In addition to our study of Aikido we continually refine our insight for comparison & contrast with other aspects of Japanese martial arts. The dojo has developed a curriculum for the practice of atemi waza (percussion techniques), ne waza (ground techniques), shinobi waza (stealth techniques), and buki waza (weapons techniques).
Our training is decidedly a weapons centered practice. This lends the legitimacy and integrity to the open handed techniques required for the seeds of Aikido's philosophical principles to grow.
In addition to the martial traditions, the development of Aikido had been highly influenced by Japanese religion, philosophy, and cultural arts. We find that the experience and study of these subjects provide an excellent comparative perspective as well.
Topics influencing Aikido in the realm of philosophy and religion are also available. Paraphernalia and iconography from Shinto, Mikkyo, and Zen, are in the dojo & garden. The Oomoto Kyo, a modern Shinto derivative, incorporated many aspects of those religions and others. This was the refining philosophy O'sensei used in the transformation of his Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu into modern day Aikido.
The ritual of the Oomoto sect strongly synthesized Japanese cultural arts into it's practice. The samurai in general also fostered the arts into the lifestyle of the warrior. Murakumo Dojo has the fortune to have good connections within the immigrant Japanese and Japanese American community. As a result we are able to have experts in the area of Japanese cultural arts available to us on occasion. Some of the arts that can be experienced are: Shodo (calligraphy), Sumi-e (brush painting), Kado (flower arranging), Japanese language, and of course Japanese gardening.