Chida Tsutomu
From Gottsupedia
Chida Tsutomu (千田務), born Oct. 4th 1950, is the chief instructor of Aikido Renshinkai.
A direct student of Aikido Yoshinkan founder Shioda Gozo, Chida studied under Shioda for 25 years from 1969 until Shioda’s death in 1994. Following Shioda's death, Chida continued to serve at the Yoshinkan honbu dojo and was appointed dojocho in 2002, a position he held until his resignation in 2007. During his time at Yoshinkan he quickly became one of the most respected and sought after instructors, and regularly traveled and taught seminars overseas to promote Yoshinkan Aikido. Until leaving, Chida had served at the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo longer than any other of Shioda Gozo's disciples.
Chida resigned from the Yoshinkan honbu dojo effective December 2007 shortly after a series of events following the resignation of former 2nd generation headmaster Inoue Kyoichi (see Inoue Kyoichi, and Yoshinkan). Not long after his resignation from the Yoshinkan honbu dojo, Chida's own organization was formed and Aikido Renshinkai was officially launched as a recognized Non-profit Organization (NPO) in April 2008.
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History
- 1969, Entered the Yoshinkan dojo. Chida says half-jokingly on his first DVD ("Aikido Tatsujin Reiden", listed below) that he was somewhat tricked into signing up at a recruiting drive by some of the senior students at the time and didn't even know what aikido was. He also expressed his deep appreciation for being reeled into the Yoshinkan dojo.
- 1971, Became an uchideshi at the Yoshinkan honbu dojo under Shioda Gozo.
- 1993, Received his 8th dan from Shioda Gozo. During his time at the honbu dojo Chida taught all manner of classes from Ippan (general training) to the Tokyo Riot Police courses and Senshusei courses, as well as at numerous university clubs and satellite dojo in and around Tokyo. He also conducted seminars and special training sessions at the honbu dojo and traveled around the world representing Yoshinkan aikido.
- In July 1995 Chida participated in the 39th All Japan Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Demonstration.[1]
In 2002, Chida was promoted to dojocho and became responsible for running the Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu Dojo in Tokyo under 2nd Headmaster Inoue Kyoichi, until the latter's resignation in March 2007.
Chida is known for his smooth, effortless technique. Robert Mustard, one of highest ranking and most respected Yoshinkan instructors in the world, wrote in Aikido Yoshinkan International (vol.5 no.4) in 1995 about Chida that,
"In the honbu dojo, I am always amazed at how effortless Chida Sensei looks when he does his techniques. It's almost as if he's asleep, but he has thrown me harder while explaining and demonstrating a technique than when other people try to rip my head off!!"
Leaving Yoshinkan & Aikido Renshinkai
In 2007, Chida resigned his position as honbu dojocho effective December of that year. Chida's resignation came along with a chain of events following the departure of Inoue Kyoichi and the installation of current headmaster Shioda Yasuhisa, son of the late founder Shioda Gozo. A posting on the bulletin board at the Yoshinkan honbu dojo announcing Chida's resignation as dojocho also stated that Chida was asked to become Yoshinkan Kancho (headmaster) after Inoue's departure, but Chida declined the offer. The circumstances behind these events are not publicly known.
Although it had appeared as though Chida's intentions were to remain part of the Yoshinkai organization after leaving honbu, ties have since been severed and, in April 2008, the independent organization Aikido Renshinkai was established with Chida as its chief instructor (最高師範: saikou shihan).
This event officially ended Chida's nearly 40 years at Yoshinkan. The establishment of Aikido Renshinkai, however, marked a new beginning for a living legend of Yoshinkan aikido. Around the same time as Renshinkai was launched, Chida received a Special Recognition Award from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Academy for his years of service teaching aikido to the police and riot squad.
As well as continuing to conduct seminars both in Japan and internationally, Chida has also been a featured instructor at past DEN International Aikido Master's Clinics with Inoue Kyoichi.
On-line video and resources
Youtube
- Official Renshinkai YouTube channel
- My Youtube channel (owner of this wiki)
- 3rd Aikido Renshinkai All Japan Demonstration 2010
- Parts of 1st Aikido Renshinkai Demonstration 2008
- All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration 2005
- All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration ??
- All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration ??
Books and DVDS
- Aikido Tatsujin Reiden: Chida Tsutomu (合気道達人例伝 千田務）
- Yoshinkan Aikido Nyuumon "A guide to Yoshinkan Aikido" by Inoue Kyoichi.
This video also features Chida Tsutomu. (Japanese only)
- Aikido Renshinkai First Step DVD with Tsutomu Chida (Released Aug.2010)
Also features Chida's demonstrations from the 1st & 2nd All Japan Renshinkai Demonstration.
- Aikido Renshinkai 2nd Step DVD with Tsutomu Chida (Released Sept. 2011)
Also features Chida demonstration from the 3rd All Japan Renshinkai Demonstration
