The name 'Aikido' is produced by the permutation of three characters in the Japanese language. 'Ai', which means 'joining'; 'ki', which means '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 1930's to the 1940's that the name Aikido was officially accepted as the name of this martial art variety.
Aikido uses methods that do not critically injure or kill unlike different kinds of martial art. The techniques and skills being taught are just meant to divert attention or stop attackers. This is perhaps the reason why most people would rather Aikido, because of its focus on peace and harmony as opposed to violence and conflict. In deed, Aikido developer, Morihei Ueshiba, believes that to control hostility without causing any injury is the art of peace.
Ueshiba, who is also called Osensei, which signifies 'Great Teacher', developed Aikido from the principles of Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. He integrated the ways of the 'yari', the spear; the 'juken', the bayonet; and the 'jo', which is a short quarterstaff. But what finally distinguishes Aikido from other kinds of martial art is the fact that its practitioners can strike while empty-handed. Proponents need no weaponry 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 different martial arts. He studied a few of them. He even has certificates for fencing, fighting with spears, etc. He has learned it all. This is perhaps the reason why Aikido is such a diverse and multi-disciplinary type of martial art.
Yet despite his skill, he remained dissatisfied. He felt that there was still something lacking. It was then that he turned to the religions. He studied under a spiritual guide, Onisaburo Deguchi of the sect called Omoto-kyo in Ayabe. Deguchi taught him to take care of his psychic growth. He then combined his spiritual beliefs and his mastery of the different martial arts and Aikido was born.
His relationship with this fascinating spiritual leader Deguchi also paved the path for his introduction to the elite political and military personnel as a martial artist. Because of this association, he was able to launch Aikido and even pass on his knowledge to students, who have, in turn, developed their own methods and movement in Aikido.
Aikido is a blend of the diverse techniques of jujitsu as well as some of the methods of sword and spear fighting, of which Ueshiba was an expert. To get an overall idea, 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 1951. He introduced the Aikido techniques to students who were studying judo. In 1952, Tadashi Abe came to France as the official Aikikai Honbu spokesperson. Then in 1953, 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 1965, it reached Germany and Australia. At present, Aikido has centres all over the world.
Aikido uses methods that do not critically injure or kill unlike different kinds of martial art. The techniques and skills being taught are just meant to divert attention or stop attackers. This is perhaps the reason why most people would rather Aikido, because of its focus on peace and harmony as opposed to violence and conflict. In deed, Aikido developer, Morihei Ueshiba, believes that to control hostility without causing any injury is the art of peace.
Ueshiba, who is also called Osensei, which signifies 'Great Teacher', developed Aikido from the principles of Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. He integrated the ways of the 'yari', the spear; the 'juken', the bayonet; and the 'jo', which is a short quarterstaff. But what finally distinguishes Aikido from other kinds of martial art is the fact that its practitioners can strike while empty-handed. Proponents need no weaponry 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 different martial arts. He studied a few of them. He even has certificates for fencing, fighting with spears, etc. He has learned it all. This is perhaps the reason why Aikido is such a diverse and multi-disciplinary type of martial art.
Yet despite his skill, he remained dissatisfied. He felt that there was still something lacking. It was then that he turned to the religions. He studied under a spiritual guide, Onisaburo Deguchi of the sect called Omoto-kyo in Ayabe. Deguchi taught him to take care of his psychic growth. He then combined his spiritual beliefs and his mastery of the different martial arts and Aikido was born.
His relationship with this fascinating spiritual leader Deguchi also paved the path for his introduction to the elite political and military personnel as a martial artist. Because of this association, he was able to launch Aikido and even pass on his knowledge to students, who have, in turn, developed their own methods and movement in Aikido.
Aikido is a blend of the diverse techniques of jujitsu as well as some of the methods of sword and spear fighting, of which Ueshiba was an expert. To get an overall idea, 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 1951. He introduced the Aikido techniques to students who were studying judo. In 1952, Tadashi Abe came to France as the official Aikikai Honbu spokesperson. Then in 1953, 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 1965, it reached Germany and Australia. At present, Aikido has centres all over the world.
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