Over time, various instructors have used synonymous terms such as Aikido, Aikijujutsu, Aikijutsu, Aikibudo, and Aikido Jujutsu to refer to the practice of a single "Aiki" style. Each with its own uniqueness, all share technical characteristics common to the Yoseikan or Yoseikan Budo style of Aikido—Yoseikan Aiki—created by the Masters Minoru Mochizuki and his son, Hiroo Mochizuki.
1. Introduction
Aikido (合気道), "the way of harmony with energy," is a Japanese martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969) between the 1930s and 1960s, following his studies in various martial arts schools and Japanese religions.
From its inception to what we know today as Aikido, the art has undergone changes in names and influences—technical, strategic, and philosophical. Different students who trained with Ueshiba at various points during this natural evolution acquired a core technical, tactical, and philosophical knowledge. However, they also introduced differences in style, incorporating their own visions, training in other martial arts or sports, and philosophical or martial orientations to varying degrees. As a result, it is necessary to discuss the diverse teaching styles that gave rise to various names, methods, and styles of Aikido.
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| French Federation of Aikido, Taijutsu, and Kendo - Yoseikan. (1970). Header of the statutes. |
We teach the Yoseikan style of Jujutsu-Taijutsu (1) and Aikido, introduced to France in the 1950s. This style traces its roots to the teachings of Japanese Master Minoru Mochizuki (1907–2003), who was a student of Judo-Jujutsu masters Jigoro Kano, Kyuzo Mifune, and Toku Sampo, as well as master Morihei Ueshiba in Daito Ryu Jujutsu-Aikibujutsu.
The successful dissemination of this style in Europe owes much to the efforts of Minoru Mochizuki’s son, Hiroo Mochizuki (b. 1936), the current inheritor, who has enriched this tradition by modernizing it through the creation of Yoseikan Budo. Also noteworthy is the crucial contribution of Jim Alcheick (1931–1962), a Frenchman of Tunisian origin, whose fundamental role in expanding the style is evident. In 1958, he founded the French Federation of Aikido, Taijutsu, and Kendo (Yoseikan), taking on key roles such as Technical Director and Treasurer.
One of their students, Roland Hernaez (1934–2024), introduced the Yoseikan style of Jujutsu-Taijutsu to Spain in 1977 and Aikido in 1993. Thus, the rich history and influence of these masters have left a lasting mark on martial arts practice in Europe and, specifically, in Spain.
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| Alcheick, J. (1957). Defense pour tous (FFAKT); Judo avec enchaînements au sol par l'image; Nihon Taijitsu. Black Belt Magazine. |
“(...) while working deeply on Yoseikan Aikido, I often stayed a few more hours at the Parmentier Avenue Dojo to train with a few ‘enthusiasts’ in this completely unknown discipline with the barbaric name ‘taijutsu’ or body techniques.”
“Roland Hernaez adopted a form of Jujutsu from Jim Alcheik, who used the term ‘Taijutsu’ as a ‘higher name.’ (...) Under the name Taijutsu, Roland Hernaez’s teachings are directly linked to my father’s Yoseikan Aikido, more commonly known in Europe as Aikido Jujutsu. This was promoted by Jim Alcheik, who likely found this name more appealing. (...) With great talent, Roland Hernaez established a Cartesian classification of these techniques and developed this method logically adapted to Westerners.”
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Demonstration by Master Ricardo Sanz of Daitoryu Aikibudo and Yoseikan Aikido at the Butokuden in Kyoto (2013) |
In 1993, Spanish Master Ricardo Sanz Orús tested for 1st Dan in Nihon Taijutsu and 1st Dan in Nihon Jujutsu in Barcelona. These were recognized by the International Federation of Taijutsu Self-Defense and Associated Disciplines (2) based in France and Nippon Seibukan (3) based in Japan. Later, in 1995, he earned his 1st Dan in Aikijutsu in France, recognized by the French Federation of Martial Arts Schools and Nippon Seibukan. The French Federation included notable figures such as honorary president Minoru Mochizuki, Aikido section director Hiroo Mochizuki, and president and Jujutsu section director Roland Hernaez.
In 2007, certified by the French Federation of Martial Arts Schools, the International Federation of Nihon Taijutsu/Jujutsu and D.A. (France), the World Yoseikan Federation (Switzerland), Nippon Seibukan (Japan), and masters Roland Hernaez, Minoru Mochizuki, and Hiroo Mochizuki, he founded the Spanish Association of Yoseikan Aikido. Its purpose was to "promote, disseminate, and encourage the practice of Yoseikan martial arts in general and Yoseikan Aikido in particular." He also founded the Spanish Association of Nihon Taijutsu with the goal of "teaching Nihon Taijutsu as a non-competitive physical-sport activity oriented toward functional self defense." He designed a high-performance educational method integrating the complete teaching programs of the aforementioned federations, where he had been certified (4).
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Founded in 2013, the Spanish Association of Aikido Yoseikan is responsible for the promotion, organization, and regulation of Nihon Jujutsu and Yoseikan Aiki in Spain. Its members can apply for the recognition of their Nihon Jujutsu - Yoseikan Aiki certifications in rank, dan, and teaching (Instructor, Coach Level I - II, and Master) granted by the Spanish - Madrid Wrestling Federation, as well as by the International Seibukan Budo Federation [SBIF], headquartered in Switzerland. |
Notes
(2) International Federation of Taijutsu: The International Federation of Taijutsu Self-Defense and Associated Disciplines (FITJ) was founded in 1983. In 1992, it was renamed the International Federation of Nihon Taijutsu / Jujutsu - Taijutsu and Associated Disciplines (FINTJ). In 2008, it became the World Federation of Nihon Taijutsu, Nihon Jujutsu, Taijutsu, and Associated Disciplines (FMNITJ).
(4) Certifications:
- Certified by the French Federation of Martial Arts Schools (FFEAM): 1st dan in Aikijutsu.
- Certified by the International Federation of Nihon Taijutsu / Jujutsu - Taijutsu and Associated Disciplines (FINTJ), the Spanish Association of Nihon Taijutsu (AENTJ), and master Roland Hernaez: 5th dan in Nihon Taijutsu, 5th dan in Nihon Jujutsu, 5th dan in Aiki Jujutsu, 5th dan in Nihon Kobudo, and 5th dan in Tanbojutsu.
- Certified by the World Federation of Yoseikan (YWF), the Spanish Association of Yoseikan Budo (AEYB), the Spanish Association of Yoseikan Aikido (AEAY), and masters Minoru Mochizuki and Hiroo Mochizuki: 5th dan in Yoseikan Aiki, 5th dan in Yoseikan Goshinjutsu, 5th dan in Yoseikan Kempo, 5th dan in Yoseikan Iai. Official representative of Yoseikan.
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