Aikido Martial Arts: The Way of Harmony
So many young people learn martial arts because they or their parents feel they need self defence. It often comes from fear. Moreover, many feel violence protects by scaring off the attacker. Aikido is a nonviolent form of martial arts which is utilised to catalyse spiritual growth. The way of peace is the way of courage. For it takes more courage to not harm another and great discipiline to flow with an attack rather than fight it. When I teach my peace education I often use Aikido in one activity where I have children pushing against each others hands (resistance) and then flowing in the same direction of the other. As they flow I explain you can be asking questions of the other, finding out more about them, seeking a middle path rather than fighting. In western culture we often get angry and resist the other, rather than realising the fear behind all violence, the incorrect modelling and the peace in nonviolence.There is no winning or losing in Aikido. That is its great strength.
Refer http://www.aikido.org.au/aikidohistory.html
Short History of Aikido
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a modern, non-violent Japanese martial art that was developed earlier this century by the late master Professor Morihei Ueshiba. The Founder passed away in 1969 at the age of eighty six.
Aikido is effective as a martial art but its essence goes beyond the resolution of physical conflict. Based on a background of rigorous training in traditional Japanese jujitsu, Professor Ueshiba spent the latter half of his life developing the art as a means of refining and uplifting human spirit. He succeeded in creating what he then named ‘Aikido’, ‘the Way of Harmony with the Forces and Principles of Nature’. Aikido is a true ‘budo’, path in which the keen edge of martial training is utilised as a ‘Way’ to spiritual growth.
Despite its growth in popularity, Aikido remains true to the goals of budo. Its methods are based on Professor Ueshiba’s deep faith in ‘austere training for the sake of improving the human spirit through tireless polishing and perfection of mind and body’. In accordance with the founders ideals , the art has kept separate from sports, in which one person competes with another. Aikido is rather a path for personal development for people who sincerely desire to perfect there own human nature. As such, Aikido places great importance on the Oriental of the Universal Principal ‘ki’ – the life force or breath. Aikido seeks to achieve the total unification of this universal ‘ki’ with the ‘ki’ of individual human ‘self’. Aikido is a budo to harmonise the individual with the Universal Principle and to concord among all peoples. Out of the ancient traditions of Japanese martial arts, Aikido thrives as a source of harmony to counter the disharmonious forces that exist in the world today
What does Aikido mean?
The word ‘Aikido’ in Japanese is made up of three characters or kanji.
The first and most important is ‘Ai’ which means to meet, to come together,
‘to harmonise’. In Japanese this also means ‘love’ and this is the truer translation of the word, as O Sensei used it.
The second kanji is ki which means literally steam or vapour, but has come to mean in modern Japanese, the mind, the soul, the spirit. In the larger context ‘Ki’ means ‘spirit or force of the Universe’, and not just the spirit of mere human beings.
The third and last character is ‘DO’ which means ‘the way’, as in Ken-Do or Ju-Do, to signify that the study of Aikido does not involve only techniques based purely in self defence, but includes positive character building ideals which people can incorporate into their daily lives.
Thus, in a physical training sense Aikido means ‘the Way of Harmonising the Body and Universal Spirit’ but in a deeper sense it also means loving the world and all who live in it.
Moving in Concert with the Principles of Nature
The most outstanding feature of physical training is the repetitious practice of various techniques until rational and unforced movements flow naturally from within the body. The Aikidoist practices ways to control aggression without causing harm or injury. The fact that there is no competition in Aikido is a natural result of this basic philosophy. When winning or loosing are of no consequence, trainees are free to dedicate their efforts mutual goals. It is thus possible for men, women and children of all ages to walk together down the path of budo that is the heart of Aikido. With each student training and progressing at his or her own pace, all can find harmony within their own personal development.
Circular, flowing movements originating from a relaxed body and a fully centred mind are the Aikido ideal. Regular practice brings a feeling of well being and self confidence that carries over into every aspect of daily life. Such experiences eventually result in a broadening of human experience.
In Aikido, there is no ‘Way’ except the path of confronting ‘the enemy that lies within oneself’. Aikido is a path of dogged perseverance and dedication to improving both spirit and body. The recognition and acceptance of this aspect of training is the surest means to steady progress and personal development.
Aikido in Australia
Aiki Kai Australia was founded in 1965 by Sugano Shihan and celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2010. After the passing of Sugano Sensei in 2010, Tony Smibert Shihan, 7th Dan, continues today as the World Aikido Headquarters (Hombu) Representative in Australia, amongst many other international teaching commitments. The Association has representatives in all States and Territories. Aiki Kai Australia is the accredited authority for Aikido in Australia under the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme, which is endorsed by the Federal and State Departments of Sport & Recreation.
Refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido
Etymology and basic philosophy
“Aikido” written with “ki” in its old character form
The word “aikido” is formed of three kanji:
The term “aiki” does not readily appear in the Japanese language outside the scope of Budo. This has led to many possible interpretations of the word. 合 is mainly used in compounds to mean ‘combine, unite, join together, meet’, examples being 合同 (combined/united), 合成 (composition), 結合 (unite/combine/join together), 連合 (union/alliance/association), 統合 (combine/unify), and 合意 (mutual agreement). There is an idea of reciprocity, 知り合う (to get to know one another), 話し合い (talk/discussion/negotiation), and 待ち合わせる (meet by appointment).
気 is often used to express a feeling, as in 気がする (‘I feel’, as in terms of thinking but with less cognitive reasoning), 気持ち (feeling/sensation), and 気分 (mood/morale). It is used to mean energy or force, as in 電気 (electricity) and 磁気 (magnetism).
The term dō is also found in martial arts such as judo and kendo, and in the more peaceful arts such as Japanese calligraphy (shodō), flower arranging (kadō) and tea ceremony (chadō or sadō).
Therefore, from a purely linguistic point of view, aikido is ‘Way of combining forces’. 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.[7] One applies aiki by understanding the rhythm and intent of the attacker to find the optimal position and timing to apply a counter-technique. This then is very similar to the principles expressed by Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo.
[edit] History
Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido.
Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba (植芝 盛平 Ueshiba Morihei, 14 December 1883 – 26 April 1969), referred to by some aikido practitioners as Ōsensei (“Great Teacher”).[8] Ueshiba envisioned aikido not only as the synthesis of his martial training, but as an expression of his personal philosophy of universal peace and reconciliation. During Ueshiba’s lifetime and continuing today, aikido has evolved from the Aiki that Ueshiba studied into a wide variety of expressions by martial artists throughout the world.[5]
[edit] Initial development
Takeda Sokaku
Ueshiba developed aikido primarily during the late 1920s through the 1930s through the synthesis of the older martial arts that he had studied.[9] The core martial art from which aikido derives is Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu, which Ueshiba studied directly with Takeda Sokaku, the reviver 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.[10]
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.[9] 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.[5]
[edit] Religious influences
Onisaburo Deguchi
After Ueshiba left Hokkaidō in 1919, he met and was profoundly influenced by Onisaburo Deguchi, the spiritual leader of the Ōmoto-kyō religion (a neo-Shinto movement) in Ayabe.[11] One of the primary features of Ōmoto-kyō is its emphasis on the attainment of utopia during one’s life. This was a great influence on Ueshiba’s martial arts 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.[12]
In addition to the effect on his spiritual growth, the connection with Deguchi gave Ueshiba entry to elite political and military circles as a martial artist. As a result of this exposure, he was able to attract not only financial backing but also gifted students. Several of these students would found their own styles of aikido.[13]
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