Aikido

Question 1

History of Martial Arts in Japan: Bujutsu and Budo

Answer 1

A nation divided – Sengoku Jidai (戦国時代) The age of warring states
* 1467 to 1600 CE
* Sparked by the Onin war, a
dispute between two clans
which quickly erupted into a
large scale war

• At this time in history the purpose
  of martial arts training was
  singular – train men to fight and
  kill the enemy to take their
  territory
• Japan is finally unified for the
  last time under Ieyasu Tokugawa
• Soldiers trained to fight are no
  longer needed – but many
  martial arts instructors and
  former soldiers remained
• Beginning of “Budo” – fighting
  techniques + character
  development
• All aspects of the self are
  developed, not just martial skil

Question 2

Aikido (Bujutsu elements and Budo elements)

Answer 2

Bujutsu elements:
* Almost no belt colours
* No competitions or tournaments
* Train to apply techniques for self defense, not to win competitions
* No rules or restrictions, no “illegal moves”

Budo elements:
* Focus on development of self in all aspects,
(mind body and spirit), physically, mentally and morally
* “masakatsu agatsu” = “True victory is over the self”

Question 3

The meaning of “Masakatsu Agatsu”

Answer 3

“Masakatsu Agatsu” = “True Victory is Over the Self”
* Not seeking to win against others and
prove who is the srongest – merely better
the self

Question 4

Founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei

Answer 4

Ueshiba Morihei:
Founder of Aikido – December 14,1883 - April 26, 1969
* Known as the founder but also often referred to as “the great teacher”
* Studied many different martial arts
and served in the Japanese army
during the Russo-Japanese war

• Believed that all of mankind shared
  a kind of kinship - wished to create
  a martial art where it was possible
  to defend oneself without harming
  the other person
• He met and studied with Takeda
  Soukaku, the founder or Daito Ryu
  Aiki jujutsu
• 1926: Moved to Tokyo and
  established the first Aikido Dojo
  (Hombu Dojo) – this was the official
  beginning of Aikido as its own
  martial art

Question 5

Aikido practice

Answer 5

Aisatsu, greetings words, which:
- shows respect to others around them
- communicates to others that the individual is completely present
- shows intent to cooperate & work together

What is “teinei”? Examples of “teinei”
“Teinei” = “neatness/politeness/manners”
- when entering the dojo, remove sandals and place them neatly at the edge of the mat
- step on mat and do a silent, seated bow to O-Sensei (respectful & traditional)
- cleaning the dojo before & after class

Hakama:
~100 years ago the seven pleats of the hakama came to represent the
seven virtues of Bushido:
1. “gi” - integrity
2. “rei” - respect
3. “yuu” - courage
4. “meiyo” - honour
5. “jin” - compassion
6. “makoto” - honesty & sincerity
7. “chugi” - duty & loyalty

*At end of class, Senior student will offer to fold sensei’s hakama – show of
respect for their position