"AIKIDO"
The
name Aikido comes from the Japanese words:
"Ai":
harmony
"Ki":
vital energy
"Do":
way,
and
it can be translated as "a way for the harmony
of vital energies".
ART OF AIKIDO
The
art of Aikido is based on the notion of blending with
one's opponent, in order to solve a conflict by the
guiding of different energies instead of their oppositions.
It is a martial art with a peaceful orientation.
Aikido
is quite young as an art, and its techniques are derived
from older Japanese martial arts, either bare-handed
or with weapons, and then "re-thought" in
a global form of harmony of energies.
Aikido in itself is a bare-handed art, although techniques
with sword (ken) or stick (jo) are also taught. Some
teachers will use these weapon techniques to improve
the bare-handed techniques (for learning a better
position, moving, etc...), and other teachers will
keep these weapon techniques for advanced Aikidokas.
In
our system, we practice weapons (under supervision
of Dr. Leisinger Sensei, 6th dan Aikikai) simultaneously
with bare-handed techniques (under supervision of
Masatake Fujita Sensei, 8th dan Aikikai).
Practically,
on the tatami, all techniques start with Uke (the
attacking one) attacking Tori (the attacked one, performing
the Aikido technique). The attack in itself will be
an attempt from Uke to hold (wrist, shoulder, neck,
behind...) or to hit (belly, face, side of the face...),
and Tori will then have to turn this attack into his
advantage, the final stage being a control of Uke.
There
are few basic attacks, few basic techniques, but many
ways to perform them; the combination of all these
elements leads to a high number of possibilities,
all linked by the same idea - stopping without opposition
of energies, controlling without loss of the flow.
The
art of Aikido lies within a circle: the continuous
flow of energies.
AIMS
Through
the martial practice, the art of Aikido aims at improving
relationships between beings by promoting the harmonious
development of each of us.
For
this purpose, mutual valorisation is the key, and
not self-affirmation.
That
is also the reason why there is no competition
in this discipline.
HISTORY
The
art of Aikido was founded by Ueshiba Morihei, also
known as "O'Sensei" (great master).
Ueshiba Morihei was born on December 14th, 1883, in
Tanabe, Japan. He was the son of Ueshiba Yoroku, a
prosperous landlord, coming from a family of vigorous
Samurai.
The
whole area of Kumano is well known in Japan for its
important Shinto sanctuaries. It gave Morihei a strong
attraction for religion since his very early years,
attraction that would lead him into his quest for
the developpement of Aikido.
Being
a fragile child, and also to compensate for his interest
in religion, Morihei's parents encouraged him in turning
to physical activities such as Sumo and swimming.
Later
on, when he turned 20, Morihei went to Tokyo and studied
old techniques of Jiu-Jitsu (Kito school, Tozawa Sensei).
He also trained in the same time in Ken-Jutsu (sword
fighting - Shinkage Ryu school).
Still
facing health problems, Ueshiba Morihei finally decided
to strengthen his body, and went to Sakai in order
to study the sword art (Yagyu school, Nakai Sensei).
In
1903, Morihei enlisted in the army, where his skills
in Juken-Jutsu (rifle-knife fighting) and other physical
exercices were noted.
In
February 1915, while traveling, Morihei met Sokaku
Takeda, great master of the Daito Ryu school, who
decided to teach him some secret techniques. Morihei
then decided to open a dojo and to invite Sokaku Takeda,
building a house for him and taking complete care
of him.
In
November 1919, Morihei met Wanisaburo Deguchi, great
mystical master, leader of the order Omote-Kyo. In
1920, Morihei decided to settle in Ayabe, in the temple
of the Omote-Kyo.
On
February 13th, 1924, Wanisaburo Deguchi, Ueshiba Morihei,
and a small group of other disciples left Japan for
Mongolia, theater of fights between Japanese and Chinese
armies. The group wanted to create there a Kingdom
of Peace, but they failed in this purpose and ended
up prisoners of the Chinese armies for months.
Finally
back to Japan, Morihei Ueshiba went on with his studies
of Budo (the Way of War). At this moment of his life,
O'Sensei understood that the real Budo was not to
win over an opponent by force, but to protect peace
in this world, accepting and promoting the opening
of all beings.
All
these encounters, technical experiences and philosophical
experiences led to the creation of Aikido in 1925.
Since 1926, Morihei's name started to be known, and
he would be visited by well-known Budokas and leaders
from the political or military world. In 1931, Ueshiba
Morihei settled in Wakamatsu-Cho, Tokyo, where he
built a new dojo (Kobukan).
During the war years, Morihei moved away from Tokyo,
in Iwama. In 1946, due to the American prohibition
of all martial arts, the Dojo was closed, until 1948,
when it changed its name to Aikikai (to enhance the
quest and development part of the art). The art of
Aikido was the first martial art to be authorized
after the war, because of its pacific aim.
Since
that period, the number of students didn't stop growing,
with the creation of dojos all over the world. The
period of time after the war also defines the "modern
form" of Aikido.
On
April 26th, 1969, Ueshiba Morihei passed away, leaving
the control of the Aikikai federation to his son,
Ueshiba Kisshomaru, and now to his grand-son, "Doshu"
Moriteru Ueshiba.
