Page Title

Aikido (??? Aikidō, also ??? in an older style of kanji), literally meaning
'joining energy way', is a gendai budo — a modern Japanese martial art. It
was developed by Morihei Ueshiba (????) over the period of the 1930s to
the 1960s. Morihei Ueshiba is also known by practitioners of Aikido as O-
sensei (???) with the "O" prefix meaning "honorable", therefore signifying in
this case, Honorable Teacher. Technically, the major parts of Aikido are
derived from Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu (???????), a form of Jujutsu with many
joint techniques, and kenjutsu (??), or Japanese sword technique (some
believe the tactics in Aikido are especially influenced by Yagyū Shinkage-
ryū). Aikido is also considered to contain a significant spiritual component.

History

The name aikido is formed of three Japanese characters, ???, usually
romanised as ai, ki and do. These are often translated as meaning union,
universal energy and way, so Aikido can be translated as 'the way to union
with universal energy'. Another common interpretation of the characters is
harmony, spirit and way, so aikido can also mean 'the way of spiritual
harmony' or 'the art of peace'. Both interpretations draw attention to the fact
that aikido's techniques are designed to control an attacker by redirecting
their energy instead of blocking it. An analogy is often made of the way a
flexible willow bends with the storm, whereas the stout oak will break if the
wind blows too hard. (The Korean martial art commonly known as hapkido
uses the same three characters: some suggest a historical link through
Daito-ryu, the main origin of aikido).

Morihei Ueshiba developed aikido mainly from Daito-ryu aikijujutsu,
incorporating training movements such as those for the yari (spear), jo (a
short quarterstaff), and perhaps also juken (bayonet). But arguably the
strongest influence is that of the katana (sword) and in many ways, an aikido
practitioner moves as an empty handed swordsman. The aikido strikes
shomenuchi and yokomenuchi originated from weapon attacks, and
resultant techniques likewise from weapon disarms. Some schools of
aikido do no weapons training at all; others, such as Iwama Ryu usually
spend substantial time with bokken/bokuto (wooden sword), jo, and tanto
(knife). In some lines of aikido, all techniques can be performed with a
sword as well as unarmed.

Aikido was first brought to the West in 1951 by Minoru Mochizuki with a visit
to France where he introduced Aikido techniques to Judoka. He was
followed by Tadashi Abe in 1952 who came as the official Aikikai Honbu
representative, remaining in France for seven years. Kenji Tomiki toured with
a delegation of various martial arts through fifteen continental states of the
United States in 1953. Subsequently, in the same year, Koichi Tohei was
sent by Aikikai Honbu for a full year to Hawaii setting up several dojo. This
was backed up by several further visits and is thus considered the formal
introduction of Aikido to the United States. The United Kingdom followed in
1955, Germany and Australia in 1965. Today there are many aikido dojos
available to train at throughout the world.

Technique

Aikido incorporates a wide range of techniques which use principles of
energy and motion to redirect, neutralise and control attackers. One of the
central martial philosophies of aikido is to be able to handle multiple-
attacker circumstances fluidly. Randori, practice against multiple opponents,
is a key part of the curriculum in most aikido schools and is required for the
higher level belts. Randori is mostly intended to develop, like an exercise, a
nage's ability to perform without thought, or mushin. The idea is that the
continued practice of having one opponent after another coming at you
causes you to constantly be aware, and to have no rest, therefore not
allowing the mind time to think, but only for the body to respond. It is likely
that randori is more intended to be an exercise than an actual preparation to
be attacked by multiple opponents. Shodokan Aikido and Judo randori
differs in that it is not done with multiple persons, but between two people.
The role of uke and nage does not exist in these latter forms of randori since
both participants attack and defend at will. Another tenet of aikido is that the
aikidoka should gain control of their opponent as quickly as possible, while
causing the least amount of damage possible to either party. If performed
correctly, size and strength are not important for the techniques to be
effective.

