New blog from Allen Beebe: The Problem of Recognizing Aiki

New blog from Allen with the title: The Problem of Recognizing Aiki

Enjoy!

FARMER FRAME NOT

Saigo Tanomo -- scraggly beard and all probably around 100lbs+
Takeda Sokaku -- short short short put rocks in his pockets
Kodo Horikawa -- short short short
Shioda Gozo -- short short short put rocks in his pockets
Sagawa Yukiyoshi -- short short short put rocks in his pockets (but a gym rat)
Yoshida Kotaro -- short short short
Tomiki Kenji - skinny
Okomoto Seigo not short, not super built but wrists and ankles immense
Don Angier -- short short short
Kiyama Hayawo -- just over 5 feet tall
Kiyama Daniel -- a little taller
Iida Hiroo -- way short short short

Exceptions to the rule -- FARMER FRAMES
Ueshiba Morihei - short short short but barrel chested
Hisa Takuma - had done Sumo
Takeda Tokimune -- ex-policeman with solid frame
Kondo Katsuyuki -- fairly strong and barrel chested

Just a quick glance at the above list that could easily be expanded shows the larger FARMER FRAMES are the exception and not the RULE. So…..

While some specialized drills can cause enlargement (primarily the wrists and forearms), the rule seems to be the more small stature / frame -- the greater aiki.

Using Takeda Sokaku as the base line, who certainly engaged in conditioning and training drills, we see that large muscle mass is NOT NECESSARY for proper aiki. We can give some ground in the diet and genetic predisposition of Japanese genetics, but the trend CLEARLY shows that FARMER frame is clearly unnecessary.

While Ueshiba, with a new age ‘back to nature' bent, did engage in the turnip and cabbage route, I can see no other on the list who liked to break ground and furrow the earth.

So, facts are terrible things because they are true, not what we want them to be. Aiki is NOT related to a FARMER frame because the rest of these dedicated martial artists would have been ‘hoeing ‘ it up (spelling very important there.)

The very idea that greater size and muscular strength would mean Sumo is the most ‘aiki art in Japan. While a stunning display of force and agility, Sumo, as aiki, clearly does not fall into that category. (And they eat a lot of what farmers make!)

Some current proponents (Japanese and Chinese influenced) have put forth various strength training programs. While initially important, they are only a step not a ‘be all'. Other factors quickly overwhelm in developing aiki.

So, don't follow the ‘Arnoooold' way, don't start watching ‘Hee Haw' reruns, and do start thinking subtle…..

Scott Harrington

Scott Harrington wrote: FARMER FRAME NOT Saigo Tanomo -- scraggly beard and all probably around 100lbs+ Takeda Sokaku -- short short short put rocks in his pockets Kodo Horikawa -- short short short Shioda Gozo -- short short short put rocks in his pockets Sagawa Yukiyoshi -- short short short put rocks in his pockets (but a gym rat) Yoshida Kotaro -- short short short Tomiki Kenji - skinny Okomoto Seigo not short, not super built but wrists and ankles immense Don Angier -- short short short Kiyama Hayawo -- just over 5 feet tall Kiyama Daniel -- a little taller Iida Hiroo -- way short short short Exceptions to the rule -- FARMER FRAMES Ueshiba Morihei - short short short but barrel chested Hisa Takuma - had done Sumo Takeda Tokimune -- ex-policeman with solid frame Kondo Katsuyuki -- fairly strong and barrel chested Just a quick glance at the above list that could easily be expanded shows the larger FARMER FRAMES are the exception and not the RULE. So….. While some specialized drills can cause enlargement (primarily the wrists and forearms), the rule seems to be the more small stature / frame -- the greater aiki. Using Takeda Sokaku as the base line, who certainly engaged in conditioning and training drills, we see that large muscle mass is NOT NECESSARY for proper aiki. We can give some ground in the diet and genetic predisposition of Japanese genetics, but the trend CLEARLY shows that FARMER frame is clearly unnecessary. While Ueshiba, with a new age ‘back to nature' bent, did engage in the turnip and cabbage route, I can see no other on the list who liked to break ground and furrow the earth. So, facts are terrible things because they are true, not what we want them to be. Aiki is NOT related to a FARMER frame because the rest of these dedicated martial artists would have been ‘hoeing ‘ it up (spelling very important there.) The very idea that greater size and muscular strength would mean Sumo is the most ‘aiki art in Japan. While a stunning display of force and agility, Sumo, as aiki, clearly does not fall into that category. (And they eat a lot of what farmers make!) Some current proponents (Japanese and Chinese influenced) have put forth various strength training programs. While initially important, they are only a step not a ‘be all'. Other factors quickly overwhelm in developing aiki. So, don't follow the ‘Arnoooold' way, don't start watching ‘Hee Haw' reruns, and do start thinking subtle….. Scott Harrington

Good post! It's also worth keeping in mind that daito ryu was orginally taught at three levels, each one being emphasised according to one's build and temperament. So it would make sense that slightly built shorter people would concentrate more on the aiki portion.