Just Like Swimming

Whilst watching Rising Sun the other night -- Hollywood's greatest example of why 2nd generation nikkei Californians don't pass for native Japanese -- lo and behold who do I see in a bit role? None other than Toshishiro Obata, founder of Shinkendo!

I'm sure IMDB would have told me the same thing but nonetheless I was surprised to see him in all his "sunglasses at night" glory. Twas a shame he wasn't in any action sequences though.

Early Aikido pioneers Taking uke for O-Sensei

Imagine our surprise when we discovered this rare footage of Shioda Gozo and Tohei Koichi taking uke for Morihei Ueshiba. The footage was filmed at the Aikikai Hombu in Shinjuku in 1952, only two years after the ban on martial arts was lifted.

At the time, the Aikikai was yet to organise themselves and Shioda & Tohei were the most prominent promulgators of the Art in Japan.

Kobudo vs Rugby

Interesting how Yoshinori Kono's explanation of kobudo principles gels closely with movement strategy in Aikido. No bracing, no force against force, no telegraphing, avoidance and change of direction.

Admittedly, I was worried about the lithe 60 year old being sent flying by 100kg plus High School rugby players. Video from NHK's Samurai Spirit Kobudo.

By Paul Chapman Renshinkai Melbourne

In the face of the huge popularity of spectator combat sports like Brazillian Jujitsu, MMA and Kickboxing as well as numerous systems of "Reality Based Self Defense", Aikido seems to have recently taken a "king hit" in the ring of public opinion.

An NHK World Aikido documentary that begins by asking 'does Aikido really work?' Skip to 3:11 to go straight to the best part.

Let's face it, compared to systems promoting aggressive and violent techniques, Aikido sounds pretty wishy washy! With words like 'harmony', 'non-aggression' and 'unified energy' commonly used to describe it, I don't blame you for dismissing it as "a nice idea" but "useless for defence".

In my experience, the truth is quite different.

Aikido is a technically sound system of physical protection, a rich source of martial culture and a way of life that goes far beyond teaching you how to simply hit someone.

Physical Protection and the Tokyo Riot Police

Since 1957, each year a select group of Tokyo Riot Police (kidotai) are selected to undertake a year long intensive program of Aikido. To be accepted to the course, Riot Squad members must have a minimum of 3rd dan black belt in Judo, Karate or Kendo.

Why would the Tokyo Metropolitan Police do this? Because the training is very physically demanding, mentally challenging and teaches a sophisticated & intuitive understanding of Aikido.

Why Aikido? Because it is a system of locking, restraining, unbalancing and defending against one or multiple attackers. If police want to stop rioters with maximum force, they can use water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets or even live ammunition.

However, to develop the skills for stopping rioters with minimum casualty and maximum respect for human life, they choose to send their elite to learn Aikido.

Moreover, police forces worldwide teach aspects of Aikido as an ideal civilian defence art.

Martial Culture: Etiquette & Respect

In the modern military and military of old, etiquette and respect for others kept you safe. In times of war, dangerous weapons are readily at hand and deadly situations are a daily reality. In this context, lack of regimentation or respect quickly leads to loss of life.

In modern martial arts, etiquette and respect have become a starting point for acquiring the more positive aspects of martial culture, such as heightened self-awareness, calmness under pressure and strength of presence in threatening situations.

A Way of Life

Many descriptions of Aikido include the words "harmony" and "peace". I believe this to be just a little misleading.

As beginners we come to the dojo with intentions of becoming powerful, strong, skilled and maybe even feared. Training long term brings us closer to becoming powerful, strong, skilled and perhaps feared. However, long term students also learn humility, patience and the importance of connectedness with others. As we achieve our early goals, our horizon shifts and we can begin focusing on the more idealistic ones.

An education in Aikido as a serious martial art may lead us to ideals of harmony and peacefulness. To describe Aikido's philosophy more accurately, we would do better not to begin with these words, but end with them.

The commentary to this 1960s film about training in Judo with Masahiko Kimura is exceptionally dead-pan, and works wonderfully.

Masahiko Kimura is remembered by the BJJ community for soundly beating Helio Gracie*, and for taking his name for the 'Kimura' arm lock taught in their syllabus.