Whitefriar Aikido is affiliated to Kai Shin Kai. Kai Shin Kai - formerly called `Yamarashi' - was founded in the 1960's by Mike Smith who was awarded his Shodan and Nidan grades by Tiedemanns Sensei of Belgium. Shortly thereafter, Mike affiliated KSK to the British Aikido Association as a traditional group autonomous to, but working closely with the Tomiki-Kai. The BAA is recognised by the Japan Aikido Association - which later ratified future Dan promotions within the KSK.

Mike Smith's present rank of Rokudan was ratified by Nariyama Sensei (JAA 8th Dan), when he visited Bristol in 1991. In 1994 the KSK left the BAA to establish itself as a separate school recognised by the BAB. Mike Smith is the president of KSK, with Bill Harris (5th Dan), holding the title of Chief Instructor. Sensei Mike Smith Picture Style KSK practices traditional Aikido in the manner of Hombu Dojo (Tokyo), where senior Shihan all have distinctive styles but nevertheless all follow the path of starting as a triangle, moving as a circle and finishing as a square (posture, movement and stability). That is, the KSK recognises that there are many ways of expressing both basic and advanced Aikido, none being incorrect as long as the tenets of Aikido as taught by O'Sensei are followed.

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