Aikido is a modern martial art derived from the Samurai fighting techniques of ancient Japan. Developed during the 1920′s, the technical foundations of Aikido can be traced back to Aiki-jujutsu that evolved in early Japan. Aiki-jujutsu techniques were practiced by Prince Tejin, son of the Emperor Seiwa (850-880 AD), and passed on to succeeding generations of the Minamoto family.
Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1968) became a recognized master of Aiki-jujutsu and several other arts. He also believed in peace. In 1925, he organized a style of Aiki-jujutsu to assist his own spiritual and physical development. The result was Aikido.
Aikido is not a conventional fighting art or sport. Instead, it is a martial art that develops the ability to harmonize with opposing forces rather than combat them. Because of this, many circular and spherical movements are involved in Aikido to redirect opposing forces towards a less harmful destination.
One of Ueshiba Sensei’s top students was Gozo Shioda (1915-1994). In 1955, after receiving 9th Dan, Gozo Shioda Sensei formed the Aikido Yoshinkan Foundation. Shioda Sensei’s style of Aikido is known as Yoshinkan, a name that he inherited from his father. “Yo” means cultivating, “Shin” means spirit or mind and “Kan” means house.
The world headquarters (Honbu Dojo) for Yoshinkan Aikido is located at the heart of Tokyo
The Yoshinkan style has become world recognised and is taught to the Tokyo Riot Police in Japan. Large numbers of Western students train at the Honbu, and to support overseas instructors, Shioda Sensei created an intensive 11-month International Instructor’s course in 1991.
In Yoshinkan Aikido, the emphasis is on the study of fundamental movements and solid basic techniques as well as gaining philosophical insight into the conduct of life and human relationships. Yoshinkan Aikido as a martial art is non-competitive and non-violent. Co-operation and harmony are more important than aggression. Timing and control are more important than strength. With the development of solid basics, Yoshinkan Aikido provides a very powerful means of self-defence without undue aggression.
Shioda Sensei formed the International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation (IYAF) in 1990 to promote the development of Yoshinkan Aikido worldwide. Gozo Shioda’s official title is Soke which translates as founder and director. Kyoshi Innoe Sensei was appointed Kancho in 1995 upon the death of Gozo Shioda Kancho. He retained this position until his resignation in 2007.
In 2007, Yasuhisa Shioda Sensei followed his father as Kancho of Yoshinkan Aikido world wide. He soon after founded the Aikido Yoshinkan Foundation, the overarching body for all dojos not located in Japan.
YOSHINKAN AIKIDO
“These days, the differences of ideology, the confrontation of races and conflict between nations, leads to numerous problems from the destruction of the environment to economic friction. All opposition or antagonism leads to greater conflict. A premise of Aikido is the avoidance of rivalry or any form of opposition. If the people of the world would make an effort to learn how to avoid dissension through the practice of Aikido, I am sure that mankind could realise genuine unification. Therefore, we as instructors must do our best to gain this ideal.”
Soke Gozo Shioda (founder of Yoshinkan Aikido)
Aikido, “ the way of harmony”, is a martial art that can be used against any form of attack and, at its highest level, a form of self-defence that neutralises an aggression rendering the attacker harmless without causing injury. To do this requires skill, but more important, it requires an ethical intention. Master Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, concluded that the purpose of martial arts was the perfection of the spirit, not merely perfection of physical technique. Although the modern forms of budo, such as kendo, karate and judo, stress the importance of mind-body training, they also emphasize competition and tournaments and therefore place an emphasis on winning. It is at this point that Aikido shows itself to be unique. Aikido holds no tournaments or contests and refuses competition, as it is detrimental to progress on the spiritual path. The constant temptation always to be a winner could lead people to be egotistical and self-centred and develop a win-at-all-costs attitude. Defeating others was seen as a roadblock in the path to harmony in the universe. Students of Aikido are constantly reminded to let go of the “fighting mind.” Care is taken during actual practice to avoid clashing against another person’s energy. When the student feels that he is forcing a technique, it is a sure sign he is clashing with his partner’s energy instead of blending or going around the force. Using brute strength in Aikido is a sign of failure to execute technique properly. Only after years of practice does one truly recognize that it is unimportant to see; who is the best, who is the strongest, or who is the champion. The true path is the path to harmony and enlightenment. Training in Aikido has no end; perfection of character is never complete.