Our Dreamteam
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Jordy arrived in Japan in 2005 to practice Aikido intensively at the Aikido headquarter, the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. After a few years of Aikido, Japanese language and culture studies he created the brand Seido that reunites his biggest passions: Aikido, history, craftsmanship and internet technologies.
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Raised in family with strong martial traditions, Eriko started Aikido after meeting her husband in 2008. She originally was pursuing a carrier in the Japanese wedding industry, where an impeccable customer service is of enormous importance. Her expertise in that field set the standard for Seido concerning not only national but also international customer relations.
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Jean-François is a seasonned Kendo and Iaido practionner. With experience in the Budo Equipment industry, the ability to speak 3 languages fluently and impressive managment skills, he's the one making sure Seido is up and running on a daily basis.
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Antoine is not only a skilled engineer but also passionate by many aspects of the Japanese culture. He used to practice Aikido and is considering getting back to it soon. His goal is to design user friendly new functionalities for our customers and he also takes care of our entire technical infrastructure.
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Passionate by Japanese arts and history, Alex came to Japan with the project of settling here for good. He is the one responsible for the detailed quality control and has a big knowledge about wooden weapons. He also does the packaging Seido provides and is in charge of the whole shipping process: He is probably the most finical of the industry.
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Aya is one of those very attentive Japanese women who is outstandingly talented when it comes to sewing work. She masteres the art of embroidery and puts her heart into her work everyday, to design and adapt each and every embroidery. She also does the customizations on the Dogi whilst ensuring the overall sewing quality of the products.
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Following several stays in Japan, Nicolas settled in Tokyo in 2014 as an independent photographer. He regularly supported Seido in diverse projects, until he eventually became a full team member at the beginning of 2017. He is in charge of the entire photo and video production ranging from the product pictures on our website to the videos on YouTube.
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Passionate about history, Gaetan has studied business and marketing in France and Japan. He decided to settle in Tokyo in 2019 and shares a long love story with sport, having practiced Karate and Kick-Boxing for some years. He is responsible of all Judo and Jujutsu related inquiries and fully manages KuSakuraShop.
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Satomi comes from the textile industry and has great knowledge of both Western and Japanese sewing techniques. She begun showing interest in martial arts when her son started Karate a few years ago, and when she discovered Seido in 2018 she decided to leave her job and join our team. She takes care of all alternations and sewing work, from the most simple to the hardest.
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Norio Hoshi, Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan, Iaido 4th Dan and retired from Tokyo's metropolitan police, is our technical/quality adviser for Kendo and Iaito products. Norio also engages in various video and photo projects initiated by Seido as adviser or actor.
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Our internship program intends to offer an insight in the Japanese business world to highly skilled students and martial art practitioners from around the globe. It is a great way to experience Japan and, as education is what Budo are meant for, we take pride in fulfilling this duty at Seido as well.
The Seido Brand
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100% Made in Japan
It is more important than ever to care about the product origin and manufacturing conditions. Seido is the very last company that offers only 100% made in Japan equipment. From the textiles, wood and other material used, from start to finish - all is made in Japan. This is the foundation of our brand, top quality, achieved thanks to excellent resources and skilled artisans.
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We Are Martial Artists
We all are martial artists! We all share the passion for Japanese martial arts, Aikido - of course - but also Judo, Kendo, Karate etc. Practising almost daily, we discuss our products with our friends on the mats. Their feedback is our inspiration for changes or even totally new creations, and of course, we consider all our clients as fellow practitioners.
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Internationalizing Japan
Japan is known to be very welcoming towards tourists, but trying to do business here as foreigners, that is whole other story. Whilst fully respecting the Japanese culture, we try to bring new perspectives and ideas to our artisans. We make a point in introducing and supporting Westerners at all levels, both in martial arts practice and in the Budo equipment industry.
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Approval From The Aikikai
As the brand Seido stands for top quality Aikido equipment, it was granted the official Aikikai Logo of the Aikido headquarter in Japan. Our products comply with the quality standards set by the Hombu Dojo Shihan. This logo guarantees that our Dogi are especially designed for Aikido practice and satisfy with outstanding quality.
