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On 21st December 2003, a day to be remembered by all members of Aikido Shinju-kai when Seijuro Masuda Shihan (8th Dan) from Aikido World Headquarters, Tokyo Japan graced the offical opening of Aikido Shinju-kai Hombu Dojo, the first of its kind in Singapore. The opening was witnessed by members of Aikido Shinju-kai and 24 members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Aikido Club who travelled together with Masuda Shihan to celebrate their 40th Anniversary Camp in Singapore.
On 10th May 2004, due to various differences in management and conflicts of interest, Philip Sensei dissolved the partnership with Mr Chen De Ming of Aikikai Shanghai. However, Aikido Shinju-kai continues our effort to propagate Aikido in the People's Republic of China, strictly following the guidelines laid down by the Aikido World Headquarters, Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan. A meeting cum demonstration with the SIA Cabin Crew manager, Mr Nam Lee Seng and his committee in August 2004 at the Headquarters Dojo led to the commencing of a new Aikido class specially for the Singapore Airlines Cabin Crew in September 2004. This is an achievement which fulfilled the long time wish of Philip Sensei, who had wanted to start this class since the first time he gave an introduction cum demonstration at the SIA Sports and Recreation Club in the late 1990s. A strong team of 25 members attended the 9th IAF Congress, Seminar and Embukai. It was a great eye-opening exposure for a lot of our students, who had the chance to see famous international Shihans in action, and made lots of friends.
9th January 2005 marked a great start and memorable day when Philip Sensei was awarded 6th Dan by Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba at the Kagami-biraki Ceremony. 2005 was significant in the propagation of Aikido Shinju-kai dojos overseas due to the enthusiasm of our students who have returned to their hometowns. Our first dojo in Johor Bahru was started in May 2005 at City Plaza. Progress in the promotion of Aikido was also seen in China. After keen efforts of students who started dojo in Chengdu in Oct 2004, Hangzhou and Beijing did the same in Oct 2005. We also had the good fortune having many Shihans visiting
our dojo in 2005, including (in sequence of their visit): Ikuhiro Kobota
Shihan, Seiichi Sugano Shihan, Hironobu Yamada Shihan, Kenneth Cottier
Shihan and finally Kenji Koyama Shihan who was also here for our small
17th Anniversary Celebrations. From 2001 to 2005: 13 new Instructors were appointed, 31 new Singapore dojos, 12 new overseas dojo and a total of 3500 Aikido Shinju-kai members.
2006 — 2010 (Present Day)
These few years were marked by some significant events and various landmark trips, of which many are to countries outside Asia.
Back in Singapore, we held our 20th Anniversary Seminar, Demonstration & Dinner Celebrations from 7 – 9 March 2008. The event had over 600 participants from 16 participating countries and regions. We were very honoured to have Hiroshi Tada Shihan (9th Dan) back once again to grace our Anniversary. The Seminar was held at Jurong East Sports & Cultural Centre and Shinju-kai Headquarters Dojo, with classes taken by the different Shihans and Senseis. There was a first-ever public Aikido demonstration held at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza with demonstrations by all participating countries and Shinju-kai dojos. The demonstration was graced by Mr Oon Jinn Teik, CEO of Singapore Sports Council. The Anniversary dinner was held at Swissotel The Stamford & Fairmont Singapore Raffles City Convention Centre, graced by the Ambassador of Japan His Excellency Mr Makoto Yamanaka.
In October 2008, Shinju-kai led the largest ever contingent of 30 members to the 10th IAF Seminar at Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. After the event, our team was warmly hosted by Shimamoto Shihan at Aikido Toyonaka Shosenji Dojo in Osaka.
On 28 & 29 March 2009, following the 20th Anniversary demonstration, the 2nd All Shinju-kai Aikido Demonstration was held at The Cathay. Shinju-kai members of all age groups participated in this event to showcase their understanding of Aikido, at the same time hoping to bring greater awareness of this martial art to the public. In April 2009, Philip Lee Sensei and Frank Burlingham led the 1st Aikido SIN/UK Friendship Trip to New York and St Louis in United States and Toronto in Canada. They visited Yamada Shihan at the New York Aikikai, Obata Shihan at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center and Shinju-kai members in St Louis.
In August & September 2009, Philip Lee Sensei visited dojos all the way in South Africa together with George Lo Sensei and some members.
Regionally, our first affiliated dojo in Batam, Indonesia, started in September 2006 by two enthusiastic Indonesian members. This was followed by another addition in Bandung in May 2010. In Johor, two affiliated dojos were set up with very active promotion of Aikido in West Malaysia. In China, our affiliated dojos were reorganised to allow a more structured approach in cities and provinces such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shenzhen. |
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Another milestone in the history of Shinju-kai started in January 2010 where the Headquarters Dojo and office shifted to a new premise at Poh Leng Building, Moonstone Lane. After few months of intense renovation, many members came to help with the final cleaning up. The Opening Class at the new dojo was held on 6 Jan 2010. Besides a newly furbished dojo of 2600sqft, the new Headquarters also has a member’s lounge, instructor’s room, changing areas and a more spacious office.