Sensei Shuji Maruyama, Founder of Kokikai-Ryu Aikido.
Kanji for Ai Ki Do - The way or harmonizing Ki.
Matt Shomo, John Corro, Sensei Maruyama, me, Todd Kuiper
Penn State Aikido Club. Circa 1999.
Penn State Aikido Club in 1996. John and I were the instructors, Cecilia Ricciotti was our mentor and direct teacher, although we learned from many Kokikai Dan-ranked students at winter and summer camps. Sadly, after the Sandusky incident, the lawyers stepped in, and essentially destroyed all martial arts on campus! End of a glorious era!
Cecelia Ricciotti Sensei teaching me proper form. For a little Italian lady she is wicked powerful! We owe her a lot for taking us under her wing!
Either summer or winter camp.
Sensei explaining his 4 principles to extend Ki.
Sensei demonstrating how a technique applied properly can be graceful yet powerful. No BS here, I have had him do this to me! Amazing man!
When Sensei visited the Penn State Aikido Club - Kokikai-Ryu Penn State!
Me in hakama.