Professional instructors
- KOBAYASHI, Hiroaki
- MANABU, Masuda
- KOYANAGI, Shunichiro
- YAMAWAKI, Hisashi
- KOMINE, Fusako
- KASAHARA, Yuji
Instructors
Professional instructors
KOBAYASHI, Hiroaki
- Birthplace:
- Born in Kodaira, Tokyo
Graduated form Takushoku University, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Department of Chinese Language.
Graduated form Kyorin University, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies. - Dojos in charge:
- Tokorozawa, Tachikawa, Itabashi, and Tanashi.
- Specialties:
- Skiing, Playing at cup-and-ball toy.
As the first member of Kobayashi Dojo, started aikido at 3. When in school, visited the Solomon islands, Papua New Guinea, and Iwo Jima as a volunteer member of Japan Youth Memorial Association (a student organization that intend to collect remains of Japanese war veterans).
After graduating from school, stayed in Indonesia for 2 and half years to teach aikido as a JOCV (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) aikido instructor, then stayed in Poland for half a year to teach as a JOCV aikido instructor.
Currently as Fuku-Dojocho (vice president) of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, governing instructors section of Kobayashi Dojo.
Fluent in Chinese, Indonesian, and English.
Staying outside of Japan, in total, a few months a year for aikido instruction.
MASUDA, Manabu
- Birthplace:
- Born in Kodaira, Tokyo.
Graduated from Chuo University, Department of Economics. - Dojos in charge:
- Minamikoshigaya, Todahigashi, Yoshikawa, Soka, and Matsubushi.
- Specialties:
- Applying the whole of his profound knowledge to wine, holding karaoke microphone for long period of time.
Joined to Kobayashi Dojo when he was a first grader in elementary school. Were good friends in dojo with fuku-dojocho (then a nursery school child), practicing together.
When he was a university student, he helped kids class as an assistant instructor.
After school, worked several years in a major housing sales company. Then, from 1989, lived in Tokorozawa dojo for 3 years as an uchideshi (a live-in apprentice).
While being as an uchideshi, experienced instructions in foreign countries such as Germany and Northern Europe.
Married to a nurse who was a member at Tokorozawa dojo.
Succeeding editor in chief of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo Newsletter.
KOYANAGI, Shunichiro
- Birthplace:
- Born in Kodaira, Tokyo.
Graduated from Toyo University, Department of Indian Philosophy. - Dojos in charge:
- Fuchu, Hibarigaoka, Niiza, and Tokaichiba.
- Specialties:
- Cycling, Frequenting to fitness center.
Joined to Kobayashi Dojo when he was a second grade in junior high school. When he was a university student, helped kids class.
Worked as an optician for two years. Became one of the best salesperson in the company, and rewarded a Hawaii trip for his exceptional achievement.
The company asked him to stay, but he became an uchideshi and lived in Tokorozawa dojo.
Although for short term, experienced instructions in Germany, Hungary, Northern Europe, and some parts of the United States.
Because of his background on philosophical studies, better at explaining aikido techniques than dojocho, yet advised by dojocho often not to be over-excited easily while teaching aikido.
Married to an ex-member of Saitama University Aikido Club whom he met when he was a university student.
Weighing over 0.1 ton (because of his happy marriage?).
The first of Kobayashi Dojo Instructors Enlargement Project.
YAMAWAKI, Hisashi
- Birthplace:
- Born in Minato-ku, Tokyo.
Educated at Montpellier University, French Language Education Course. - Dojos in charge:
- Higashimurayama, Tsumagoi, Tokorozawa.
- Specialties:
- carpentry.
Played an active part in a trading company and Japan International Cooperation Agency as an interpreter and as a translator in Africa. Has many rare experiences such as being almost taken into custody by a rebellion army in Congo during its civil war era.
After returning to Japan, he was teaching French.
In 1983, became a Kobayashi Dojo member at Honkawagoe dojo. Practiced aikido in France as well.
Following his heart, built a log cabin and dojo by himself in Tsumagoi village.
Because of his abundant experience, is able to give valuable advices to other instructors who sometimes tend to be ignorant to the world.
Tsumagoi dojo is surrounded by woods, and there are hot springs located nearby: a suitable place for an aikido camp in group. The dojo can be used as a lodging as well, so it is advised to members and friends of Kobayashi Dojo to make the best use of it.
KOMINE, Fusako
- Birthplace:
- Born in Ome, Tokyo.
