Osensei 1935
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7Cfpay1X2c

Just found this footage. Not sure if it has been posted here before, did a search but couldn't find anything.

What I find amazing is how similar the techniques are to what we do today. I wonder how accurate is the distinction between pre-war and post-war aikido.

Your thoughts?

Re: Osensei 1935
 

That Kotagaeshi at the end was awesome!

Re: Osensei 1935
 

One question jumps to my mind here about the style of Osensei which has some different manierism than the more recent style but the techniques remain essentially the same. I also noticed that Uke were taking fake looking falls for Osensei, as fake as we can see also at the later stages of aikido in the late 60s. The question is, what did change from 1935 til 1969. Obvioulsy almost nothing. I wonder if the theory that Osensei was teaching tougher aikido before WWII and a softer version after WWII is that accurate. Also I don't think we should take into consideration the latest footages of Osensei taken just before he died. The guy was so old and almost couldn't move. I'm not sure if we should copy this style or 1935 style, knowing that Osensei had adapted his techniques to compensate for his old age in the last years of his life.

Re: Osensei 1935
 

Perhaps they were just taking preemptive falls to keep from getting injured. I know of one shihan thrown so hard by O'sensei in the early days he broke his shoulder.

Re: Osensei 1935
 

Shouldn't be copying either. You should be working to make your own Aikido.....:D