The European Tomiki Aikido Federation (ETAF) is the
recognised and approved route to JAAS.
The JAAS, (Japan Aikido Association - Shidokan), was officially
launched in Japan on 12th September, 2006.
The
aim of JAAS is to promote the development and practise of Tomiki Aikido
in the traditional and Waseda way.
Through
ETAF (European Tomiki Aikido Federation), which is the European link to
JAAS, the aim is to unify the differences in style
throughout Europe and Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and Bulgaria.
In practise it will offer an alternative route to JAA affiliation
for Aikidoka of the Tomiki Ryu wishing to register their Dan grade with
Japan.
JAAS plans to run regular Seminars and Gradings which includes visits
to countries outside Japan. With the new structure in place, the
financial burden will be lessened.
Why "SHIDOKAN" what does it mean? There are
practitioners, particularly in Japan, who prefer not to use the founders
name to describe the style they adopt. This applies equally to other
martial arts and could be compared to Judo and its founder Dr Jigoro
Kano. Generally it is not known as Kano Judo.
