As I experience more of the world my 17 yr old son is growing up in, with unprovoked bashings at local bus stops and stabbings on Sydney trains, I realise my son will have more violence in his life compared to mine. I wonder if our brand of aikido, with its emphasis on softness and non technical movement (let alone a shihan who is getting more esoteric as time goes by) is going to be relevant to him? Does our style of Aikido truly teach self defence, or is that just a product of long term training?

Hi Nigel
Yours is a very relevant observation, one that is asked in even the most severe dojos. Am I able to defend my self with aikido.?
Of course we are aware, O?sensei?s purpose of Aikido is a deviation from the traditional martial arts and from these warrior arts AikiBudo was born and born from an insightful mind. Later as O?sensei developed and matured he translated Aiki-budo to become Aikido, a reflection of an esoteric heart and mind. This is the nature of Aiki development in progress. Esoteric realization is the essence where one may feel able to measure Aiki in oneself and other people. Of course Aiki is unattainable but the striving to attain it,("the process") this is what is important and keeps us focused on the divine which keeps us peaceful. Peacefulness is Aikido?s purpose for the individual.
Because Takeda Shihan is at high levels in his Aiki development it can only be noticed as esoteric essence.
My personal experience in this 35th year of Aikido training has brought me to realize the above statements. With early years of hard/style technique practise as a base, I have found that the method in AKI practice helps me utilize technique quickly and easier, more precise and a more powerfully efficient action of will and to a degree, invisible processes producing effective self-defense technique.
I make a point of incorporating a more holistic learning method for myself and teaching method for my students, utilizing the esoteric nature of our AKI model.
For me Sensei?s method is what I have searched for throughout my Aikido journey, that is why I will always refer to him as my most significant mentor. Although for technical / Aiki-budo and self-defense the Teacher is within my will to survive the situation necessary for self defense. My training at Higashi Totsuka reinforces and makes more fluid and more easily accessible Budo technique that inspires the other side of my Aikido, by studying one on one with Satoshi Takeda-san at the Ofuna Budokan, when I visit. He helps me to develop the will to want to survive the fear that can devour and defeat us when and if a self defense situation arises and as sure as I am writing this, it will.
The only point I notice lacking in the AKI transmission, is the limited depth in being familiar with the technical origin in the Aiki-budo aspect coming from people invited to teach at seminars. A number of our close and higher members coming from Higashi Totsuka are lacking in this area Perhaps it?s a misguided sense of duty or friendship, that limits the choosing from our side. Or it could even be an underlying fear of disappointing friends., or just fear itself.
I am in no way diminishing the wealth of experience delivered by these instructors nor that they are not taught well, their Aikido expression and movement is most beautiful and inspirational and above all evident in being able to lead one to O?sensei?s dream. They are each one, uniquely wonderful. But there are also those few who are capable and do carry great depth and Martial prowess these individuals it seems are not utilized and not found useful or cherished. This under sight could undermine the balance that is crucial in maintaining community interest and support for our Aikido in the future.
If you can derive benefit from any thing that I have written that?s fine. If not, then simply dismiss it.
[url=Chicko.]Chicko.[/url]www.aikido-fudoshin.com

interesting thoughts chicko. Not sure if i agree about other senseis ignoring the budo aspects of the art, but i do think we need to have all aspects of our art taught and put into context

Your last sentence is absolutly correct. Although I am sorry Nigel, I feel you may have miss read my intention, There are only a very few of our Higashi Totsuka members who practise nothing else, only Takeda senseis most recent Aiki developement. They are very adept at his latest feeling but with regard to Martial prowess and the ability to pass on self defence, they are limited. I never once refered to any one as ignorant. All students from Senseis dojo are highly skilled at what is being taught by Sensei. Of course those who wish to study Martial Aiki Arts and self defence go to teachers like Satoshi-san.

If I might suggest read through my reply again and try using not your intelect but try to read from your Heart you may then see in a new light.
Please dont take what I just said the wrong way I am only saying that I can only express from my Hearts Mind, do you make sense of that. It would be wonderful for your Aikido. If you can.
Thanks Nigel.
Ps: What about the Histoy points.



edited by: chicko, Feb 06, 2009 - 08:09 AM

yes, you're quite right Chiko - Sensei's latest developments are very esoteric and belong to a different level of experience. I think the budo aspects can be forgotten if we are not careful. Luckily we have teachers like Yass Sensei and Satoshi Sensei who keep our feet firmly on the ground.

No probs with the History.
Nigel.

Yes Indeed and soon Seino-san, very solid.

Satoshi-san is impacting Germany regularly and has opened some eyes, I am sure. I hope to see him soon and endevour to have him out to express some diverse aspects of the art related to the longer jo. Lets hope this economic global situation dosnt make it to difficult for travel.Im feeling the pinch in some areas a little, but still smiling.

All the best
Keep up the good work on this new web site.

Chicko

I think there is an even simpler idea to consider in this discussion, if I may also make an observation.

One is less likely to 'draw' in any unwanted situations, violence etc, if one develops awareness, presence and 'zanshin'. When one is mindful of their situation, aware of potential dangers, and maintains a sense of centredness, they are much less likely to encounter difficulties in the first place, and if they do, they are usually able to manage the situation better if they can maintain such.

An analogy would be my white cat Cosmo, who manages to keep our two mastiff/dane type muttlings in complete whimpering compliance just by being calm, not running, and staring (or using 'zanshin') to keep the muttlings well away. The occasional paw comes out if they accidently stray too close, but by and large, a mere projection of presence is enough to put off two potential attackers with strong bodies and jaws which could rip him to shreds in seconds if they physically wanted to.

It may seem funny, but observing these non-verbal, potentially threatening situations for cat and dogs alike, one cannot help but clearly observe that developing 'zanshin', awareness of potential threats and remaining centred and calm throughout the situation gives Cosmo the upper hand, regardless of size or number of 'attackers'. It is at the point where if the dogs accidentally run into him around the corner, they skid to a halt and scramble to get out of the way, and Cosmo just waits...

The things I learn from my cat!

;-P

I agree Monty - one has to train in all aspects of the art - physical, mental and spiritual to achieve an understanding of the true meaning of aikido, and in particular AKI aikido.