Kufudokan Budo is a school of Mind-Body Harmony

The Kufudokan is a new school, developed from the classical arts and characterised by the dynamic strength and beauty of natural circular movements.

All Aikido has its origins in the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba, O'Sensei. The Kufudokan Aikido lineage is traced from Ueshiba O'Sensei to Saito Dai-Shihan to Saburo Takayasu Shihan to Grant South Sensei.

Further to this lineage is the research of Grant South Sensei into the early forms of Aikido called Aikibudo.

Elements of Kufodokan

Aikido includes techniques from the classical forms of Jujutsu (unarmed techniques), Kenjutsu (sword) and Jojutsu (staff), all practiced according to the unifying principle of Aiki (Harmony).

Mind and Body

The teachings of Kufudokan arts are derived from the methods of mind-body fusion as developed in the contemplative and integrative traditions of Asia. Kufudokan Budo is a Buddhist inspired, non-sectarian, traditional, and friendly environment.

Strength and Flexibility

Techniques as practiced in the Kufudokan are delivered with a therapeutic intention to build a strong and flexible body. If you are interested in Aikido, the Kufudokan encourages you to find a good Dojo in your area and enter into Aikido practice.

Kufudokan Aikido

Kufudokan Aikido includes techniques found in Jujutsu and modern Aikido. In 1999 Grant South Sensei received a Menkyo Inka (Masters License) in a Goshin-jutsu system called Hyo-sui Ryu Koppo, from Satoshi Yokota Sensei, a student of Kimiyoshi Nakayama, Shihan, teacher of Yoshin Ryu Nakayama-ha Jujutsu. Nakayama-ha is not related to mainline Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu and comes from a small Dojo in Hokkaido.

Further in 2002, Grant South Sensei received permission to teach the original Aikibudo techniques of Ueshiba O'Sensei's Ogi-no-koto collection, called "Budo". This collection of techniques were taught in, and are representative of, a period (1930's) of transition in O'Sensei's art from Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu to the modern art of Aikido. At this time the art was called Ueshiba Ryu Aikibudo. These original techniques form the heart of Kufudokan Aikido, and many related variations are taught in relation to each classical form and its underlying principle. O'Sensei's Budo Text, representing the Ogi-no-koto, the so-called "Secret Principles", is the fundamental root text of the Kufudokan. Saito Sensei, Dai-Shihan stated that the principles in O'Sensei's Budo manual forms the foundation of those forms he himself received from O'Sensei. Grant South Sensei received a signed copy of Budo from Morihiro Saito, 9th Dan, Dai-Shihan.

Kufudokan Karate-jutsu

Karate in general has its origins in Okinawa, Japan and is derived from the traditons of southern Chinese Shaolin temple boxing and indigenous Okinawan and Japanese Jujutsu (unarmed techniques). The Kufudokan Karate-Jutsu lineage is traced from Hohan Soken O'Sensei to Ted Lange Hanshi and Grant South Sensei.

The approach of Kufudokan Karate-jutsu is to maintain the techniques which have been preserved from as far back as the influence of Indian martial arts and yoga into the rest of Asia. Although historically Bodhidharma, an Indian Buddhist Master, is credited traditionally as the first teacher of the arts in China, many other teachers have influenced the early and later development of these arts. What is apparent in comparison is that some Indian martial arts are characterised as being Karate and Aiki-jujutsu-like styles. Other arts in India are a system of wrestling similar to movements seen in Judo. The Kufudokan approach is to maintain this early relationship.