Riai Wellington Dojo

Riai Wellington Dojo has been operating since 1994 when Henry Lynch Sensei (now a 3rd Dan) opened the Dojo in Ngaio, Wellington after moving from Auckland, New Zealand.

Henry began his Aikido journey 27 years ago and when he opened the Wellington Dojo in 1994 there was on opening night 6 eager new beginners. Since then Riai Aikido Wellington has grown to 25 adult and 22 children students.

New 1998 Riai Wellington Dojo moved Dojo to Chartwell School, Crofton Downs, Wellington. This is a special Dojo as the school is a joint operation with the New Zealand and Japanese education authorities and because of this the school and Dojo has a very Japanese feeling about it.

The picture of the class in action is from our opening day at the Dojo wherein all 8 local Aikido clubs came to the Dojo and taught.

Children's classes are taught weekly during school terms. Adult classes are held 3 times a week and once a month on a Saturday afternoon a Symposium is held.

About Riai

The Riai Aikido Association is a New Zealand Aikido organization, founded in Auckland in 1977. The association now encompasses three dojos, located in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington. Riai dojos offer a friendly and encouraging environment in which to pursue the art of Aikido, placing extra emphasis on the flowing and graceful aspects of the art.

Riai is a founding member of the New Zealand Aikido Association and is affiliated to the Aikido Association of Northern California with Sensei Robert Nadeau, 6th Dan, being Mike and Henry's Sensei.

What's in a Name?

In its present day context, Riai (pronounced ree-eye) means Principle of Harmony. The concept of Riai was in practice in ancient feudal Japan and became one of the top goals of the sword fighting Samurai during the shogunate of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Tokugawa dynasty lasted from 1603 to 1867 and was the most formal and rigid time for the Samurai in both etiquette and code of conduct. The Samurai of this time endeavored to combine the principles of Sen, Suki, Kiai, Kamae, Zansin and Ma-ai. When all these principles were in harmony with each other and honed to the highest degree, the Samurai was said to be in a state of Riai.

Friendship Camps

The annual Riai Friendship Camp is a well-established tradition that attracts many enthusiastic Aikido proponents each year. The friendship camp usually runs over a weekend and is open to all people of Aikido. The camps seek to provide a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where people from different styles from New Zealand and overseas can come together to share and expand their Aikido. This years camp in September will be led by Robert Nadeau Sensei 6th Dan of City Aikido San Francisco, USA.

A Little History

The Riai Aikido Association was founded in Auckland in 1977 by Johan Buiter Sensei, who inherited the Auckland University Aikido Club from Jack Sims of the Chidokan. The university club changed its name to Riai Aikido, making it the first of the Riai dojos now spread throughout the North Island. Johan, who rose to Aikikai 4th dan, has now retired from Aikido. The current leaders of Riai New Zealand are Mike Ashwell (who is based in Auckland) and Henry Lynch (who is based in Wellington). In 1997 the Riai Association celebrated its 20th anniversary and it has, over the years, hosted some 18 friendship camps throughout New Zealand.

Where to Find Us