Aikikai style under Tony Smibert and then Seichi Sugano Sensei. Alan has visited Japan for Aikido training several times. While in Melbourne he trained under the direction of Barry Knight. He twice visited the Iwama Dojo where he trained under the head of the Iwama Style Morihiro Saito (9th Dan). Alan is pictured at left with Saito Sensei outside the Iwama Dojo during one of his visits to Japan Founding Sempai Keryl Michener(San Dan) has been training in Aikido for over 20 years She first started training in Aikikai style then with Barry Knight in Iwama (Takemusu) Style and visited Japan with Alan in 1987 Kevin Rees(San Dan) began training at the Newcastle Dojo in 1992 and was the first black belt fully trained by Alan. Kevin is the Dojo Cho of Newcastle Iwama Aikido. He spent December 2003 in Iwama Japan training as an Uchi Deshi with Sensei Hitohiro Saito, see the gallery for photos. Wil Bradley(Ni Dan) began training at the Newcastle Dojo in 1997 Aikido Iwama Style - Yudansha Gradings - Newcastle Dojo Year Sho-Dan Ni-Dan San-Dan Yon-Dan 1993 Mark Malmberg, Ian Foster   1994 Ken Lee   1995 David Bowerman   1996 Kevin Rees Mark Malmberg   1997 Richard Parbery David Bowerman, Chris Rogers Rika Malmberg, Keryl Michener Alan Michener 1998 John Shortland   1999   Kevin Rees   2001 Carlie Rae, Steve Carruthers Wil Bradley Richard Parbery David Bowerman   2005  Steve Stojcevski Wil Bradley   2006   Kevin Rees