The Greensboro Kodokan Aikido Dojo is a center for the study of the martial way of Aikido located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Kodokan Aikido is the study and practice of the harmonious application of energy to conflicts, challenges and relationships. Through our relationship with the Kodokan Aikido dojo in Okazaki, Japan under Shihan Tadamitsu Tanaka, our dojo is affiliated with the Aikikai Federation based in Tokyo. Tanaka Shihan's father was a member of the Omoto Kyo  sect as well as a student of Morehei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Morehei Ueshiba and Tanaka Shihan's father were uchi deshi (live in students) of Onisaburo Deguchi, the charismatic Omoto Kyo priest who was instrumental in shaping the philosophical basis of Aikido. Ueshiba established and named the Kodokan Dojo in Okazaki in 1957.

Tadamitsu Tanaka Shihan was formerly a practicing Omoto Kyo priest and continues his father's connection with the Omoto Kyo sect and the Aikido of Morehei Ueshiba. He maintains the Kodokan dojo at his home in Okazaki, Japan. Since 1993, he has opened four additional dojo in Aichi prefecture: Toyota-shi,  Anjo-shi, Kota-cho and Chiryu-shi.


Tanaka Shihan founded the first Kodokan dojo in the US in Greensboro, North Carolina in October of 1989. He assigned the position of dojo manager to John Grinnell. John and Betsy Grinnell studied Aikido with Tanaka Shihan in Japan from 1987 to 1988. Prior to studying in Japan Grinnell Sensei practiced Tomiki Aikido for seven years under Dr. Jim Farr Sensei. Besides Greensboro, there are US Kodokan dojos in Blacksburg, VA, and Harrisonburg, VA. Susan Dalton Sensei also teaches Aikido as a physical education class at Alamance County Community College.


In September 2001, John and Betsy Grinnell Sensei moved from Greensboro and asked Jay Speetjens to take over as head instructor and Susan Dalton to become dojo manager. The Greensboro Kodokan Aikido Dojo operates as a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization. The operation dojo is maintained and supported by the volunteer efforts of an active and enthusiastic membership. Part of the Kodokan philosophy is that every member from the newest student to the most senior instructor is vital to the practice. Everyone has much to offer and there is always more to learn.


Visitors are always welcome in our dojo and we invite you to stop by if you are in Greensboro. We ask individuals interested in participating to watch one class and then attend two trial classes. For more information on joining the dojo please read the Classes page.

     Masanosuke Tanaka Nanadan, Tadamitsu Tanaka Shihan, and John Grinnell Sensei Yondan