Aikido Kobayashi Dojo

Live-in training is designed for those who wish to improve their grasp of the techniques and spirit of aikido through daily intensive practice at Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, as well as those who wish to improve their teaching methods and obtain the proper mental attitude for an instructor of aikido.

Qualification

  1. Those who wish to become live-in trainees should talk to the shihan or other person in charge of any dojo affiliated with Aikido Kobayashi Dojo or one of the overseas aikido organizations which has instructional ties to it. After making initial contact through this person, the approval of the head of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo is required prior to beginning training.
  2. Live-in trainees must provide a letter of recommendation from the shihan or head instructor of their aikido organization, and will also be required to sign a contract outlining the rules and responsibilities of live-in training.
  3. Live-in trainees must obtain a guarantor. In the event that the trainee causes a traffic accident, he/she and the guarantor will share responsibility for whatever liability is incurred.
  4. Aikido Kobayashi Dojo must be informed of the date or period of intended training prior to the trainees arrival.
  5. Trainees should be behave at all times in the awareness and with a sense of pride in being live-in trainees, and should be diligent in their aikido practice.
  6. Trainees must strive to understand well and respect the customs and routines of life in a dojo.
  7. As a trainee of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, one must try to be on good terms with other members of the dojo, and refrain from doing anything that might bother or create a sense of mistrust among other members or residents of the neighborhood of the dojo.
  8. Trainees may not be absent from a scheduled practice without first giving a reason. In cases of an anticipated absence, one should contact the head of the dojo or one of the instructors beforehand to explain the situation.
  9. Trainees must contact the head of the dojo (Dojo-cho) or one of the instructors prior to spending a night away from the dojo.
  10. Trainees should pay the instruction and lodging fees for their training prior to the starting date of their period of training.
  11. In the event that a trainee wishes to test for a promotion of dan or kyu rank while at Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, he or she must first obtain the permission of the shihan or other person in charge of the aikido organization to which they belong.
  12. As space to store personal belongings is limited at the dojo and Kumegawa Lodge, live-in trainees should be prepared to make do with only their most necessary possession for the period of their stay.
  13. A trainee must write an essay about his/her experience as a live-in trainee, and submit it to Aikido Kobayashi Dojo by the end of his/her live-in training period, in MS Word document file format.
    Impressions on live-in training program

Application form (pledge) can be downloaded by clicking on the following link.

Pledge (PDF file)

Print it out, fill in the necessary information, put your face photo, and have a sign by yourself and your guarantor, then airmail to:

Aikido Kobayashi Dojo
582 Gakuen-higashi-cho
Kodaira, Tokyo 187-0043
JAPAN


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Fees

  1. A trainee needs to pay for his/her own expenses. Expenses include transportation, meals, the fee for living in the dojo, training fees, and any other expenses for personal needs.
  2. Transportation expense includes both travels to and from Japan, and in Japan: metro (subway), busses, trains, etc.
  3. Meals include both the food that a trainee buys to him/herself and the meals that the trainee participates (for example, a trainee must pay his/her share of dojo breakfasts on Friday mornings).
  4. Lodging fee and instruction fee must be paid to Kobayashi Dojo in cash monthly. It covers the use of dojo materials and equipment.
  5. A trainee must pay the training fees to those dojos other than Kobayashi Dojo for extra training sessions. For example, if he/she visits Hombu dojo for an extra training while participating the live-in training program at Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, he/she must pay a visitor fee to Hombu dojo. Moreover, a trainee must pay his/her expenses if he/she attends any Aikido seminars and camps.
  6. A trainee can use the PC with Internet connection when it is agreed with the person in charge of the dojo.

The fees at Aikido Kobayashi Dojo:

  • Lodging fee: 30,000 yen per month
  • Heating surcharge (from November to March): 10,000 yen per month
  • Instruction fee: 10,000 yen per month

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About the use of dojo properties

  1. Live-in trainees are free to use the facilities and equipment at the dojo, but in the event that something is damaged or destroyed through the use of the trainee, the trainee who is responsible must pay for repair or replacement of the item(s) concerned.
  2. Trainees must clean the sheets, blankets, and any other items that require cleaning, at the end of their period of stay at the dojo.
  3. Trainees should be careful when using the gas stove and the heaters of the dojo, and should make sure that all lights are off and all gas and water valves have been properly closed prior to going out of the dojo. They are also responsible for making sure that all doors and windows have been properly closed and locked before going out.

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Where to stay

The following dojo locations provide lodging for live-in trainees:

  • Tokorozawa Dojo for male trainees
  • Kodaira Dojo for female trainees

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How to get to Kobayashi Dojo

After arriving to Narita Airport, please take a direct bus going to Tokorozawa.
Details can be downloaded by clicking the following link.

Directions to Kodaira Dojo and Tokorozawa Dojo (PDF file)


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Training schedule

Class times and locations which full-time live-in trainees are require to attend appear on the chart below.

Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun.
6 6:30-7:30
Kodaira
6:30-7:30
Kodaira
9 9:00-12:00
Tokorozawa
(Meeting)
10 10:00-11:30
Kodaira
10:30-12:00
Tokorozawa
11
11:30-12:30
Tokorozawa
11:30-13:00
Kodaira
14 14:30-15:30
Higashi-Murayama


15 15:30-17:00
Tokorozawa
18 18:00-19:00
Kodaira
(Women)

18:30-19:30
Tokorozawa
(Men)
19 19:30-21:00
Tokorozawa
19:30-21:00
Kodaira
19:30-21:00
Tokorozawa
  • Those who wish to participate in children's class to have an experience in instructing children may participate upon consultation.
  • Full-time live-in trainees may occasionally be required to accompany instructors to classes at other dojos.

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