Today, I’m announcing the establishment of the Doshinokai Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. This organization will be focused mainly on promoting and learning The “Do” (or way of), the beauty and spirituality behind the Japanese Cultural Heritage Arts, such as Ikebana (Kado) – the way of flower arrangement; Sado – the Art of Tea, Shodo – Japanese Calligraphy (Particularly Abe Sensei’s Shodo arts); and Kojiki and Kotodama (Abe Sensei’s way). The Foundation will help people learn about the traditional Japanese healing arts of Misogi, Sotai, and Macrobiotics. There are so many Japanese Cultural Heritage arts, but what they all share is their simplicity, societal influence, the dedication of their historical originators and influence of their modern practitioners. In this way, their cultural identities are not separate from Aikido.  In fact, they directly influence the way of Aikido as expressed in many of O’Sensei’s writings, his teachings, his way of moving and his activities throughout his life. 

The main focus of these arts is to enhance one’s appreciation of nature and to clarify one’s own place in the environment. Furthermore, the characteristic of all of the arts is that mind, body and spirit become integrated through a flower, a cup of tea, or brush to express the essential nature of each subject.  By promoting the beauty, spirituality and simplicity behind these cultural arts, we can seek the true state of nature, calmness in one’s mind.  We can receive the rejuvenated power and as a result of this we can give inspiration to the people in our community. That is the main idea and purpose of The Doshinokai Foundation.

Haruo Matsuoka – President and Founder