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Brief History of Aikido Aikido is a relatively new Japanese Martial Art developed in the early part of the 20th century by "O-Sensei" Morihei Ueshiba (1883 1969). However, its beginnings are rooted in the unarmed combat systems used by the ancient Samurai and date back to the 12th century. Ueshiba devoted himself to hard physical conditioning and eventually to the practice of martial arts from early years of his life, receiving certificates of mastery in several styles of jujitsu, fencing, and spear fighting. In spite of his impressive physical and martial capabilities he wasn't satisfied. Morihei Ueshiba met Sokaku Takeda, Grandmaster of Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, during his time in Hokkaido sometime between 1905 and 1912. He was so impressed, that he became one of Takeda's students and subsequently became one of his most famous and talented disciples. Two people had the biggest influence on Morihei Ueshiba: his teacher in Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu Grandmaster Sokaku Takeda and spiritual leader of Omoto Religion Sect, Onisaburo Deguchi. In 1925, Ueshiba organized his own style of Aikijujutsu, one that was more in line with his own needs for spiritual and physical development. During the next decade, Ueshiba's students (Shioda, Tomiki, Mochizuki, and others) were active in building a foundation for present-day Aikido. Ueshiba decided on the name "Aikido" in 1942 (before that he called his martial art "aikibudo" and "aikinomichi"). After the war, Aikido grew rapidly at the Kobukan (now called Hombu Dojo) under the direction of Kisshomaru Ueshiba (son of O'Sensei) Morihei Ueshiba had become famous as "O'Sensei" or "The Grand Teacher," the Master of Aikido. Many students who trained under O’ Sensei decided to spread their knowledge of Aikido by opening their own dojos. Due, among other things, to the dynamic nature of Aikido, different students of O' Sensei interpreted his Aikido in different ways. In physical terms Aikido uses throws, locks, chokes, immobilizations and atemi (strikes to the vital points of the body), although the true secrets of Aikido are found in the subtle yet precise timing and blending that translates into very powerful martial techniques. In great contrast to most of other martial arts, Aikido places little emphasis on punching and kicking. Instead, Aikido relies heavily on precisely timed body movement, which allows one to evade the attacker, harmonize and blend with his/her energy, and gain control over the situation. There are many benefits that one can acquire from Aikido. As a path of self-development, Aikido leads towards the integration of mind, body, and spirit - towards making us complete human beings, which not only benefits us, but benefits the people around us. Physically and psychologically, Aikido is at the same time very complex and yet very simple. The changes it can make in our lives begin at the surface and go as deep as we let it. The physical benefits of Aikido practice include increased balance, coordination, reaction, and sense of timing; improved posture, flexibility and aerobic conditioning; a greater awareness of our bodies and how we express ourselves through our bodies; and a more relaxed and confident presence. Mental benefits include this increased self-awareness and relaxation; better ability to resolve conflicts and deal with stressful situations in a calmer and more positive manner; greater self-confidence and self-discipline; and the constant challenge of self-development and learning new skills. Spiritual benefits include being able to improve one's own quality of living; to break or change old habits and conditioning; to see things with greater clarity and perceptive; and to have a greater intuitive understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Tenshin refers to complex characteristics of style with a lot of twisting, dodging movements, changing direction, and complex timings. Tenshin elements are not specific to any single style, but are shared by many. The Aikikai is the common name for the style headed by Moriteru Ueshiba, as taught under the auspices of the International Aikido Federation. It is even more of an umbrella than a specific style, since it seems that many individuals within the organization teach in quite a different manner. Aikido taught at Three Streams Aikido emphasizes self-defense applications. Not to get struck, not to get grabbed, and not to be taken down -- these are the main emphasis of training. Classes are taught in a non-competitive and cooperative manner. All this is what makes Aikido unlike the kicking, punching, and blocking of Karate or wrestling aspects of Judo. Arm and leg immobilizations, pressure points, and deflections are emphasized in our training, making Aikido available to anyone interested in training in the Martial Arts and personal development. Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu "The purpose of this art is not to be killed, not to be struck, not to be kicked, and we will not strike, will not kick, and will not kill. It is completely for self-defense. We can handle opponents expediently, utilizing their own power, through their own aggression. So even women and children can use it. However, it is taught only to respectable people. It's misuse would be frightening..." - Sokaku Takeda. Unfortunately, the exact origin of the different root arts and forms that serve as the foundation of different branches of modern day Aiki Jujutsu have not been documented completely, and as such, there are several popular theories. There are various Jujutsu styles found within the Martial Arts world. At first glance the Jujutsu styles are quite similar to aiki jujutsu but by looking closer you will find that there are some very distinct differences. Probably the most