Kokikai:

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[Dave Miller]

Is anyone familiar with this style of Aikido? What sets it apart from other styles?

Thanks.

[shihonage]

Well it's mostly the etiquette that differs slightly.

For example, an Aikikai class usually starts by bowing to the portrait of O Sensei, and then to the teacher.

However a typical Kokikai class begins by painting a pentagram on the mats with kerosene, lighting it up, and then roasting a goat in it.

[opherdonchin]

All right. That was funny.

I'm almost afraid to ask how they end class.

[ross_l]

A visit to the Aikido Kokikai International website will give you a great deal of information:

http://www.kokikai.org/home.html

Also a quick search in the Encyclopedia of Aikido for Maruyama sensei is most informative:

http://www.aikidojournal.com/new/encyclopedia.asp?entryID=457

I think the above links should give you a good idea of what it is.

[DanD]

Kokikai is an off-shoot of the Ki Society. Looks and "sounds" the same. It seems that politics caused the split, but most/much of the Ki-Aikido philosophy and techniques stayed the same. If you don't find enough info in the kokikai web site, I'll recommend to take a look at:

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1804/soa1/soa1.html

and-

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1804/soa2/index.html

;)

extend :ki:

[PeterR]

All right. That was funny.

I'm almost afraid to ask how they end class.
BBQ

[JJF]

All right. That was funny.

I'm almost afraid to ask how they end class.
I've heard they run around wearing japanese underwear, and that some of the guys put on skirts. I've also heard that they whack each other with sticks and roll around on the floor a lot. Sounds really wierd - yet strangely appealing to me :)

[Ron Tisdale]

The Kokikai is a very interesting group. I recommend actually training with them a few times to get a feel for what they do, and whether or not it suits you. The founder, Shuji Muroyama (sp), taught for about 25 years or so in Phila., then relocated, and redid a lot of the approach for the style.

I believe you will find some dojo stick more to the earlier stuff, and some go with the newer stuff. The newer stuff has some very interesting internal work. I don't claim to understand it though. But it could be worth taking a look at. I don't believe you'll find a lot of info on the web...they tend to focus on practise a lot, not talk.

Ron (thats a good thing) Tisdale

[Michael Neal]

Well it's mostly the etiquette that differs slightly.

For example, an Aikikai class usually starts by bowing to the portrait of O Sensei, and then to the teacher.

However a typical Kokikai class begins by painting a pentagram on the mats with kerosene, lighting it up, and then roasting a goat in it.
LOL, that is priceless.