Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu in Australia preserves the depth and tradition of one of Japan’s most influential martial arts.  Taught through authentic lineages and guided by experienced instructors in Victoria and Queensland, training focuses on precision, timing and subtle control rather than strength.

Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu traces its roots to Minamoto no Yoshimitsu in the 11th century, preserved for centuries within the Takeda family of the Aizu domain. It became a public martial art under Takeda Sokaku in the late 19th–early 20th century. His son, Tokimune later formalised the style under the name Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu.

The core of Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu lies in using timing, subtle body alignment, and precise control of an opponent’s balance and intent, rather than strength to neutralise attacks. The “aiki” methods focus on blending with an opponent’s movement, leading their center and applying small, refined joint locks, pins and throws that exploit natural biomechanical weaknesses. The art is essentially the science of structure, leverage, and nervous-system response combined with the martial strategy of entering, redirecting and controlling with minimal force.

The first official Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu class in Australia was facilitated by Ross Burns on 12 April 1980 in Geelong, Victoria. Leigh Dicker Shihan took over the leadership, with the support of Takumakai, on 15 December, 2000. In 2020 Aiki Jujustu Australia repositioned under the Kobukan banner remaining with Kawabe Shihan leadership. Kawabe Shihan continues to make regular visits to Australia from Osaka Japan. Other exchange visits between Japan and Australia occur on a regular basis.

Kawabe Shihan (Kawabe Takeshi) is the head and founder of Kobukan Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu and one of the organisation’s most active and internationally recognised teachers. Born in Osaka in 1944, Kawabe Shihan began martial arts at Momoyama Gakuin University, studying both Aikido and Daito-ryu under teachers like Takuma Hisa and Hirokazu Kobayashi. After briefly stepping away for work, Kawabe Shihan returned to train under Hisa Sensei, and has since devoted nearly 40 years to Daito-ryu, earning ranks that include Aikido Nidan, Daito-ryu Nidan, Kyoju Dairi, Rokudan and most recently 8th Dan. Committed to preserving and transmitting the techniques worldwide, Kawabe Shihan teaches extensively across Japan and travels to overseas Dojos in France, Finland, Greece, the USA and Australia.

Dicker Shihan (Leigh Dicker), Australian Director for Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu Australia – Kobukan, began his martial arts journey in 1975 while studying architecture at Deakin University, later returning to training after establishing his architectural practice in Geelong. His discovery of Australia’s only Daitō-ryu dojo in 1989 marked the start of a committed path of study, leading him from Shodan in both Goshu-ryu and Daitō-ryu to Godan and the title of Shihan. A pivotal introduction to Kawabe Sensei in 1998 took him to Osaka, where training across several Takumakai dojo deeply shaped his understanding of the art. Since then, regular returns to Japan have strengthened his study and supported the growth of Kobukan Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu in Australia.

In Australia, dedicated dojos offer students a rare opportunity to study this refined art in a modern, supportive environment.

• Geelong
• Anakie
• Ballarat
• Gold Coast
• Brisbane (Study Group)

• Dicker Shihan
• Neil Smith Sensei
• David Ure Sensei
• Grant Periott Sensei
• Gordon Moore Sensei
• Graham Ferguson Sensei

• Ballarat
• Gold Coast
• Australia

In March 2026 Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu Australia will host an Australian Embu in Geelong, Victoria. Members would like to thank Lara District Community Enterprise Limited (Bendigo Bank) for the funding assistance that has allowed the event to happen and bring Kawabe Shihan to Australia.