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Old 10-23-2012, 09:27 AM   #235
Chris Li
 
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Re: VoE: AWASE - The Principle of AIKI

Quote:
Cliff Judge wrote: View Post
So Ueshiba wrote in Chinese, then?
Actually, yes, every Japanese person writes in Chinese .

More seriously, the Chinese influence on Japanese culture is a no-brainer, although it often (usually) tends to be downplayed by the Japanese themselves.

For example - Hiroshi Tada stated in an interview that he was raised memorizing and reciting the Confucian classics.

Ueshiba's education in the Shingon temple was similar - memorizing and reciting Chinese classical texts.

What comes then is the question of specific relevance to Ueshiba's thoughts and methods vis-a-vis martial training.

Well, Ueshiba often said pointed to the "secret of Aikido" - and examining where that came from is quite interesting.

Also, as Greg noted, as you start to work your way through text left behind by Ueshiba you find that he cited classical Chinese martial arts concepts repetitively and incessantly.

Does that make a difference?

Maybe, if you believe (as I do) that the base theory of whatever you're doing is of importance. The problem with getting away from the base principles and concepts is that the cause and the effect, while related, are often two quite separate things, IMO.

Best,

Chris

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