Principles and Characteristics

Meaning

Aikido is a Japanese martial art, which was founded by the Japanese master Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei) in the beginning of the 20^th century. The word Aikido includes three Japanese words:

Ai – harmony or love.

Ki – energy, inner spiritual power.

Do – the way.

The word Aikido is a combination of all these words, as the way to harmony through the energy of life.

Aikido is a relatively young martial art, but is based on techniques of traditional Japanese martial arts like Ju-Jutsu, (in which the founder practiced for years under Master Sokaku Takeda), Kenjutsu (The art of the sword) and So- Jutsu (the art of the spear). The founder was also deeply impressed  from the Omoto-Ryu religion, and was deeply influenced from one of its founders – Onisobaru Deguchi.

In Aikido one learns how to utilize the power of the opponent in order to get him out of balance and to finish the technique with a throw or an arm lock. The leading principles are as follows:

1. Not to resist to power, and to avoid collision.
2. Utilizing the power of the opponent and getting him out of balance through circular  movements.
3. Applying locks for the purpose of immobilization that are applied in the natural direction of the joints, which lead to total control without causing damage.

Characteristics

In Aikido the practice takes usually place in pairs, as one attacks and the other defends. The attacker is called Uke, while the defender who applies the technique is called Nage. The two switch their role intermittently, and so they learn both roles at the same time. An important Japanese rule comes to fruition in Aikido: “Nagete Yorokobi Nage Rarete Yorokobi” which means, “It is pleasant to throw and it is pleasant to be thrown”. That means that practice must stay non violent, especially when you are the one who throws. This moral principle is one of the reasons why the founder was against competition in Aikido. Yet, there is a school of Aikido that does have competition – Tomiki Aikido. Aikido is more than a self-defense technique. It’s a way to improve one's physical, mental and spiritual being. Through practice one unites these three elements in a way of self-development and self-awareness, which does have an effect on the daily life.