SHEEN AIKIDO - Brief Aikido History

What is AIKIDO?

As a new topic, many students will have conjured up all sorts of thoughts of what Aikido is, and most of thoughts are probably correct. Aikido means different things to different people. To avoid confusion we must first look into its history.

References to the original form, "AIKI JUJUTSU", date back to 1150ad. This fighting form was closely guarded by the heads of Japanese Clans in Feudal times and was only taught to the knights of the Clan. The close combat weapons used in those days were, swords, spears, staffs knives to name a few. In general fighting was carried out in close quarters. Today, as we have seen in recent times, battle is fought at distant and with explosive weapons such as guns & bombs etc. To use a Martial Art against such devices would be pointless. So the reasons for learning a Martial Art today are entirely different from the original reasons. Today it is more about leisure and in essence the spirit of what once was. From this we can practise and become skilful with a more useful purpose. This purpose is the development of body and mind for the good of all.

Brief History?

In the early part of this century Morihei Ueshiba (Founder if Aikido) practised AIKI JUJUTSU and from this he derived his original form "AIKI BUJUTSU". By 1942, "AlKIDO", as it was then to be named, was officially recognised and was know as the way of harmony.

Originally the AIKI JUJUTSU form had no simple learning process and there were many hundreds of techniques many of which were deadly and violent. Morihei Ueshiba's AIKIDO reduced the number to some 2664 variations on 30 basic movements and using safer techniques. Students could then repeatedly practise without the fear of permanent injury, but still keeping in mind the origins of the techniques. Kenji Tomiki, a student of Morihei Ueshiba and like his master he too was an expert in Judo. He took this a stage further and devised a simpler and more systematic method of teaching Aikido efficiently from the knowledge and correct application of far fewer techniques. One of his aims was to introduce the element of competition or free-play (Randori), something not previously acknowledged by Aikidoka. By the mid 1960's he had achieved this and several colleges took part in a competition. The analogy being similar to that of Judo, which was developed by Kano for younger players with a competitive and sporting element in mind.

The “BUDO MAN” diagram shows the origins and refinements of AIKIDO and how it relates to other disciplines. It shows how the techniques are grouped and how they overlap with Judo. Furthermore it highlights the key elements for safe and effective application of Randori.

SOFTNESS / MOVEMENT, BALANCE & POSTURE

(click on image to enlarge)

Basic Principles

Aikido is a self-defence system, which exploits the inherent weaknesses in an opponent.

OUR JOINTS ARE WEAK. No Matter how much muscle we build up around them they will always remain the same - weak links.

THE WAY WE STAND. Again our whole body is inherently weak in one direction and strong in another.

THE WAY WE WALK. Walking is a continual process of loosing and regaining balance. As we lift a foot to step forward or backward we are momentarily left on the other foot. This makes us vulnerable and weak in every direction.

MENTAL. To psyche out your opponent can reveal weaknesses in the mind. Before you encounter an opponent, if you believe you can be beaten you will loose.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN PERFORMING A TECHNIQUE

POSTURE. Be relaxed, balanced, be in a ready state of awareness. Be ready to move in any direction and at speed. To perform any technique you must yourself be in control of your body, otherwise you will risk failing and possibly being countered.

EYE-CONTACT. Focus should be an overall view of your opponent and not fixed to any one point.

TIMING. To be able to read an opponents intentions and react at the correct moment.

AVOIDANCE (CORRECT DISTANCE). When an opponent attacks, the most important thing is to avoid being struck. You may not even need to use a technique afterwards. This initial movement also places you at the correct distance from your opponent for a successful application of a technique.

BALANCE. To perform any Judo or Aikido technique, first you must disturb your opponent’s balance but your balance must be good. This can be physically, mentally, actively or passively.

SOFTNESS. To be soft will always overcome hardness. Do not try to resist a force but blend and move with it. To be soft will enable you to move more quickly and with precision.

K I L L! = Keep It Light and Loose!