History and lineage of Nihon Goshin Aikido and Kaizen Aikido
Master Shodo Morita
Master Shodo Morita founded the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido. He was trained by Yoshiro Kitaro, an instructor of Daito ryu Aikijitsu. Master Kitaro also trained in his family’s system of self-defense.
In addition to training in Daito ryu, Master Morita trained in Judo, Kobudo (weapons), Karate, and the esoteric arts. After mastering these arts, Master Morita realized that although they were highly effective, no single style was complete. Each art focused on a separate element of self-defense: The karate arts focused on striking. The judo arts focused on throwing. The jujitsu arts focused on joint locks.
Master Morita incorporated principles and techniques of each system into a new system called Nihon Goshin Aikido. It is significant to note that he did not merely choose the best techniques from each system, but a variety of techniques, recognizing that what works well for one person may not be effective for a second person due to height differences. Nihon Goshin Aikido is a highly effective form of martial arts due to its variety of principles.
Shihan Richard A. Bowe
Nihon Goshin Aikido was brought to the United States by Mr. Richard A. Bowe. Mr. Bowe was stationed on the island of Hokkaido during his military career. While there he reviewed a variety of systems, including karate and Aikido (Ueshiba style), but due to his previous training he felt that, although he respected those arts, they did not contain what he sought in a martial art. He continued his search until he came across Shodo Morita. Mr. Bowe was impressed with the ease with which Master Morita’s students were able to throw him. Mr. Bowe trained with both Shodo Morita, who awarded him a black belt, and with Shodo Morita’s adopted son, Tominosuke Nara, who took over the system after Master Morita.
Mr. Bowe returned to the United States and began teaching Nihon Goshin Aikido in 1962 at a local karate school. On September 12, 1963, he opened his own dojo in Gutenberg, New Jersey. In 1976 Mr. Bowe was promoted to 5th degree black belt by Master Nara. Shortly after that Master Nara retired from public teaching. As far as we know, Nihon Goshin Aikido is no longer taught in Japan. However, the Black Belts from Mr. Bowe’s dojo and the students of his students are teaching in numerous dojos throughout the United States.
Shihan Robert B. MacEwen, Jr.
Shihan Robert B. MacEwen, Jr., director of the Aikido School of Self Defense, holds a Fifth degree black belt in Nihon Goshin Aikido, third highest in the world. He is the Director of the International Nihon Goshin Aikido Association. He also holds a fifth degree black belt in Jujitsu and a first degree black belt in Ninjitsu and Karate. He has been in the martial arts since 1972. Shihan MacEwen studied directly under Richard A. Bowe and John Lehman. Today, Sensei MacEwen is one of the top-rated practitioners of Aikido in America. His explosive style has been recognized by Martial Arts publications and organizations all over the world. His dedicated approach to teaching and his outstanding skill have earned him a place in the National Martial Arts Hall of Fame four times. For the past few years, Shihan MacEwen has been working as a stunt choreographer and actor in the motion picture industry.
Rick Wolslayer
Began training with Sensei Robert B. MacEwen, Jr. in 1982 in Middletown, NY. He earned his first degree Black Belt in August, 1989 and his second degree black belt in 1999.
During college at Suny Albany, he started the SUNYA Aikido Club with Sensei Earl Layumas.
In October 12, 1992 he opened the Aikido School of Self Defense.
Sensei Rick Wolslayer continues to teach Nihon Goshin Aikido as well as the adaptive system of Aikido designed to teach children the concepts of Aikido in a safe manner. He calls this system “Kaizen Aikido” which literally translates to mean “continually improving Aikido”.
In order to meet the needs of his younger students, he created a “Kata” or “form” based system to teach younger students how to do Aikido techniques while adapting to their learning styles and developmental needs as they progress. Due to the complicated nature of Aikido techniques, it was necessary to develop a method to break down the skills into specific steps so that students can learn these skills when younger. Using Nihon Goshin Aikido as the foundation for this system, he organized the skills into routines or forms (japanese word is “Kata”). The student then learn how to do each skill in a numbered pattern. This approach has enabled students as young as 4 years old to understand and apply the often complicated and dangerous skills of aikido in a safe and effective manner.
He also applies this concept when working with students that may require adapting the training to meet their needs, such as: Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Blindness, wheelchair bound, on crutches, or any other specific approaches that might require an adaptive approach to their training.
His philosophy is to identify the needs of his students and then to adapt a training method to help them reach their goals.
Some of the ways that he has done that is with the curriculum (refer to student resources to view the curriculum), as well as incorporating verbal skills, focus skills, and written exercises for goal settings. Even the use of black uniforms instead of the traditional white uniforms are designed to meet the needs of his many ages and genders of students.
This philosophy of adapting training to solve the needs of his students enables him to draw upon many resources for techniques and concepts to help his students succeed.