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Old 04-28-2011, 06:37 AM   #100
abraxis
 
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Re: Are we really doing O'Senseis Aikido?

I've heard more than one of OSensei's Shihans emphasize--Yes, Aikido is an Art but it is a Martial Art and when you train you must have this in mind. E.g. When you throw you should be aware that many techniques can be killing techniques if practiced in the style which OSensei originally taught them.

Of course many people prefer to emphasize Art and Harmony and do not practice the Martial aspects much at all. On the other hand, there are those who choose to practice physical confrontation to the point of trying to disable a partner who is emphasizing the Art and Harmony of Aikido.

Whether OSensei did not practice or teach a particular type of Aikido and whether or not any of us is practicing that today is really something that can best be debated by OSensei's first generation students. Even then, their individual opinions are likely to be colored by their own personal perceptions and the era in OSensei's life when they were taught by him--and whether or not they've had a lot to drink immediately before the question is put to them.

Last edited by abraxis : 04-28-2011 at 06:52 AM.
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