The Martial Way - Nihon Goshin Aikido

Our Roots

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Our current director, Mr. Richard A. Bowe, studied under Master Morita in the town of Chitose on the Island of Hokkaido in Japan and brought the art to America in 1962.

Nihon Goshin Aikido was brought to the United States by Mr. Richard A. Bowe. Mr. Bowe was stationed on the island of Hokkaido during his military career. While there he reviewed a variety of systems, including karate and Aikido (Ueshiba style), but due to his previous training he felt that, although he respected those arts, they did not contain what he sought in a martial art. He continued his search until he came across Shodo Morita. Mr. Bowe was impressed with the ease with which Master Morita's students were able to throw him. Mr. Bowe trained with both Shodo Morita, who awarded him a black belt, and with Shodo Morita's adopted son, Tominosuke Nara, who took over the system after Master Morita.

Mr. Bowe returned to the United States and began teaching Nihon Goshin Aikido in 1962 at a local karate school. On September 12, 1963, he opened his own dojo in Gutenberg, New Jersey. In 1976 Mr. Bowe was promoted to 5th degree black belt by Master Nara. Shortly after that Master Nara retired from public teaching. As far as we know, Nihon Goshin Aikido is no longer taught in Japan. However, the Black Belts from Mr. Bowe's dojo and the students of his students are teaching in numerous dojos throughout the United States. Mr. Bowe continues to teach a class for Black Belts in his North Bergen dojo.