Do we call ourselves Aikidoka

anyone knows whats the purpose of the current poll??Jun?

I think that Aikidoka is a person who seriously and loyally practices Aikido. Consequently is not an Aikidoka someone who practices Aikido and not Karate for instance because the dojo is nearest to his home, or the cheapest, or because his wife/daughter/girl friend insists that he accompanies her to training...etc. Or someone who practices Aikido among several martial arts but does not have any particular loyalty feelings for Aikido.

The purpose of the poll is obvious. Jun probably wants to know the percentage of dedicated aikidoka among aikiweb visitors.

I'm curious to see if my guess is correct. Over to you, Jun

Originally posted by Edward I think that Aikidoka is a person who seriously and loyally practices Aikido. Consequently is not an Aikidoka someone who practices Aikido and not Karate for instance because the dojo is nearest to his home, or the cheapest, or because his wife/daughter/girl friend insists that he accompanies her to training...etc. Or someone who practices Aikido among several martial arts but does not have any particular loyalty feelings for Aikido. The purpose of the poll is obvious. Jun probably wants to know the percentage of dedicated aikidoka among aikiweb visitors. I'm curious to see if my guess is correct. Over to you, Jun

I would think that he's more interested in who thinks that the term ought to be used for the average Aikido student. Jun?

Basically, the term is common in the west, but you almost never hear someone use that usage in Japan. Most things with a "ka" ending denote a "professional", of which there are very few in Aikido (even in Japan). For example, a "shashinka" would be a "photographer", but I think you would almost never use that term to refer to an amateur photographer, not matter how dedicated.

Best,

Chris

I always associated 'ka' with high proficiency. Judoka, katateka, kidoka.

I voted no

Actually, I was just curious how many people out there would call themselves an "aikidoka."

Chris is pretty much onto my line of thinking here, though. For me and for most Japanese people, the -ka suffix denotes, basically, one whose life revolves around whatever precedes the suffix -- it's usually the person's profession and/or livelihood. It's the kind of thing one would answer if asked, "So, what do you do for a living?" It's far more than something that one takes "seriously." I don't know if, for example, Japanese judo players in the Olympics would call themselves judoka.

So, to be honest, I guess it might be considered a bit of a trick question...

For the record, I, for one, do not call myself an aikidoka...

-- Jun

wow,nice trick, i fell for it...hahaha

Originally posted by akiy For the record, I, for one, do not call myself an aikidoka... -- Jun

I call myself "Chris", but that's just me.

Best,

Chris

Well, I initially voted yes. But according to Jun's explanation, I would vote No. And I have no intention to become one no matter what.

Cheers,
Edward

By the way, what would the correct Japanese word be for someone who practices Aikido?

Originally posted by akiy For the record, I, for one, do not call myself an aikidoka...

I did on occaision - the ka designation is something I learned on Aikido-L (listka) but after it was explained what the ka meant (to me a while ago) I no longer do. I know only a few people that I consider professional Aikidoists.

Originally posted by Chris I call myself "Chris", but that's just me.

Good one

Originally posted by Edward By the way, what would the correct Japanese word be for someone who practices Aikido?

If someone were to ask me what kind of hobbies ("shumi") I have, I'd say something along the lines of "I do aikido" ("aikido wo shite imasu"). I don't think there's any precise term to designate someone as "One who practices aikido."

-- Jun

Originally posted by akiy ("aikido wo shite imasu")-- Jun

Probably describes my aikido.

Best belly laugh i've have for bloody ages mate nice one

I voted 'no'.

I did not do so because I am not dedicated to Aikido, since I don't see any way in which I could be more dedicated. I did so because I am a beginner, merely six months into the art, and I feel that I haven't even begun to see what Aikido is about - I am just trying to learn ways of moving. Thus, I can't really call myself someone who does 'Aikido' instead of someone who goes to the dojo where a sensei who does do Aikido instructs.

Perhaps, some day in the future, I will be able to answer with 'yes' to such a question

Tomsk

Originally posted by Chris Li I call myself "Chris", but that's just me. Best, Chris

Yeah, because I most definitely don't call myself Chris.

Regards,

Johan

Personally, I like Aikidologist.

Or, maybe Aikidoker. Maybe not.

Or even ... I am Aikido.

Jim23

I guess I'm an Aikidork.

And if I ever get a dog, he will be called, that's right, Aikidog* .




___________________
* No, not really.

Jun Akiyama wrote: If someone were to ask me what kind of hobbies ("shumi") I have, I'd say something along the lines of "I do aikido" ("aikido wo shite imasu"). I don't think there's any precise term to designate someone as "One who practices aikido." -- Jun

I suppose you could say, "Aikido ga daisuki desu."

On the flip side, though, it seems we use -ist in English the same way the Japanese use -ka....chemist, dentist, optometrist, herpetologist, etc., so aikidoist connotates the same idea as aikidoka IMHO. The only advantage is that in English we can add the prefix "amateur" to any "ist" descriptive.

Since our dojo is non-profit and volunteer-taught, none of our yudansha would technically ever be able to take the -ka ending. My sensei seems to reserve the term aikidoka in particular for those yudansha and students who have shown a dedication to studying and practicing the art both within the dojo and in their personal lives that goes above and beyond the "weekend warrior" types who only do it on the weekends as a hobby. I guess he sees the difference as the seed that falls on shallow soil that sprouts but dies quickly in the hot sun for lack of root (aikido student, weekend warrior), versus the seed that falls on good earth that grows deep roots and produces much fruit (aikidoka).

Otherwise, I think I would prefer to say that I train in aikido, that I practice aikido, or that I'm an aikido devotee, rather than use the term aikidoist. That isty thing just sounds too scientific for my taste!

Just my humble opinion...
Lori

In the early days of Aikido-L, I vaguely remember Jun recommending "aikido shugyosha" instead of "aikidoka" for the reasons he mentioned above.

I hope my memory isn't failing.

Mark

Interesting. I always had thought (probably like a lot of you) that the ka was a practitioner of whatever preceeded it.

Is the kanji for ka the same as the ka in "doka" i.e. one of the "songs of the way" ? I think that's what it meant but i'm pretty rubbish at this stuff.

Aikidoer? Like wrestler or grappler or boxer ?

In kendo most are happy to call themselves kendoka... or kenshi so how about aikidoshi? Student of aikido?

Peace and love

Jo

Sure lets play cut and paste with a language.

That's pretty much how words are made dude.

Jo Duncan wrote: That's pretty much how words are made dude.

Sure - please go to Japan and use them.

Sure - please go to Japan and use them.

Why would anyone want to do that? I thought the conversation was about the term used when speaking English? Or should we be, for instance, using german plurals or french conjugations for every word borrowed from those languages? Latin declensions, maybe?