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Aikido
From MartialWiki English
| Aikidō | |
| 合気道 | |
| "Way of Harmonious Spirit" | |
| Origin |  Japan
|
| Founded by | Morihei Ueshiba |
| No. of practitioners | 1 million + |
| Primary focus | aiki, joint manipulation, throwing |
| Classification | Gendai budo |
| Influenced by | Daito-ryu; Judo; Jujutsu |
| Related to | Hapkido; Hakko-ryu |
Contents |
[edit] Concept
Aikido blends with the motions of the attacker to redirect force rather the opposing it directly, thus relying on harmony and balance rather than strength and power.
[edit] Philosophy
Aikido has a philosophy of extending love and compassion especially to those who seek to harm others. Aikido demonstrates this philosophy in its emphasis on mastering martial arts so that one may receive an attack and harmlessly redirect it. In an ideal resolution not only is the receiver unharmed but so is the attacker.
[edit] Etymology
The term dō connects the practice of aikido with the philosophical concept of Tao, which can be found in martial arts such as judo and kendo, and in more peaceful arts such as Japanese calligraphy (shodō), flower arranging (kadō) and tea ceremony (chadō or sadō). The term aiki refers to the martial arts principle or tactic of blending with an attacker's movements for the purpose of controlling their actions with minimal effort.[5] One applies aiki by understanding the rhythm and intent of the attacker to find the optimal position and timing to apply a counter-technique. Historically, aiki was mastered for the purpose of killing; however in aikido one seeks to control an aggressor without causing harm.[2] The founder of aikido declared: "To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace."[6] A number of aikido practitioners interpret aikido metaphorically, seeing parallels between aikido techniques and other methods for conflict resolution.[7][8][9][10][11] These kanji are identical to the Korean versions of the characters that form the word hapkido, a Korean martial art. Although there are no known direct connections between the two arts, it is suspected that the founders of both arts trained in Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu.
[edit] Technique
[edit] History
[edit] Modern development
Ueshiba developed aikido primarily during the late 1920s through the 1930s through the synthesis of the older martial arts that he had studied.[13] The core martial art from which aikido derives is Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu, which Ueshiba studied directly with Takeda Sokaku, the revivor of that art. Additionally, Ueshiba is known to have studied Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū with Tozawa Tokusaburō in Tokyo in 1901, Gotōha Yagyū Shingan-ryū under Nakai Masakatsu in Sakai from 1903 to 1908, and judo with Kiyoichi Takagi (高木 喜代子 Takagi Kiyoichi, 1894–1972) in Tanabe in 1911.[14]
The art of Daitō-ryū is the primary technical influence on aikido. Along with empty-handed throwing and joint-locking techniques, Ueshiba incorporated training movements with weapons, such as those for the spear (yari), short staff (jō), and perhaps the bayonet (銃剣, jūken?). However, aikido derives much of its technical structure from the art of swordsmanship (kenjutsu).[2]
Ueshiba moved to Hokkaidō in 1912, and began studying under Takeda Sokaku in 1915. His official association with Daitō-ryū continued until 1937.[13] However, during the latter part of that period, Ueshiba had already begun to distance himself from Takeda and the Daitō-ryū. At that time Ueshiba was referring to his martial art as "Aiki Budō". It is unclear exactly when Ueshiba began using the name "aikido", but it became the official name of the art in 1942 when the Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society (Dai Nippon Butoku Kai) was engaged in a government sponsored reorganization and centralization of Japanese martial arts.[3]
[edit] Culture
In aikido, as in virtually all Japanese martial arts, there are both physical and mental aspects of training. The physical training in aikido is diverse, covering both general physical fitness and conditioning, as well as specific techniques.[22] Because a substantial portion of any aikido curriculum consists of throws, the first thing most students learn is how to safely fall or roll.[22] The specific techniques for attack include both strikes and grabs; the techniques for defense consist of throws and pins. After basic techniques are learned, students study freestyle defense against multiple opponents, and in certain styles, techniques with weapons.
