The Beginnings of Aikido
The name ‘Aikido’ is created by the permutation of three characters in the Japanese language. ‘Ai’, which means ‘joining’; ‘ki’, which means ‘spirit’ and ‘do’, which signifies ‘way’. These three characters really sum up the essence of Aikido as a type of martial art: ‘the joining of the spirit to find the way’. It was only in the period from 1930′s to the 1940′s that the name Aikido was legally accepted as the name of this martial art variety.
Aikido uses techniques that do not gravely harm or kill not like different forms of martial art. The movements and skills being taught are just meant to distract attention or stop people. This is possibly the reason why most people prefer Aikido, due to its focus on peace and harmony as opposed to violence and conflict. In fact, Aikido teacher, Morihei Ueshiba, is of the conviction that to be in command of hostility without causing any injury is the art of peace.
Ueshiba, who is also called Osensei, which signifies ‘Great Teacher’, formed Aikido from the doctrine of Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. He incorporated the methods of the ‘yari’, the spear; the ‘juken’, the bayonet; and the ‘jo’, which is a short quarterstaff. But what ultimately distinguishes Aikido from other types of martial art is the fact that its proponents can strike while empty-handed. Proponents require no arms for their protection.
As a small child, he was much into physical fitness and conditioning. This was because of his oath to avenge his father’s enemies. Eventually, his studies and activities led him to the discipline of the various martial arts. He studied a few of them. He even has qualifications for fencing, fighting with spears, etc. He has learned it all. This is maybe the reason why Aikido is such a diverse and multi-disciplinary type of martial art.
Yet in spite of his knowledge, he was still dissatisfied. He sensed that there was still something lacking. It was then that he turned to the religions. He studied under a spiritual guide, Onisaburo Deguchi of the sect named Omoto-kyo in Ayabe. Deguchi taught him to take care of his psychic growth. He then combined his spiritual beliefs and his mastery of the various martial arts and Aikido was born.
His involvement with this charismatic spiritual leader Deguchi also smoothed the path for his introduction to the elite political and military people as a martial artist. Because of this relationship, he was able to launch Aikido and even pass on his teachings to students, who have, in turn, created their own methods and movement in Aikido.
Aikido is a blend of the different styles of jujitsu as well as some of the techniques of sword and spear fighting, of which Ueshiba was an expert. To obtain an general picture, Aikido combines the joint locks and throws of jujitsu and the techniques of the body necessary when fighting with swords and spears.
Oriental in origin, it was brought to the West by Minoru Mochizuki when he visited France in 1951. He introduced the Aikido techniques to students who were studying judo. In 1952, Tadashi Abe came to France as the official Aikikai Honbu spokesperson. Then in 1953, Kenji Tomiki toured throughout the United States while Koichi Tohei stayed in Hawaii for a full year where he set up a dojo. Aikido then spread its influence in the United Kingdom two years after and in 1965, it reached Germany and Australia. At present, Aikido has centres all over the world.
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