From the initial plea by a small dojo in Chicago for an Aikido instructor, Fumio Toyoda came to America at the beginning of teh summer in 1974. Will little more than the clothes on his back, but a heart as big as a house began the long journey of the man we know as Toyoda Sensei. As Ki Aikido instructor his infectious humor, easy teaching style and dynamic Aikido soon won the hearts of many students around the Chicago land area and quickly spread farther and farther as his reputation of quality Aikido grew. In 1984 a dramatic parting of ways happened and Sensei left the Ki Society. Shortly after leaving Ki Society Toyoda Sensei took upon himself an enormous task of founding and organizing what we now know as the AAA, the AAI and the AIF, This DVD is dedicated to Toyoda Sensei, his devotion to the art of Aikido that he loved so much and spent his whole life in the pursuit of its perfection.

This DVD, originally released in 1989, is an introduction to the art through demonstrations and basic instructions. The highlights art the many demonstrations by Toyoda, starting with a live sword tachi-tori and ending with a free style including particularly difficult weapons free style and a 6 man randori! Many of Toyoda's students are also shown demonstrating and there are excerpts from some dan exams. Interviews lead a personal touch, giving prospective students an idea of the inner changes that take place through Aikido training.

Length: 1 hours & 46 min.

Language: English