Training

The methods of training vary from organisation to organisation, and indeed
even between different dojo in a single organisation. Typically, however, a
class consists of a teacher demonstrating techniques or principles which
the students then practice. Training is done through mutual technique,
where the focus is on entering and blending (harmonising) with the attack,
rather than on meeting force with force. Uke, the receiver of the technique,
usually initiates an attack against nage (also referred to as tori or shite
depending on Aikido style), who neutralises it with an aikido technique. The
uke and the nage have equally important roles. Uke's role is to be honest
and committed in attack, to use positioning to protect oneself, and to learn
proper technique through the imbalanced feeling created by nage's
technique. Nage's role is to blend with and neutralise uke's attack without
leaving an opening to further attacks. Simultaneously nage will be studying
how to create a feeling of being centred (on balance) and controlled in the
application of the Aikido technique. Therefore, students must practise both
positions in order to learn proper technique. When O-Sensei taught, all his
students were uke until he deemed them knowledgeable enough of the
technique to be nage. Movement, awareness, precision, distance and timing
are all important to the execution of techniques as students progress from
rigidly defined exercises to more fluid and adaptable applications.
Eventually, students take part in jiyu-waza (free technique) and/or randori,
where the attacks are less predictable. Most schools employ training
methods wherein uke actively attempts to employ counter-techniques, or
kaeshi-waza.

O-Sensei did not allow competition in training because some techniques
were considered too dangerous and because he believed that competition
did not develop good character in students. Most styles of aikido continue
this tradition although Shodokan Aikido (see Styles) started with
competitions early on. In the Ki Society there are forms (taigi) competitions
held from time to time.

One of the first things taught to new students is how to fall. Both tumbling,
and later 'break-falls' are an important part of learning Aikido. This assures
an Uke's safety during class.

Defense

Aikido techniques are largely designed towards keeping the attacker off
balance and locking joints. Much of aikido's repertoire of defenses can be
performed either as throwing techniques (nage-waza) or as pins (katame-
waza), depending on the situation. Each technique can be executed in one of
two ways. A technique carried out in the irimi style consists of movements
inward, toward the uke, while those carried out in the tenkan style use
outward sweeping motions. The use of striking techniques, atemi, is
dependent on the organisation and, to some extent, the individual dojo.
Some dojo teach the strikes that are integral to all aikido techniques as
mere distractions used to make the application of an aikido technique
easier, while others teach that strikes are to be used for more destructive
reasons. O-Sensei himself wrote, while describing the aikido technique
ikkyo (the first immobilization technique), "...first smash the eyes." (This
might well refer to the fact that the classic opener for ikkyo is a knife-hand
thrust towards the face, to make uke block and thus expose his or her arm to
the joint control - thus, as though moving to smash uke's eyes.) Manipulation
of uke's balance by entering is often referred to as "taking uke's center". It is
sometimes said that Aikido contains only defense, and the attacks that are
performed are not really aikido. From a historical perspective this claim is
questionable, but many if not most aikidoka have the defense techniques as
the focus of their training.

Attacks

In the early days when Ueshiba began teaching to the public, students
tended to be proficient in another martial art. Due to this, attacks per se are
generally not focused on in contemporary aikido dojos. Students will learn
the various attacks from which an Aikido technique can be practiced.
Although attacks seldom are studied to the same extent as some arts, good
attacks are needed to study correct and effective application of technique.
"Honest" attacks are considered important. An "honest" attack would be an
attack with full intention or a strong neutral (neither pulling or pushing) grab
or hold. The speed of an attack may vary depending on the experience and
level of the "nage" (the partner who executes the throw or technique).
Whether the attack is fast or slow, the uke's intention to strike or control (if
grabbing or pinning) should remain, in order to provide the nage a realistic
training scenario.

Aikido attacks used in normal training include various stylized strikes and
grabs such as shomenuchi (a vertical strike to the head), yokomenuchi (a
lateral strike to the side of the head and/or neck), munetsuki (a straight
punch), ryotedori (a two handed grab) or katadori (a shoulder grab). Many of
the -uchi strikes resemble blows from a sword or other weapon. Kicks are
sometimes used, but are not usually part of basic curricula. Most aikido
techniques can also be applied to a response to an attack, e.g. to a block,
and some schools use this as the "basic" form of a given class of technique.
Beginners also tend to work with techniques executed in response to a grab.
Grabs are considered good for basic practice because the connection with
uke is very clear and strong, and it is easier to "feel out" body mechanics and
lines of force.

There is also the matter of atemi, or strikes employed during an aikido
technique. The role and importance of atemi is a matter of some debate in
aikido. Some view atemi as strikes to "vital points" that can be delivered
during the course of a technique's application, to increase effectiveness.
Others consider atemi to be methods of distraction, particularly when aimed
at the face. For instance, if a movement would expose the aikido practitioner
to a counter-blow, he or she may deliver a quick strike to distract the attacker
or occupy the threatening limb. (Such a strike will also usually break the
target's concentration, making them easier to throw than if they are able to
focus on resisting.) Atemi can be interpreted as not only punches or kicks
but also, for instance, striking with a shoulder or a large part of the arm.
Some throws are arguably effected through an unbalancing or abrupt
application of atemi. Many sayings about atemi are attributed to Morihei
Ueshiba, although their precise content varies considerably based on the
one doing the telling.