Our Vision, Our Ethic
We aim to run Seido with an entirely original business philosophy. We care about others, we care about education, we care about the planet, we care about craftsmanship and artisans, and that is why we are passionate by all aspects of what we do. As Budoka with a strong ethic and a clear philosophy, we cannot imagine running a business for profit, and as foreigners living in Japan, we think that our goal is to bring our best from and to this country. We not only offer 100% made in Japan equipment, but we also care to build friendly and constructive relationships with our artisans, partners, customers and of course, within the team. This is what makes Seido different. Our employees are fairly paid, we respect our artisan's interests and follow their advice and as multilingual martial artists we are perfectly capable to understand our customer's desires. We do not claim "made in Japan" for products that are only partially made in Japan, we do not claim labels and certifications that mean nothing and only exist for marketing purpose. We do not overprice our products to offer extensive meaningless discounts to a certain group of practitioners and we are absolutely transparent concerning the manufacturing of our products and introduce our artisans with pride. As it used to be in the old Japanese cast system, artisans are at the top, merchants at the bottom. We are only here to build a bridge between you and the artisans and do not consider ourselves as more important in any way.
Our Artisans and Partners
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Miyakonojo - Wooden Weapons
Seido is the only company working with all of the last four workshops of Japan, based in Miyakonojo, Kyushu: Horinouchi Noboru Seisakujo, Aramaki Budogu Mokojo, Matsuzaki, and the Nidome brothers. Every artisan has its own set of skills and specializes in different fields, we take the best they have to offer with deepest respect.
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Nagoya & Aichi - Dogi
Mikawa Momen, one of the best (and last) cotton production in Japan is the source of the fabric we use for our Aikidogi lineup. This is also the very last workshop in Japan doing the "Seihinzarashi" technique, that consists of bleaching the finished product itself, rather than simply the fabric. This results in a far better overall product quality.
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Tokyo & Nara - Hakama
Our Tokyo workshop, lead by Master Yokokawa, is the very last in Japan, manufacturing hand made Hakama for Aikido in a traditional manner. We also reorganized a small workshop in Nara and together, we designed a rigid and entirely machine sewn Hakama that suits the needs of Aikidoka practicing daily.
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Gifu - Iaito, Training Swords
Minosaka and Jisei are the two leading Iaito manufacturer in Japan. Both located in the mountain of Gifu, where most of the Shinken (Katana) production is located as well. Those workshops gather the skills of a dozen different craftsmen, spread all over the region.
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KuSakura - Judo Equipment
KuSakura is the leading Budo equipment company in Japan. It stayed strong all over the years despite the decline of the industry while keeping its standards at the highest, without compromising neither quality nor ethics. We work close with KuSakura and we consider their accomplishments as an example for the whole industry.
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Tokyodo Karate Equipment
Tokyodo (a company that separated from Shureido) focuses on product quality and customer service. Although many brands for Karate equipment exist in Japan and also on the international market, we have chosen to collaborate with Tokyodo because of their ethics and incredibly high quality production.
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Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai
The Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai is an organisation created to >preserve and promote Japanese ancient martial arts, Kobudo. Seido collaborate with the organization on a non profit level, by covering events and publishing articles and interviews in English to help promote Kobudo outside Japan.
Online Stores
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SeidoShop International
SeidoShop.com is our main retail store in English. It offers Keikogi, Hakama, belts, wooden weapons, Iaito and accessories, with very extensive lineups for Aikido, Iaido, Kendo, Karate, Kenjutsu and other Koryu.
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SeidoShop Japan
SeidoShop.jp is our main retail store in Japanese. It offers Keikogi, Hakama, belts, wooden weapons, Iaito and accessories, with lineups similar to that of SeidoShop.com but is only designed for delivery within Japan.
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SeidoShop - French
SeidoShop France is our main retail store in French and is a perfect replica of the English version. Latest updates are published simultaneously in French and English.
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KuSakuraShop
KuSakuraShop is available in English and French and focuses on KuSakura high end Judo equipment. KuSakuraShop is, actually, the first and lagest international retail store of the brand.
Our Blogs
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SeidoShop - English
Articles about Japanese craftsmanship, martial art related events and "how to" guides explaining e.g. how to choose and take care of equipment.