dramatic difference is the intent in which the techniques are performed. Aiki Jujutsu techniques are more circular and flowing whereas Jujutsu techniques are quite linear and direct. In it's earliest form Aiki Jujutsu can be traced back to around 1087, when large family of Jujutsu techniques was first classified and given first systematic and scientific approach by Yoshimitsu Minamoto, a famous samurai, descendent of Emperor Seiwa, who studied and analyzed body and skeletal mechanics and at later times was regarded as a father of Daito Ryu Aikijutsu and a major contributor to development of Aiki Jujutsu . The Jujutsu techniques of different styles evolved with the needs of the times and were handed down the generations of different families. Aikijutsu originally had been developed as a combat art, a way to effectively and efficiently neutralize violence, not cause it. This is why, although there are forms used to demonstrate Aiki Jujutsu, there are no competitive matches. Within this type of jujutsu were additional levels of training, called Aiki no Jutsu and Aiki Jujutsu, that were reserved for the higher ranking samurai. There are multitude of the techniques that can be done from standing, sitting or lying positions. The training in Aiki Jujutsu can be broken in three major sections: I. The training starts with ukemi (falling and rolling), taisabaki (moving the body), tesabaki and ashisabaki (movements of the hands and feet and legs), defense against grappling, and continues with defense against punches, kicks and weapons. II. The jujutsu techniques with large soft movements. The actual aiki training consists of a combination of these techniques and those from section I. At this level of training it is allowed to use some amount of force, several steps and large movements. III. All movements should become as small as possible. Breathing, reflexes, circles and timing are used instead of muscles; the techniques are small and fast, and it is not necessary to hold an attacker in order to throw him. The reflexes of the attacker are used against him. He gets a soft shock, similar to an electric shock activating his reflexes, and it becomes easy to manipulate the body of the attacker so it is felt as an extension of one's own. The highest level of real aiki could be identified as soft techniques that only work properly when the whole body and proper breathing is used. The attacker is touched easily, you are as glued to him, and the techniques are so small that even experienced attackers cannot see what is happening. However, the most fascinating part of Aiki Jujutsu is that it is unnecessary to use physical power for incapacitating the attacker his own force is turned against him. The Goshin Aiki Jujutsu style, taught at Three Streams school, although based on old style Aiki Jujutsu, also incorporates, what seem to be most effective techniques for modern self defense adapted from other styles such as Tenshin Aikido, Hapkido, Lameco, Kempo, as taught by masters Antonino Certa, Steven Seagal, Elliot Freeman, Felix Valencia, Mark Tedeschi, Bruce Tegner. What more can be said about Sokaku Takeda that has not already been said. Certainly for people who practice Aikido, Takeda Ryu, Saigo Ha, Daito and other martial arts he is a household name. So I will be brief. He was born on October 10th 1859 in Aizu. His father Sokichi was a very large man and it is said to have favored Sumo over Oshikiushi and thus did not teach the art to young Sokaku. It is quite probable that Sokichi did know Oshokiushi and transmitted it to Sokaku. It is certain that Sokaku was thought and influenced by Tanomo Saigo, it is under his suggestion that Sokaku introduced Daito to the public. But the extent of Tanomo Saigo's technical teachings to the young Takeda is speculative, opinions differ on this matter. He also studied the sword (an absolute must for a Daito student) learning the techniques of the Jikishinkage-ryu and the Ono Ha Itto Ryu. Sokaku Takeda died in 1943 after teaching many illustrious masters, the most renowned being undoubtedly Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido. In 1943 he was succeded by his third son Tokimune Takeda (1916-1993), the 36th and last "undisputed" soke of Daito Ryu. Currently, the Aiki-Jujutsu organizations that can verify their teaching lineage directly to Sokaku Takeda can be traced back to the teachings of one of four teachers under the first headmaster; Tokimune Takeda (the second Headmaster), · Yoshiyuki Sagawa (an outstanding early student of Sokaku's), · Takuma Hisa (the highest ranking student of Sokaku Takeda) and · Kodo Horikawa (a talented innovator in the art). Tokimune Takeda taught what he called Daito Ryu Aikibudo, an art that included the sword techniques of the Ono-ha Itto-ryu along with the traditional techniques of Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu. It was also under Tokimune Takeda's headmastership that modern dan rankings were first created and awarded to students. Tokimune Takeda died in 1993 leaving no official successor, but a few of his high ranking students such as Katsuyuki Kondo and Shigemitsu Kato now head their own Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu organizations. Shigemitsu Kato organization is represented by long time students and teachers from Tokimune's original Daitokan headquarters in Hokkaido, Shigemitsu Kato and Gunpachi Arisawa. Their organization is called the Nihon Daito-ryu Aikibudo Daitokai. They maintain a smaller organization in Hokkaido with strong connections to practitioners in Europe, especially Italy |
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About Us |
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Three Streams Aikido, Tenshin Dojo Dojo Cho - Sensei, Vladimir Soroka, direct student of Antonino Certa Shihan
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