New River Aikikai

About Us

New River Aikikai began with the confluence of three martial artists in a Jacksonville community center.  New River Aikikai flowed from their common dream – to train authentically without attachment.  In October of ‘04, we opened our dojo in Jacksonville, North Carolina, the gateway to Carolina's Crystal Coast.  We are dedicated to the teaching, training and spread of traditional aikido.  Recognizing the warrior in each of us, we have committed to a simple lifestyle that balances the duties of modern life with a martial vigor.  Visitors are welcomed.    School Philosophy Train, train, train there is no other way.  We don't promise anything but genuine authentic aikido training.  This training serves to polish your body, spirit and mind. Class Fees Our monthly fee structure allows you to participate in all aikido, iaido or zazen classes.  We believe you should train as much as possible (at minimum two classes a week).    Participation in other classes can be coordinated with those instructors. Meaning of School logo Our logo blends the three elements of sky, water and earth.  The Rising Sun in the east is for our location and reminds us of the Japanese heritage of our art.  The rising seagulls represent our striving upward and nearness to the ocean with her gulls.  Like our path, they are at three levels and three stages of emerging from the sun, Shu Ha Ri. In the shape of the letter B, the flowing river represent the locally geographically prominent feature, the New River, and also Birankai International, our parent organization which connects us to the heritage of Aikido with its roots in the "rising Sun" of Japan and then leads us forward into the future. The river begins yellow from the Rising Sun to the deep fraternal red of our Aikido family.  These colors are also emblematic of the scarlet and gold colors of the U.S. Marines Corps here in the community of Jacksonville with 70,000+ Marines where the dojo is located.