Weapons

Weapons training in aikido usually consists of jo (4-foot staff), bokken
(wooden sword), and wooden (or sometimes rubber) tanto (knife). Both
weapons-taking and weapons-retention are sometimes taught, to integrate
the armed and unarmed aspects of aikido. For example, a technique done
with a straight punch may be done with a tanto or jo thrust instead, or a grab
technique may be illustrated as a way to draw/strike with a weapon while
being grabbed.

Many schools use versions of Morihiro Saito's weapons system: aiki-jo and
aiki-ken. The system contains solo kata with jo, and paired exercises for
both jo and bokken. Some lineages use bokken kata derived from older
sword schools. Also, quite a few aikido teachers, such as Mitsugi Saotome
and Kazuo Chiba, have developed their own weapons systems. This is
largely due to the fact that O'Sensei, with a few exceptions, did not teach
weapons to his students.

Clothing

The aikidogi used in Aikido is similar to the keikogi used in most other
modern budo arts; simple trousers and a wraparound jacket, usually white.
In some places a keikogi of karate cut is preferred, in others most people
use judo keikogis. Keikogi made specially for aikido exist, but usually not in
the lower price ranges. Many dojos insist that the sleeves are cut short to
elbow length, to reduce the risk of trapped fingers and injuries in grab
techniques to the wrist.

To the keikogi, some systems add the traditional garment hakama, wide
pleated trousers. The hakama is usually black or dark blue and in most
dojos, the hakama is reserved for practitioners with dan (black belt) ranks.
Systems also exist where hakama is never worn or are worn from a specific
kyu rank; others exist where women are allowed to wear it earlier than men.

The belt, obi is wrapped twice around the body similar to karate or judo.
Although some systems use many belt colours similar to the system in judo,
the most common version is that dan ranks wear black belt, and kyu ranks
white - sometimes with an additional brown belt for the highest kyu ranks. In
some dojos it is common to have the same color belt at different levels.

Spirituality

The ending "do" in the word aikido indicates a spiritual path, unlike the
ending "jutsu" in the word aikijujutsu, which indicates a system of
techniques. Many people see this difference as important as well as
regarding iaijutsu and iaido, jujutsu and judo, and kenjutsu and kendo.
Others see this distinction as a historically incorrect and somewhat
unnatural division. For example, literally, do refers to a path and jutsu to a
technique: therefore, some argue, aikido involves both a way (do) and
technical study (jutsu).

Ueshiba taught that, while it was important to become proficient in physical
technique, this is not the ultimate purpose of training. He taught that the
principles learned through training in physical technique are universal and
are to be applied to all aspects of one's life. He once commented that he
was teaching students not how to move their feet but, rather, how to move
their minds.

Many agree that Ueshiba's style became softer, more fluid, and effortless as
he grew older. Some suggest this was due to a shift in focus to the spiritual
aspects of the art, while others suggest that this was simply a natural result
of Ueshiba becoming more proficient in physical technique. Various
interpretations have arisen since Ueshiba's death.

A range of aikido schools can be found, each placing a different emphasis
on physical techniques, underlying principles, and spiritual concepts. This is
largely a result of at what point the founder of each of these schools trained
with Ueshiba--earlier or later in Ueshiba's life. The former tend to focus
more on physical technique, while the latter tend to focus more on spiritual
concepts. However, this should not be overstated, especially since there is
considerable variance from sensei to sensei, and an "aikido continuum" is
quite problematic to actually construct. Some aikidoka view "physical vs.
spiritual" as a false separation, or a failed attempt to stereotype branches of
aikido.

Ki Society is an example of a school that focuses heavily on the spiritual
concepts of aikido in addition to physical technique.

Ki
Obsolete form of the ki kanji

The Japanese character for ki, is a symbolic representation of a lid covering
a pot full of rice. The steam being contained within, is ki. This same word is
applied to the ability to harness one's own 'breath power', 'power', or 'energy'.
This 'ki' is the same as the 'qi' in qi-gong, but many people argue it is not the
same as the 'chi' in t'ai chi. When aikidoka say that someone is training with
a lot of ki, they usually want to express that the person is very non-forcefully
compelling in the execution of his technique. Timing, a sense for the correct
distance and a centered (undisturbed) mind and body are particularly
important. Most teachers claim to locate ki in the hara, which might be
loosely defined as the body's center of gravity, situated in the lower
abdomen, about two inches below and behind the navel. In training it is
constantly emphasized that one should keep one's hara — that is, remain
centered. Very high ranking teachers sometimes reach a level of
coordination that enables them to execute techniques with very little
apparent movement, sometimes even without seeming to touch their
opponent's body.

