About Fudo no Nami Aikido

The Chief Instructor at Fudo no Nami Aikido is Richard Keys, Shihan

Keys, Shihan started his training in Martial Arts at the age of 16 living in Ireland where he was born. His first art was Nihon Ryu Jiu Jitsu under Sensei John McCartney of the NIFMAC. ( Northern Ireland Freestyle Martial Arts Confederation). 

On a trip to the United Kingdom in 1988 for testing Keys was first introduced to the art of Aikido both in practice and demonstration from Sensei Mike Sheridan of the Aikido Research Federation. This began his journey towards Aikido which has brought him to this present day. 

During University years Aikido was practiced sporadically at Queens University when studies to becoming a Physiotherapist allowed. After emigrating to the USA in 1997 and a number of years travelling without practice Keys finally settled in the Northeast FL region and found Aikido of Jacksonville under the tutelage of former Instructor Perry Lambert. 

In 2010 Aikido of Jacksonville moved to So Budo Kai Honbu Dojo when Keys Shihan began training in Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo under SoShihan Sakimukai at Kenbukan Iai-do

In 2015 Keys Shihan took the reigns of Aikido of Jacksonville to begin a new chapter on his Budo path. Aikido was humbly accepted as the "5th- do" at So Budo Kai Honbu dojo sharing the common Budo with Iai-do, Karate- do, Jo-do and Kobudo

The name Fudo no Nami Aikido ( immovable wave Aikido) was established in 2017 to describe Shihan's philosophy and style of Aikdo embodying strength, direction and flow of an ocean wave as it makes its way to the shore. 

Keys Shihan currently holds the ranks of 5th Dan Aikido and 4th Dan Iai-hyodo at So Budo Kai