Introduction: 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 practised 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 recognised master of Aiki-jujutsu and several other arts. He also believed in peace. In 1925, he organised 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 harmonise 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. 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.
Ueshiba Sensei’s top student 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. Gozo Shioda’s official title is Soke which translates as founder and director. In 1995 Kyoichi Inoue Sensei succeeded Shioda Gozo as Kancho. In 2008 Yasuhisa Shioda succeeded Inoue Sensei as both Kancho and Soke.
The world headquarters (Honbu Dojo) for Yoshinkan Aikido is located at the heart of Tokyo in Shinjuku. There are over 90 schools of Yoshinkan Aikido in Japan and 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.
Shioda Gozo Sensei formed the International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation (IYAF) in 1990 to promote the development of Yoshinkan Aikido worldwide. In 2008, Shioda Yasuhisa Kancho replaced the IYAF with the Aikido Yoshinkan Foundation (AYF), an organization more fitting to the organizational needs of today.
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-centered 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 or who is the strongest, 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.
Practice at an Aikido Dojo is held in a friendly, helpful and harmonious atmosphere. There is no rivalry because no one wins or loses. Students are encouraged to maintain the idea of harmony and non-aggression in their training and in their daily lives. Only through this understanding can one fully appreciate the power of this martial art.
Koshinkan Dojo 