David Yap wrote:
I just heard that one of our local dojo affiliated with Aikikai had declared itself as an independent dojo and I believe that it is the first and only independent aikido dojo in my country.
What exactly is an independent dojo? My brief understanding of the term "independent" is that the organisation or instructor concerned is non-affiliated to anyone or body (i.e. Aikikai or others) and it/he/she runs the organisation/dojo according to its/his/her objectives including setting the syllabus and gradings and issuing of ranks including dan grades.
Maybe. But in this country, with its multitude of Jpn SHIHAN, independent might have the meaning of affilitation directly with HONBU, bypassing the locals, although I don't know if these conditions apply in Malaysia.
For further info, see: http://www.aikikai.or.jp/Eng/info2/I...egulations.htm
Chapter 1 : GENERAL PRINCIPLE
Article 1 : AIM
1. The Aikikai Foundation - Aikido World Headquarters, in order to spread Aikido in countries throughout the world and to have a system which works smoothly, hereby lays downInternational Regulations.
2. The Aikikai Foundation Aikido World Headquarters shall be referred to hereinafter as the Hombu.
Chapter 2 : RECOGNITION BY THE HOMBU OF AIKIDO ORGANIZATIONS IN A GIVEN COUNTRY
Article 2 : HOMBU RECOGNITION
1. The Hombu will give Hombu Recognition to an Aikido organization whichit judges to have satisfied the following conditions. If more than one Aikido organization exist in a country due to national law and/or rules or any other reason the Hombu admits as appropriate, Hombu Recognition can be given to those organizations.
(1) The relevant Aikido organization has been established legally and has had more than five years of substantial Aikido activity since itfs establishment. It is not a single dojo of an individual person.
(2) The relevant Aikido organization has more than one affiliated dojo open to the public, and holds activities throughout the year.
(3) The head of management or the chief of Aikido instruction of the relevant Aikido organization (hereinafter referred to as the Person in Charge) is 4th dan or above. The Person in Charge is a permanent resident of the country of that organization.
(4) The relevant Aikido organization has more than one holder of 2nd dan of Aikido or above, who will assist the Person in Charge in establishing the committees for instructing and dan/kyu grading examination.
(5) The relevant Aikido organization has established a Headquarters, Regulations and a Directing Committee.
(6) Issuing of Hombu Recognition to the relevant Aikido organization will not cause any confusion or problem in the organizationfs country.
2. An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition will represent its country in international Aikido activities. If more than one Aikido organization with Hombu Recognition exists in a country, those Aikido organizations should, if necessary, coordinate and cooperate with each other for domestic and international Aikido activities as appropriate in an amiable and timely manner based on the Aikido spirit established by the Founder of Aikido.
3. An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition may be eligible to perform the following activities. The extent of possible activities depends on the dan rank of the Person In Charge.
(1) Issuing of kyu grades (See Article 14)
(2) Examination of dan grades (See Article
(3) Application for the registration of dan grades (See Article 8)
(4) Application for the examination of dan grades ( See Article 9.1)
(5) Application for the recommendation of dan grades (See Article 9.2)
(6) Certification of instructors (See Article 17)
(7) Receiving assistance from the Hombu
(8) Joint activities with the Hombu concerning Aikido
4. With respect to an Aikido organization which has not been given Hombu Recognition in accordance with Article 2.1 because it does not satisfy the conditions for Hombu Recognition, the Hombu will, if it deems necessary, give instruction to enable it to fulfill the conditions for Hombu Recognition, and assistance in developing the organization. Furthermore, matters concerning dan grades, are subject to the provisions of
Article 6.1. In this case, gHombu Recognitionh is to be read as gsubject to the provision of Article 2.4, and examination for dan grades will be conducted by the Hombu or a person delegated by the Hombu.
Article 3 ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES
To an Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition, a Certificate of Hombu Recognition will be issued through established procedure.
Article 4 MATTERS TO OBSERVE
1. An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition must adhere to the following principles.
(1) An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition must respect and follow the spirit of Aikido established by the Founder, Ueshiba Morihei, and basic principles concerning the dissemination of Aikido established by the Hombu.
(2) Dan grades are legitimated by the Doshu of Aikido. An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition must hold in esteem the Aikido dan grades legitimated by the Doshu. The members of that organization must obtain dan grades to be legitimated by the Doshu and registered at the Hombu regardless of a situation in which national dan grades are issued by the country or government due to the national legislation or some other reason.
(3) An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition shall establish a teaching system and examination structure for dan and kyu grades, such as an Instructing Committee and a Dan/Kyu Examination Committee.
(4) An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition must keep close contact with and cooperate with the Hombu and also with the instructor(s) dispatched by the Hombu staying in its country. Also it shall coordinate and cooperate with the Hombu regarding the acceptance of instructor(s) to be dispatched by the Hombu for a short period.
(5) An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition shall keep contact, coordinate and cooperate, as appropriate, with other Aikido organization(s) in its country to promote friendly relations. Also it is recommended that a type of umbrella organization for those Aikido organizations should be established.
(6) An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition shall abide by the provisions of this Regulation in addition to the items mentioned above.
2. An Aikido organization which has been given Hombu Recognition must submit to Hombu a written agreement mentioning (1) through
(6) of the Article 4.1 above.
Article 5 CANCELLATION OF HOMBU RECOGNITION
In a case where an Aikido organization with Hombu Recognition violates the provisions of these Regulations and creates serious obstacles for the dissemination of Aikido by the Hombu, the Hombu will, both verbally and in writing, urge the adherence to the provisions of these Regulations. If the organization does not demonstrate to do so, Hombu Recognition may be cancelled. The qualifications of the Aikido organization (Chapter 4) will cease to exist.