Morihei Uyeshiba

 
 
 
MORIHIRO SAITO SENSEI - AIKIDO 
 
 
When asked what Aikido is, it is difficult to answer the question in a few words. 
But when asked for whom Aikido exists, the question is easy to answer. 
The answer simply is that Aikido exists for those who ask for it. 
In a limited sense, the art exists for those who actually practice it. 
Among the Aikido trainees, 
there are those who, endowed with glibness, claim to know everything about Aikido. 
Their actual training, however, belies their words and is not commendable. 
They lack enthusiasm about their training. I prefer the opposite type. 
If one examines Aikido patiently for a long period of time, 
something is bound to touch your heartstrings. 
That something is presumably the true answer to the question "What is Aikido?" 
The answer, therefore, varies as you continue to refine yourself. In my opinion, 
the answer is sort of an unwritten law which allows all kinds of interpretations 
but is something which is not forced on you by others. 
In guiding his followers, Morihei Uyeshiba, the Founder of Aikido, 
discouraged questions and implanted in the mind of every trainee the attitude 
of using his own imagination and ingenuity. 
For the imaginative trainee, the Founder provided the answers 
through his bodily demonstrations which were so convincing. 
The Founder certainly was not hesitant and sparingly in imparting the essence of the art 
but put the emphasis of his teaching method on encouraging 
the trainees to cultivate their own eyes for a deeper meaning of Aikido. 
Such method, however, is no longer readily available even if some people may desire it. 
There also may be those who have no access to competent instructors. 
Aikido officially acquired its name in 1941. 
By that time, the Founder had studied and practiced all sorts of Japanese martial arts. 
In inaugurating Aikido, the Founder did not identify it 
with a mere consolidation of these martial arts. 
He created Aikido by compounding the merits of ancient arts with the "Principle of Aiki" 
and incorporating into it all the elements common to every martial art. 
Consequently, it is possible to explain Taijutsu ( Empty-handed exercise ) 
in terms of Kenjutsu ( Japanese fencing art ) or vice versa. 
Both Taijutsu and Kenjutsu are integrated in Aikido. 
Aikido applications are so wide -
ranging as to include the Jo ( Stave ) and Yari ( Spear ). 
Aikido may deservedly be called an ultimate martial art.
Aikido is unique in a number of ways, particularly in body movements and footwork. 
The forms of Aikido may be equated with triangle, circle and square. 
Triangle means creativity, circle means unlimited development 
and square means a state of harmony. 
In other words, triangle represents footwork and posture. 
Circle represents harmonious circular movements without conflicting with your partner. 
It is a form of producing an infinite variety of technique. 
A semantic analysis of the word "Aikido" dictates that in practicing the art, 
primary importance be attached to blending your "Ki" (Spirit) with your partner´s. 
Intangible "Ki" manifests itself in the forms of triangle, 
circle and square wich guide your partner´s "Ki". 
If you realize this and train harder, chances are that your proficiency 
in Aikido will improve at a quicker pace. 
If the training method is wrong, even years of training will fail to produce 
desirable results in any respectable martial art.
I therefore urge you to take due note of this point and adopt a correct training method. 
A correct training method starts with learning basic movements, 
wich are always practiced at each training session, 
and obtaining a prior knowledge of what these movements mean. 
Every time you practice, 
it is important for you to try out repeatedly what you have suppo- sedly learned. 
Basic movements, 
which seem so simple and easy to everyone, 
are quite important in that they are usefully integrated 
into all Aikido techniques and serve to eliminate unnecessary movements 
and unnatural conflicts as a matter of course. 
Consequently, basic movements should be practiced at each training session 
and should under no circumstances be omitted. 
Such movements include "Body Turns" and "Training of Abdominal Breath Power". 
In Aikido, "Ki" is considered critical because it is the origin of strenght. 
Aikido training, therefore, is based on the concept of building up "Ki" power 
superior to muscular power. The meaning of "Ki" is extremely difficult to define. 
In terms of Oriental philosophy, "Ki" is inherent in every object in nature
 
 
 
Hitohiro Saito Sensei in action, boken exercises