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Old 09-27-2008, 07:43 AM   #126
Peter Goldsbury
 
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Re: Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation 10

Quote:
David Henderson wrote: View Post
Hi Professor Goldsbury,

Could you please say more about this idea:

"The [Japanese] cultural context is there, however, as a matter of fact: it can be studied and mastered by those who want to do. Those who do not will then need to solve the contradictions posed by the essentially Japanese nature of aikido. Judo has had this problem, also kendo and karate. I know from lengthy conversations with Doshu that the Aikikai do not want aikido to go in this direction, which they fear is likely if aikido is separated unduly from its Japanese cultural context."
PAG. Well, take the example of sumo, which reflects the issues confronting aikido in a much more graphic way. Sumo has the best of both worlds. It is a sport (in that it has competitions), but it also has the spiritual superstructure (sumo is a spiritual art, dedicated to spiritual aims, and so is not really about winning and losing). So, it is ruthlessly competitive, but is also a hallowed Japanese budo (and with none of the angst about the supposed value of 'internal' training).
Sumo is popularly regarded as Japan's 'national' sport and so the cultural context is right there, and has to be studied and mastered by Japanese and non-Japanese alike. Non-Japanese are thought to be 'intruders' in something they are thought not capable of fully understanding. So people were very happy when the Japanese Hakuho became a yokozuna, for the proper cultural balance was thought to be restored, especially because the Mongolian Asashoryu was thought to be lacking in the prized quality of hinkaku 品格 (= 'dignity').The sumo world is regularly rocked by scandals and the President of the Association recently resigned because two young Russians were suspected of taking mild drugs. He was not involved, but resigned to 'take responsibility'. This is a common Japanese device of having a scapegoat take on the supposed sins of kohai, if it all becomes public. Sins may be sins, but they become 'shame' when they become public--and the shame, like pollution, has to be removed in a ritual fashion.
Unlike sumo, aikido does not have competitions, so there is no clear and objective way of determining who is thought to have the essential skills and 'dignity' who is not. However, there is still the same cultural component as in sumo and so the Japanese claim to be the arbiters of true quality in the art. Thus Doshu is thought to embody the essence of aikido and the transmission of leadership of the art has been effected through the iemoto system, as I suggested in Column 10.

Quote:
David Henderson wrote: View Post
Are there examples of these contradictions and how they posed problems for judo, kendo, and karate?
PAG. Judo became a sport, appearing at the Olympics and many Japanese wrung their hands at this, arguing that the true 'essence' of judo was thus lost. The International Judo Federation introduced blue training suits and the Japanese felt that this was a direct affront, because they felt that they had exclusive control of the cultural dimensions of the art. There is a traditional Japanese association of white with purity and judo, as a Japanese budo, is essentially pure. Thus, all taxi and bus drivers here wear white gloves. However, the IJF wanted a better way of distinguishing between contestants at Olympic judo contests. All the Japanese could do was wring their hands, lament the loss of the national 'essence', and vow to remain 'pure'.

Quote:
David Henderson wrote: View Post
And may I address you as Peter?
PAG. You can address me how you like, so long as it conforms to Aikiweb rules.

Quote:
David Henderson wrote: View Post
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

David
Thank you, also, for raising an interesting issue.

PAG

Last edited by Peter Goldsbury : 09-27-2008 at 07:48 AM.

P A Goldsbury
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