Training & Cognition article kuroiwa Sensei

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[Richard Sanchez]

Not sure if this fits here but this 1971 article by Kuroiwa Sensei has some interesting comments/principles which might relate to recent discussions on passing on knowledge of "aiki" etc. The 5th para on is particularly relevant.

He may not be talking about the same "aiki" as Dan and Mike etc but then- maybe he is:confused:

http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=558

Ellis Amdur offers a very gracious snapshot of Kuroiwa Sensei here:

https://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=138

[rob_liberti]

I got the impression that he was initially describing the muscles and the condition that made Bruce Banner experiment and accidentally turn himself into the hulk. I think some of that article has good general information regarding thinking about what you are doing, but I didn't read anything that jumped out at me as doing anything like what I am tying to do. (Maybe I missed something in my speed reading.)

Rob

[Mike Sigman]

He may not be talking about the same "aiki" as Dan and Mike etc but then- maybe he is:confused: He is talking about the same "aiki". Bear in mind that "aiki" actually means "blending with someone else's ki/force/attack" or something close to it. The actual "internal strength" can be called "ki" (as Tohei and others do in their books) or "ki strength" or "kokyu" or "kokyu ryoku" or "elbow power" or other general terms that all pretty much mean the same thing. Personally, I'd suggest that people continue with the standard convention and be careful not refer to the jin force as "aiki" but leave "aiki" to mean the conjoining ability of ki with another's force.

That being said, the article was a nice one with some general observations about how you can do Aikido but be missing the whole point... but there was nothing specific in terms of "how-to".

FWIW

Mike

P.S. I left a hook in that one. Let's see someone take the bait. ;)

[Richard Sanchez]

Hi Rob,

Firstly, I'm really enjoying your posts having followed a somewhat similar path a few years ago- but without the benefit of training with Dan H.

Re: the Kuroiwa article, I was not referring to the paras on muscle training etc but more to comments such as:

"If you think something because someone else tells you or because you are taught in that manner, you will become just like the protagonist of a tragicomedy who has no existence (character) of his own. It is important to see through to the truth. To achieve this you need the means (technique). However, you should not be shackled by techniques but rather should understand their meaning. It is important not to be shackled by techniques. This is possible through a knowledge of their limitations. Those who are shackled by technique should understand that this is an illusion. The danger of such people mistaking this illusion for the truth very often exists."

This 'mistaking the illusion for truth', is how aikido has generally been taught and consequently the essence (aiki) was lost in the process. Nothing new there. (I taught Aikido that way for 15-16 years but didn't know it:o )

This also resonates with my 20 years plus experience in various internal arts because most of what had been handed down over the years was empty technique or form. It took me a while to recognise that. Like you I eventually got to feel someone who had it and was able to get at least the basics.

This is why I'm not surprised Dan (for example) says he has met few, if any, people who can do what he can- because most inherited only the illusion.

The question is - how do you prevent this from happening to aiki training in the next generation once it gets out into the big wide world? Or, as other posters have said- does it matter as long as it gets out there?

And what do you think your personal Aikido will look like? My Aikido looks nothing like Aikido anymore but its still Aikido to me:)

Regards,

[Richard Sanchez]

Hi Mike,

I always read the label but don't necessarily buy it:)