Jim Dawes 7th dan Update
The Aikido Uchideshi part 2 is an update on Jim Dawes, and If you are a follower of Empty Mind Films you may already know the name of this talented Aikido practitioner. You can read our first post on life as an Aikido uchideshi featuring Jim and also Erica, who was apprenticed at the Ibaraki Branch dojo (Iwama dojo) founded by Morihei Ueshiba.
We first met Jim Dawes during the filming of Episode Three: Aikido in our Warriors of Budo series at the Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu dojo of Ando Tsuneo sensei. We were so impressed by the Aikido of the Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu and the dynamic pairing of Jim Dawes and Ando Tsuneo sensei, that we placed them on the cover of the movie title.
Jon Braeley and Jim Dawes, Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu demonstration in Urayasa, 2014
Jim Dawes was the uchideshi - being the live-in assistant to instructor Ando Tsuneo sensei, 9th dan Aikido, at the Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu in Urayasu, close to Tokyo. The uchideshi lives in the dojo, the Ten Ryu Kan, and takes part in the everyday life of the dojo, training alongside Ando Sensei.
The Aikido Meiryukan
We can bring you an update to this fascinating story in Jim Dawes own words:
After completing more than nine years as a full-time uchideshi, I graduated in early 2015 and established my own Aikido Ryu-affiliated organization, Aikido Meiryukan, here in Saitama, Japan. You can visit the Aikido Meiryukan here for more information.
Jim Dawes graduation day at Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu
Today, Aikido Meiryukan has branches in approximately ten cities across Saitama Prefecture and two more in Chiba. We have seven instructors teaching under our organization and nearly 200 students, ranging in age from 3 to 84 years old.
After 35 years, I am currently a 7th dan and teach full-time six days a week in Japan, while also conducting seminars and training camps internationally.
The Aikido Meiryukan has grown to eight locations in Saitama Prefecture
At Meiryukan, my goal is to preserve and transmit the techniques, principles, and spirit of aikido as they have been handed down through direct lineage. I also hope that our organization can serve as a bridge between Japan and the wider international aikido community. Thank you, Jim Dawes, 7th dan.
