Balance In Motion

Cultural BioMechanics Background of Aikido Formation

Many books about Aikido have been written by experts covering a range of topics, such as technical aspects, history, philosophy, conflict resolution, and more. Yet one topic has not been addressed: how Japanese culture has influenced the very foundations of Aikido.

Although born in Japan to Japanese parents, author Kei Izawa spent his formative childhood years overseas. Returning to Japan at age 11 required him to reintegrate into Japanese society and norms. With this fresh perspective, he became curious about the many differences that Japanese culture had to offer.

In Balance in Motion, Izawa taps into his curiosity, appreciation, and understanding of Japanese culture – including movement, apparel, footwear, and etiquette – to explore this void and present the notion of the cultural background of Japanese body movements and its social background that are an inseparable part of Aikido.

About the Author

Kei Izawa

Kei Izawa started Aikido training at Aikikai Hombu Dojo in May 1969, the month after the founder Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei passed away. For more than 50 years, he has been involved in many aspects of Aikido. He was appointed by Kisshomaru Ueshiba 2nd Doshu as Hyogiin (評議員Councilor) of the Aikikai Foundation in 1995; translated the biography of O Sensei, A Life in Aikido, with Mary C. Fuller (Chair Literature Faculty, MIT) in 2008, published by Kodansha International; was elected as General Secretary of the International Aikido Federation (IAF) for two terms; elected as Chairman of IAF in 2016 and currently is serving as Vice Chairman of IAF until he steps down in September 2024. He has trained under a number of O Sensei’s direct disciples, and in particular was influenced deeply by Mitsunari Kanai Sensei of Boston.

Izawa has a strong background in business and worked on many large-scale cross-cultural joint ventures when he was part of General Motors, which allowed him to further observe the different idiosyncrasies of cultures, customs, and behaviors. He opened Tanshinjuku Aikido dojo with his wife Mariquita in Boulder, Colorado, in 2000, and travels around the world teaching Aikido. When at home in Boulder, he goes out for daily walks with his dog Hachi on the nearby trails.

Balance In Motion