Aikido
Morihei Ueshiba, "O'Sensei"
What is Aikido ?
Aikido (合気道 aikidō) is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit". Ueshiba envisioned aikido not only as the synthesis of his martial training, but as an expression of his personal philosophy of universal peace and reconciliation. During Ueshiba's lifetime and continuing today, aikido has evolved from the Aiki that Ueshiba studied into a wide variety of expressions by martial artists throughout the world.
- 合 - ai - joining, unifying, combining, fit
- 気 - ki - spirit, energy, mood, morale
- 道 - dō - way, path
Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical strength, as the aikidōka "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks.Today aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis.
The word "aikido" is formed of three kanji:
Nishio-Way Aikido
Shoji Nishio Shihan 西尾昭二 師範
8th dan Aikido, Aikikai Federation.
Also 6th Dan Kodokan Judo, 5th Dan Shindo Jinen-ryu Karate, 7th Dan Nihon Zendoku Iaido and deep knowledge in Shinto Muso-ryu jojutsu and Hozoin-ryu sojutsu.
Nishio sensei is often referring to as Aikido’s innovative genius. He ingeniously merges the martial art skills and knowledge he acquired into his own specific aikido style, which is now widely referred to as Nishio-Way of Aikido. He also created a new school of Iaido with forms from aikido, called Aiki Toho Iaido. In 2003 Nishio sensei was awarded the Budo Kyoryusho award from Japanese Budo Federation for his lifetime contribution to development and promotion of aikido worldwide. (ref: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoji_Nishio)
With Morihei Ueshiba’s Aikido philosophy served as a principle and foundation, Nishio Sensei smoothly unify Aikido with essential elements from judo, karate, iaido, and jujutsu, evolving Aikido into his total unique Nishio-Way Aikido technique, with its own aikido technical framework and philosophy. Nishio Sensei, while not imitating the O Sensei’s techniques, he took aikido philosophy taught by the O Sensei very much to heart.
“Human beings should not fight. They should instead love each other, help each other, and complement each other. By doing so, they create a humane world.”
these is O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba’s core principles, that in aikido, the intent and movement of the opponent are not opposed. Rather, is a process to harmonize with foe, by mirroring opponent’s breathing and movement, thus allowing the Aikidoka to neutralize attacker’s aggression. Having controlled the attack, aikido advocates the forgiveness and rehabilitation of the attacker rather than causing injury or death.
In Nishio-Way aikido technique we specify where all techniques can be performed with bokken in hand as well as without.
We are absorbing aikido’s essential principles and adapting them to the current cultural context.
Hence our Aikido technique is constantly evolving in technical understanding and skills improvement, with Aikikai Aikido as fundamental and Nishio-Way Aikido as our direction.
“Budo must always reflect its surroundings. If it isn’t newer and stronger, it isn’t valid.” ～Shoji Nishio～