Shimamoto Katsuyuki Shihan

 

Shimamoto Katsuyuki Shihan is an influential aikido teacher and head Zen priest of the Shosenji temple and dojo-cho of Shosenji dojo, located in the Toyanaka district of Osaka, Japan. He is one of the very few surviving Aikidoka who studied under the late founder, Morihei Ueshiba,

 

Training with Shimamoto Shihan leaves a lasting impression and is a highly sought after Aikido and Zen teacher throughout the world.  He is known 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 (1937), 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 Okinawan style Shitoryu Karate (1950-56) and obtained a 1st dan.

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After high school (1956) he enrolled in Buddhist Studies at Komazawa University near Tokyo, where he met Suzuki Kakuzen (1926-99) a university professor taking care of the dormitory students, and also an Aikidoka.  Professor Suzuki encouraged him to establish a university Aikido club, which was initially around 15 students using tatami mats in a lecture room, but the club gained the support of Ōsawa Kisaburō (1920-91), a student of  Ueshiba Morihei the founder of aikido, and the Director of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo for many years. Shihan continued his studies (1960-62) at the Komazawa University post graduate program for Buddhist studies. During his time at Komazawa University, he would also travel to Tokyo and attend classes at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo including those taught by the founder.

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After University Shimamoto Shihan became head of Shosenji Zen temple (1962) which had moved to Toyonaka in northern Osaka.  The Temple had originally been located in Umeda in the heart of downtown Osaka for some 400 years however unfortunately was destroyed in one of the many air raids that flattened much of the city during the Second World War.  Shortly after his return, and with his father's permission, he established an Aikido dojo (1962) within the temple grounds. This dojo was to have a direct affiliation with Ōsawa Sensei and Aikikai Hombu Dojo and has attracted numbers overseas students for both short term, and longer term training visits. 

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After almost 40 years of Aikido study (1995), Shimamoto Shihan began to travel abroad to teach Aikido, establishing Shoryukai (2000) as the recognised affiliations of Shosenji dojo, with braches in Belgium, Germany, Israel ,Poland, the Netherlands and Australia. He has also extensively taught in Canada and Singapore.

 

Shosenji dojo formally celebrated its 40th Anniversary (a bit late in 2004) and 50th Anniversary (2012) with embu from Shihan, dojo teachers and members and representatives of the many overseas branches.  Members of Shoryukai Australia were privileged to be included in these embu.  

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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).

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An authorised book of texts inspired by Shihan’s teachings,  Dance with Heaven & Earth: Life Lessons from Zen & Aikido (2012), was published by visiting Aikido student Anna

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Shimamoto Shihan was awarded 8th dan by Aikido Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo Kagami Biraki Ceremony in 2010.

 

Shimamoto Shihan’s son, Shimamoto Tamayuki Sensei, 7th Dan Aikido and Zen Priest, assists the operation of the dojo and the temple.  He has has built on the strong foundation of training in aikido that he began as a child with a three-year live-in apprenticeship at the Hombu Dojo.

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Shimamoto Shihan has visited Australia on several occasions organised by David Kolb Sensei (now Head of Aikido Shoryukai Australia):

• 2015 Apr – hosted by Bayside Budokai dojo

• 2010 May – hosted by Bayside Budokai dojo

• 2012 Dec – hosted by Bayside Budokai dojo

• 2009 July – hosted by Bayside Budokai dojo

• 2005 October – hosted by Brisbane Aikikai dojo

• 1998 March – hosted by Gold Coast Aikikai dojo

• 1994 - first came to Australia