What is Aikido?
What is Aikido? | What is Iwama Takemusu Aikido? | Official Statement
Aikido is a Japanese martial art created by O-Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido emphasizes the spiritual growth of the individual through the improvement of his own skill in self-defence. The spiritual dimension of the art can be found in every aspect of its practise, whether inside or outside of the dojo.
Following the philosophy of its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, Aikido is not a way to hurt or injure others, but rather to unite all people into one big family. Ideally, in a situation of conflict, the Aikido practitioner should only apply the appropriate level of control to neutralize the aggression or violence of his attacker and save his own life.
The more the practitioner develops in Aikido, the more he develops this attitude of saving his own life as well as the life of his enemy. The natural outcome of this development is to help violent or aggressive people understand that they are in the wrong and that they cannot overcome technical ability that is guided by the heart and united with intelligence.
Aikido stimulates the practitioner to pay attention to potential fighting or violent situations, to personal relationships and to society as a whole in order to realize a better world and become an example to others. Situations of physical conflict should be anticipated and avoided through the self-confidence and spiritual wisdom that come from the practice of Aikido.
To fulfil these objectives without any doubt requires many years of deep devotion, but Aikido is a discipline that lasts a lifetime and its intense practice leads to an advanced technical mastery and a greater understanding of human nature. Aikido differs from all other martial arts for these significant reasons and attracts people interested in passive and balanced solutions to conflicts.
However, thinking that the techniques of Aikido are not effective or powerful is a mistake. Following the traditional teaching of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, the techniques of Aikido not only represent the most effective form of self-defence, but also even respect the life of the opponent. Powerful joint-levers, throwing and controlling techniques neutralise the enemy without seriously injuring him. Aikido techniques could, if not well controlled, cause serious injury and even death, but the spiritual principles of this noble art prevent this harmful attitude.
It should not be forgotten that behind the martial aspects, the fundamental and necessary technical mastery and precision, Aikido literally means "the way of harmony" (AI: harmony; KI: energy, spirit of the Universe; DO: way), or, in other words, "the way to blend with the Energy, the Universal Spirit, which is a spirit of love and respect for all living beings".
By Paolo N. Corallini Shihan.
Translated from the original Italian by Roberta Monticelli.
English version edited by Christian Pacella.
What is Iwama Takemusu Aikido?
Takemusu Aikido is referred to as O-Sensei's traditional Aikido, which he taught every day in Iwama and which Morihiro Saito Shihan handed down to us faithfully and accurately.
To better understand why Iwama Takemusu Aikido differs from other styles practiced all over the world, we should consider that Aikido did not begin its international diffusion until after the end of World War II. The art as it is mostly practiced today derives more from the interpretations of leading teachers and other disciples of Ueshiba than from the Aikido of the Founder himself.
Beginning from the 1950s these well-known instructors introduced their own modifications to the art. The reason for this can be explained by the events relating to World War II, the Founder's long period of seclusion in Iwama and his son's increasing participation and responsibility in the organizational and administrative activities of Aikikai Headquarters in Tokyo (Honbu Dojo). Almost all the senior disciples had to abandon their training in Iwama - many during the War, others immediately after it.
In those days life in Iwama was really severe. The widespread poverty and lack of food compelled people to work hard to get a living, so all Ueshiba's disciples could no longer go to the dojo. During that difficult period only Saito Sensei always stood by the Founder, serving him even in the most humble works.
Even if it was a very hard life, Saito Sensei had the great opportunity to spend more time by the Founder than any other person, either before or after the War.
O-Sensei trusted his devoted student deeply and taught him everything - theoretically and practically. Saito Sensei never dared to interpret or change what he had received from the Founder; he just confined himself to memorize, study and help his Sensei. Morihiro Saito Sensei spent all his life preserving the original Aikido of O-Sensei.
Saito Sensei's training approach was unique from that of other leading instructors in that it emphasizes the same importance of taijutsu (empty-handed techniques) and buki waza (weapons techniques), which includes the study of ken (sword) and jo (staff). O-Sensei looked upon this unavoidable connection between taijutsu, ken and jo practice as a determining factor for studying Aikido and Saito Sensei's training method is based on the punctual application of these principles.
By Paolo N. Corallini Shihan.
Translated from the original Italian by Roberta Monticelli.
English version edited by Christian Pacella.
Official Statement
The TAKEMUSU AIKIDO ASSOCIATION SOUTH AFRICA (TAASA), under the guidance of its President and Technical Director, Christian Pacella, and in compliance with the wishes of Morihiro Saito Sensei, officially states to faithfully respect Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu, and follow the rules of the Aikikai Foundation.
TAASA, an accredited member of Takemusu Aikido Kyokai, also states that it will continue preserving and promoting the traditional Aikido teaching and pedagogy of Morihiro Saito Sensei - Aikikai 9th Dan.
Takemusu Aikido Kyokai is a preservation society, affiliated to the Aikikai Foundation, with the objective of protecting, preserving and teaching the Traditional Aikido of the Founder O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba taught in Iwama. Our aims will be fulfilled by:
- Maintaining close association with Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, the Aikikai Foundation and Ibaraki Branch Dojo.
- Protecting, preserving and teaching the Aikido and teaching methods of Morihiro Saito Sensei.
Takemusu Aikido Kyokai is a network of dojos and individuals all of which are members of the Aikikai Foundation. Takemusu Aikido Kyokai accepts members ranked by Aikikai only.
Statement made by Christian Pacella, President and Technical Director
Takemusu Aikido Association South Africa.
