‘Marple Aikido is a Traditional Aikido Club which follows the principles of the Founder of Aikido - Morihei Ueshiba. The Marple club was founded in January 2008.

We are part of the Lancashire Aikikai, an Association which was founded in 1965 by Marion Mucha Sensei. Since Mr Mucha’s death in 1998, Lancashire Aikikai has been headed by Bob Spence Sensei.

One of the most significant historic influences on the direction and principles of the Aikido taught at Marple and throughout our Association is that of TK Chiba (Shihan) who was a direct student of the founder of Aikido.

Chiba Sensei taught both Marian Mucha Sensei and our current Principal Bob Spence Sensei.

Weapons (primarily Aiki Jo & Aiki Ken) form an integral part of our Aikido both at Marple and the Lancashire Aikikai. Our weapons system is based on the Iwama style of Morihiro Saito Sensei, developed latterly by his son Hitohiro Saito Sensei.

At Marple we are extremely fortunate to have had a close relationship with Mimuro Sensei since 2009. Mimuro and his wife Cathy visit Marple on a regular basis.

The instructors have also had the great pleasure of visiting the Mimuros in Japan and training at Mimuro Sensei’s dojo in Yokohama and at Hombu (Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo).’

In April 2016, Lancashire Aikikai formally appointed Mimuro Sensei (7th Dan Hombu) as Technical Director, renewing the Associations links with Aikikai headquarters in Tokyo, via Yokohama International Aikido.