The original San Diego Aikikai was founded in 1981 by T.K. Chiba Shihan. T.K. Chiba studied intensively under the founder of Aikido, O-Sensei from 1958 to 1966 as an uchideshi. Under Chiba Shihan, San Diego Aikikai served as the headquarters for Birankai North America, an organization directly affiliated and recognized by Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) in Tokyo, Japan. For twenty-seven years Chiba Shihan worked diligently to promote aikido world-wide by creating a rigorous teacher-training program for those students who demonstrated the desire to become aikido teachers themselves.
San Diego Aikikai II was created by T.K. Chiba’s chosen successor, D. Drake Sensei upon Chiba Shihan’s retirement from active teaching in 2008. San Diego Aikikai II boasts a rich and diverse community of martial artists from beginners to 6th degree black belts.
Our dojo focuses on acceptance, understanding, and dedication, to others and for oneself. Conditioning the body and the mind, Aikido reaches beyond the mat in regards to confidence and compassion. Reaching a peace within yourself allows you to be there for others. Our community consists of young and old, wherever they may be in their Aikido journey. There is always more to learn.