The Most Essential Principles of Budo: Ma'ai
I hadn't planned on writing this post right on the heels of the Structure post, but a number of people asked for it, so here's my take on ma'ai.
http://budobum.blogspot.com/2014/07/...s-in-budo.html What do you think? I will note that the atemi and weapons practice I have seen in most aikido dojo, while often sincere, don't live up to my idea of effective. Because of this, I think many students of aikido lack the opportunity to develop a strong, broad understanding of ma'ai. |
Re: The Most Essential Principles of Budo: Ma'ai
My one contribution would be a different description, attempted translation of what you spelled as ma'ai, and which I usually write as mai ai as that's sort of how I pronounce it (probably incorrectly).
"effective combative interval" - see the O/P for "effective" and "combative" is obvious, and "interval" means the literal space between two combatants. We talk about it as the exact distance where I can affect my partner.... and theirs is when I am effected by them. Probably different for us both, but depending on engagement, might not be (but probably is). Mastering mai ai takes one a long, long way towards mastery of the art. Whatever art it is. |
Re: The Most Essential Principles of Budo: Ma'ai
Structure and distance ...
What's next, connection? Sounds right to me. |
Re: The Most Essential Principles of Budo: Ma'ai
Quote:
Connection is even more subtle a concept. I'm not sure how I would describe it and illustrate it. I know what I feel as connection, but I've got not idea how to concretely express that to someone else. |
Re: The Most Essential Principles of Budo: Ma'ai
I was at a seminar with Suganuma sensei and he had a Q&A at the end. I asked him "what is the most importance thing in Aikido for you?". He answered connection/musubi (which I know has multiple meanings).
2 or 3 years later I was with him at another seminar (again in Norway), and asked him the same question. His response was the same. I admitted to him over dinner that I had asked him the same question after a couple of years, and he had answered the same way (not surprisingly he hadn't remembered my previous question). I hadn't sought to try and catch him out but was interested to know if he still felt the same way, or if he had changed his mind - in either case I was interested to know the answer. He was much amused by the situation and indeed brought it up in a session the next day! I increasingly feel that connection is important, and even that it doesn't required physical connection. This is for me a much easier concept to experience/manifest on the mat than off it! |
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