Just Like Swimming

Old school karate footage. Some great stuff, if you ignore the...

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:17:27 +0900

Old school karate footage. Some great stuff, if you ignore the cheesy 1960’s theatrics. Watch for the car jumping scene at 1:40s (ed: there are certainly easier ways to avoid the traffic!)

“Whatever you do, don’t look behind you!”

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:09:38 +0900

“Whatever you do, don’t look behind you!”

A balance destroying sokumen irimnage (side entry throw) at just...

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:07:24 +0900

A balance destroying sokumen irimnage (side entry throw) at just the right time

Freestyle demonstration in a very confined space by instructors...

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:03:01 +0900

Freestyle demonstration in a very confined space by instructors of Aikido Renshinkai Hombu (Tokyo).

Chillin’ in seiza

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:39:56 +0900

Chillin’ in seiza

"Strikes are an inefficient method of ending a fight. However, they are a significant part of most..."

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:35:40 +0900

““Strikes are an inefficient method of ending a fight. However, they are a significant part of most fights, and a solider must have an understanding of fighting at striking range. It is important to note that while at striking range, you are open to being struck. For this reason, it is often better to avoid striking range.””

- US Army Field Manual (on hand to hand combat)

… and just to be fair to the good folk at...

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:57:29 +0900

… and just to be fair to the good folk at the International Shinkendo Federation, here is their latest, very cool, promo vid. Remember: this be real sword work folks, so enjoy (even if it was made extra dramatic for the cameras!)

Whilst watching Rising Sun the other night —...

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:50:00 +0900

Whilst watching Rising Sun the other night — Hollywood’s greatest example of why 2nd generation nikkei Californians don’t pass for native Japanese — lo and behold who do I see in a bit role? None other than Toshishiro Obata, founder of Shinkendo!

I’m sure IMDB would have told me the same thing but nonetheless I was surprised to see him in all his “sunglasses at night” glory. Twas a shame he wasn’t in any action sequences though.

Interestingly IMDB credits him as “oyabun”. Not sure I know of any Yakuza bosses who guard the front desk at the local Soapland. Then again, I don’t know any Yakuza bosses … or do I? - Ed

Early Aikido pioneers Taking uke for O-Sensei Imagine our...

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:02:00 +0900

Early Aikido pioneers Taking uke for O-Sensei

Imagine our surprise when we discovered this rare footage of Shioda Gozo and Tohei Koichi taking uke for Morihei Ueshiba. The footage was filmed at the Aikikai Hombu in Shinjuku in 1952, only two years after the ban on martial arts was lifted.

At the time, the Aikikai was yet to organise themselves and Shioda & Tohei were the most prominent promulgators of the Art in Japan.

Shioda has been highlighted in the footage with Tohei appearing to his left in most shots. We hope you enjoy it!

Photo

Tue, 31 May 2011 14:45:15 +0900

Domo-kun Gettin’ His Dogi On 138/365 Domo at the latest...

Tue, 31 May 2011 14:44:22 +0900

Domo-kun Gettin’ His Dogi On

138/365 Domo at the latest Aikido Belt Ceremony by Chris Gritti on Flickr.

Photo

Tue, 31 May 2011 14:44:00 +0900

Kobudo vs Rugby Interesting how Yoshinori Kono’s...

Tue, 31 May 2011 14:37:00 +0900

Kobudo vs Rugby

Interesting how Yoshinori Kono’s explanation of kobudo principles gels closely with movement strategy in Aikido. No bracing, no force against force, no telegraphing, avoidance and change of direction.

Admittedly, I was worried about the lithe 60 year old being sent flying by 100kg plus High School rugby players. Video from NHK’s Samurai Spirit Kobudo.

NB: As a sidenote, Nicholas Pettas has great, natural sounding Japanese. Sounds much more fluent than Steven Segal.

A great old photo of Gozo Shioda, founder of Yoshinkan Aikido...

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:55:00 +0900

A great old photo of Gozo Shioda, founder of Yoshinkan Aikido throwing Tsutomu Chida, his former deshi and founder of Renshinkai Aikido … ahh the memories!

Does Aikido Work?

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 11:37:00 +0900

By Paul Chapman
Renshinkai Melbourne

In the face of the huge popularity of spectator combat sports like Brazillian Jujitsu, MMA and Kickboxing as well as numerous systems of “Reality Based Self Defense”, Aikido seems to have recently taken a “king hit” in the ring of public opinion.

An NHK World Aikido documentary that begins by asking ‘does Aikido really work?’ Skip to 3:11 to go straight to the best part.

Let’s face it, compared to systems promoting aggressive and violent techniques, Aikido sounds pretty wishy washy! With words like ‘harmony’, ‘non-aggression’ and ‘unified energy’ commonly used to describe it, I don’t blame you for dismissing it as “a nice idea” but “useless for defence”.

In my experience, the truth is quite different.

Aikido is a technically sound system of physical protection, a rich source of martial culture and a way of life that goes far beyond teaching you how to simply hit someone.

