Aikido Shoryukai Australia
A federation of affiliated Aikido dojos in Australia associated
with Toyonaka Shosenji Dojo in Osaka, Japan.
Shimamoto Katsuyuki Shihan 8th Dan (1937 - 2025)
Shimamoto Katsuyuki Shihan was an influential Aikido teacher and head Zen priest of the Shosenji temple and Dōjō-cho of Shosenji Dōjō, located in the Toyanaka district of Osaka, Japan.
Training with Shimamoto Shihan left a lasting impression and he was a highly sought after Aikido and Zen teacher throughout the world.
He is remembered for his graceful and flowing style, a gentle touch but effective movement of his partner, and a desire to see practise that is “beautiful”.
Biography
Shimamoto Shihan was born in Osaka, the son of a 14th generation Zen priest of the Shosenji Temple. As a teenager he practised Kendo (1950-53) as part of the Japan school curriculum, and obtained a Shodan in Okinawan style Shitoryu Karate (1950-56).
In 1956 he enrolled in Buddhist Studies at Komazawa University near Tokyo, where he met a university professor, Suzuki Kakuzen (1926-99), who encouraged him to establish a university Aikido club. Initially around 15 students using tatami mats in a lecture room, the club gained support of Ōsawa Kisaburō (1920-91), a student of Ueshiba Morihei the founder of aikido, and the Director of the Aikikai Hombu Dōjō for many years. During his time at Komazawa University, he would also travel to Tokyo and attend classes at the Aikikai Hombu Dōjō including those taught by the founder.
After post graduate studies (1960-62) at the university Shimamoto Shihan became head of the 400 year old Shosenji Zen temple and with his father's permission, in 1962 established an Aikido Dōjō within the temple grounds. This Dōjō had a direct affiliation with Ōsawa Sensei and Aikikai Hombu Dōjō.
As his reputation spread, Shimamoto Shihan received a number of international students and travelled abroad to teach Aikido in in Belgium, Germany, Israel ,Poland, the Netherlands Australia, Canada and Singapore. In 2000 he formally established Shoryukai as the recognised international affiliations of Shosenji Dōjō.
Shimamoto Shihan visited Australia on several occasions from 1994 to 2015, organised by David Kolb Sensei the Head of Aikido Shoryukai Australia.
Shimamoto Shihan has held significant leadership position in Aikido – Chair on the Board of All Japan Aikido Federation (2008-10) and Chair on the Board of Osaka Prefecture Aikido Federation (2010).
In 2010 Shihan was awarded 8 Dan by Aikido Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru at the annual Aikikai Hombu Dōjō Kagami Biraki Ceremony.
In 2012, visiting Aikido student Anna Sanner published the authorised work Dance with Heaven & Earth: Life Lessons from Zen & Aikido (2012), inspired by Shihan’s teachings and released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of his teaching.
Since his passing, Shimamoto Shihan’s legacy has continued through his son, Shimamoto Tamayuki Shihan, 7th Dan Aikido and Zen Priest.