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[edit] The British Aikido Federation (BAF)

Website: http://www.BAFonline.org.uk

The first organisation with official Japanese authority to teach Aikido in Britain was the Aikikai of Great Britain . It was founded in 1968 under the auspices of the Aikikai Foundation, and in 1977 was renamed the British Aikido Federation, with Minoru Kanetsuka (Shihan, 7th Dan, Aikikai Foundation) as its Technical Director.

The BAF has 'Full Recognition' status from the Aikido World Headquarters, Tokyo and is a founder member of both the International Aikido Federation and the British Aikido Board.

With its student wing (the British Universities Aikido Federation ), the BAF is composed of affiliated clubs from all over England and Wales. In the rest of the U.K. and Ireland, the other members of the International Aikido Federation are the Scottish Aikido Federation (SAF) and the Irish Aikido Federation (IrAF).

The British Aikido Federation is therefore closely linked with the Aikido World Headquarters. Its technical advisor is Shihan Masatake Fujita (8th Dan, Hombu Dojo, Tokyo), and regular visits are made by senior Japanese instructors to conduct BAF national courses. All dan grades (black belt holders) with the BAF are recognised by the International Aikido Federation and hold certificates issued by the Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba.