The Senshusei Course is a year long intensive aikido course for those who really want to dedicate themselves to Yoshinkan Aikido. The course is the only one of it's kind in the world having been originally developed in the early 1960's to train the Tokyo Metropolitan Riot Police in Yoshinkan Aikido as a traditional budo form. It continues to this day, with a small but elite group of men and women having had the distinction of graduating from the Senshusei course.
Participants are apprenticed to the dojo for 1 year from April 1st to March of the following year. During this period Senshusei will participate in the daily life of the dojo, starting their day with cleaning duties, training alongside both regular students and the kidotai (riot police) whilst receiving instruction directly from the instructors at honbu dojo.
Senshusei are in the dojo from 7.30 am to 2pm, train 3 classes a day 5 days a week. The Senshusei Course takes participants, regardless of their rank or ability, back through all the basics of Yoshinkan aikido through to advanced techniques, jiyu waza, self-defense and instructional methods for teachers.
Yoshinkan Honbu accepts applicants, both male and female from all nationalities. Prior experience in aikido is highly recommended but is not a prerequisite. This course is not something that can be undertaken lightly. It is a very physical course that is difficult for both the experienced and novice to undertake. Whilst we encourage all serious students of Yoshinkan Aikido to consider this course we urge all those contemplating application to fully research this course before committing themselves to it.
Please click and hold on the Senshusei Course photographs below:
