In August 1992, a group of Bulgarian Aikidokas took part in an international seminar in Chicago, USA, lead by Shihan Fumio Toyoda - President of the American Aikido Association (AAA) and the International Aikido Association (AAI). During this seminar, Toyoda san named the Bulgarian Aikidokas club "Oshinkan Dojo", because he was highly impressed by their enthusiasm and devotion during the training process.
Translated from Japanese, "Oshinkan Dojo" means "The School of the Morrelo-Cherry Blossom Spirit". In ancient times in Japan, the morrelo-cherry blossom was considered to be the symbol of a harmony and a purity in the nature. It was one of the favourite symbols of the samurai. These ruthless people who fought cruel battles and very often took away human lives, thus demonstrating their loyalty to their masters, honestly adored the morello-cherry blossom, which symbolized life and beauty. In Japan, every year at the end of April, thousands of people get together to enjoy the days when the morello-cherries are in blossom. According to the ancient legends, there are three most important days in these period. The first one is when the blossoms are still like buds - it symbolizes arising life. The second one represents the real morello-cherry blossom and symbolizes man in the period of maturity. The third one is when the blossoms start to fade away and fall down - a symbol of the end of life. There is no " best period" for the Japanese. They enjoy each of them.
At the beginning of 1996, "Oshinkan Dojo" was officially registered as a non-profit-making organization.
On 4.07.2001, Toyoda sensei suddenly passed away. We were deeply shocked and grievous about his death. We lose the oportunity to train under his guidness forever.
In November 2002, two of the members of our club went to Osaka, Japan, at the invitation of "Senshu Aikido Kiokai". They were training for three weeks under instructions of Honda Doshu sensei, 6 Dan Aikikai - the president of Senshu Aikido Kiokai. During this visit, Honda sensei kindly agreed to become senior teacher of "Oshinkan Dojo".