Chief Instructor Ed Francis 4th Degree Black Belt Aikido

20 Years experience teaching in the U.S. and Japan.

SHIHAN RON GRANVILLE

     The Dojin Aikikai ( Practice Hall of Aikido Life ) was founded by Shihan Ron Granville (above right). Shihan Granville began his Aikido training in January 1966 in Okinawa under Roy Y. Suenaka (above left) while stationed there in the U.S. Air Force. Suenaka Sensei studied under O-Sensei for a brief time prior to O-Sensei's death. Suenaka Sensei then studied under Tohei Sensei who was O-Sensei's head Instructors in the Hombu. After six months of training Shihan Granville went to Japan to visit the Hombu with Suenaka Sensei. While there, he was introduced to O-Sensei's son Kishomaru Uyeshiba and Tohei Sensei along with many others.

    Shihan Granville received training in Administrative procedures in Dojo operations, KI development, and self-defense techniques. He went back to Japan several times during the following years for more specialized training. After receiving sho-dan grade his tour of duty was at an end, and he was reassigned to Scott AB, Illinois and established a branch dojo of the KI Society Southern Region. For the remainder of Shihan's time in the Air Force Aikido dojo's were started in Thailand, Oregon, and March AB, California.

    Throughout this time he gave demonstrations at various Martial Arts tournaments, juvenile hall's, elementary and high schools and conducted Aikido techniques at a summer camp for children. Aikido techniques were being taught by instructors under Shihan Granville's to the Riverside Police Department, Riverside Sheriff's Office and the Sheriff's Academy.

    While stationed at Utapao AB, Thailand, he taught American and Thai security teams Aikido techniques and received a commendation from the royal Thai Navy Security Chief for an excellent program. Once again after arriving at March AFB, California he taught the philosophy and techniques of Aikido to the Base Security Officers and Special Base Defense teams.

    As the KI Society dissolved in America, Shihan Grandville joined a newly formed organization " American International KI Development and Philosophical Society" (A.I.K.D.P.S.), founded by Professor Roy Y. Suenaka, Grandville's original sensei. The March AFB school became the Headquarters Western Region. Grandville was promoted to 5th Dan with the title SHIHAN (professional instructor) of Western Director. Shihan for the past twenty years has groomed devoted martial artists studying under him who are now teaching Aikido in Japan, England, Germany, Texas, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Missouri.

    On the first of March, 1992 he established the Dojin Aikikai Association in the populous area of Southern California through the University of California at Riverside, and Irvine, Riverside City College, San Bernardino Valley College, several commercial Aikido Schools and the South Western Area Headquarters under the direction of Sensei Ed Francis.

DOJIN AIKIKAI HOME