BAF History
Founded in 1968 as the Aikikai of Great Britain under the aegis of the Aikikai Foundation (the body created by the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, for the development of Aikido throughout the world), the organisation became the British Aikido Federation in 1976, with Minoru Kanetsuka (Shihan - 7th Dan), as resident Technical Director. It has full recognition from the Aikido Hombu (the World Aikido Headquarters, Tokyo), and is a member of the International and the European Aikido Federation.
Style
The BAF maintains the closest ties with the Aikido World Headquarters. Its Technical Advisor is Shihan Masatake Fujita (8th Dan) from Hombu (Headquarters) Dojo, and regular visits are made by senior Japanese Aikikai instructors to conduct BAF courses. Thus a wholly orthodox, traditional approach to Aikido teaching is maintained. All Dan grades awarded within the BAF receive certificates signed by the Head of the World Aikido Movement, Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, and are registered with the International Aikido Federation. Enjoying close links with numerous Aikido organisations all over the world (Kanetsuka Sensei is also Technical Director of seven national organisations abroad and gives frequent courses throughout Europe), the BAF has a truly international dimension and lies very much in the mainstream of Aikido development.