I'm curious if there are any practicioners of Yoshokai Aikido out there. Secondly, how effective do you feel Yoshokai is for self defense? Thirdly, since Yoshokai is essentially an offshoot of Yoshinkan to what extent are there technical differences (if any) between the two styles?

Thanks

The differences are political, not technical, as it turns out. Regardless, Yoshinkan essentially originated as a dojo catering to the interests of the Toyko police department (and many officers still train at the Toyko dojo). Other than that, I'll leave "effective self-defense" to the pundits.

RN

My senior student, who is godan in jujutsu and sandan in aikido joined a Yoshinkan dojo when he was nidan and went all the way back to "re-learn" his techniques and got his nidan again in Yoshinkan. The differences he picked up in his training was noticeable in his technique, and with the three styles of aiki blended together, he is quite formidable in aikido practice. As for whether or not Yoshinkan "works", it's a great style and has some of the best players in it that I've trained with over the years.

It's a little more than just "political", it's a different approach to things, and while it's pretty regimented, it's still extremely effective and interesting to train in because it's relatively mechanical in it's process of training more so than the other styles. I've always described it as the "military style" of Aikido.

If your "Yoshokai" is truly aikido, and an offshoot of this style, it should be very good and excellent for self defense. I've never trained specifically in Yoshinkan formally myself, but I have played against people who have, and I found them quite capable. JMHO FWIW...

I appreciate the feedback from all of you. I realize that there is no "best" martial art no "best self defense," etc, and that it really is an individual choice. For me, my question and confusion arises out of the fact that on the one hand I am aware that Yoshinkan is taught to the the Tokyo Police and was in many ways Shioda's attempt to return to Ueshiba's pre WWII Aikibudo. Now here is where I am confused...since Yoshokai is a derrivative of Yoshinkan to what extent are the techniques performed in a similar fashion? During my brief stay in Yoshokai (6 months) each technique was performed very robot like (e.g. step 1-pause-step 2-pause-step 3 pause). Does Yoshinkan follow a similar training pattern...or was this type of execution of technique simply done because I was at the beginner level? I have long since found a home in aiki jutsu. However, since my schedule and my sensei's schedules conflict I have seriously considered looking elsewhere for training. In Metro Detroit there are a large degree of Yoshinkan schools and I'm trying to determine if it's worth my while to check one out. On another note. If there are any Yoshokai black belts on this forum I'm curious to hear your response as to the difference in the training at the black belt verse the beginner level. I'm willing to plead ignorance here...but I'm also willing to learn.

Thanks

Thanks for the insight. The info is helpful. I just finished looking at some jiyu waza video's on youtube. Clearly, yoshinkan in the context of Jiyu Waza isn't a "step by step thingy."

Thanks

I meant the methodology of instruction, not the pedigree of the instruction. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

Yoshinkan is definitely taught with more regimented methods than what I've been around, and I certainly have no notions of disputing Shioda Sensei's ability. I have no knowledge of the sensei you spoke of, so I have no opinion in that regard... but my comments about "more than political" were directed at the teaching methods. Sorry if I was misunderstood.

Takashi Kushida was the uchideshi for Gozo Shioda for 10 years. In 1991 he broke away from the Yoshinkan to form Yoshokai Aikido. The world headquarters for Yoshokai is at the Genyokan in Ann Arbor Michigan. I've included the link to the headquarters in case you're interested in finding out more of a sister style to yoshinkai.

aikidoyoshokai.org

The techniques and much of the pinning technique matches ours exactly. The clips showed a couple we haven't used in a long time (stepover pin), but it's all familiar and good stuff.

I especially appreciated the picture that came up with the uke flying... THAT's Aikido... All this other stuff is just "messin' around"...