Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art, perfected over a number of years by O-sensei (Jap.: The Great Teacher) Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) - primarily on the basis of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, a system which emerged during the 1500s. After many years of studying Aiki-jujutsu, as well as a number of other martial systems - primarily sword fencing systems (Kenjutsu-ryu) - O-sensei had shaped a martial art devoted not to killing, but to developing each individual physically as well as spiritually. In Japanese, Aikido is written with three Kanji (ideograms) - ai, ki, and do:

Aikido

Ai: is usually translated as "harmony" - bringing something together, joining, or meeting.

Ki: this kanji  (Jap.: ideogram) symbolizes the steam emerging from boiling rice, representing "energy", mind and spiritual (life) force.

Do: means "path", method, or teachings.

When combined, the kanji set Ai-Ki-Do may be translated as "the way of making energies join and come together in harmony". Though this may appear esoterical indeed, the Aiki principle - coming together in harmony - is fundamental to both the central philosophy and the practical combat technology of Aikido.

In combat terms, you add your energy/focus to that of your opponent (propelled in the guise of an attack), taking control of this phenomenon of united energy or purpose - and neutralize it by means of a pinning or throwing technique. In more philosohical terms, however, one adapts to the opponent's purpose, subsequently guiding him towards a more productive goal, while (ideally) ensuring that neither attacker nor defender are harmed. Thus one demonstrates a way of existence where one's boundaries remain intact, but not at the expense of someone else's.

Aikido, then, is not "mere" combat technology, but also a personal evolutionary process, mainly passed on by apprenticeship. The beginner enters the Path ignorant but interested, and in the course of the next few years, s/he moves along a spiral, twisting ever closer to the Centre. In other words, one goes from "legitimate peripheral participation" (it's OK to know very little Aikido) towards an ever higher level of socialization and integration, bearing the privilege of recognition as well as the responsibility of obligation toward newcomers. This includes the duty of being a role model in regard to humility, consideration, and respect towards other people, regardless of their rank.

Similarly, the Dojo is not only a training hall, but the home of a praticising community, a group where membership consists in contributing to each other's development by means of every single person's uniqueness and present level of performance. The more experienced practitioner guides the beginner through the basics - simultaneously becoming more precisely qualified in regard to her/his competency, since this competency must not only be acquired, but also passed along - to the beginner!

What you learn is not just Aikido. You acquire an entire culture, consisting of Aikido as well as of the central features of the entire Japanese civilization. At the same time, you evolve as a human being - passing from having a leisure activity ("I'm taking Aikido lessons") to being an Aikido practitioner ("I am a student of Aikido") - and finally, an Aikido master. This entails a different way of living and encountering your life: different values, different perspectives on other people's purpose, different ways of managing your life as a fellow human being. This wealth - this path of development and refinement of your very identity - is the reason why Aikido is referred to as a martial art, rather than simply as a combat sport.

 

More about Aikido (so far only in Danish)