ABOUT OUR LINEAGE

Our dojo follows the traditional teachings of its founder, Joseph Jarman Sensei, and his teacher, Fumio Toyoda Shihan. We are affiliated with The Zenshinkai Aikido Association, a group of dojo committed to propagating the art of Aikido as originally passed on by Fumio Toyoda Shihan. Our Zen training lies within the lineage of The White Plum Asanga.

ABOUT JOSEPH JARMAN SENSEI

Jikishinkan Dojo and Brooklyn Buddhist Association were founded by Joseph Jarman Sensei. Jarman Sensei held rank of Godan (5th degree black belt), and was a long-time student of the late Shihan Fumio Toyoda, founder and Chief Instructor of the Aikido Association of America. Jarman Sensei was also an ordained Shin Buddhist priest, having studied and practiced under the direction of the late Rev. Gyoko Saito, Abbot of Higashi Honganji North America. Jarman Sensei also held certificates in Zen Bodywork and Calligraphy. A well known and influential jazz musician, Sensei Jarman was also one of the founding members of the Chicago Art Ensemble. Extensive information, discographies and interviews are available on the internet, including:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Jarman

• http://www.artensembleofchicago.com/joseph.html

• http://aacmchicago.org/members/Joseph_Jarman.html

• http://www.furious.com/perfect/jarman.html

• http://www.gallery41.com/JazzArtists/JosephJarman.htm

• http://www.nndb.com/people/526/000042400/

Joseph Jarman Sensei passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at the age of 81. His positive impact on the world through his Buddhist and Aikido teaching is beyond measure, and he leaves a deep legacy of compassion and strength in the many students he set on the path. Those who had the privilege of attacking him on the Aikido mat got to experience, first hand, the essence of Aikido. Completely relaxed, totally centered and grounded, your energy was redirected and suddenly you were on the mat wondering "how did I get here?". With the support of his sensei, Shihan Fumio Toyoda, he made the momentous decision to open his own dojo in Brooklyn. With great effort and hard work, Jikishinkan Dojo and the Brooklyn Buddhist Association thrived. We honor his memory by continuing his teaching, trying as best we can to pass on what we've been given to the next generation of students.

Upon Jarman Sensei’s retirement, and having trained under Jarman Sensei since 1992, Stewart Johnson became Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho in the summer of 2005.

Each student at the dojo today can trace his and her Aikido training lineage directly to the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, as follows:

Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, founder

- Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Doshu

-- Fumio Toyoda Shihan

--- Joseph Jarman Sensei

---- Stewart Johnson Sensei