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Aikido Association America / International
Find a dojo

Aikido Association of America / International

Aikido. The art of connection.

Passed hand to hand since its founder, Morihei Ueshiba. Our directory lists 63 member dojos in 12 countries. Find yours.

Find a dojo
What is Aikido?

A practice.
A lifetime.

Ai
Harmony
Ki
Energy
Dō
The Way
An instructor guiding an aikido throwing technique
Calligraphy 正勝吾勝, masakatsu agatsu, by Morihei Ueshiba
True victory is victory over oneself.
Calligraphy by Morihei Ueshiba

Learn more about Aikido

Aikido (合氣道) literally translates to the ‘the way of harmonizing with energy’. A Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba (commonly called O-Sensei) in the early twentieth century, aikido is recognized for its unique spirit, so different from many martial arts which make sportive or combative aims their sole rationale. Masakatsu Agatsu (正勝吾勝), ‘true victory, is victory over the self’, was a favorite saying of the Founder to demonstrate aikido as a means to transcend dualistic conflict.

What is Aikido? Benefits of Aikido

We learn
together.

Find a Dojo Near You

A dojo (道場) is any place or training facilities where ‘the way’ can be practiced. Aikido Association of America and Aikido Association International dojo offers traditional aikido programs with instruction provided by shidoin (instructors) or fukushidoin (assistant instructors) using the methodology of founder Fumio Toyoda Shihan. Use our Dojo Locator to find a dojo, club, or class near you.

U.S. Dojos International Dojos

Member dojo · Headquarters, Tenshinkan Dojo, Chicago · Locations: GeoNames

63 member dojos listed
12 countries
14 U.S. states

Dojos by country

63 dojos, 12 countries

Ink-brush portrait of Fumio Toyoda Shihan
Founded in 1984 by Fumio Toyoda Shihan
Fumio Toyoda Shihan

A living lineage.

“He was born into Life on November 8, 1947. He was born into Eternity on July 4, 2001.

It has been said that he arrived in the United States a little over 25 years ago with a gi, a hakama, $25 dollars, and a pack of cigarettes. From those humble beginnings he created the second largest aikido organization in the world with over 150 dojo worldwide and thousands of students. Reflecting upon his achievements I am reminded of a famous quote. ‘Some men see things as they are and say why. Others dream things that never were and say why not.’ — George Bernard Shaw — He never let the impossible deter him.”

James Nakayama

Shibucho of the AAA Western Region
Dojocho of Chushinkan Dojo

History of Aikido

From the founder to your dojo

  1. 1883 Tanabe, Japan

    Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, the Aikido Kaiso (founder), was born in 1883 in Tanabe, a coastal town in southern Japan.

  2. 1969 Tokyo, Japan

    Upon the death of O-Sensei in 1969, Kisshomaru Ueshiba was named the second Doshu of Aikido. Toyoda Shihan therefore became the first uchideshi directly under the new Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba.

  3. 1974 Chicago, Illinois

    Fumio Toyoda Shihan. In 1974, at Tohei Sensei’s direction, he settled in Chicago to begin spreading Aikido in the United States.

  4. 1994 Tokyo, Japan

    In 1994 a historic development occurred: Toyoda Shihan re-established ties with the Aikikai, with the help of Kisaburo Osawa Sensei, a former mentor, and with the approval of then Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba.

  5. Today Your dojo

    63 member dojos listed in 12 countries.

    Find a dojo
Fumio Toyoda Shihan throwing a partner at Kenshinkan Dojo, November 1993, students seated along the mat
Fumio Toyoda Shihan : Kenshinkan Dojo : November 1993

Every meeting.
A new beginning.

Ichigo ichie one time, one meeting

The Aikido Association of America and Aikido Association International is committed to continuing Toyoda Shihan’s legacy in propagating high quality aikido through strong fundamentals, clear teaching methodology, and dynamic demonstration of technique. View our seminar schedule for our various events, seminars, camps, and instructors certification workshops.

Attend a seminar near you

Next on the mat

13 upcoming

Nov 13, 2026

Aikido Seminar

J. Whatley Sensei - Island Aikido - Charleston, SC

Dec 12, 2026

End of the Year Testing

Tenshinkan Dojo - Chicago, IL

Jan 16, 2027

Kagamibiraki

Tenshinkan Dojo - Chicago, IL

The way
continues.

Nyūmon entering the gate

Membership and services

Whether you are looking to join our organization, coordinate an aikido demonstration, enter our uchideshi program (live-in trainees), schedule a speaking engagement, or affiliate your dojo, our Headquarter Office is happy to assist you with your inquiry. The AAA and AAI provide several different types of services to individuals, dojo, and the community. We look forward to hearing from you!

Membership and services

  1. Begin training

    Member dojos teach six-week introductory courses for people who have never trained. Classes for children, youths and adults. Visit a class first.

    Find a dojo

  2. Affiliate your dojo

    Send the Headquarter Office an official letter with your contact information, the reason for your request and brief information about your current Aikido and dojo status. We will contact you about the next step.

    How affiliation works

  3. Ask the Headquarter Office

    Demonstrations, the uchideshi program, speaking engagements and certification.

    (773) 525-3141 Write to us
Placeholder: students bowing in at the start of class
Photo needed. Students bowing in (zarei) at the start of class, Tenshinkan Dojo, Chicago, from the back of the mat toward the kamiza · Format 21:9, at least 2800 × 1200 px · Light natural, mat level, no flash · Consent written consent from everyone recognisable · Alt text "Students bowing in at the start of class at Tenshinkan Dojo, Chicago" · Used on Home