View Single Post
Old 03-27-2002, 08:46 AM   #3
Bruce Baker
Dojo: LBI Aikikai/LBI ,NJ
Location: Barnegaat, NJ
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 893
Offline
Aikido in America

Not as dry and concise as Donn Draeger's writings, but some interesting points about Americans?

There is still a misunderstanding of religion and the practice of Aikido, verses the dry teaching of martial arts that benefit from this style of jujitsu/jutjitsu which incorporates a gentler tone? The physical practice of Aikido being translated into religion ... hmm ... could that relate to someone obsessed with working more than forty hours a week also?

Some secrets not mentioned, eight points, triangle, square, circle, one-point projection, rooting, Iron body, and a whole host of adaptive cross training methods that directly lead to techniques of Aikido being compared to practice with sword and stick/ bokken and jo? Many of these crossing into a variety of empty hand, weapons, and various fighting arts around the world, the actual geometry of angles and logical conclusions from that math to actual movements within human capabilities are sometimes touted as creation of a certain MA?

(I guess my first teacher was very generous to relating his learning of different styles of training to his interest in various fighting styles? Unlike his teacher who demanded total loyalty to himself as the giver of new techniques and training methods, sensei Dave even took the time to check out different Aikido schools within an hours drive of our area before he introduced me to my present Aikido teacher. He even attended a two month session of classes, even though his balance and health were declining at that time.)

The social/ religious aspects of Aikido affecting strengthening of religious beliefs while not spurring exceptional attendance to each person's chosen religion, is an interesting fact. Is that the broader faith of coming closer to the social, moral, and environmental issues of our time, or merely the effect of learning that negative emotions bring negative results in more things in life than just fighting relate to the mind questioning religious doctrine that was previously unapproachable? Kind of like hearing the things your father and mother say actually have meaning and sense in the world ... coming out of your mouth to your children? Or is it the ironic justice of growing up?

Another minor point. People have fun doing aikido, as in, they laugh, they bounce, they come back for more with a joyful childish smile? At least in my classes, seminars, and experiences ... compared to the pain and torture of beating each other senseless in karate? Karate always left bruised bones, muscles, spirit, while aikido was tiring but extremely rare in injuries interfering in going to work hurt/injured?

If this article points out nothing else of importance, it touches on the creation/ separtation of students from teacher who find their own way in the world because they think differently, wanting to pursue another direction. Hey, that sounds like the other question, should Morehei Ueshiba be the inventor of Aikido? That would mean it depends on who told you the story, wouldn't it? He just answered his own question.

The fact that people who practice other martial arts find their way to Aikido, then stay with it, even after teaching in other MA, speaks volumes for the depth of Aikido as a MA. It also opens the Pandora's Box to just how applicable is Aikido to blending and including other MA within its teachings ... that could get a bit touchy as the very mindset for Aikido was not to delve into the dark areas of selfish means? Still, Aikido and Tai Chi could be two of the secret arts brought to the masses that have face value, and hidden values also.

Do yourself a favor and learn about the legends and stories of the Six Nations of New York. It is a beginning point, but it does have many stories as old as the Japanese legends ... some very clear on how to live on Turtle Island/North America. Some very close to what O'Sensei talks about.
  Reply With Quote