AIKIDO

School of Self Defense

Covington, GA 30016

History

Master Shodo Morita founded the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido in 1946 in Hokkaido, Japan.  He was trained by Yoshiro Kitaro, an instructor of Daito-ryu-Aikijitsu.  Master Kitaro also trained in his family's system of self defense.  Master Morita trained in Judo, Kobudo (weapons), Karate, and Jujitsu, in addition to his training in Daito-ryu.  After mastering these arts, Master Morita realized that although they were highly effective, no single style was complete.  Each art focused on a separate element of self defense:  The karate arts focused on striking, the judo arts focused on throwing, and the jujitsu arts focused on joint locks.  Master Morita combined the techniques and principles of each system into the highly effective system we call Nihon Goshin Aikido today. 

While stationed in Japan, Richard A. Bowe studied Nihon Goshin Aikido under Master Shodo Morita, becoming the only westerner to earn a black belt rank from him.  Upon Master Morita's death in 1962, Nara Tominosuke, Shodo Morita's stepson, became head of the organization.  Mr. Bowe returned to the United States to open the first Nihon Goshin Aikido school in North America.  Mr. Bowe kept in close contact with Master Nara after coming back to the U.S., and for his continued training and promoting of the art, received the title of Shihan from Master Nara. 

Michael A. Stabile and Ginger Stabile began their training in Nihon Goshin Aikido in 1993 in Middletown, NY under Sensei Robert B. MacEwen, Jr.  Sensei MacEwen, the third highest ranked practitioner of Nihon Goshin Aikido in the world, has been in the martial arts for over 32 years.  Michael Stabile earned his Sho-Dan in 1997, his Ni-Dan in 2002 and his San-Dan in 2006.  Ginger Stabile earned her Sho-Dan in 1999 and her Ni-Dan in 2003.  Their school is the oldest Nihon Goshin Aikido school in Georgia.

Their approach to the training of law enforcement, private security personnel and executive protection specialists have been documented on CNN and other Major television networks.  They have also traveled to various parts of the United States instructing and speaking at Aikido seminars.