The Ki Society is an aikido organization founded by Koichi Tohei in 1971, while he was the chief instructor at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. The official Japanese name of the organization is Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai, but it is also known in English-speaking countries as "Ki Society". Its foundation reflected Tohei's differences with the Aikikai, and his own emphasis on developing the concept of Ki. Students of the art are graded in Ki and Aikido classes. Tohei's Ki lessons come fromShin Shin Tōitsu-dō, meaning "the way of realizing the unity of mind and body". The martial discipline of the art is frequently referred to as Ki-Aikido, particularly in the Western world. The Ki Society has its primary facilities, known as Ki no Sato, in Tochigi Prefecture.
Principles and Practice
At the Ki Society, Tohei envisioned a place where Ki could be taught to students of all ages, including the handicapped and infirm, and others who are incapable of Aikido martial art practice. Aikido is just one of the disciplines in Tohei's holistic art of Shin Shin Toitsudo; there are five disciplines learned by students at a Ki Society Dojo:
Being one of the first to bring Aikido to the Westfrom Japan in 1953, Tohei discovered numerous obstacles in teaching. Western students did not accept teachings at face value, and bombarded Tohei with questions, and even occasional "attacks" to test Tohei's real ability. Due to these teaching situations, Tohei was forced to create a clear system of teaching that combines Western methods to teach Eastern concepts such as ki, one-point, relaxing completely while maintaining the full flow of ki, etc. Through his lifetime in wars abroad and at home, and through his experiences with Aikido, in Sokushin no Gyo at the Ichikukai dojo, and the Japanese Yoga teachings of Tempu Nakamura, Tohei realized four universal principles that he felt should be used in all Ki Society practice, and in everyone's daily life.
Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai hosts an All-Japan Taigi Competition every year at Ki no Kenkyukai, and every four years the World Taigi Competition is held there. Various techniques are grouped into 31 sets of about 6 throws, each of which are called a 'Taigi', often based around a specific attack or another theme. Participant teams perform several taigi, selected each year. The competition measures the nage's form and movement with uke, rather than a competition between two opponents. It could be compared to paired figure skating competition. Judges award points for size, rhythm, calmness, balance, and the use of ki. The World Taigi Competition has not taken place since the death of Koichi Tohei.
