Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
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Kisshomaru seems to have been more closely involved in the decision to reactivate the Kobukai, and to change the name, in 1948, when his father was still keeping his head down in Iwama. The main supporters of the new Aikikai were Morihei Ueshiba's old wartime supporters like Tomita. Best wishes, PAG |
Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
All very well, Professor, but then O-Sensei went around giving talks and radio interviews about how Aikido was the art of love and everybody should practice Aikido to usher in an era of world peace and mutual understanding. (Exaggerating only a little.) If he meant what he said at all, he surely recognized the need to spread the art, and of an organization that could do that. One of the most salient differences between him and Takeda Sokaku's other students was that he opened his art up, while the others kept theirs closed. And however little he may have been involved in the management of the Aikikai, he certainly supported it with his constant travels to different places to teach.
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Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
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Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
Well, maybe I was really arguing with Chris. I'm sure I was arguing with somebody here.
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Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
What would happen if we didn't have the Aikikai?
The way I see it, the Aikikai represents the iemoto system, as well as being the practical headquarters of Aikido. If the Aikikai wasn't there, or was not supported, then we would be represented by the different leaders of our individual groups. That might work for the first generation, but then who would take over the representation after that? The Aikikai works as an umbrella organization, and generally doesn't lay down too strict guidelines regarding the technical aspects of our Aikido. The Hombu instructors receive salaries, and there are quite many of them on the payroll. They don't receive high salaries, but even if it is a standard level salary, this will still be quite a large amount to be paid every month. I believe that the Hombu Dojo is not making a financial killing at the moment regarding the various payments that are coming in. If you look at the once -a -year Kagami Biraki list, then of course it seems like a large sum, but this is just once a year. Try to think of Tokyo real-estate prices, and take a look at the size and the location of Hombu Dojo, and factor this in to what their annual expenses are. I know it must be hard for the Aikikai, because many people must be thinking along the same lines as what Chris Li has stated. His statements are quite spot-on, when thinking pragmatically about the situation. But I do think one needs to ask the question - what if Aikikai wasn't there? To me, it seems obvious: Chaos, power struggles all over the place - and most of all, a lack of awareness of, and respect for the lineage of O-Sensei. I think it is our responsibility to try to imbue our students with an understanding and feeling of respect towards the creator of Aikido and the family that represents him. They are able to be there because of the Aikikai. I think we need to accept the fact that it is necessary for the Aikikai / Hombu Dojo to try to run things as a business, to the extent that they can keep themselves afloat, and thereby enable the core of the Founder's aikido to continue. In aiki, Ethan Weisgard |
Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
Sensei Dang Thong Phong - Tenshinkai Aikido - Westminster Aikikai - my original instructor for 12 years. - "No, again."
Sensei Frank McGouirck - Aikido-Ai - a source of early support and inspiration. - "Changes, Changes, Changes" Compliments, congratulations, appreciation, and respect. |
Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
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I think that there is plenty of chaos and power struggles with the Aikikai just as there would be without - it's the human condition. I don't particularly see what an organization has to do with respect, and respecting a genetic lineage went out with Kings and thrones (except on HBO). Respect ought to be earned on one's own, not based on some distant ancestral connection. There's nothing wrong with running things as a business of course - but remember that businesses serve customers and provide value or they don't stay in business long. That being said, I'm not anti-Aikikai, but I think that it will have to make some significant changes in order to survive. Best, Chris |
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Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
Happy New Year Chris (or even "Ake Ome")
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It's simply not true that you can't stay in business for long if you don't provide good service or value. You can and plenty do! Okay, we all have different ideas of what might be "good", but business is competition with winners and losers. Winning doesn't mean you did the best job. It might mean your virtual slave workforce is based in an "economic processing zone" making an ordinary product for a pittance that you mark up to ridiculous levels because your main outlay is on advertising and getting celebs to model it to impressionable youths. It might mean you run a Mcdojo that... well, you get the picture. Quote:
You talked about Osensei's "massive lack" of interest in organisations, even though his actions clearly show someone who took an active role in them. From village councilman to head of the martial arts groups such as the Budo Senyokai, throughout his life the founder was a supportive member of numerous organisations. Throughout his life he also gave and accepted accreditation in the form of teaching licenses and dan ranks, including from the hereditary head of a whole country (the Japanese Emperor). What would the founder have wanted? Regards Carl |
Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
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At best, he sat back and let Kisshomaru do the lifting. Best, Chris |
Re: Aikikai Kagami Biraki Promotions
As usual, thanks for your response Chris
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Regards Carl |
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I respect the Pope (especially the new one), but I'm not sending him any money. If I did, or if he expected me to, I'd think that our relationship and expectations of each other would be quite different. This bit I posted further up the thread summarizes my thoughts on why the Aikikai should be thinking about changing how they handle their relationships: Quote:
"Send money we're supporting world Aikido" doesn't seem (to me) to be an effective sales pitch to maintain the organization into the future (especially when there isn't really much in the way of actual support). Neither does "Send me money because my great-grandfather started this organization", or "You should send money to be in our club. What do you get? To be in the club". :) They need to come up for a reason for people to want to be associated with the organization other than what is today, essentially, a mail-order certificate. There are many membership organizations worldwide that offer real benefits to their members (peer accrediting organization and professional organizations come to mind), it's not like re-inventing the wheel - but it will take a change of mindset. Best, Chris |
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