Essentially, ki corresponds to the physical concepts of center of gravity,
center of momentum, and center of force. However, these centers are not
necessarily the same, so ki also encompasses the biological and mental
aspect of training oneself to have exquisite control over motion.

The "spiritual" interpretation of ki depends very much on what school of
aikido one studies, as some emphasize it more than others. Ki Society
dojos, for example, tend to spend much more time on ki-related training
activities than do, for example, Yoshinkan dojos. The importance of ki in
aikido cannot be denied -- the name of the martial art, after all, can be
translated as "the meeting of ki". But what ki is, is debated by many within
the discipline. O-Sensei himself appears to have changed his views over
time -- for example, Yoshinkan Aikido, which largely follows O-Sensei's
teachings from before the war, is considerably more martial in nature,
reflecting a younger, more violent and less spiritual O-Sensei. Within this
school, ki perhaps could be better thought of as having its original Chinese
meaning of breath, and aikido as coordination of movement with breath to
maximize power. As O-Sensei evolved and his views changed, his teachings
took on a much more ethereal feel, and many of his later students (almost
all now high ranking senseis within the Aikikai) teach about ki from this
perspective.

Body

Aikido training is for all-around physical fitness, flexibility, and relaxation. The
human body in general can exert power in two ways: contractive and
expansive ([[1]]). Many fitness activities, for example weight-lifting,
emphasize the former, which means that specific muscles or muscle
groups are isolated and worked to improve tone, mass, and power. The
disadvantage of this, however, is that whole body movement and
coordination are rarely stressed. Thus, while muscle size and power may
increase, there is no emphasis on the ways in which those muscles can
work together most efficiently. Also, this sort of training tends to increase
tension, decrease flexibility, and stress the joints. The result may be
aesthetically pleasing, but when done to excess may actually be detrimental
to overall health.

The second type of power, expansive, is mostly stressed in activities such
as dance or gymnastics. In these activities, the body must learn to move in a
coordinated manner and with relaxation. Aikido also mostly stresses this
sort of training. While both types of power are important, it is interesting to
note that a person who masters the second type of power can, in a martial
context, often overcome a person who is much bigger or stronger. The
reason for this is that the contractive power is only as great as the mass and
power of your individual muscles. Expansive power, however, as used in
Aikido, can be much greater than your size may lead you to believe. This is
because you move with your whole body. Rather than stressing and tensing
only a few muscles, you learn to relax and move from the center of your body,
where you are most powerful. Power is then extended out naturally through
the relaxed limbs, which become almost whip-like in their motion. Needless
to say, the power behind an entire person's body will be more than that of
someone's arm or leg alone.

Hence, aikido develops the body in a unique manner. Aerobic fitness is
obtained through vigorous training. Flexibility of the joints and connective
tissues is developed through various stretching exercises and through the
techniques themselves. Relaxation is learned automatically, since without it
the techniques will not function. A balanced use of contractive and expansive
power is mastered, enabling even a small person to pit his entire body's
energy against their opponent.

With this, different masters stress different aspects of training. Some
masters stress importance of body posture while executing the technique in
order to coordinate different parts of the body, while others deal with the
physical aspects of it. With each way, comes a different means of
interpretation of the same basic principles of the art which is discussed in
more detail above.

Mind

Aikido training does not consider the body and mind as independent
entities. The condition of one affects the other. For example, the physical
relaxation learned in aikido also becomes a mental relaxation. Likewise, the
confidence that develops mentally is manifested in a more confident style.
Psychological or spiritual insight learned during training must become
reflected in the body, else it will vanish under pressure, when more basic,
ingrained patterns and reflexes take over. Aikido training requires the
student to squarely face conflict, not to run away from it. Through this
experience, an Aikido student may learn to face other areas of life in a
similarly proactive fashion, rather than with avoidance and fear.

Styles

The major styles of aikido each have their own Hombu Dojo in Japan, have
an international breadth and were founded by direct students of Morihei
Ueshiba. Although there has been an explosion of "independent styles"
generally only the first five listed have been considered major. Iwama Ryu is
a debatable sixth as, although its influence is major, it has until recently
been part of the Aikikai (see below).

