Iwama, Ibaraki


Iwama was a small town located in Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
On March 19, 2006, Iwama, along with the town of Tomobe, was merged into the expanded city of Kasama.

Geography

The former town of Iwama is located about 100 km northeast of Tokyo and near the city of Mito.
Iwama is at the base of Mt. Atago. Mt. Atago is part of a larger Prefectural Park that extends up towards Kasama. On top of Mt. Atago is a kids' play area with a giant slide as well as the Atago shrine.

Demographics

As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 16,588 and a density of 332.23 persons per km2. The total area was 49.93 km2.

Notable residents

Iwama is known for having been the residence of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido, from 1942 until his death. It was during this period that the term "Aikido" came into use. The world's only shrine to Aikido was built here by the founder along with a small dojo. Practitioners from around the world come to Iwama to train as uchideshi or “live-in students”. There are two famous Aikido dojos in the town including the original Iwama dojo and the Shin-Shin Aiki-Juku. The latter is operated by Hitohiro Saito who formed his own organisation in 2003. Ueshiba’s dojo continues to operate within the Aikikai under his original students, including Chief Instructor Hiroshi Isoyama, Shigemi Inagaki and others. The Aiki Jinja, or Aikido Shrine, is situated opposite the Iwama Dojo and near the Aiki Shuren-Kai Shin-Shin Aiki-juku.

Festivals

The town's official matsuri is held in the last week of September, but throughout the year it also observes the usual Japanese holidays.
The Aiki Jinja Rei Taisai is held every April on the 29th and features a "hono embu" by the Aikido Doshu. More than a thousand people usually come for the celebration which also features a Shinto ceremony carried out by Ōmoto-kyō priests.