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SeidoShop - Japanese
Many information being available on the internet in Japan, we only share very specific in-depth articles.
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SeidoShop - French
Articles about Japanese craftsmanship, martial art related events and how to guides and equipment selection guides.
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YouTube Channel
"How to" videos, martial art demonstrations, events, and craftsmanship are the main focus of "Seido Co., Ltd - Budo Equipment & Practice in Japan".
Our best video productions
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[Aikido] Christian Tissier
An interview with Christian Tissier, the most influancial Western Aikido teacher.
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[Aikido] Fabrice Croizé
An interview with Fabrice Croizé, French Aikido teacher and student of Christian Tissier.
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[Craftsman] Aramaki Yasuo
An interview with Aramaki Yasuo 3rd generation Bokken Craftsmen and inventor of the "Standard" Bokken.
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[Kobudo] Kimura Yasuko
An interview with Kimura Yasuko Sensei, 17th Grand Master of the Tendo Ryu Naginata.
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[Craftsman] Wakihara Yutaka
An interview with Wakihara Yutaka, manager of the Minosaka Iaito Workshop.
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[Researcher] Alex Bennett
An interview with professor Alexander C. Bennett, Budo researcher and writter.
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[Event] 56th All Japan Aikido
A presentation of the 56th All Japan Aikido from our unique insiders perspective.
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[Aikido] Saito Hitohira
An interview with Saito Hitohira, leader of the Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shurenkai.
They support Seido
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I chose Seido for the quality and great value of their equipment and to support the great ambition of an Aikido equipment company run by foreigners in Japan. I particularly appreciate to be able to discuss directly the technical details with their international team of Aikidoists.
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I had for years been the customer of other brands but I decided to switch over to Seido because of the excellent quality they offer. I am impressed by Seido's transparency regarding the origin of their products and the pleasure of dealing with a competent team of Aikidoka comforts me in my choice.
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I have chosen Seido's Hakama for its great quality and reasonable price. The slightly longer front belts, the flexibility when ordering a well adapted custom made gear, and the very fast shipping - the overall quality of service makes Seido stand out, and therefore is my choice.
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My daily Budo practice in Japan and my frequent trips around the world put my uniforms through the harshest possible conditions. Fortunately, I can count on Seido to understand my most stringent requirements and to provide me with the highest quality in Japanese equipment.
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My "cashmere touch" training hakama is certainly the best hakama I've owned in my close to 30 years of aikido practice. It's beautiful. It looks exceptional - both still and in motion. Seido products are great so I’m happy to stand behind them!
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Seido simply offers the best service and the best cost performance ratio. It is no surprise that Aikidoists, like Christian Tissier, André Cognard or my brother (Issei Tamaki) trust Seido for their equipment. Seido is bringing the best of Japanese equipment to all practioners at a fair price.
Our Official Retailers
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Ippon Sport (Belgium)
Offers some of the most popular basic Seido products, including some Hakama, Dogi, and of course, wooden weapons. Works with a fairly important stock.
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AikiPro (Netherlands)
Offers almost the whole Seido catalog, including Hakama, Dogi, wooden weapons and more. Works on stock for basic items, and on a per order basis for other items (longer delivery time).
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Fuji Sport (France)
Fuji Sport, located in Toulouse, offers our Keiko Hakama, Keikogi lineup, and wooden weapons. Works with a fairly important stock.
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Konjaku (France)
Konjaku is a small retail store focused on high quality hand made products from Japan. Seido provides an important part of their martial art equipment.
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Arts et Combats (France)
Arts et Combats offers our Hakama lineup. Works with a fairly important stock.
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Intersport Rezé (France)
Intersport Rezé (Nantes) offers our basic made in Japan weapons lineup. Works with a fairly important stock.
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Impact Factory (France)
Impact factory offers most of our textile lineups and wooden weapons. Works with a fairly important stock.
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BudoStore (France)
BudoStore mainly offers our selected wooden weapons and Iaito but no textile products. Works with a fairly important stock.
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Dragon Bleu (France)
Dragon Bleu offers a wide range of textile products for all arts as well as wooden weapons. Works with a fairly important stock.
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ハジメ (France)
Offers some of the most popular basic Seido products, including some Hakama and of course, wooden weapons.