About
What is Akitsukai Martial Arts Academy
James Lewis founded and established Akitsukai with the intention of upholding the traditions and principles of martial arts for those who are eager to learn and become part of the Akitsukai family.
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Akitsukai Martial Arts Academy specializes in two distinct forms of martial arts: Traditional Japanese Karate, and Kenjutsu Iaijutsu.
Karate is a martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan, and was developed from indigenous fighting methods influenced by Chinese martial arts. The word "karate" translates to "empty hand," which reflects its focus on unarmed combat techniques using punches, kicks, knee strikes, elbow strikes, and open-hand techniques.
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Kenjutsu Iaijutsu is a Japanese martial art focused on the use of the Japanese sword, known as the katana or tachi. The term "kenjutsu" can be translated as "the art of the sword." It originated centuries ago in feudal Japan and was practiced by samurai warriors as a fundamental part of their training.
What does Akitsukai mean?
The ancient Japanese word for dragonfly is "akitsu" (蜻蛉), "Kai" (会) in Japanese is the meeting or gathering: It refers to a formal meeting or gathering of people, assembly, or club meeting.
Akitsukai in its ultimate meaning is gathering of the dragonflies, or hall of the dragonflies.
Why the Dragonflies?
Dragonflies symbolize change, transformation, and self-realization. They also stand for wisdom, joy, adaptability, balance, and awareness of illusions and deceit. As a symbol, the dragonfly represents victory, courage, strength, and health. Its ability to move in any direction except backwards signifies a steadfast refusal to retreat.
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"A Dojo is an arena of confined conflict where we confront an opponent who is not an opponent, but rather a partner engaged in helping us understand ourselves more fully." ~ Joe Hyams
Vision
"From Struggle Comes Strength, From Harmony Comes Mastery."
The ultimate goal of Akitsukai Martial Arts Academy transcends mere physical techniques or combat proficiency. While martial arts certainly encompass self-defense skills, fitness, and discipline, its true purpose lies in personal development and self-improvement.
At its core, the ultimate goal of Akitsukai is to cultivate a harmonious integration of mind, body, and spirit. It involves striving for continuous self-improvement, both on and off the training mat. This journey encompasses various aspects:
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Self-discipline: Martial arts instills discipline by requiring consistent practice, adherence to rules and etiquette, and respect for oneself and others. Through discipline, practitioners learn to control their impulses, focus their energy, and stay committed to their goals.
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Physical fitness: Martial arts training enhances physical fitness, including strength, flexibility, agility, and cardiovascular endurance. However, the goal isn't just to build physical prowess but to maintain overall health and well-being.
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Self-defense: Martial arts equips practitioners with practical self-defense skills to protect themselves and others if needed. While the ability to defend oneself is important, the emphasis is often placed on avoiding conflict and promoting non-violent resolutions whenever possible.
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Personal growth: Martial arts fosters personal growth by challenging practitioners to push beyond their comfort zones, confront their limitations, and overcome adversity. It encourages resilience, perseverance, and the willingness to embrace failure as an opportunity for learning and growth.
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Mindfulness and focus: Training in martial arts cultivates mindfulness, concentration, and mental clarity. Through mindful practice, practitioners learn to be fully present in the moment, sharpen their awareness, and develop the ability to remain calm under pressure.
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Character development: Martial arts emphasizes the development of positive character traits such as humility, integrity, courage, and perseverance. Practitioners strive to embody these virtues both inside and outside the dojo, becoming role models and contributing positively to their communities.
Ultimately, the ultimate goal of martial arts is to empower individuals to become the best versions of themselves—physically, mentally, and morally. It's about fostering a lifelong journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and continual self-improvement, guided by the principles of discipline, respect, and humility.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to foster a community of martial artists who strive for excellence in both physical and mental aspects of their training. We aim to cultivate discipline, respect, and integrity in our students, and empower them to face challenges with confidence and humility. Through dedicated practice and perseverance, we strive to achieve mastery of our chosen martial art, and use our skills to promote peace, harmony, and mutual respect in our society.
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"God doesn't give the hardest battles to his toughest soldiers; He creates the toughest soldiers through life's hardest battles!"
United States Martial Artist Association
Sensei James Lewis, Wisconsin State Director
The United States Martial Artist Association (USMAA), founded in 1977, serves as a national organization for martial arts practitioners and schools throughout the United States, with ambassadors representing eight different countries. Its mission is to promote martial arts as a disciplined practice, establish consistent training and certification standards, and offer a platform for martial artists of all styles to train, compete, and connect.