Koichi Tohei Sensei, 12 Randori Demonstrations

A multi-attacker randori was the signature finale of any Aikido demonstration by Koichi Tohei Sensei. Here is a baker’s dozen that took place between 1962 and 1981. The original media varies from 8mm film, super8 film, 16mm film, VHS recordings, and television shows. All have been stabilized, upscaled, and ai-enhanced but are limited by the resolution of the source material. Much has been written about the first such randori demonstration. It was not preplanned. The year was 1953. The first AAU national Judo championships were held in San Jose, California. Tohei Sensei was attacked simultaneously by the winners of all weight divisions. This was during Tohei Sensei’s first trip to the United States to introduce the “new” martial art of Aikido.