AIKIDO

Aikido is a wonderful synthesis of the martial arts of Japan: in it is seen crystallized the long and intensive tradition of Budo (the way of Samurai or Knights). It is an authentic science of combat. The technique of Aikido lies in the maximum utilisation of the inertia of the attacker harmonizing oneself with his movement and neutralising in this way the aggressive force until he will be completely reducted and controlled.

A movement of Aikido has often a spiral or spherical trajectory. There is no resistance and the one moves always in accordance with the force of the other, which is not, in reality, the exclusive principle of aikido but the common and fundamental base of almost all Japanese traditional martial arts. Nevertheless, the characteristic of Aikido is to use always the energy (mental and physical force) extending way and never in contractive way. It is a physical and mental extenuation, expansion and liberation.

An extensive movement must be realised naturally and with firm maintenance of the concentration and the balance. For the effective realisation of a technique, the co-ordinated, harmonized, spontaneous and natural function of the body (the movements of the hip, of the feet, of the hands, etc) the respiration and the mind is vital.

There are about twelve basic techniques (Ikkyo, Nikkyo, Sankkyo, Yonkkyo, Gokkyo, Shihonage, Irminage, Kotegaeshi, Tenchinage, Kaitennage, Kosinage, Kokyunage which is thought to be the most synthetic of all), and these fundamental techniques, by being applied against very diverse attacks like holding of hands, grasping of lapels, vertical, horizontal or lateral stroke, attacks of font or from hejind, attack armed with knife, a sword or a staff, or multiple and simultaneous attacks, etc, can develop and multiply themselves until more than one thousand different techniques, namely, almost infinitely.

But these innumerable techniques obey, without exception, to a simple law called ‘AIKI’, Harmony or Realization of the Union. For example, if an attacker comes up to you intending to hit you, you should not resist against him in order to stop the stroke, but you accompany him to the direction to which his force-current goes, thus unifying and harmonising yourself with his movement. You lead him, drawing a spiral trajectory around the centre of your own gravitation, so that you finish your movement returning ironically the aggressive force to the author himself, but without hurting him. This process can be compared, perhaps with an ingenious canalisation of water: a current of water, unifying itself with another one, increase in power and instead of running against, goes up harmoniously and dynamically towards the origin of the latter, pouring all the accumulated energy in it.

Depending upon the variation of the trajectory which draws this movement, the movement will be called Shihonage, Iriminage, Kotegaeshi, etc. This mechanism is adaptable for whatever different type of attack. Here it is revealed that the Aikido dynamics consists in not treating a human being as a mass or a dimensionally determined volume, but as an energetic and vital current, or ‘KI’.

Aikido, however, does not confine itself to be a mere technique of fight nor to be a sport. It is, first of all, a very pure art, its esthetics identifies itself with those of the refined branches of Japanese traditional art. Its sobriety and dynamism remind us of the medieval painting and sculpture; its simplicity and sharpness, the Japanese swords; its fineness and elegancy, the ceramics; its serenity and pureness, the architecture and gardening. It is also a philosophy of life.

It was created about half a century ago by Master Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), who is a beautiful incarnation of the Japanese spirituality

      "…………… as AI (Harmony) is common with AI (Love), I decided to name my unique Budo ‘Aikido’ ……"

True Budo is a work of love. It is a work of giving life to all beings and not killing or struggling with each other. Love is the guardian deity of everything. Nothing can exist without it. Aikido is the realization of love.

The secret of Aikido is to harmonize ourselves with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself. He who has gained the secret of Aikido has the universe in himself and can say, ‘I am the universe’. I am never defeated, however, fast the enemy may attack. It is not because my technique is faster than that of the enemy. It is not a question of speed. The fight is finished before it is begun. When an enemy tries to fight with me, the universe itself, he has to break the harmony of the universe. Hence at the moment he has the mind to fight with me, he is already defeated. There exists no measure of time - fast or slow. Aikido is non-resistance. As it is non-resistance, it is always victorious …………"a mind to serve for the peace of all human beings in the world is needed in Aikido, and not the mind of one who wishes to be strong or who practices only to fell an opponent….” (cited from the ’Memoir of the Master’)

These are the words of the founder of Aikido. These are his confessions. This thought, which is the conclusion of the man who has come through the long and hard way of bitter antagonism, that has finally been overcome by him, cannot be far from that of Ramakrishna or of Gandhi. At the moment his Budo ceased to be simple technique of combat and became a ‘constructive way’, and thus was born Aikido.

Y Kitaura 5th Dan, Spain Aikikai

On 18 & 19 January, Blyth Bujutsukai held a weekend course with instruction by Chiba Sensei. This was the first time Chiba Sensei had been in the North East for some years; and, I’m glad to say, there was a good attendance from the students in the area. In total, there were approximately 70 students, including small groups from Scotland Aikikai, London Aikikai Headquarters and Seaham Aikido Club.

The course was mainly basic techniques. On the Saturday, the techniques were practised from Ai-hanmi katatedori. Sensei mentioned the importance of tori’s posture during the execution of the techniques. He also explained that such techniques as ikkyo, nikkyo and sankkyo are good for the body and help build it up.

