Aikido
From Aikiwiki
Aikido (合気道, or 合氣道) is a traditional Martial Way developed by the Japanese Budo master Ueshiba Morihei (also called Morihei Ueshiba; see: Naming Conventions: Personal Names) during the early through middle 20th century and spread throughout the world by his students and their sucessors in an attempt to bring about Ueshiba's vision and spread Aikido's universal message to all of humanity. The current head of the mainstream branch of Aikido development, the Aikikai, is the grandson of the Founder: Ueshiba Moriteru, Doshu. The term Aikido can be translated many ways, but it is most commonly broken down into its component kanji characters 合, 気 and 道.
- 合 (ai) - harmony, blending, unison, connection
- 気 (ki) - energy, spirit, power
- 道 (do) - way, dao
So it could be said that Aikido means "harmony-energy way" or "the art of blending with one's attacker's power". In truth as with any translation this is a coarse simplification and there are numerous competing explanations for the origin and definition of the term.
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Overview
Aikido derives much of its technical repertoire from Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu but is heavily influenced by various schools of Kenjutsu as well as Yarijutsu forms and Jojutsu. (There is some controversy within and outside of the Aikido community as to which arts Ueshiba actually studied. However there is little doubt that he was a highly competent swordsman and incredibly skilled in both open hand technique as well as spear fighting.) In addition to this technical repertoire, Aikido's philosophical and spiritual framework owes a heavy debt to Shinto philosophy and in particular the Omoto-kyo sect to which Ueshiba was deeply committed. This is not to say that Aikido is a religion, however many schools of Aikido training hold that there is a significant spiritual aspect both to keiko and Aikido as a whole. In particular Aikido, unlike many more conventional martial arts, places a significant emphasis on Ki training and mind-body-spirit integration beginning in the early stages of a student's development. In some dojos this development is overt and in others it is regarded more as a byproduct of proper keiko.
Today Aikido is practised in nearly every country and on every continent (with the possible exception of Antarctica) although the practice varies widely from region to region and from organization to organization. In the early (pre World War II) days of Aikido (and Aiki Budo), however, prospective students who wished to begin studying Aikido under Ueshiba were expected to have at least two letters of introduction before they would be allowed to join his dojo. Interestingly however, even in the early days Aikido training was available to both men and women. While Aikido dojos still maintain a "Japanese" style hierarchy with its associated forms of etiquette and deference to seniors, broadly egalitarian treatment is a modern hallmark of Aikido which is reinforced by the underlying philosophical framework of the art. Of course as with any other practice it is the unfortunate truth that there are many charlatans who abuse people's trust and the enthusiasm of new students for profit or shadier motives.
History
Main article: History of Aikido
The early history of Aikido centres around the training and experiences of Ueshiba Morihei and in particular his association with Takeda Sokaku and the Daito-ryu.
Uniform and Equipment
Techniques
There is some controversy within and outside of the Aikido community as to what arts Ueshiba actually studied. However there is little doubt that he was a highly competent swordsman and well versed in both taijutsu (open hand technique) as well as classical spear fighting. Though often overlooked, Ueshiba's experience in the Imperial Japanese Army must also not be discounted as a possible source of technical foundation as he evidently excelled in Jukenjusu (bayonet fighting) and was recognized for his prowess with promotion to gunsho (sergeant) and was assigned as an instructor after a tour of duty in Manchuria. Most practitioners and historians agree that Aikido's technical repertoire in terms of Aikijo (staff) owe more to Yarijutsu and Jukenjutsu than to traditional Jojutsu.
