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Winning with my Aikido
Winning with my Aikido
by Francis Takahashi
06-15-2010
Winning with my Aikido

Let's face it. The main purpose of fighting is to gain a victory, or to prevent a loss. Perhaps an added purpose is to gain the "maximum benefit" such a victory would provide, which may be the total annihilation of the opposition itself. This has been, in my opinion, the main impetus for the development of martial technology, codification, implementation, as well as the necessary assimilation of its ethic into the existing social fabric of that time.

Of course, the underlying reasons for ongoing human conflict are far more complex, agenda specific, historically relevant, and the fodder for dissection and dialogue far beyond the scope of this article.

Fighting as a socially viable concept is a valid one, since mankind's history, nay nature itself, is replete with proof that the truism of "only the fittest survive" is both intrinsically valid and proven fact. There is no real merit or appreciable gain to be obtained in denigrating the history of fighting, as it is quite possibly ingrained within our DNA itself, commonly known as the "fight or flight" response. Let us start there.

I do believe that when "fighting" is the best recourse at the moment, then to fight to the best of one's best ability is both necessary and justified. Nothing less will do when faced with the threat of imminent destruction or harm to people, principles or property one dearly loves, and have sworn to protect. Therein exists as well, a high sense of righteous purpose and nobility indeed.

Then, there is the example of enlightened military and political leadership throughout history, who chose to co-op the potential enemy, whether through intrigue, negotiation or subterfuge, without a single extra life being unnecessarily lost. Tokugawa Ieyasu successfully turned enemy General Kobayakawa Hideaki into an ally prior to a turning point at the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Iemitsu instituted the famous "Sankin Kotai" system in 1635, effectively rendering his potential opposition helpless. These, and other scenarios from different nations, represent the countless examples one may highlight as great pivotal points used to gain key advantage, and to achieve final victory.

Amongst the choices of martial art systems to study, Aikido stands apart in clearly and unashamedly proclaiming that victory over another person has never been the primary reason for its existence. The enlightened student of Aikido , when understanding and implementing the true purpose and vision of the Founder's wish for his Aikido, will always choose self betterment over defeating another person in senseless conflict. What others may think, say or believe, is irrelevant to the true student of Ueshiba Aiki, and may never define or otherwise negatively impact his or her allegiance, respect and love for Aikido.

The real purpose for studying this art, or any art form, must understandably remain the business of that student alone. This viewpoint is consistent with the Founder's statements that each person needs to discover their own Aikido, for reasons undeniably their own, and in the form they choose to build it. This right to choose is congruent with the fundamental premise that we are solely responsible for our own security, and the means to ensure it. If we elect to surrender this right to others, that too is a choice, and not to be made lightly.

True Victory is the victory we all seek over our own internal challenges, to affirm the very choices we may make, and to proclaim humble acceptance of the consequences of our choices. The greatest gain possible from Aikido research and training, is to eventually know ourselves fully, demonstrate respect for our environment, and for our peers, and to be grateful for the privilege of living and behaving in balance and accord within our environment.

With our study of Aikido techniques, body movements, internal balance and control, and the awesome benefits derived from our compassionate interaction with others, we pay homage, not necessarily to the Founder himself, but to the validity and wisdom of the Aiki Principles he gifted to us, and to the future generations of faithful students of Aiki. As stewards of his legacy and mission, we can do no less in clear conscience and commitment, than to create our exclusively own Aikido based on our abilities, perseverance and understanding.

In my inadequate study of the Founder, I cannot help but point out that he relinquished testing himself against opponents outside of himself, and chose to spend the remainder of his training to deal with the toughest opponent, the one within him. No, it was not that he was infallible as a human being, which he wholeheartedly denied. Rather, it was the herculean effort he expended over his lifetime to persistently deal with the challenges his humanity and circumstance placed before him. Included as factors were matters of ego, appetites, doubt, occasional flights of fantasy, and the desire to be strong and undefeatable in respect to others. Perhaps he did not succeed as he wished, but he went far enough to encourage and inspire me, and countless others over time.

So, since "true victory" is our ultimate goal, we who study the Founder's Aikido must never waver from our self promise to reach beyond mere fighting prowess, of settling for the fleeting sense of "accomplishment" by defeating or being declared superior to others, or for the dubious distinction of being singled out as being the "best of the best".

The spirit of Aiki, especially of Ueshiba Aiki, is to resolve to gain strength, security and sustenance from being "One with" our would be enemies, with our fragile environment, and with the inner self we seek to discover, nurture and to improve. When we are truly in accord with all of the above, the need to conquer another person becomes irrelevant, irresponsible and erased.

This is the Way of Aiki, to accept, to allow, and to appreciate with humble gratitude.

Training as we do, the physical dimensions of Aikido technique, we do so, not only with the aim of increasing our chances of successfully applying them to certain situations, but to somehow better understand the moment, to intimately know the interaction of intent, and to appropriately anticipate how our partners will actually react or respond to our intent and desire to maintain harmony and balance amidst the seeming chaos of movement and the interplay of training.

Perhaps we can then reutilize the actual implements of intended destruction or manifestations of violence, to then redefine their purpose, and to guide both our attackers and ourselves into calmer waters, into a safe harbor for needed repairs, and for mutually welcome reconciliation.

This would be my win indeed.
Francis Takahashi was born in 1943, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Francis began his Aikido journey in 1953, simultaneously with the introduction of Aikido to Hawaii by Koichi Tohei, a representative sent from Aikikai Foundation in Tokyo, Japan. This event was sponsored by the Hawaii Nishi System of Health Engineering, with Noriyasu Kagesa as president. Mr. Kagesa was Francis's grandfather, and was a life long supporter of Mr. Tohei, and of Aikido. In 1961, the Founder visited Hawaii to help commemorate the opening of the new dojo in Honolulu. This was the first, and only time Francis had the opportunity to train with the Founder. In 1963, Francis was inducted into the U.S. Army, and was stationed for two years in Chicago, Illinois. He was the second instructor for the fledgling Chicago Aikido Club, succeeding his childhood friend, Chester Sasaki, who had graduated from the University of Illinois, and was entering the Air Force. Francis is currently ranked 7th dan Aikikai, and enjoys a direct affiliation with Aikikai Foundation for the recommending and granting of dan ranks via his organization, Aikikai Associates West Coast. Francis is the current dojo-cho of Aikido Academy in Alhambra, California.
Old 06-15-2010, 04:23 PM   #2
SeiserL
 
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Re: Winning with my Aikido

As usual, well said. Compliments.
We so seldom consciously decide to change our attention and intention from outside-in to inside-out.
For most of us, our biggest enemy has alway been (and probably will always be) ourselves.
Again, as usual, nicely done.

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
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Old 06-15-2010, 07:01 PM   #3
crbateman
 
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Re: Winning with my Aikido

Well said, Francis Sensei... And, while beating one's sword into a plowshare is a noble ambition, it does not hurt to also learn how to defend oneself with a plow...
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Old 06-15-2010, 07:49 PM   #4
Kevin Leavitt
 
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Re: Winning with my Aikido

nice article. Thanks!

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