Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido Forums
Go Back   AikiWeb Aikido Forums > General

Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history, humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced features available, you will need to register first. Registration is absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 10-21-2005, 12:57 PM   #1
roosvelt
Location: Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 177
Canada
Offline
Sword analogy

I've read quite a few chinese Kong Fu fictions. One of the books describe the deferent development stage of a swordsman.

1. Body/mind and sword be one.

where your sword is, your body/mind is there too. You're a good swordsman.

2. No sword in hand.

You don't need a sword in your hand. Any thing in your hand is a weapon. You can kill with tree branch, pencil and your bare hand. You're a excellent swordsman.

3. Body/mind is the word.

You're the sword. Need I say more?

4. No sword in the heart.

The highest level a swordsman can achieve. You can't be defected in this stage.

I suspect O'sensei realized the highest level of martial art. I doubt many Aikido yudansha achieve this level. But many talk and practice like they're in the highest level.

I suspect they haven't got to the basic level 1. The talks about love, harmony and fancy techniques make outsiders about the martial effectiveness of Aikido.


Disclaimer: I'm new to Aikido. My understanding is laughable.
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2005, 04:56 PM   #2
mathewjgano
 
mathewjgano's Avatar
Dojo: Tsubaki Kannagara Jinja Aikidojo; Himeji Shodokan Dojo
Location: Renton
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,276
United_States
Offline
Re: Sword analogy

Well, I'd say there are certainly common themes throughout the martial arts. The beauty with abstract concepts like the ones you listed is that the mind can creatively apply them...that is, imagination and creativity go hand in hand with making sense of them.
Not quite sure what your message was about the yudansha talking about love and fancy technique. If you're saying Aikido technique is overly fancy, based on my personal experience, I'd have to disagree. Many people criticize the big circular movement we often practice with, but don't seem to understand that if you tighten those circles up, the effect is rather profound.
As for your analogy, I can't speak to the hierarchy. It seems to me much of what you decribed happens all at once. As we develop proficiency with the sword, we're developing proficiency with our body, of which the sword is but a tool.
Thinking about things like this is more fun than practical, though. It's good to exercise the mind and get it to think outside the box, but, speaking from a certain amount of experience in this regard, it's certainly no comparison to actually training.
Gambatte!
Matt

Gambarimashyo!
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2005, 10:08 AM   #3
Chuck.Gordon
Location: Frederick, MD
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 509
United_States
Offline
Re: Sword analogy

If you want to know about aikido's relationship with the sword, study the Japanese sword and not Chinese 'kung fu' fictions. The relationship is complex, but can be studied.

  Reply With Quote

Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Rhythm/Speed/Musubi - How they work Erick Mead Techniques 57 08-22-2006 03:47 AM
"blocking" with japanese sword Tenor_Jon Weapons 39 09-02-2005 02:58 AM
Training iai as a part of aikido Stefaan Six General 4 07-27-2005 06:20 PM
"Muto" David Humm Language 20 04-22-2005 01:25 PM
Sword; sword; sword; sword . . . Arianah Language 3 05-12-2002 12:01 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:22 PM.



vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
----------
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
----------
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate