Kobukan Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu was established to preserve and pass on the techniques taught by Sokaku Takeda and Morihei Ueshiba between 1936 and 1939. Daitō-ryū Aiki Jūjutsu Australia continues this tradition, maintaining the precision, tradition and character of one of Japan’s most influential martial arts.
Aizu Takeda Heritage
Est. in Australia
Dicker Shihan
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.
Leigh Dicker Shihan is the Australian Director for Takumakai Aiki Jujutsu and Kobukan. Introduced to Kawabe Sensei in Osaka in 1998, Dicker Shihan assumed Australian leadership in 2000, directing the Australian Hombu at Anakie and dojos across Victoria and Queensland.
Dicker Sensei commenced his Martial Arts experience in 1975 in Tae Kwon Do whilst studying Architecture at Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria. After a long break due to family and work commitments. He resumed his interest in the Martial Arts when having settled back in Geelong to open his own business as an Architect.
It was good fortune that the only Australian Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu Dojo was close by, hence began the journey of discovery in 1989. Dicker Sensei received Shodan in Goshu Ryu Jujutsu (8 December 1995), Shodan in Daito-ryu Aiki Jujitsu, Australia (2 July 1997), then Nidan (19 November 1999), Sandan (March 2006), Yondan (April 2012), Godan (5 March 2017), and 6th Dan (Rokudan). In 2024, he was awarded the Kyōju Dairi (certificate of deep knowledge). Dicker Sensei holds the title of Shihan (teacher of teachers).
A letter of introduction to Kawabe Sensei provided the opportunity for Dicker Sensei to travel to Japan for the first time in August 1998. Here he was able to visit and train in the various Dojo’s of Takumakai in the Osaka region. This experience had a positive and significant influence, encouraging him to pursue earnest study in the art of Daito-ryu Aki Jujutsu the Takumakai way.
Return visit’s to Takumakai in Osaka have now become a regular event allowing Dicker Sensei and other Australian students to pursue the study of the art of Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu under the guidance of Shihan Kawabe Sensei.
