Articulations will never beat the actual experience of the thing being explained, but we need to refer to things somehow. If someone asks what aikido means, they might not appreciate an on-the-spot lesson.
I bought a smart new electronic dictionary in Akihabara on the weekend (Sharp's Papyrus PW-LT300). When I looked up the word 合う I got this as the first line of the definition:
Quote:
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あう[合う]
1. {調和}
Harmonize (with); agree (with); (色などが) match (with)
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It seems to me that all the styles, organisations, dojo and sensei defining the "ai" in "aikido" as "harmony" are not mistaken. Perhaps they should add a clause that there are other meanings too, but for me at least, there are too many native speakers and dictionaries telling me that it is okay. But I'm no expert and I would welcome further opinions.