- Dojos in charge:
- Fussa, Tachikawa, Kodaira, Fuchu.
- Specialties:
- Quilting, trekking, recently struggling to learn PC skills.
Became a Kobayashi Dojo member in January 1978.
Loves mountain trekking. As a licensed cook, lived in a mountain hut (Takezawa
hutte in Kamikochi) for 2 seasons to serve meals for trekkers.
Started instructing aikido in 1992 when a new dojo started at Tachikawa.
Kasahara, Yuji
- Birthplace:
- Born in Takamatsu, Kagawa. Graduated from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
- Dojos in charge:
- Itabashi, Tachikawa, Akiruno, Kiyose, Tokaichiba, and Atsugi.
- Specialties:
- Snowboarding, having big foot (31 cm).
Started aikido when studying in the United States.
Wanted to be a United Nations official, but decided to go back to Japan because he was hooked on aikido.
In order to make time for aikido practice, became a temporary worker at a logistics company. On weekdays, practiced at Hombu dojo. On weekends, practiced at Tokorozawa dojo.
Since February, 2003, living in Tokorozawa dojo as an uchideshi, and started his training as a shidoin from April of that year.
Because Tokorozawa dojo is recently rebuilt and living environment of the dojo improved significantly, envied by those who lived there in the past.
Dojocho is very happy because he writes letters and e-mails to dojos overseas in English quickly.
Height: 1 meter and 90 cm. The second of Kobayashi Dojo Instructors Enlargement Project.
Finished live-in training in July 2006, and currently lives in Iruma, Saitama.
Opened new dojos in Kiyose and Akiruno.
Started to learn that it requires to make a lot of efforts to keep dojos running.
Instructors
SUZUKI, Kohshin
- Birthplace:
- Born in Kodaira, Tokyo.
Graduated from Waseda University, Department of Social Science. - Dojos in charge:
- Kodaira, Tokorozawa.
- Specialties:
- Visiting hot springs.
When he was a university student, became a member at Hombu dojo.
After finishing school, started to work at Kodaira city hall and became a member at Kobayashi Dojo.
His wife is a member as well. Their marriage is the first of the dojo member couples in Kobayashi Dojo history. But as a public official, he stayed true to the duty to protect privileged information: he did not tell to dojocho for three years that he got married.
His wife a school teacher at an elementally school. Wanted to quit job of thirty years at city hall, and he did, because he played a finger-flashing game of paper-scissors-stone with his wife and won the game.
Currently studying at a school of acupuncture and moxibustion to be a professional practitioner.
Instructing aikido mainly on Saturdays and Sundays.
Barbara Summerhawk
- Birthplace:
- Iowa, U.S.A.
- Dojo in charge:
- Hoya
- Interests:
- Shodo (Japanese calligraphy), Paragliding.
Started aikido in the U.S. Came to Japan for intensive training 30 years ago. Initially training under Hikitsuchi sensei in Wakayama prefecture, but by a strange chance of fortune, became a member of Kobayashi Dojo. Attended Aikido Kobayashi Dojo Iwai Camp for 23 years in straight, but that record stopped because she decided to go see her newborn grandchild in Europe in 2005. Made a fresh resolve in 2006 to go for another 23 years and make a new record. Teaching social science at a university, and instructing aikido at Hoya dojo on Mondays.
UCHINO, Yasuhiro
- Birthplace:
- Born in Higashiyamato, Tokyo. Graduated from Nihon University, College of Law.
- Dojo in charge:
- Fussa, Mizuho
- Interests:
- Reading books, Studying German language, Shodo (Japanese calligraphy).
Was trained by Sawada sensei of Higashiyamato-shi Aikido club. Now training at Kodaira and Tokorozawa, also teaching at Fussa and Mizuho. Owns a farm at home, helping his family in farming. Dreaming of having his own dojo on his premises. To make that dream come true, training aikido almost everyday. Currently in search of someone good for a marriage.
UENO, Koh
- Birthplace:
- Born in Fukiage, Kagoshima.
- Dojos in charge:
- Tanashi, Higashimurayama
- Interests:
- Martial Arts, Drinking sake
Started aikido to strengthen his weak body at the time when he entered a high school. Morihei Ueshiba sensei as an object of admiration, became a member of old-Kodaira dojo made with planks in 1970. Since 1985, training a Tanashi dojo as well. Today, less frequently, but trying to have fun and energetic training every time. His only son, Taiga, started aikido at 4, enjoying aikido very much.