On Sunday, the techniques were practised form guaku-hanmi katatedori. Sensei instructed on the soto-kaiten and uchi-kaiten principles, and mentioned the importance of turning the hips to face the same direction as uke.

Sensei introduced both Iai Shoden and Tachi Iai. He explained that Iai was very good for strengthening the lower parts of the body and helping to make the legs more supple. Sensei told us, he has observed that Westerners have extremely stiff legs.

Sensei also instructed on basic Jyo suburi and showed Ichi no kata. He explained that jyo techniques are good for developing flowing and flexibility. He said that after suburi the shoulders tend to stiffen, and the ideal way to get rid of this stiffness is to practise Aikido techniques.

Everyone in the area has been saying how impressed they were, both with Chiba Sensei’s Aikido and his personality; as, for most people, it was the first time they had seen him. Everyone has been asking when he can come back to the area.

I have noticed a definite change in attitude towards practice since the courses. The people in my club are more keen, than ever, to practise; and they seem to he studying the techniques with more effort that before.

In my opinion, this has been and excellent course, and it hashelped the clubs a great deal. I would like to extend my thanks to Chiba Sensei for his excellent instruction during the weekend.

Ian McClarence, Seishain Aikikai, Newcastle

Contemporary Western culture is dualistic; everything is dichotomised into good or bad, right or wrong, friend or enemy, this or that. To dichotomise is to divide, and competition usually follows. It necessitates making constant judgements (this is right; this is wrong) that create trouble in society as well as in individual life. If one wishes a life of peace and harmony, duality must be transcended and the world of oneness attained. Oneness does not mean sameness. Each one is unique and absolute. Each one has its own beauty and value and should not be compared. Peace and freedom exist only in the word of oneness, the absolute world.

The Venerable Gyomay M Kubose

Can we transcend duality in Aikido techniques?

We would very much like to hear students’ views on the above. Please submit your comments for publication to Dorothy at London Aikikai Headquarters.

We are pleased to announce that Sekiya Sensei, Tokyo Aikikai Headquarters, who attended our National Summer School in Stirling last August has recently been awarded 5TH Dan. Students who missed the opportunity of receiving his instruction will be able to do so when he attends our Summer School at University College of North Wales, Banger later this year.

COURSE BASED ON NEW GRADING SYLLABUS 8 – 9 February 1975

This course which is being held at London Aikikai Headquarters, Lower Philbeach Hall, 51 Philbeach Gardens, Earl’s Court is open to national coaches, club instructors and Kenshu Sei only. It is important that all national coaches attend this course before grading on the new grading syllabus. All club instructors or at least one instructor from each area should make an effort to attend.

SCHEDULE:

Saturday 8 February 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Sunday 9 February  10.30am - 12.30pm
                                  3.00pm – 6.00pm

COURSE FEE: £4

Copies of the new grading syllabus will be available at the course.

Bangor, North Wales, shares in the highlight of our Association this year when Aikikdokas from all over converge at the University College of North Wales for our National Summer School from 2 –9 August.

Attending instructors are N TAMURA 7th DAN, Official Delegate fro European Aikikai from Tokyo Aikikai Headquarters, K CHIBA 6th DAN, Official Representative for great Britain from Tokyo Headquarters, G SEKIYA 5th Dan, Tokyo Aikikai Headquarters, M KANETSUKA 3rd Dan, Head of National Coaches of Great Britain and other National Coaches.

Bangor is a small but busy cathedral city with excellent facilities for fishing, climbing, riding, sailing, and for swimmers, there are the fine beaches of Anglesey. The area is one of great natural beauty. Whether one travels inland among the mountain passes and lakes of Snowdonia, along the coast to the Lleyn Peninsula or across the Menai Straits to Anglesey, the scenery is striking and unspoilt. North Wales is rich in items of archaeological and historical interest ranging from the Neolithic burial chambers on the Isle of Anglesey to the well preserved thirteenth century castles at Caernarvon, Conway and Beaumaris. Of general interest are the gardens and arboretum at Bodnant which are acknowledged to tbe among the most attractive in Britain.

Students will be housed in Neuadd Teichel, a hall of residence containing 113 single rooms and 13 twin –bedded rooms. Accommodation including three meals daily (breakfast, lunch and dinner) is on a weekly basis only. Vegetarian diet is available on request only.

Course fees are: AGB member £3.00/day £20.00/week
                             Non member £4.00/day £25.00/week
                             Junior (10 - 16 years) £1.50/day £8.50/week
                             ACEA & Overseas members £2.00/day £13.50/week

Accommodation including meals:

                             Single and twin-bedded rooms £34.00/week
                             Juniors under 12 years £30.00/week

Closing date for application forms is 30th May 1975.

24 – 25 May Seaham Aikido Club
15 Oct – 15 Nov Second Doshu’s visit to Europe

GRADING BY NATIONAL COACHES

We would like to remind all national coaches that a copy, duly signed, of the grades awarded by them must be sent to Headquarters for filing in the records.