When did Steven Seagal begin to teach Aikido in Japan?

Question

Avery time I read about Seagal it says he was the first Westerner to begin to teach Aikido in Japan. Many say that he was the first Westerner to open a dojo in Japan. I'm not sure he was the first westerner to open his own class in Japan. The American that inherited the style I study, Albert C. Church, was in Japan from 1967 till May of 1969.  He opened a dojo in Japan during that period. What I can't say is exactly when, but is was between 1967 and 1969.
What I can find about Steven Seagal never says when he began to teach his on his own in Japan. I did find something that said he received his Shodan in 1974. If that is correct then he was not the first Westerner to run his own dojo in Japan. First degree black belt is not an instructors rank in any legitimate martial art. so it appears that Seagal could not have begun to teach for at least some years after 1974.

Does anyone have reliable information saying what year Seagal began to teach in Japan?

Jim R · Accepted Answer

If I recall, I think I read somewhere that he was the first (foreigner) to open an aikido dojo in Japan with the blessing of the powers that be.
How accurate that is I am not  sure.  I also remember reading something about A. C. Church but it wasn't aikido, as you well know.

? · Answer

Aikido Steven Seagal

ksnake10 · Answer

As the story goes, Steven Seagal was born in Lansing, Michigan and his parents took him to a parade where he witnessed a martial arts master from somewhere in China effortlessly throwing opponents around and dodging their punches and kicks.  This began the young Steven Seagal's interest in the martial arts.

This prompted Steven Seagal to move to Japan at age 17 to study authentic Aikido.  Seagal may not have been the "first" Westerner to study Aikido, but he is the most famous Westerner to have studied the art in Japan.  There is a lot myth and rumors questioning the validity of many of Sensei Seagal's statements.  Fact gets blurred with fiction with regard to whether or not Seagal actually worked for the CIA during the Vietnam War, like his character 'Nico Toscani' did in 'Above the Law.'  Well, since the CIA is so secretive and many of their operations are classified, it makes for the perfect B.S. story if anyone ever says they worked for the CIA.

There are several youtube clips showing Steven Seagal giving Aikido lessons in Japan and speaking Japanese to his students.

In the early 1980s, Seagal returned to the States where he worked as a stunt man and a fight choreographer.  He accidentally broke Sean Connery's wrist during a fight sequence for a film, and since then he has not had the best reputation among his fellow actors in Hollywood.

I know that Steven Seagal is a world renowned martial artist who has legitimately beaten people up.  He is also a crack shot with a pistol, as he can shoot the head off a match at 50 feet with at least 90% accuracy.

jwbulldogs · Answer

I don't recall the dates. I may be wrong on this, but I think he is supposed to be the 1st to run an Aikido dojo. I don't think his history was supposed to be for all martial arts in Japan. It should only refer to having an Aikido dojo in Japan.

I could be wrong, but I don't have the information in front of me and I didn't save it. I can probably do some research and find it. But that might take some time and my break is almost over at work right now.

? · Answer

Church was indeed the first to open up a school in Japan but he did that on his own.  Seagal was the first American approved by the Japanese Aikikai Aikido group that he was affiliated with to open up a school in Japan.

bunminjutsu · Answer

His wife owned a family dojo .There he was able to develope his own unique approach to the art which wouldn't have been allowed at the main honbu where he trained.He also seems to be proficient in escrima .
As for all the other stories he put forth once you say things that are suspect everything you do becomes suspect .Unfortunate attention seeking seems he missed the humility class.When did he start teaching?Doesn't matter really.His effectiveness in a self defense situation is very good according to witnesses and that's all that really matters.

Kokoro · Answer

I think it's a question of wording 
Seagal stated first aikido dojo, not first dojo. 

As for when he opened it I'm not sure either

Anonymous · Answer

great answer by pugpaws. in my opinion an art like Aikido if you have no prior martial arts training, will take longer to learn then most martial arts. it is a bit slower learning, but very effective! If you find a good instructor and devote yourself to it, it can give you very good self defense skills. I say, go find some of the schools, sit in and watch a class, and if you like it, go for it! goodluck!

Georgie · Answer

I think he was just managing a dojo that was belonging to the family of his Japanese wife starting from 1975 or 1976... Her father was an Aikido instructor.

He got married with a Japanese woman in 1975, she had a dojo, and he was just managing it.

That dojo still exists and it is managed by his ex-Japanese wife.

? · Answer

i have no idea but steven saegal seems to be a pathological liar so im not surprised to here his biggest accomplishment in my eyes is also a lie. like how he says he taught the front kick to silva and machida im pretty sure yoshizo machida taught that kick to him lol

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When did Steven Seagal begin to teach Aikido in Japan?

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