Kishinkai Aikido was created by Leo Tamaki and proposes an Aikido based on respect and kindness, while researching martial efficiency. The Kishinkai style gathers people with a common vision. The Hong Kong dojo was formed recently by people passionate about martial arts and Aikido in particular, following workshops organized with Leo Tamaki.
The name Kishinkai is made of 3 kanji. Kanjis are subtle and many interpretations can be found for each of them. Moreover, they can be pronounced with a Chinese (as their origin is found in Chinese writing) or Japanese reading.
Kishinkai is the Japanese reading of the 3 following kanji.
Ki (To be happy, to be delighted)
Shin (To practice, to go further into)
Kai (Group, association)
Thus, Kishinkai can be understood as “the association, the group that practices in joy”.
What are the specificities of Kishinkai Aikido
Leo Tamaki, and the co-founders of Kishinkai (Issei Tamaki, Julien Coup and Tanguy Le Vourc’h), were inspired by masters such as Tamura Nobuyoshi (Aikido), Kuroda Tetsuzan (soke of the Shinbukan Kuroda Dojo), Hino Akira (founder of the Hino Budo), Kono Yoshinori (kobujutsu) to name only a few.
Kishinkai is neither a federation nor a traditional school (koryu), but can be considered as a current of practice. Even though Kishinkai gathers people around common principles and research, the external form may have some variations.