Just in time for the new year!

Click here to view the new yearly and monthly Ryu Dojo calendars and send us an e-mail if you would like to order one.

Birth Announcement

We are very proud and happy to announce the birth of our son, Taihei Ando. Taihei was born a few days earlier than expected at 5:43 am on Monday the 14th of December at the Oshio Clinic in Urayasu. The Japanese characters for Taihei are "太平" and his name means "great peace".






We are touched and grateful for all the kind wishes we have received from everybody all around the world and we would like to wish everyone a festive season as blessed and joyful as ours.

Looking forward to seeing you all in 2010!

Tsuneo and Stephanie Ando.

Holiday Season

Last Saturday, Fukiage Dokokai hosted their annual Christmas party. It's now been 6 Christmas's that I've been away from home, so it was nice to have the family atmosphere with home cooked food and snacks, drinks, special Santa Clause guest appearance, bingo, gifts...


Thanks to the Inoue family and all the Fukiage members for 2009 and I look forward to 2010. Congratulations to all who tested and passed their winter tests.


Jim Dawes

December Visitors

The end of 2009 has been packed with visitors. From the middle of November to half way through December 2nd time visitor Joost (from Holland) had been training along with us 4 classes a day. Joost first visited us last year, and I could definetly see a difference in his technique since the previous visit. Joost is a quiet, humble and easy going guy. We hope to one day visit him at his home dojo in Amsterdam.



Along with Joost, another 2nd time guest, Francoise Niglaut arrived late in November and departed December 9th. Unfortunately for Francoise, an injury on her 5th day put her out of training. But she did turn up almost every class to watch and try and absorb as much as possible.

Thanks to both of them for coming and staying with us. We hope they enjoyed their time here at Ryu Dojo and during the Kyoto Gasshuku. Happy Holidays and we look forward to our next meeting.


Jim Dawes

About 2 and a half years ago Fernando Martinez(4th dan in Aiki-kai), contacted Ryu Dojo about coming to Japan and studying Yoshinkan direct with Ando Sensei. Fernando had seen videos of Gozo Shioda Sensei on YouTube and instantly became intrigued with the Yoshinkan Style. In 2007 Fernando and his wife, Jimena made the long and expensive flight to Japan. Fernando trained hard, and after a few weeks he returned to Argentina to try and spread what he had learned.


Early October of this year Ando Shihan went to Fernando Sensei's newly named "Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu Ginrukan Dojo". During Ando Sensei's time in Argentina Fernando expressed his interest in continuing constant Yoshinkan training and the need for instruction and feedback, but the problem being, Argentina is on the other side of the world.

Well after a few weeks of trial and error - 12 hours of time difference, language misunderstandings, weak signals, bad mics and cameras... I am happy to say, yesterday marked the first successful live Skype training session. Kihon dosa, shomen uchi ikkajo osae 1, katate mochi shihonage 1 and 2 .


Although there are still definitely some bugs to be worked out, I think it's a great step in keeping stronger connections with fellow aikidoka who don't have the luxury of nearby instructors. For people who can't afford the time/money to fly to Japan and/or just wish to be linked with Ryu directly, please contact me for more information. jim@aikidoryu.or.jp


Jim Dawes

Totally Random

Click here to see a lovely digital photo album made by Katagiri, including some pictures of the All Japan demonstration last month and of the recent visitors from St Petersburg.