When did the word "Aiki" first appear?
Being a non-Japanese speaking person, I really wouldn't know where to start looking for this, but I'm very curious. When did the word "Aiki" first appear in usage in the Japanese language, and in what context?
I have seen people write that "Aiki no jutsu" appears as early as teh 12th century. I have also heard that Takeda Sokaku basically came up with the word to describe what he was doing. Are there any old records that show early usage of the word? Has it only been used to relate to martial arts? I was speaking with a friend of mine who has a degree Chinese literature. He told me that as far as he knows, the combination of :ai: and :ki: are not common in old Chinese literature, and thinks it must be the advent of the Japanese. Anyways, I'm interested in some scholarly answers, we have all "heard this" and "heard that" but how early can the combination of those Kana be found, in what contexts and what source's can be sited? Thanks! |
Re: When did the word "Aiki" first appear?
Chris - the oldest extant densho of Toda-ha Buko-ryu dates back to the mid-1800's. We have a set entitled 鏁鎌合気之事 Kusarigama Aiki no Koto. It is very possible that the name is older, because this was from the 14th generation of the ryu. But it's also possible that the school was a family tradition, previously, taught by word-of-mouth, without documentation.
Ellis Amdur |
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Does that sound at all familiar? Thanks. David |
Re: When did the word "Aiki" first appear?
Karl Friday's book on Kashima Shinryu "Legacies of the Sword" talks about aiki v kiai. However, I am don't remember if he states any dates in relation to it.
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From the Shishida/Nariyama book where they talk about the historical Aiki "The examples of Aiki include: "A situation in which two people stand facing each other", "When facing an enemy, this gets to the point of Aiki, waiting and seeing how one beats the other", "It is important to avoid fighting directly with an opponent's ki"." |
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Too bad I don't know where I saw that, but it was not considered a favorable situation, as I recall. |
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I've posted this here before, and it has nothing to do with martial arts, but the earliest known useage of the compound "aiki" in Chinese that I am aware of is in early Daoist texts that use the term to refer to parts of religious rituals that involve sexual intercourse. I'm not sure on dates, but I think the term shows up in the Mawangdui texts from the 2nd century BC, or at the latest in some later Han dynasty texts from the 1st or 2nd century AD. The meaning being "to join the qi". Many Daoist medical practices, including some sexual practices, were transmitted to Japan via a 10th century text known as the Ishinpō. I'm not sure if that exact term is in that text, though. For What It's Worth. Josh |
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Stalemate is always an unfavorable situation but you can see how that would be called harmonized energy. I also seem to recall the caveat that the to in stalemate were masters of their art. |
Re: When did the word "Aiki" first appear?
Some great examples, thanks Ellis, Peter, and Josh for some very good references.
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Re: When did the word "Aiki" first appear?
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Currently watching Yojimbo and it's put me in that mood. What a great movie. So you're still in Japan, are you? Best to you. David |
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PAG |
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http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showth...t=18203&page=6 |
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Lengthy and detailed and really worthy of very careful reading because it's serious discussion among knowledgeable people, which is where I always get lost.. :) Thanks. David |
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Re: When did the word "Aiki" first appear?
But we have it from a good authority that solo training does not give you hairs on the palms of your hands.
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Re: When did the word "Aiki" first appear?
Regarding the phrase "aiki" or "aiki no jutsu" and it‘s introduction to the vocabulary of usage in martial arts, it will certainly take someone well versed in the Japanese language to do the research.
The earliest English reference I am aware of is the 1912 book,"The Fighting spirit of Japan" by E.J. Harrison where "aiki" is mentioned several times, and associated with the Shinden Isshin ryu. In the latest DVD by Kondo Katsuyuki, current Headmaster of the main-line Daito-ryu, he mentions the phrase "aiki" is written about in a book by Sato (kyoju-dairi) called "Japanese Spirit" which was written a few years after Sato had begun his training in Daito ryu (1902.) There is a Japanese publication written in 1892 (and later reprints) regarding "Aiki" and various aspects of training in this esoteric martial art. As to an even earlier reference that can be documented of "aiki no jutsu", it pops up in a semi-novelization of the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi in 1887. The kanji for "ki" is an out-dated one - 氣. So, the term "aiki" and its understanding in a martial way were already mainstreamed by the late 1880's. On a personal note, I am not a believer that Onisaburo Deguchi convinced Takeda Sokaku or Ueshiba Morihei to add the term "Aiki to the Daito-ryu jujutsu name. Further research is needed. Scott Harrington |
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Good point Cliff, the turn of the century kanji (19th to 20th) were much more 'difficult' and chinese-like, making documents 60 to 70 years hard for current native reader - not impossible, just 'difficult.'
Another phrase pops up - 合氣術 which translates as "Aiki technique or skill." This is a 1920 reference. Scott Harrington "A translator, a translator, My aiki for a translator." King Richard III |
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Thanks for all the references, I've got some afternoon reading now!
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Re: When did the word "Aiki" first appear?
Love Aikiweb!
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