About Aikido
Aikido is a non-competitive Japanese martial art, which emphasizes blending with an attack in a non-aggressive way. Training involves both weapons and empty-hand techniques.
The word aikido in Japanese is composed of three characters, or kanji. The first is “ai,” which means “to join, to agree with, to harmonize.” The second kanji is “ki,” which means “energy, mind, intention.” The last character “do,” which means “the way,” signifies that the study of aikido does not involve merely self-defense techniques, but is a process of self-discovery and personal evolution.
A fairly literal translation for the word aikido is “the way of harmonizing energy.” The Founder of aikido had a much broader interpretation stating, “Aiki reflects the grand design of the cosmos; it is the life force, an irresistible power that binds the material and spiritual aspects of creation. Aiki is the flow of nature.” Aikido can then be said to be “the way of being in harmony with the flow of nature.”
Aikido’s Founder
Morihei Ueshiba, often referred to as O-Sensei (great teacher), was born in Tanabe, Japan on December 14, 1883. As a young child, Morihei was obsessed with building up his strength and challenging himself physically. His first formal martial arts training came when he was seventeen in Tenjin Shinyo Ryu jujutsu. In 1903 Ueshiba joined the army; during his three years of service, he became proficient in the use of the bayonet, and also trained in the Yagyu Shingan Ryu classical combat system.
For a short period Ueshiba trained in Kodokan judo then, in 1912, he led a party that was to settle a remote area of Northern Hokkaido. This is where Morihei met Sokaku Takeda, the highly skilled teacher of Daito Ryu aikijujutsu. Ueshiba invited Takeda to live with him, and for four years received personal instruction. Takeda was an expert in the use of the sword, shuriken, tanto, and iron-fan, as well as several other weapons. Takeda also possessed an ability called “aiki,” allowing him to control the mind of an attacker, neutralizing his aggression. Takeda awarded formal teahing certification to Ueshiba in 1922. The techniques of Daito Ryu became the basis for the vast majority of aikido movements.
Iwama Years
In the 1930’s, Ueshiba’s art was continuing to be refined and was most frequently referred to as “aiki budo.” It was not until a period of seclusion in Iwama beginning in 1942 that modern aikido was developed. For more than ten years Ueshiba farmed, meditated, and immersed himself in intensive training, including a serious study of the sword and staff. During this time Ueshiba devised the concept of takemusu aiki, or the spontaneous execution of infinite techniques in a manner completely appropriate to the specific circumstance.
The Philosophy
Ueshiba was also dedicated to spiritual development. After a chance meeting with Onisaburo Deguchi in 1919, Ueshiba became a follower of the Omoto Kyo religion. O-Sensei had always been drawn to esoteric spiritual beliefs and they had a great impact on his practice of martial arts. He saw budo not as a way of war, but a way of ending war. The emphasis in aikido is on the spiritual growth of the individual through training in martial techniques. The ethical dimension of aikido permeates every aspect of its practice.
The ideal response to physical conflict is to neutralize the attack while avoiding injury to the attacker. An even higher level of this is the development of sensitivity to conflict and potential violence. Through awareness and foresight, these situations can be prevented in all areas of life.