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 Although
aikido is a relatively recent innovation within the world of martial
arts, it is heir to a rich cultural and philosophical background. Aikido
was created in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Before creating
aikido, Ueshiba trained extensively in several varieties of jujitsu, as
well as sword and spear fighting. Ueshiba also immersed himself in
religious studies and developed an ideology devoted to universal
socio-political harmony. Incorporating these principles into his martial
art, Ueshiba developed many aspects of aikido in concert with his
philosophical and religious ideology.
Aikido is not primarily a system of combat, but rather a means of
self-cultivation and improvement. Aikido has no tournaments,
competitions, contests, or "sparring." Instead, all aikido techniques
are learned cooperatively at a pace commensurate with the abilities of
each trainee. According to the founder, the goal of aikido is not the
defeat of others, but the defeat of the negative characteristics which
inhabit one's own mind and inhibit its functioning.
At the same time, the potential of aikido as a means of self-defense
should not be ignored. One reason for the prohibition of competition in
aikido is that many aikido techniques would have to be excluded because
of their potential to cause serious injury. By training cooperatively,
even potentially lethal techniques can be practiced without substantial
risk.
It must be emphasized that there are no shortcuts to proficiency in
aikido (or in anything else, for that matter). Consequently, attaining
proficiency in aikido is simply a matter of sustained and dedicated
training. No one becomes an expert in just a few months or years.
(Taken from the Aikido Primer by Eric Sotnak) |
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