Whose Aikido is Best?, by Chuck Clark
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Whose Aikido Is Best?
Good question. Whose aikido IS best? Many students are looking for the
most authentic representation of the art. Which senior instructor's
style is closest to the founder of aikido? Who spent the most amount
of time as a real uchideshi to Morihei Ueshiba Sensei? Who really
spent most of their time learning from senior teachers and only saw
the old sensei on occasion? Who inherited his legacy? Instructors
often use these topics as criteria for judging who has the most power
and authority. An important question we should ask is - Was the
founder's aikido the best or most evolved form that aikidoka should
strive for?
Many aikido students around the world have developed a form of "hero
workship" and idealization which makes them feel more comfortable
because "they are now part of that power, authority, and lineage
... and if they do what they're told ... they, also, will have this
power and authority." I think the founder realized this and is known
to have said, (as translated by John Stevens) "You can't do MY aikido,
you must find your own." He also said, "...absorb venerable traditions
into this new art by clothing them with fresh garments, and build on
the classic styles to create better forms." Many aikido students have
said that this creating stopped with the founder and that he had
created the ultimate form. I don't agree; and in fact, think the
founder would not agree. Probably with some sadness that so many
haven't heard and understood.
Let's assume we do have a good system we want to pass on. There is a
lineage, proud and well defined, in place. We now assume that this
knowledge can be transmitted and passed down in the same form. We
can't know for sure if the techniques being done by the person who is
currently the "holder of the power" are the same. In fact, we must
accept that they are not! Differences in stature, understanding, and
intent of each aikidoka assure us that the techniques must be
different. However, principle and a specific method or system of
teaching the principles can be passed down in similar form as it was
in the past. Unlike music, which has a written language that informs
us how to play a piece of music extremely close to the way it was two
hundred years ago, aikido has no written language or notation system
to communicate it's form and expression. Many instructors teach their
own idiosyncratic style as the best expression of aikido principle
because it is the best way THEY can do it.
In order to keep these differences from diluting the art over the
generations, we must make use of a systematic way to teach principle
that allows individual students to use the form (techniques) to
develop their own "style" of aikido that does express the principle in
the best way possible.
It's important to remember that principle does not change, form can
change, and of course individuals should eventually evolve their own
style. In order to really express Universal Principle, we must create
that expression out of our own creative spirit each
instant. Otherwise, it is just a copy. As we can all tell when we see
it, the copy is quite dull when compared to the real thing!
Everyone should look into the concept of "Shu - Ha - Ri"
and search for real understanding of this traditional expression
of how budo and other Japanese arts are learned and preserved.
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After a long search, you have found a system that you have decided
contains the physical fundamentals, the educational principles, and
the spiritual qualities you are looking for. On top of that, you are
fortunate to have found a teacher that you feel you trust and can
learn from. Then this must be the best for you. We must understand
that this doesn't mean that it is the best for everyone!
Once we find our teacher and have established a relationship, we must
keep our hearts and spirits open. If we continue in the practice we
will, at some point, begin to create the real expression of aikido and
develop our own authority. The teacher's intent should be to help you
(as a guide) to learn how to practice and how to learn. If successful,
some of the students will eventually learn more than the
teacher. Thus, the art is not only preserved, but is a living, growing
entity filled with the spirit of those who have passed as well as
those who are practicing now.
So ... who really does have the best aikido?
I believe that each person who is truly demonstrating correct
principle and creating the best expression of their own aikido
technique each instant is doing his or her own "best aikido". Who does
THE BEST aikido is a question that can never be answered to everyone's
satisfaction.
JUST PRACTICE!
(Thanks to Aaron Clark and Keith Slatoff for the photo.)
© 2000 by C.E. Clark, All Rights Reserved
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