I would like to clarify the issue about "chopping" and the coloration between the sword and Aikido The Japanese sword is one of the most sophisticated edged weapons to have ever been devised; its use by a skilled person is graceful, eloquent and deadly. The method of use is very specific and the nature of the weapon requires precision in the angle of the kirioshi (cuts) for the intention to be absolute. The Japanese sword unlike many other sabers and edged weapons of similar age, cuts primarily on the back stroke, that is to say whilst a cut maybe made as the sword enters the body, the maximum damage is produced as it leaves. The weapon is NOT particularly effective when used to hack or "chop". Naturally severe injury would suffice under such conditions however; this effect would not be to the weapon's full potential. Chopping is not therefore akin to correct use of the Japanese Sword. It is very true to say that Aikido as a martial discipline is heavily influence by aspects of Nihonto however; it is not a sword art by definition. Many movements seen within Aikido are those of Kenjutsu, indeed a large portion of hand art technique can be traced back to sword origin. As a student and instructor of Aikido (and a student of Iaido) I have never seen "chopping" movements within either discipline, yes atemi waza exists where strikes are made to say the neck (ala Yokomen uchi) however these 'strikes' are themselves directly linked to sword art so, to liken them to 'chops' would be to forget (or ignore the fact) that we are intending to strike through our opponent and not strike 'up too' it. What good would a Gyakutsuki (reverse punch) be if all it did was travel up to the target and not past it ? Regards Dave
Question about -jutsu to -do Forgive me if this question has been asked here before, so kindly refer me to the link if such is the case. If not, please advise: If some -jutsu disciplines evolved into -do disciplines, is there such a discipline as "aikijutsu"? I hear a lot about "aikijujutsu" as being the forerunner to aikido but my logic would lead me to believe that aikijutsu became aikido. Same thing goes for jujutsu...judo. Kenjutsu...kendo. Kyujutsu...kyudo. Kobujutsu...Kobudo. Etc. ad infinitum. Is there is such a thing as aikijutsu? If so, is it different from aikijujutsu? Are they two separate disciplines? Or are they synonymous? Sorry for my ignorance. I really would like to know, so anybody's help would be appreciated! Aikijujutsu sounds a bit funny to me, almost like saying "Hapkiyudo" or "GojuUechijutsu" (no disrespect intended, just my lack of knowledge on this topic) as it seems to add two arts together in the description instead of just expressing aikido's former technical (-jutsu) existence. Thanks again. Osu!
The evolution from "jutsu" to "do" essentially came about following the collapse of the feudal system in Japan, methods of war were no longer required so "the way" formed the basis of the transmission of those skills and traditions. I think you already pretty much identified that in your opening post. The concepts and principles (in one form or another) of Ai and Ki have been around looooong before they were used in the context of Ai, Ki, and Do by Ueshiba Sensei Not being an authority on the genealogy of Japanese arts, I would have to speculate and say I *think* the two are virtually, if not one and the same. Your welcome Dave
Hidden Roots of Aikido (by Shiro Omiya pub. Kodansha) explains the development of Daitoryu as a root of aikido. He states that Daitoryu Jujutsu was intended for young and vigorous students, using full force atemi and joint attacks. Daitoryu Aikijujutsu is for the older practitioner and incorporates what he call 'aiki timing' as well as atemi - a kind of 'martial yoga'. There was also Daitoryu Aiki no Jutsu which claims to use spiritual rather than physical means to subdue the opponents. I found the differences interesting as it seems to me to be akin to the practice of O Sensei as he progressed through life, leaving us with a very similar spectrum from Yoshinkan to Ki Aikido.
I've never heard of aikijutsu. I would think it's a misspelling of aikijujutsu. Jujutsu --> aikijujutsu --> aikido. (I guess we're all reading the same books.)
Nope - read a few (see previous posting) and there IS a difference. I reckon as a rule of thumb that the more 'ju's' in the wording, the softer it is! It's a bit harsh to say the softer styles are for the old and weak, but let's face it the hard atemi and locks are not for the old and infirm. IMHO, after my own experience of being broken by decades of 'hard' stuff, a choice is presented: transfer to softer style or stick with hard style but not as a uke. If I could learn 'aiki no jutsu' and defeat an attacker with my spirit alone then stuff the rest, I'd go with that!
Thanks all. I thought it was just a simple case of taking away the -jutsu and then adding -do. Thanks again for clarifying. Osu!
aikido ranking ? I want to know what is ranking in Aikido. Is it: white-belt -> yellow-belt -> ... -> black-belt -> 1dan->... or is it something else ??? ( I'm talking about Aikikai USAF organization) THANKS
Some dojos start off at 10th kyu, some at 7th kyu or 5th kyu or whatever and go to first kyu, then the black belts, which are shodan, nidan, sandan...etc. I think it's kind of up to the respective dojos. Some use white belts up until shodan. Mine for example will put a strip of colored tape at the ends just so people will have an idea as to the rank of someone. In my dojo 3rd kyu and up wear hakama so newer people will know who the sempai are I guess.
Typically (but not always the case) the kyu/dan system operates as follows and this example is drawn from the guidlines set by Aikido World HQ. *most* Hombu dojo affiliated dojo operate the whitebelt until shodan rule but of course there are variations (all acceptable as its down to organisations to set the requirements) 6th Kyu = to white belt 5th Kyu = to yellow belt 4th Kyu = to orange belt 3rd kyu = to green belt 2nd kyu = to blue belt 1st kyu = to brown belt 1st dan = black belt Regards Dave
ASU dojos: white, blue, blue, purple, purple, brown, brown, black AAA dojos: white, white, blue, blue, purple, purple, brown, brown, black I was hoping that Akira would answer his own question at tomorrow's class, and then tell us here.
So I'm supposed to ask questions here, eh? (You can't even imagine how much I wanted to make a new thread ) Here goes: I've been studying Ashihara Karate (Full contact, mix of shotokan, MT and aikido) for the last few months... got one blue stripe on my belt about a week ago :woo: . I guess I like it more or less, but the problem is that there won't be any practices during the summer :cry: . So I'm looking for other things to do. Frankly speaking I enjoyed the Aikido part of Ashihara the most. I just love throwing and being thrown (despite the fact that it was on wooden floors ). So I'm really thinking about Aikido (full-time, no cross-training). Yeah, not all of the throws were Aikido (There were some from Judo, greko-roman, MMA) but I have a feeling that I might like Aikido a LOT! I have one specific dojo in mind. The Sensei there 3rd dan (also vice-president of Latvian Aikido Federation), he is a student of Yasunari Kitaura who is a student of O'Sensei himself. Now... does anyone have comments on this? And is there a way to check the lineage or something? I just want to practice at a good place Hoping for answers, mr_vodka OSU!
He also studied with O'Sensei's son... The source I have says the Kitaura san was born on 25th May, 1937. Currently he's IAF's official representive in Spain.
Ok, i am not trying to insult aikido or anyone who practices it in anyway, but i was watching tv and they had a special about aikido and i sat down and watched it. To me it looked incredibly fake. They showed students just flat out running at their instructor, he grabbed their arm and it looked like they flipped themselves. To me it looked fake. Now obviously it is not fake otherwise this part of the board would not be here. confused and curious.
