|
Aikido's
Founder:
Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), often
referred to as "O-Sensei" ("Great
Teacher") founded Aikido
(pronounced EYE-KEY-DOE) in Japan in the 1940s. In a physical
sense, Aikido consists of various jujutsu holds, throws and joint
locks. It is based upon circular movement and leverage while
blending with and using the attacker's energy to throw or pin him.
Because of this, it is said that if you
have the strength to lift 20 pounds, then you have the strength to
practice Aikido.
O-Sensei trained in various styles of
jujutsu and swordsmanship as a youth. As his family was
financially comfortable, he was able to devote a much of his time to training and developing his
passion for budo. In his younger years, he was a small yet
powerfully built man. It is said that his grip was so strong
that after he gripped your wrists you could see the imprints from
his hands on your arms for days. As a young man, he served in the
Japanese military and also took part in expeditionary trips to the
Chinese mainland. As he became older, he settled in a farming
community in Hokkaido, a region in the northern part of Japan.
It was there he met Sokaku Takeda (below). Through his
experiences in training with Takeda sensei, as well as his spiritual
awakening (as a member of the Omoto religious sect), his approach to
budo became softer. Hence, his students who trained with him
at various times of his life reflect the different approaches he
took during those respective times.
O-Sensei continued to train and teach well
into his eighties. He died peacefully in 1969 at the age of
86.
(Return
to Top of Page)
 Daito
Ryu Roots:
Aikido is not a fighting "method", per se. It is a
"way" of practicing and applying jujutsu techniques.
It's physical essence descended from the military combat art of Daito
Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu, as transmitted through its
progenitor, Sokaku Takeda (1860-1943). Takeda Sensei was an
exceptional martial artist who was almost without peer.
Takeda-Soke fought, defeated and killed several men in armed and
unarmed matches during his lifetime. It is said that he was
never defeated. O-Sensei was a top student of Takeda, and he
went on to develop a new martial art based primarily upon the
techniques of Daito Ryu.
O-Sensei was a deeply spiritual man.
It is said that Takeda was troubled later in life by nightmares
regarding all the men he had killed. Although O-Sensei had
mastered the physical essence of Daito Ryu, he was troubled by the
violence and hatred that he saw in the world. As opposed to
developing a new system of physical techniques aimed solely toward
the destruction of other men, O-Sensei emphasized the moral and
spiritual aspects of this art. To this end, he emphasized the
development of harmony and peace. After several name changes
over the years, he finally settled on "Aikido" which
translates into English as "The Way of Harmony of the
Spirit".
(Return
to Top of Page)
What
about Competitions?
There are no competitions in Aikido. There is
a place for competition. That place is the sporting arena.
We do not train to engage another skilled fighter in a competitive
environment, as that is not the "real world" for most
people. That is nothing more than athletics - where the stronger, faster or well
coached usually win.
In true budo, we train to defend ourselves and others against
personal attacks while also learning how to control ourselves.
One cannot "do" Aikido to someone.
Rather, it is done "with" the other person, which seems
paradoxical in the martial arts world. However, since
you are using the opponent's force against him, it is the
most effective way to control him. This way, one does not have
to be stronger in order to prevail. In essence, the "key"
(no pun intended) to Aikido is simply to flow with your adversary's
energy/aggression and let his own hostile intent defeat him.
"Violence
does, in truth, recoil upon the violent,
and the schemer falls into the pit
which he digs for another."
~ Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ~
The East County
Budokai recognizes the REAL possibility of encountering an
adversary who is larger, faster and stronger than us. Aikido
emphasizes suppleness, finesse and harmonizing with aggression
rather than attempting to overwhelm it with brute strength. Thus, Aikido
practice will benefit ANYONE - regardless of age, size, sex or
strength.
(Return
to Top of Page)
The
Yoshinkan:
 Gozo
Shioda (1915-1994) founded the Yoshinkan
"style" of aikido. Shioda, also known as
"Kancho" Sensei (for "head of the house") was an
uchideshi of O-Sensei from 1932 until World War II. After the
war, he was invited to begin teaching and formed the Yoshinkan.
Kancho-Sensei held the highest rank personally given by O-Sensei
[9th Dan], and was considered one of his most gifted students.
Kancho-Sensei in particular was particularly renowned for his
powerful technique and dynamic movement. There are many anecdotal
stories about his capability - both by demonstrating with doubters,
as well as practical usage in actual combat. This is all the more
remarkable when one considers that Kancho Sensei was just over five
feet tall and weighed only about 115 lbs. (Click
Kancho Sensei's photo to see him in action in his 70s! -
LARGE file - Cable or DSL recommended).
Yoshinkan is a "sharper" style of Aikido, as it is
concerned with practical efficiency and physically robust
techniques. As Kancho-Sensei trained with O-Sensei at a time
when he was at his physical peak, the training at his dojo was
very rigorous. Consequently, the Yoshinkan is the style
of Aikido that is reflective of that era and most closely resembles
its technical predecessor, Daito Ryu. Aikido Yoshinkan is also
taught to many branches of the Japanese Police. As mentioned above,
Gary-Sensei studied Yoshinkan through Thomas Snowden, Shihan for
four years. Snowden Sensei (7th Dan) learned from Kuniyuki
Kai-Shihan (8th Dan), who was a direct student of Kancho-Sensei. The
Chief Instructor also has trained with David
Dye, Soke of the Kokusai Shuyokan Ryu in Costa Mesa,
CA. Dye-sensei is a recognized Yoshinkan instructor who also
received ranking directly from Kancho-Sensei. Gary-Sensei has
recently had the opportunity to train under the direction of Amos
Parker-Shihan of the Yoshinkan. He is a direct student of
Kiyoyuki Terada - Shihan, the co-founder of the Yoshinkan. He also studied in Japan for 35 years
under the direction of Terada-Shihan. Parker-Shihan holds the rank
of 8th Dan and is the most senior non-Japanese Yoshinkan instructor
in the world.
(Return
to Top of Page)
The
Aikikai:
Upon his death, O-Sensei was succeeded as Doshu (Leader
of the Way) by his son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Kisshomaru Sensei
was instrumental in the establishment and development of the Aikido
World Headquarters, also known as the Aikikai. The Aikikai is
the largest of the various aikido organizations in the world.
Upon Kisshomaru Sensei's death, his son Moriteru Ueshiba became the
third and current Aikido Doshu. East County Budokai
practices Aikido through O-Sensei's direct students, Kazuo Chiba
(see inset photo),
Shihan of the San
Diego Aikikai and Gozo Shioda, founder of Aikido Yoshinkan.
Chiba-Sensei (8th Dan) is one of the highest ranked Aikido
instructors in the world. Chiba-Sensei was a post-WWII uchideshi
(live-in student) student of O-Sensei and is known throughout the
world for his powerful technique. The Chief Instructor trained under
Chiba-Sensei for six years prior to establishing the East County
Budokai.
(Return
to Top of Page)
|