[edit] Genealogy
[edit] Roots
The core martial art from which aikido derives is Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu, which Ueshiba studied directly with Takeda Sokaku, the revivor of that art. Additionally, Ueshiba is known to have studied Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū and judo.
[edit] Styles
There are a variety of aikido styles. The larger and better known styles each have their own headquarters in Japan and an international breadth. The first generation style aikikai is still associated with the family of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. Second generation styles were founded by direct students of the founder, third generation styles by students' students and so on. A number of additional styles have developed over time, some of which are notable in their own right through their size or historical association. These styles are distinct from independent dojos or small dojo clusters.
The above styles can trace their lineage through senior students back to Morihei Ueshiba. However, there are also two well known martial arts which use the term "aikido" but are not derived from the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba: Korindo Aikido founded by Minoru Hirai and Nihon Goshin Aikido founded by Shodo Morita.
[edit] First generation
The largest organization is the Aikikai Foundation, referred to as Aikikai. This style has remained centered on the family of Morihei Ueshiba, and is currently headed by the founder's grandson, Moriteru Ueshiba.
[edit] Second generation
The earliest independent styles to emerge were:
- Yoshinkan ― founded by Gozo Shioda in 1955
- Yoseikan ― founded by Minoru Mochizuki in 1931
- Shodokan ― founded by Kenji Tomiki in 1967
The emergence of these styles pre-dated Ueshiba's death and did not cause any major upheavals when they were formalized, with the exception of Shodokan Aikido, which caused some controversy as it introduced a unique rule-based competition that some felt was contrary to the spirit of Aikido.
After Ueshiba's death, additional second generation styles emerged:
- Iwama style ― This style evolved from Ueshiba's retirement in Iwama, Japan, and the teaching methodology of long term student Morihiro Saito. It is unofficially referred to as the "Iwama style" (Iwama ryu in Japanese). Although Iwama style practitioners remained part of the Aikikai until Saito's death in 2002, followers of Saito subsequently split into two groups; one remaining with the Aikikai and the other forming the independent organization Shinshin Aikishuren Kai in 2004 around Saito's son Hitohiro Saito.
- Kobayashi ― The Kokusai Aikidō Kenshūkai Kobayashi Hirokazu Ha, or Kobayashi aikido , was founded by Hirokazu Kobayashi.
Another event that caused significant controversy was the departure of the Aikikai Honbu Dojo's chief instructor Koichi Tohei, in 1974. Tohei left as a result of a disagreement with the son of the founder, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who at that time headed the Aikikai Foundation. The disagreement was over the proper role of ki development in regular aikido training. After Tohei left, he formed his own style, called Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (popularly referred to as "Ki-Aikido"), and the organization which governs it, the Ki Society.
[edit] Third & later generations
- Shin'ei Taido ― This is a style closely related to aikido, founded in 1956 by Noriaki Inoue, a nephew and pre-war student Morihei Ueshiba.
- Tendoryu Aikido ― founded by Kenji Shimizu in 1982. Founded the "Shimizu Dojo" in 1969, renamed it the Tendokan in 1975.
- Kokikai Aikido International ― founded in 1986 by Shuji Maruyama.
- Fugakukai International Association ― founded in 1982, has roots in the Shodokan style, but without the competition element.
- Yoshokai ― founded in 1991 by Takashi Kushida, a senior instructor of Yoshinkan aikido.
- Aikido Yuishinkai International ― founded in 1996 by Koretoshi Maruyama.
- Keijutsukai Aikido ― The Keijutsukai (Police/Security Techniques Association) was officially established in February 1980, in Tokyo. Founded by Thomas H. Makiyama.
[edit] Notable practitioners
Action Movie Star Steven Seagal is a 7th Dan Black Belt in Aikido, as well as an instructor in Japan
[edit] In fiction
- Nina and Anna Williams from the Tekken series of video games
[edit] Get involved
[edit] Links
[edit] Footnotes & references
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