Awasekagami

[Please visit our sponsor:]

[sorokod]

This came up in an interview with the founder ( http://members.aikidojournal.com/private/morihei-ueshiba-2/ )


Q. Is the sword used in Aikido?
A. Yes, it is. A sword is opposing mirrors (awasekagami) of Heaven. It represents an act of celebration.


What does the expression Awasekagami - opposing mirrors means?

[sorokod]

"A woman is examining her hair with a set of "awasekagami" mirrors. The state of the hair at the back of the head was an important part of women's etiquette."

http://oldphoto.lb.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/unive/target.php?id=2498

So perhaps an artefact that shows something of yourself that is normally hidden.

[Carl Thompson]

I can't see the interview but I'd like to see the original Japanese that the founder used. I wonder what "celebration" comes from. Does anyone out there know?

Hirosawa Shihan (http://www.taais.com/The_last_uchideshi_of_Ueshiba.pdf)often said "aite o hansha suru" (reflect your opponent). I think it referred to the connection point with the training partner, literally mirroring the angles and so on. But that (angles, tai sabaki etc) is talking about the things that aren't hidden.

Carl

[sorokod]

I can't see the interview but I'd like to see the original Japanese that the founder used. I wonder what "celebration" comes from. Does anyone out there know?


The interview was published in Shukan Yomiuri, May 27, 1956. Perhaps it's one of these: http://www.onejp.ru/category/lots/19186

[Carl Thompson]

In addition to the quote in the OP, "Awasekagami" is a kuden (oral transmission) from Osensei.

I'd heard a couple of teachers who learned directly from the founder using expressions like "try to see your own reflection here" but recently I heard one describe the usage clearly and explain it as a kuden. It's a little different from Hirosawa's usage that I mentioned earlier since the awasekagami reflects oneself, not you reflecting the opponent.

Carl