Iwama, Ibaraki
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Iwama (岩間町; -machi) is a small town located in Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki, Japan. Iwama is about 100 km North East of Tokyo and near the city of Mito. As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 16,588 and a density of 332.23 persons per km². The total area is 49.93 km².
Iwama is known for being the birthplace of Aikido. Both Japanese and foreigners alike come to Iwama to learn this martial art.
In 1942, Ueshiba Morihei retired in this province and settled in Iwama where he built an UBUYA (the place of birth), which comprised of: the altar of Aiki and an outdoor dojo (See Aiki Shrine). Today's dojo was completed in 1945 before the end of WWII. In this peaceful region, far from the tumult of the city and the rage of the war which had affected him morally and physically, Ueshiba improved his skill and perfected the art of the sabre and the stick called, in Aikido, Aiki-Ken and Aiki-Jo.
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He believed it was fundamental to handle these arms well to execute the techniques bare handedly. He then defines the concept of Takemusu Aiki, which corresponds to the quick and spontaneous execution of various techniques adapted to an attack.
During this prolific period, O-Sensei Ueshiba had a very eager student who was to become one of his closest disciples and later his technical successor at Iwama: Saito Morihiro. He became the dojo cho (道場長, head of the dojo) upon his master's death and until his own death on May 13, 2002. Saito fought to preserve faithfully Ueshiba's Aikido and ways of thinking.
Iwama town has some festivities or matsuri, in which all Aikido students and teachers such as Saito Hitohiro, cheerfully participate. The Aikido Tai Sai is one of them and happens at the Aiki Jinja each year on May 29.
Iwama also has Mt. Atago which offers stunning views and has a kids play area with a giant slide. Atago shrine is also located on top.
External links
- Official website (http://www.town.iwama.ibaraki.jp/) in Japanesede:Iwamafr:Iwama