As a result of this background and unlike many other arts which are considered "pure" expressions of a specific technical lineage, Aikido is very much a synthesis of Ueshiba's overall understanding of Budo and draws from divergent sources to produce a coherent and somewhat eclectic technical repertoire. It is more the nature of how a particular technique is performed than the technical component of the throw or control that define it as Aikido. This leads to a wide range of interpretation in modern practice, although all authentic Aikido instruction will share some common forms. That said, broadly Aikido can be said to be composed of two basic technical components: techniques based on circles and those based on linear movement -- ura and omote. Though on the surface these would seem to be contrasting methods of dealing with an attack, in truth the matter is much less clear; nearly all techniques have a component of both forms of movement in them, perhaps best summed up in the tai sabaki irimi-tenkan. Of particular relevance, Aikido owes a heavy debt to footwork that is common to classical Japanese sword fighting, with a strong emphasis on sliding and turning movements derived directly from Kenjutsu kata. An argument could be made that in many ways Aikido open-hand technique is a form of sword fighting without weapons, although this would result in an incomplete understanding as there are several other equally relevant sources of technical inspiration.
As an art derived from Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu, Aikido has a great deal in common with the softer forms of Jujutsu and even (non-sport) Judo. One could categorize Aikido's kihonwaza under the broad umbrella categories of nagewaza (throws), ozaewaza (joint locks & pins), hanmihandachi (attacker standing, defender seated), suwariwaza (attacker and defender seated), Aikiken (Aikido sword excercises) and Aikijo (Aikido short-staff excercises) -- and perhaps atemiwaza although it doesn't tend to be taught separately from the other categories. Standard basic kihonwaza in every major branch of Aikido include:
- ikkyo - first principle
- nikkyo - second principle
- sankyo - third principle
- yokyo - fourth principle
- gokyo - fifth principle
- irimnage - entering throw
- kokyunage - breath throw
- shihonage - four direction throw
- kotegaeshi - wrist turn throw
- udekimenage - arm focus throw
- koshinage - hip throw
- sumiotoshi - corner drop
- kaitenage - wheel throw
- ushirowaza - techniques from behind (includes vaiants of most "standard" techniques)
- tantodori - knife defences
- tachidori - sword defences
- jodori - staff defences
Ukemi
Often neglected in a discussion of Aikido's technical repertoire is the critical role that ukemi plays in Aikido training.
Uke and Nage
Roles of attacker and defender, their relationships.
Philosophy
And then talk about the underlying philosophy, esp. Omoto Kyo and Aiki.
See also: sankaku shikaku maru
Organization
Then we can talk a bit about the structural organization of the major schools and "styles" of Aikido.
Aikikai
Main article: Aikikai Foundation
The Aikikai Foundation (in Japanese Zaidan Hojin Aikikai) is based in Tokyo, Japan and is the umbrella organization founded in 1948 by to further the art of Aikido. Today the Aikikai Foundation, or Aikikai, is headed by Ueshiba Moriteru, Doshu and is responsible for overseeing the development and dissemination of what is generally considered "mainstream Aikido".
In addition the Aikikai Foundation is the legal entity under which the Aikikai Hombu Dojo operates under the instruction of Ueshiba, Doshu.
Most national Aikido organizations are affiliated with the Aikikai in some manner.
Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Main article: Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) is an international federation of Aikido dojos headed by Saotome Mitsugi, Shihan and affiliated with the Aikikai. Prominent ASU instructors include Ikeda Hiroshi, Kevin Choate, William Gleason and Patricia Saotome.
United States Aikido Federation
Main article: United States Aikido Federation
The United States Aikido Federation (USAF) is a federation of over 100 dojos under the supervision of Yamada Yoshimitsu shihan, Kanai Mitsunari shihan, Tohei Akira shihan and Chiba Kazuo shihan. The USAF is affilated with the Aikikai.
Yoshinkai
Shioda sensei's Yoshinkai.
Shin-shin Toitsu
Ki Society.
Iwama-ryu
Iwama.
Yoseikan Budo
Yoseikan Budo.
Criticism of Aikido
Main article: Criticism of Aikido
From Within
Common problems cited by Aikidoka.
From the Outside
Frequent criticisms by non-Aikidoka.
Future
What does the future hold?
