Opening a dojo....

Hi everyone.

about starting a dojo, I have a Sensei who visits me every weekend to train. I recently moved into large unfurnished house, and I've been thinking of opening a business for quite some time now.

So when sensei and I were talking, he said "why not turn the house into a dojo?" It got me thinking, why not indeed? I know a lot of people who'd love to train but never get the chance.

I'm not looking to profit greatly from it, just enough to pay sensei for his services.

IF I do decide to pursue this, what do I need to know?
Should the dojo have permits from Japan?
Should the dojo be affiliated with other local Aikido associations?

thanks in advance.

Rene Vencer, Jr wrote: I'm not looking to profit greatly from it

don't worry...that won't be a problem.

seriously though, since it sounds like you already have your sensei's blessing, i say go for it.

Hi:

If you are planning to only have your aikido group in, sounds like every aikidoka's dream to have a dojo in your own home and sensei coming to you. If you plan to rent space to other groups, make sure you have a secure door to your own living space. You won't know a lot of characters who will come. I practice at a dojo that houses lots of other ma's and it is generally great, but there are lots of thefts from the change rooms.

Good luck. I hope it works out well.

e ya later
Jill.

Kabayan Rene,
Malaking responsibilidad ang pagpapatayo ng dojo. Pero kung magagawa mo ito, makakatulong ito ng maraming tao.
To answer your questions:
1) Do a lot of planning. Make sure it is sustainable if you plan to be in it for the long haul
2) "Permit" from Japan is not really necessary. However, for "marketing" purposes, being affiliated to a Federation in Japan (Aikikai, Yoshinkan, Ki no Kenyukai, Shodokan, etc) may help attract students. However affiliation usually is through the Sensei or association that the dojo belongs to.
3) Affiliation to a local association is usually the easiest way to get a "connection" to a Japanese Federation. However doing this means involvement in local "politics". Again, getting affiliated to a local association is more having to do with the Sensei rather the dojo itself.

Sana makakatulong itong sinulat ko.

Cito

Also if you are thinking of affiliation with Aikikai, you might want to review the
International Regulations
especially Chapter 2.

I take it by your questions that your sensei is not affiliated with Aikikai nor with the local aikido federations?

I ask because for most of us, affiliating a new dojo with a Hombu or with a federation is not a matter of choice. One's sensei decides.

Hi everryone..

Cito, many many thanks, i've bookmarked that link, and I'll be studying it. As much as possible Im trying to avoid association politics, but I'm pretty intrested in getting Japan's blessing though.

Raul, Sensei isn't part of any local association, but his seal bears Tohei Sensei's name on it. I'm not really sure as to the history of our dojo as well, I'll be talking to him about it again this weekend, but as far as I recall, sensei had his reasons for not wanting his dojo affiliated the local associations.

But as mentioned above, if the recognitions from Japan aren't mandatory, perhaps its something I could go for later on?

I still have months ahead to plan for this, I'm not in any hurry. In the meantime tho, what else do I need to know?

thanks everyone!