::: Aikido Shinju-kai Singapore :::

HISTORY OF AIKIDO IN SINGAPORE

Aikido was introduced to Singapore by the late Masahiro Nagazono Sensei who was in the country in 1958 – 1960. Training was conducted in a small dojo in Hill Street. The growth of this art was slow in the 60s and the 70s as no one could become a member of the Aikido club unless recommended by either an existing member or someone who knew an Aikido member.

Upon Nagazono Sensei's departure from Singapore, Mr. Teddy Lee Meng Kum took over the role of chief instructor and continued the propagation of Aikido in Singapore. Later, his business commitment compelled him to spend less time in teaching Aikido and the task was passed over to Mr. Harry Ng, who was one of his senior students. Mr. Lee Meng Kum passed away in the mid 1990's.

In early 60’s, the dojo was relocated from Hill street to Tan Chay Yan Building in Chulia street, and then to a converted carpark of a warehouse in St. Patrick's road. In 1963, Aikido classes started at the YMCA, Orchard Road and later in 1964, classes were also conducted at the Raffles Institution and Dunman High School but it was short-lived.

In the late 1960's, Aikido trainings were shifted to MYMCA at Stevens Road. However, in the mid 1970's, the Stevens Road MYMCA was pulled down for reconstruction. We were all temporarily shifted to ACS Primary School at Fort Canning, then to MYMCA at Palmer Road, and later to YMCA Orchard Road again.

During the 1950's to 1960's, Aikido in Singapore was known as "Singapore Aikido Federation". In the 1970's, it was called "Chinese YMCA Aikido Club"

Masahiro Nagazono Sensei (5th Dan)


The original logo of the Singapore Aikido Federation, used in the late 1950's and early 1960's		The second logo after it was renamed to Chinese YMCA Aikido Club in the 1970's

It was not until 1982 that a permanent dojo for Aikido was founded at SAFRA Bt Merah by Philip Lee Sensei, who was then an SAF reservist. By then, Aikido had gained some popularity and recommendation from an existing member was no longer necessary for new students to join the Aikido club. At that time, the club was renamed to "Aikikai (Singapore)"

Our Chief Instructor, Philip Lee Sensei (6th dan) started training Aikido in 1971. In July 1981, Philip Sensei and Mr. Seah Ah Hee were the first Singaporeans to be allowed to live-in and train in Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan. Philip Sensei stayed and trained there for a month under the late 2nd Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba Sensei, and other Shihans, many of whom he maintained close relationship with until today. Since then, Philip Sensei has never failed to organize a trip to Hombu Dojo on a regular basis (at least once a year), usually with a group of his students. Philip Sensei has since been very active in the promotion of Aikido in Singapore. He was a founding member of Aikikai (Singapore) founded on 1st October 1987 and held the position of Secretary General till December 1999 and member of Board of Supervisor of Aikikai (Singapore) till September 2002.

Philip Lee Sensei founded the SAFRA Tampines dojo in April 1988. With this and the help of many seniors groomed within the club, Aikido Shinju-Kai has been able to generate a greater interest in the art of Aikido in Singapore. Since then, it has grown from its humble beginnings to be what it is today.