The term Aikido literally means "the way of harmony with Ki," but many other interpretations are possible. It is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. He arrived at this martial art by combining his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. His goal was to develop a martial art that would not only enable practitioners to defend themselves but also to avoid injuring the attacker. Aikido is a sport in which the attacker's movement is used to flow with the attacker's movement rather than to counter it. This requires little physical energy because the aikidoka uses the attacker's momentum in combination with stepping and turning movements. These techniques are supplemented with various throws and locks. Aikido can be classified as wrestling.
Aikido is largely derived from the martial art Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, but began to diverge from it around 1920. This was partly due to Ueshiba's connection to the Omoto-kyo religion. In his earliest documents, Ueshiba calls the martial art aiki-jujutsu. Many of Ueshiba's older students have different perspectives on Aikido, depending on the period in which they studied with him. Today, Aikido can be practiced worldwide. This martial art has many styles, but all are derived from techniques developed by Ueshiba.
Aikido training
In Aikido, like almost all other Japanese martial arts, there is both a physical and a mental aspect to training. The physical training in Aikido is diverse, with attention paid to both general physical condition and overall fitness. Because a large part of Aikido consists of throws, the student first learns how to roll and fall properly. Specific attacking techniques include both holds and strikes. Defensive techniques consist of throws and locks. Once the student has mastered the basic techniques, weapons lessons can begin.
Roles of uke and nage
Aikido training primarily involves two partners performing prearranged patterns called kata . The basic pattern is where the receiver of the technique (uke) attacks the thrower (nage), who then neutralizes this attack by applying an aikido technique. Both parts of the technique are essential to aikido training. Nage teaches to bend with the attacker and control the attacking energy, while uke learns to remain calm and flexible when at a disadvantage. This receiving of a technique is called ukemi. Uke constantly works to find balance and cover up weak spots, while nage uses position and speed to keep uke off-balance and vulnerable. In more advanced training, uke may sometimes use reversal techniques to regain balance.
Initial attacks
Aikido techniques are designed to deflect an attack. To learn this effectively, students must also understand what constitutes a good attack. While there is no intensive focus on specific attacks, the most common ones are covered. Many strikes in Aikido are actually intended to mimic sword strikes. Other techniques that resemble punches evoke movements made with a stabbing weapon. Kicks are not practiced extensively because kicks, especially high kicks, were not performed on the battlefield in feudal Japan.
Some basic strokes are:
- Front of the head strike: a vertical knife hand strike to the head
- Side of the head strike: A diagonal knife hand strike to the side of the head or neck
- Chest thrust: a thrust to the chest
- Face punch: a punch to the face
Beginners initially practice holds primarily so they can sense their opponent's energy. Some holds are derived from historical events, such as being held while attempting to draw a weapon. A technique could then be used to break free and subsequently unbalance the opponent.
The grips below are examples of these
- One-handed grip: one hand grabs a wrist
- Two-handed grip: both hands grasp a wrist
- Two-handed grip: both hands grasp both wrists
- Shoulder grab: a shoulder is grabbed
- Breast grab: grabbing the breast or the clothing around the breast
Basic techniques
The techniques below are commonly used throws and holds. The precise terminology may vary between organizations and styles, but the terms below are used by the Aikikai Foundation.
First technique
A movement in which one hand applies pressure to the elbow and the other hand to the wrist to move the uke towards the ground
Second technique
A wrist clamp that rotates the arm
Third technique
A rotating wrist clamp
Fourth technique
A shoulder check where both hands grab the forearm
Fifth technique
The wrist is grabbed and then rotated to put downward pressure on the elbow
Four-way throw
The hand is pressed behind the shoulder so that the shoulder joint is fixed
Forearm clamp
A clamp in which the forearm is clamped
Breath throw
A commonly used term for techniques that do not use a clamp
Incoming throw
Throws where the nage comes in run on the uke
Heaven and earth throw
Nage takes one hand low and the other hand high, thus unbalancing uke
Hip throw
Nage lowers his hip below uke's so he can be thrown over the hip
Figure ten throw
A throw where the arms are held together
Spinning throw
Nage takes the arms and brings them behind the shoulder and then pushes forward to throw
Weapons
Aikido also includes training with weapons, including short sticks, wooden swords, and knives. Nowadays, some schools also teach how to handle situations where a firearm is drawn. Other schools don't train with weapons at all, as they are strongly opposed to them. The polar opposite of this style is the Iwama style, which dedicates considerable time and attention to the wooden sword and short stick.
Multiple attackers
Aikido also trains students to defend themselves against multiple attackers, known as taninzudori or taninzugake. Sparring with multiple attackers is a key component of many exams and is required for achieving a higher rank. It's about developing intuitive movement skills in an unstable environment. Strategic technique selection is a key part of the training. For example, a ura technique can be used to neutralize the current attacker, while still allowing one to turn one's back to the next attacker, allowing them to continue their attack unhindered.
Mental training
Aikido training is both mental and physical, emphasizing relaxation of body and mind, even when in a dangerous situation. This is essential for practitioners to respond confidently in combat. Morihei Ueshiba once said that "one must be prepared to take 99% of the attack and face death" to execute the technique without hesitation.
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