* Aikikai is the largest aikido organisation, and is led by the family of the
founder. Numerous sub-organisations and teachers affiliate themselves
with this umbrella organisation, which therefore encompasses a wide
variety of aikido styles, training methods and technical differences. These
sub-organisations are often centred around prominent Shihan and are
usually organised at the national level, although sub-national and inter-
national sub-organisations exist. Please see List of famous aikidoka for
more detail.

* Yoshinkan Founded by Gozo Shioda, has a reputation for being the most
rigidly precise. Students of Yoshinkan aikido practise basic movements as
solo kata, and this style has been popular among the Japanese police. The
international organisation associated with the Yoshinkan style of aikido is
known as the Yoshinkai, and has active branches in many parts of the world.

* Yoseikan was founded by Minoru Mochizuki, who was an early student of O-
Sensei and also of Jigoro Kano at the Kodokan. This style includes
elements of aiki-budo together with aspects of karate, judo and other arts. It
is now carried on by his son, Hiroo Mochizuki, the creator of Yoseikan Budo.

* Shodokan Aikido (often called Tomiki aikido, after its founder) use sparring
and rule based competition in training as opposed to most others. People
tend to compete to train rather than to train to compete. Kenji Tomiki, an early
student of O-Sensei and also of judo's Jigoro Kano, believed that introducing
an element of competition would serve to sharpen and focus the practice
since it was no longer tested in real combat. This latter view was the cause
of a split with O-Sensei's family who firmly believed that there was no place
for competition in aikido training. Tomiki said that at no point did O-Sensei
actually cast him out.

* The Ki Society, founded by former head-instructor of the Hombu dojo 10th
dan Koichi Tohei, emphasizes very soft flowing techniques and has a
special program for the development of ki. It also has a special system of ki-
ranks alongside the traditional kyu and dan system. This style is called Shin
Shin Toitsu Aikido (or Ki-Aikido).

* Iwama Ryu emphasizes the relation between weapon techniques and
barehand techniques, and a great deal of emphasis is placed on weapons
training. Since the death of its founder Morihiro Saito, the Iwama style has
been practiced by clubs within the Aikikai and an independent organisation
headed by Hitohiro Saito. Saito sensei was a long time uchideshi of O-
Sensei, beginning in 1946 and staying with him through his death. Many
consider that Saito sensei was the student who spent most time directly
studying with O-Sensei. Saito sensei said he was trying to preserve and
teach the art exactly as the founder of aikido taught it to him. Technically,
Iwama-ryu seems to resemble the aikido O-Sensei was teaching in the early
50s mainly in the Iwama dojo. The technical repertoire is fairly large. The
new, separate from Aikikai, Iwama Ryu Aikido has been renamed Iwama
Shin Shin Aikishurenkai.

* Shin'ei Taido Founded by the late Noriaki Inoue, nephew of Morihei
Ueshiba.

* Yoshokai aikido, begun by then-hachidan Takashi Kushida of Yoshinkan
aikido.

* Tendoryu Aikido Headed by Kenji Shimizu.

* Shin Budo Kai headed by Shizuo Imaizumi.

* Kokikai aikido, founded by Shuji Maruyama in 1986.

* Seidokan Aikido, founded by Rod Kobayashi.

* Nippon Kan Headed by Gaku Homma.

* Nishio Aikido a part of the Aikikai although techically well defined according
to its head Shoji Nishio.

* Takemusu Aiki Tomita Academy. Academy for the development of
Takemusu Aiki founded in 1992 by Takeji Tomita.

* Aiki Manseido Headed by Kanshu Sunadomari. Independent style centred
in Kyushu, Japan.

* Aikido Yuishinkai, founded by former head-instructor of the Ki-Society
Koretoshi Maruyama

The above styles can trace their lineage through senior students back to the
founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. Two further well known martial arts use
the name Aikido but do not have this direct connection. They are Korindo
Aikido founded by Minoru Hirai and Nihon Goshin Aikido founded by Shodo
Morita. These schools, with some historical justification, suggest that the
name Aikido is not the exclusive domain of arts derived from the teachings of
Morihei Ueshiba.

Aikidoka

It is sometimes said that in Japan the term aikidoka (????) mainly refers to
a professional while in the west, any one who practices may call themselves
an aikidoka. The term aikidoist is also used as a more general term,
especially by those who prefer to maintain the more restricted, Japanese,
meaning of the term aikidoka.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aikido