The Beginnings of Aikido

By Rhys Jones

The word 'Aikido' is formed by the permutation of three characters in the Japanese language. 'Ai', which signifies 'joining'; 'ki', which signifies 'spirit' and 'do', which which means 'way'. These three words in fact actualy do encapsulate the essence of Aikido as a type of martial art: 'the joining of the spirit to find the way'. It was only in the period from'30's to the'40's that the name Aikido was officially accepted as the name of this martial art type.

Aikido employs ways that do not critically injure or kill unlike different forms of martial art. The techniques and skills being taught are simply meant to distract attention or immobilize people. This is perhaps the explanation why most people prefer Aikido, due to its focus on peace and harmony as opposed to violence and hostility. In fact, Aikido teacher, Morihei Ueshiba, believes that to control violence without causing any injury is the art of peace.

Ueshiba, who is also called Osensei, which signifies 'Great Teacher', formed Aikido from the doctrine of Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. He incorporated the methods of the 'yari', the spear; the 'juken', the bayonet; and the 'jo', which is a short quarterstaff. But what ultimately distinguishes Aikido from other types of martial art is the fact that its proponents can strike while empty-handed. Proponents require no arms for their protection.

As a small child, he was greatly into physical fitness and conditioning. This was because of his promise to avenge his father's enemies. Eventually, his studies and activities led him to the discipline of the various martial arts. He studied a few of them. He even has certificates for fencing, fighting with spears, etc. He has studied it all. This is possibly the reason why Aikido is such a diverse and multi-disciplinary sort of martial art.

Yet despite his knowledge, he was still dissatisfied. He sensed that there was still something lacking. It was then that he turned to the religions. He studied under a spiritual leader, Onisaburo Deguchi of the sect called Omoto-kyo in Ayabe. Deguchi trained him to take care of his spiritual development. He then pooled his spiritual beliefs and his mastery of the different martial arts and Aikido was formed.

His involvement with this charismatic spiritual leader Deguchi also smoothed the path for his introduction to the elite political and military personnel as a martial artist. Because of this relationship, he was able to launch Aikido and even pass on his knowledge to students, who have, in turn, developed their own styles and movement in Aikido.

Aikido is a blend of the different styles of jujitsu as well as some of the techniques of sword and spear fighting, of which Ueshiba was an expert. To obtain an general picture, Aikido combines the joint locks and throws of jujitsu and the movements of the body necessary when fighting with swords and spears.

Oriental in origin, it was brought to the West by Minoru Mochizuki when he visited France in'51. He introduced the Aikido methods to students who were learning judo. In'52, Tadashi Abe came to France as the official Aikikai Honbu representative. Then in'53, Kenji Tomiki toured throughout the United States while Koichi Tohei stayed in Hawaii for a full year where he set up a dojo. Aikido then spread its influence in the United Kingdom two years after and in'65, it reached Germany and Australia. At present, Aikido has centres all over the world.

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