Aikikai Aikido Cairns Freshwater Dojo

What is the Kotodama?
The Kotodama is a Japanese principle that holds that sounds and words have spiritual and creative power.
Every vibration you emit—whether vocal or internally—affects your mind, your energy(ki), and your way of acting.
It's not empty mysticism: it's the idea that your intention has a frequency.. and that frequency manifests itself in your movement.
Why was it key to Morihei Ueshiba?
The Sensei understood that Aikido was not just a physical technique. Influenced by currents like the Omoto-kyo, he saw training as a way to line up:
🔵Mind
🔵Breathing
🔵Energy
For him, the Kotodama was a tool to unify all that from within.
How does it impact your Aikido?
A technique doesn't work just by force or form.
It works when there is internal coherence:
• Clear intention
• Breathing connected
• Natural Movement
The Kotodama acts as that "invisible engine" that gives life to the technique.
The real difference.
You can do Aikido 'right'...
or you can do Aikido with real presence.
The difference is not always seen,
but it is felt immediately.
The Kotodama was fundamental for Morihei Ueshiba because it allowed him to go beyond technique.
Don't just make moves...
but to give them intention, direction and life.

DIARY of a REBORN AIKIDOKA
Author: Claudio Baschetti
Aikido&Budo Publishing 2026
available now worldwide on:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GMJ6JBP4
Fishing something out from the past, understood as space-time, that we had long resigned ourselves to having lost forever: is it possible? For some, no, for others, yes. You just have to want it intensely, with your body and soul, and then suddenly everything comes true, thanks not to a pseudo miracle, but to your own will, this time aware of your own possibilities and of our limitless consciousness. This is my story, an ordinary story that can become a message, a clue for many who, like me, have involuntarily interrupted their path in Aikido. This is an unfiltered diary, so if someone should be offended or feel outraged by what I have written, well... I can only advise diving into a nice cold spring and wish you a rejuvenating Misogi.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GMJ6JBP4

For the first time in the history of Aikikai Australia, an Aikido practitioner named Tony Garside is being awarded and recognized for his long-standing dedication to Aikido and, above all, for his passion and devotion to the art, despite never having taken any grading exams. I set this precedent, and Tony fully deserved it, having already been a Nidan in the Ki-Society. Well done, Tony, a big hug.

Great training day today 13th of December 2025 and great grading performance from:
Charlie 7th Kyu Blue belt
Iori 9th Kyu Orange belt
Darcy 10th Kyu Yellow belt
Halu 10th Kyu Yellow belt
Congratulations to each of you.
Also thank you to all the senior students that took part at this event.
Also many thanks to the children parents that came to assist patiently for more than two hours.
Domo

Congratulations to Pietro for his 11th Kyu grading last night.

AIKIDO books collection, 7 numbers, it's available now.
AIKIDO it's a periodical of Aikido, Budo and traditional Japanese culture, edited by Aikido&Budo publishing by Claudio Baschetti.
You can borrow your copies writing to:
[email protected]

Sydney winter school 2025.
Nidan grading.

Freshwater Dojo class last night.

Japan Day of Hope 2025.
Freshwater Dojo demonstration.

29 marzo 2025 Aikido Demonstration Japan Day of Hope Aikido Freshwater Dojo Aikikai Australia Cairns info: [email protected]

Aikido Freshwater Dojo demonstration
at Japan Day of Hope. Ukes Mayumi Kojima and Dimitri Piaggesi. Great performances looking forward to the near grading day for both of them.

Last night children grading.
Congratulations to Iori 10 kyu and Darcy 11 Kyu. This group of kids (including Halu last night absent) is growing faster and it will be soon the next generation of adult class, hopefully at Freshwater Dojo.