Kenshikikan Aikido
About the Club
The Kenshikikan Dojo was founded in September 2014 by Matt McLoughlin.The focus of study at the Kenshikikan revolves around the proper execution of basic and fundamental Aikido principals, making this dojo an ideal place to start your Aikido journey.
The club is affiliated to the United Kingdom Aikikai and the Joint Aikikai Council.
The dojo regularly hosts internal courses as well as hosting numerous visiting instructors from across the country.
The goal of the club is to share the Art with anyone willing to study, regardless of style or affiliation.
Our Kamon (crest)
Our crest is based on the design if the SAKAI Kamon
which is a design of kamon or Mon (Family Crest). That crest is called a marunikatabami (丸に片喰 or 丸に酢漿草). The design is an encircled creeping woodsorrel flower. As such it is considered a variation of the more primary, and popular, katabami (片喰) crest, which is the same minus the circular border. (although the design we have used is encircled partly by a en (shodou circle)
The creeping woodsorrel grows extremely well as a wild weed; it is known for being difficult to uproot once it starts growing. The katabami style crests originated from taking this property as a symbol for "propagating the family with many offsprings".
Medieval Japan (and today too) holds a very strong belief in continuing the family line; thus, it is easy to imagine why this became a popular design of crests. Later on, the three leaves of the katabami have also been interpreted as symbolising mercy, wisdom and virtue.Other variations exist for the katabami crest. This includes the kenkatabami (剣片喰), which adds "leaves" to the flower indicating swords for a more military flavour. Collectively the Katabami style crests are one of the five main crests of feudal Japan
(credit to Jason Hunt Sensei - Aikido Derby)
