The Kokusai Aikido Kenshukai Kobayashi Hirokazu Ryu (International Academy of Research on Aikido Kobayashi Hirokazu) has been established in January 1998 under guidance of Kobayashi Hirokazu Sensei, a direct pupil of Ueshiba Morihei Sensei. This represented the culmination of preparation efforts in 1996 and 1997.
The KAKKHR is currently headed by Cognard André Shihan (1954), since 1974 a follower of Kobayashi Hirokazu Sensei who encouraged him to found in 1982 the Académie Autonome de Aikido Kobayashi Hirokazu in France which today includes more than 100 dojo. Cognard Shihan directs Aikido and Aikishintaiso seminars worldwide and he is the author of several books on Aikido and martial arts in French language. In April 2012 the KAKKHR was recognized as a member of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK), the oldest officially sanctioned martial arts institution in Japan, established in the 28th year of the Meij Era (1895) to restore and preserve the classical martial cultures of Japan. DNBK – a General Corporation sanctioned by the Japanese National Government, presided over today by His Royal Highness, Sosai, Higashifushimi Jiko, the Chief Abbot of Shorenin Temple and cousin to Emperor Akihito of Japan – continues to promote classic Japanese martial traditions and espouses peace and harmony for mankind through spirited training in Budo. While Kobayashi Hirokazu Aikido Ryu has been officially recognized as a traditional Budo, the title of "Hanshi" of DNBK was bestowed upon Cognard Shihan. Recently, he has also been officially designated as "Kobayashi Hirokazu Aikido Ryu Soke". |