BECOME AN AFFILIATE DOJO

Mission

The mission of the Aikido Doshinokai Association is to promote and preserve the martial art system codified by Morihei Ueshiba as Aikido.

Culture

To fulfill this mission, our mentor, Haruo Matsuoka Sensei, tailors his instruction to each student’s understanding and natural abilities. Through every affiliated dojo, Matsuoka Sensei’s principles are transmitted to the Dojo-chō, who then share them with their students. This traditional mentor–disciple relationship ensures that Sensei remains actively involved with each dojo, providing relevant and up-to-date guidance to support their training.

We encourage every instructor to preserve and integrate their own experiences and insights gained throughout their martial arts journey. By sharing Matsuoka Sensei’s teachings, we aim to help members broaden their physical expression and deepen their Aikido practice. We also support Dojo-chō in adopting the mentor–disciple approach while maintaining full autonomy in shaping their curriculum to meet the needs of their students.

As an organization, we emphasize collaboration and provide support whenever requested. Our shared goal is to inspire and empower our members, enhance their training experience, and guide them along their own paths of growth in Aikido.

Status Requirements

To become an affiliated dojo of the Aikido Doshinokai Association, the applicant must not be an active affiliate of any other Aikido organization associated with the Aikikai Foundation.

Technical Requirements

Technical and testing requirements are set by the Dojo-chō with guidance and recommendations from Haruo Matsuoka Sensei.

Testing Requirements

  • Doshinokai is a representative organization of the Aikikai Foundation, and all dan examinations must follow Aikikai Foundation standards. The Aikikai Foundation does not recognize dan ranks issued by other aikido organizations. To test for the rank above the one currently held, the student’s existing rank must be issued by the Aikikai Foundation. If a student does not hold an Aikikai-issued dan rank, they must begin testing from Shodan (1st-degree black belt), regardless of any rank earned elsewhere.

  • All dan tests must be observed in person by Matsuoka Sensei.

  • Kyu tests may be conducted online, either by Matsuoka Sensei or other senior students at the Seishinjuku Dojo.

  • All tests, whether dan or kyu, will be approved by Haruo Matsuoka Sensei.

  • Kyu certificates will be issued, signed, and stamped by Matsuoka Sensei.

  • Dan certificates will be issued directly by Aikikai Foundation.

Financial Requirements

To maintain affiliation status, the Dojo-chō must remain in good standing with the monthly fee of $100 USD. This fee will be automatically charged on a monthly basis via PayPal link below. Cancellation can be made at any time.

Termination of Affiliation Membership

If a Dojo-chō wishes to disassociate from the Aikido Doshinokai Association, a written request must be submitted. Membership cancellation will take effect beginning the month following the submission of the request, and all scheduled membership fee payments will stop from that month onward. The dojo is responsible for canceling its association fee payments to Doshinokai. Upon disassociation, the dojo must cease all public and internal use of any materials related to the Aikido Doshinokai Association, including but not limited to certificates, logos, and teaching materials.