Physical Protection and the Tokyo Riot Police

Since 1957, each year a select group of Tokyo Riot Police (kidotai) are selected to undertake a year long intensive program of Aikido. To be accepted to the course, Riot Squad members must have a minimum of 3rd dan black belt in Judo, Karate or Kendo.

Why would the Tokyo Metropolitan Police do this? Because the training is very physically demanding, mentally challenging and teaches a sophisticated & intuitive understanding of Aikido.

Why Aikido? Because it is a system of locking, restraining, unbalancing and defending against one or multiple attackers. If police want to stop rioters with maximum force, they can use water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets or even live ammunition.

However, to develop the skills for stopping rioters with minimum casualty and maximum respect for human life, they choose to send their elite to learn Aikido.

Moreover, police forces worldwide teach aspects of Aikido as an ideal civilian defence art.

Martial Culture: Etiquette & Respect

In the modern military and military of old, etiquette and respect for others kept you safe. In times of war, dangerous weapons are readily at hand and deadly situations are a daily reality. In this context, lack of regimentation or respect quickly leads to loss of life.

In modern martial arts, etiquette and respect have become a starting point for acquiring the more positive aspects of martial culture, such as heightened self-awareness, calmness under pressure and strength of presence in threatening situations.

A Way of Life

Many descriptions of Aikido include the words “harmony” and “peace”. I believe this to be just a little misleading.

As beginners we come to the dojo with intentions of becoming powerful, strong, skilled and maybe even feared. Training long term brings us closer to becoming powerful, strong, skilled and perhaps feared. However, long term students also learn humility, patience and the importance of connectedness with others. As we achieve our early goals, our horizon shifts and we can begin focusing on the more idealistic ones.

An education in Aikido as a serious martial art may lead us to ideals of harmony and peacefulness. To describe Aikido’s philosophy more accurately, we would do better not to begin with these words, but end with them.

* This essay was originally posted on the Renshinkai Melbourne website at renshinkai.com.au/does-aikido-work

Excellent Collection of Ueshiba Photos

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 15:29:55 +0900

Excellent Collection of Ueshiba Photos:

A great set of photos from Flickr of Ueshiba Morihei, Aikido’s Founder. The poster asserts copyright over them, but they are clearly scans and screen caps so it’s a great source of hard to find Ueshiba photos on the web.

The commentary to this 1960s film about training in Judo with...

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:26:00 +0900

The commentary to this 1960s film about training in Judo with Masahiko Kimura is exceptionally dead-pan, and works wonderfully.

Masahiko Kimura is remembered by the BJJ community for soundly beating Helio Gracie*, and for taking his name for the ‘Kimura’ arm lock taught in their syllabus.

* In all fairness, Kimura used to practise leg throws against a tree trunk, and the tree didn’t win. Not losing to Kimura in competition apparently only happened 4 times in his life.

Here is complete footage of a Yoshinkan Aikido Sandan (3rd Dan)...

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 15:04:00 +0900

Here is complete footage of a Yoshinkan Aikido Sandan (3rd Dan) test filmed in HD on 8 Dec 2010.

The video features Aikido Shudokan Poland instructors Danny & Darek who spent a month training in Australia. The test was conducted by Joe Thambu Shihan and Thamby Rajah Sensei, the Father of Malaysian Aikido.

Calling Faker Won't Make You Popluar

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:09:00 +0900

Calling Faker Won't Make You Popluar:

… hey, but sometimes it has to be said!

George Ledyard, a 35 year veteran of Aikido has been round the block at least a few times (I know this because he said so). In his forum post on Aiki Web, he calls “shenanigans” on the many Aikido teachers who can throw their students, but only because they are their students. Fake-kido or Bullshido are words that spring to mind.

Here’s a quick excerpt:

If one really entertains the idea that Aikido can be about “conflict resolution” and contains some lessons in how to stand at the center of conflict and stay balanced and centered oneself, I absolutely fail to see how one does this when there is no “conflict” to begin with.

When everything is sweetness and light, everyone is holding hands and singing “Kumbaya” together, there is no conflict and there is no practice of conflict resolution.

Absolutely classic! We should try to keep it real. Test out your teachers every now and then, but only when you can well handle the ukemi required. Also, if things turn sour, be ready with a heartfelt apology.

I hope you enjoy George’s post.

A short documentary piece filmed in 1960 featuring the Founder...

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:57:55 +0900

A short documentary piece filmed in 1960 featuring the Founder of Aikido, O-Sensei and his son Kisshomaru. The footage is in great condition and O-Sensei is still spritely.

This is flowing footage that really gives you a sense of what their technique and body movement was like.

Look at O-Sensei’s shuffle step between 1:01 and 1:03. This is very curious. Uke appears to respond naturally to this subtle movement completely to his disadvantage. Amazing timing or luck? If it were anyone other than O-Sensei, I would put it down to a bad timing.

Technical Note - The film looks dark because it was filmed in the evening with a movie light fixed to a film camera. Film requires a lot of light to expose. Hence the area outside the lit area looks dark or burnt.