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.
