The Aikikai Zurich, founded over 40 years ago, had a significant influence on Aikido in Switzerland.
| 1959 | It stated in 1959, when Freddy Jacot stared the Swissair Judo club with about a dozens follow Judokas training in a Gym in Zurich Seebach. Freddy, as a flight engineer often being in Japan, was exposed to Aikido during his stopovers in Tokio. Soon this martial art was also practices in the Seebach Dojo. At the time Aikido was practically unknown in Europe. But martial arts enthusiasts, mostly people with a judo background, started practising movements they called Aikido. There was even talk about Aikido competitions at the time. |
| from 1965 | Freddy Jacot, still with the Aikido branch of the Swissair Judo club started organizing stages with Nakazono Sensei and Tamura Sensei in Zurich and Herisau, together with Willy Frischknecht’s group. Mind you, this was all at a time when O’Sensei was still alive and teaching. |
| 21.09.1969 | After the creation of a Swiss Aikido club failed the Association Culturelle Suisse d’Aikido (ACSA) was founded on 21. September 1969 in Willy Frischknecht living room. Its first president was Freddy Jacot. |
| 1971 | The Aikido Section of the Swissair Judoclub becomes its own association, called Aikikai-Zurich and joins the ACSA. |
| ca. 1980 | In a basement in Seebach the Aikidokas build their very first and own Dojo. |
| 1983 | The Dojo moves to a bigger space at Flüelastrasse in Altstetten |
| 1989 | Only six years later another move to Hardturmstrasse 76 |
| 1991 | The Aiki-Kai Zürich joins the FSA (Federation Suisse d’Aikido). Every year it invites Tamura Sensei to a stage, where FSA members have the possibility to take their Dan graduations. |
| 2004 | Move to a bigger Dojo to Hardturmstrasse 169 |
| 2015 | Yet another move to today’s address Bernerstrasse Nord 182 |
16.12.2007
Freddy Jacot our founder and 5. dan leaves us. Freddy was Aikikai Zurich’s President for many years and thought us as an experienced teacher for many years. Since its inauguration Freddy was a member of FSA’s technical commission. In recognition of his work Tamura Sensei honoured Freddy 2002 with a 5. Dan. His memory, his dynamic style and spirit continue living in our Dojo!