Aikikai

The largest aikido organisation, and is led by the family of the founder Morihei Ueshiba. Numerous sub-organisations and teachers affiliate themselves with this umbrella organisation, which encompasses a wide variety of aikido styles, training methods and technical differences.

Yoshinkan

Founded by Gozo Shioda, this branch has a reputation for being the most rigidly precise. This style has been popular among the Japanese police and has active branches in many parts of the world.

Yoseikan

This form was developed by Minoru Mochizuki, who was an early student of O Sensei and also of Jigoro Kano at the Kodokan. This style includes elements of aiki-budo together with aspects of karate, judo and other arts. It is now carried on by his son, Hiroo Mochizuki, the creator of Yoseikan Budo.

Shodokan Aikido

Founded by Kenji Tomiki aikido Often called Tomiki aikido, after its founder, this style use sparring and rule based competition in training as opposed to most others Aikido styles. People tend to compete to train rather than to train to compete. Kenji Tomiki, an early student of O Sensei and also of Judo's Jigoro Kano, believed that introducing an element of competition would serve to sharpen and focus the practice since it was no longer tested in real combat. This latter view was the cause of a split with O Sensei's family who firmly believed that there was no place for competition in aikido training. Tomiki said that at no point did O Sensei actually cast him out.

Iwama Ryu

Morihiro Saito Aikido, commonly known as Iwama Ryu Aikido, emphasises the close connection between weapon techniques and empty-hand techniques, giving equal importance to both weapons and taijutsu training. Saito Sensei was a long-time uchideshi (live-in student) of O Sensei, beginning his training in 1946 and continuing until O Sensei’s passing. Many consider him the student who spent the most time directly learning from O Sensei. Saito Sensei aimed to preserve and teach aikido exactly as its founder taught him. Technically, Iwama Ryu closely reflects the style O Sensei taught in the early 1950s, primarily at the Iwama Dojo, and features a rich and extensive technical repertoire. Since Morihiro Saito’s passing, the Iwama style has been practised by various clubs within the Aikikai organisation, as well as by an independent group led by Hitohiro Saito. Some of Saito Sensei’s students remained with the Aikikai (the main aikido organisation), while others, including Hitohiro Saito, established the independent Shinshin Aikishuren Kai. These two groups maintain distinct affiliations and organisational structures, each dedicated to preserving Saito Sensei’s Iwama style in their own way.

Shin'ei Taido

Founded by Noriaki Inoue, nephew of Morihei Ueshiba. Noriaki is closely associated with the spiritual and technical development of aikido along with his uncle Morihei Ueshiba. Shinwa Taidō later became renamed to Shin'ei Taidō.

Ki-Aikido

This style is called Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (or Ki-Aikido). and was founded by former head-instructor of the Hombu dojo 10th dan Koichi Tohei. Ki-Aikido emphasises very soft flowing techniques and has a special program for the development of ki. It also has a special system of ki-ranks alongside the traditional kyu and dan system.

Yoshokai

Founded by Takashi Kushida, Yoshokai Aikido is a highly centralized style, with technique lists and explanations updated and distributed annually. This structure complements its strong emphasis on meticulous attention to detail across weapons training, empty-hand techniques, and fundamental movements.

Tendoryu Aikido

Founded by Kenji Shimizu, a 4th dan judoka who switched to aikido in 1963, Tendoryu Aikido features large, clear movements with an emphasis on naturalness and harmonious flow.

Birankai Aikido

Kazuo Chiba (T.K. Chiba), the founder of Birankai, was a highly influential and direct student of Ueshiba. His interpretation of Aikido emphasizes a strong martial foundation, rigorous physical training, and a deep connection to budo (martial way) principles. As such, Birankai is often characterized by a more physically demanding approach, focusing on committed attacks and practical applications.

Shin Budo Kai

Founder Shizuo Imaizumi, born 1938, achieved a 7th dan in Ki Society aikido, before he broke away in 1987 and founded the Shin-Budo Kai style of aikido. The organisation was officially created on October 1 1988. Shin-Budo Kai is independent of both the Aikikai and Ki no Kenkyukai with Imaizumi serving as Chief Instructor. Shin-Budo Kai's emphasis is on knowledge provided not only by aikido, but on other martial arts and in Genkido ki-exercises.

Kokikai

Founded by Shuji Maruyama in 1986, focuses on minimalist but effective technique. It emphasises natural stances and ukemi that do not require high breakfalls, and de emphasis atemi and techniques that cause pain or undue discomfort to uke. As such, it is considered by some to be a "soft" style of aikido.

Seidokan

Founded by Rod Kobayashi, tends to utilise movements which are very small and economical and encourages students to discover an aikido which is truly their own. This style stresses the importance of doing away with the extraneous and focusing on that which works.

Nippon Kan

Founded by Gaku Homma, whose early teaching career began on a US Air Force base, the Nippon Kan dojo was established as an independent school in Denver, Colorado, in 1978. Since then, it has grown into the largest aikido dojo in the Rocky Mountain region and is renowned for its international uchi-deshi programme. Homma has also organised numerous major aikido seminars in Denver, many of which were led by the late Saito Morihiro.

Nihon Goshin

Founded by Shodo Morita who had mastered Aikido, Karate, Aikijitsu, Judo and many weapon arts. He was highly respected by senior members of the martial arts community on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. Current director, Mr. Richard A. Bowe, studied under Master Morita in Japan and brought the art to America in 1962.

Tenchin Budo Kai

Headed By Frank Ani Jr. This is considered a "hard" Aikido style, combining the basics of Tenshin and general Aikikai styles together. It also includes techniques from Aikijujutsu making it a very practical and street effective version of Aikido. Only a few qualified instructors teach this style of Aikido, which is an independent association with no affiliations.