The Ibaraki Branch Dojo (茨城支部道場
Ibaraki Shibu Dojo), also known as the
Ibaraki Dojo or the
Shibu Dojo, is a small
aikido dojo, run by the
Aikikai Foundation. In December 2003, the dojo was renamed the Ibaraki Branch Dojo with
Hiroshi Isoyama taking on the role of Acting Dojo Chief and Senior Instructor. Isoyama first began training in the Iwama dojo in 1949 at the age 12, as a direct student of the Morihei Ueshiba and the registration documents that he signed stated the name: "
Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu". Isoyama's position was later taken over by
Mitsuteru Ueshiba who then became the current Dojo Chief in place of his father in April 2015. Isoyama Shihan remains as chief instructor and Executive Advisor with support from Inagaki Shihan. On 11 March 2011, the dojo was severely damaged by an
earthquake and rendered unusable. Aikido practice continued in the Aiki Shrine from 14 March until 17 September 2011 when the newly repaired dojo reopened for training. The Ibaraki Branch Dojo has nine regular local instructors, headed by
Hiroshi Isoyama (8th dan), with the majority of the teaching (including the live-in student programme) being carried out by Shigemi Inagaki (8th Dan). Additionally, Dojo Chief
Mitsuteru Ueshiba and Aikido Doshu
Moriteru Ueshiba visit on Wednesdays and Saturdays respectively to teach the general class. General classes are held every day of the week for regular students while live-in students (内弟子
uchi deshi ) practise three times per day in addition to carrying out other duties such as maintaining the dojo and shrine precincts. ==Aiki Jinja==