Iwama Dojo - Ibaraki Branch

Ibaraki branch dojo (茨城支部道場 Ibaraki Shibu dojo), also known as Ibaraki dojo or Ibaraki branch, is a small aikido dojo run by the Aikikai Foundation.

This dojo was originally called Aiki Shuren Dojo (合気修練道場, lit. harmonising drill dojo). It was built by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, and completed in 1945. At first it did not include tatami mats, and students received training directly upon the wooden floor. Eventually 24 mats were installed. The dojo was later relocated to the present day location and expanded to 60 mats.

Saito Morihiro Shihan was the caretaker and chief instructor at the Iwama Dojo after the Founder died. After Saito Shihan died, the dojo has been renamed the Ibaraki Shibu Dojo by the Aikikai. The current head instructor is Hiroshi Isoyama 8th dan. Isoyama first began training at Aiki Shuren Dojo in 1949, at age 12.

Ibaraki branch has about ten instructors in total, and general training is held once every day of the week for regular students while live-in students (内弟子 uchi deshi ) practise three times per day in addition to carrying out other duties such as maintaining the dojo and shrine precincts.