aikido-kanji-AI

Ai

Harmony and Balance

aikido-kanji-KI

Ki

Spirit, Energy and Life

aikido-kanji-DO

Do

Way, Path

The Martial Way

The Martial Way is a dojo which offers an Aikido-based close combat martial arts and self-defense system and incorporates the more direct and assertive real-world techniques and martial applications of Aikijutsu.  Our studio brings the best of both worlds – the flow of Aikido and the crash of Aikijutsu.

 

Martial Arts

According to Wikipedia, Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense, military and law enforcement applications, competition, for physical, mental and spiritual development; as well as for entertainment or the preservation of a nation’s intangible cultural heritage.  Although the term martial art has become associated with the fighting arts of East Asia, it originally referred to the combat systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. The term is derived from Latin and means “arts of Mars”, the Roman god of war.
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Aiki

Aiki is blending with energy.  Aikijutsu is a body of techniques based on aiki principles.  Aikido is the way of harmony or harmonized energy.  Aiki can also be defined as the spirit of negating an opponent’s strength.

Aikido

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy and religious beliefs. Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.  Translated, aikido means “the way of harmonizing with energy.”  “Ai” is defined as harmony, “ki” is defined as energy, and “do” is defined as the way. 

Aikijutsu

Part of the jujutsu family, Aikijutsu is typically recognized as distinct from Aikido by its more aggressive, less-passive nature, including an array of counter measures that includes strikes, holds, and paralyzing techniques.  While its roots date back to the 11th century, Daito-ryu Aikijutsu first became widely known in the early 20th century under the headmastership of Sokaku Takeda. His best-known student was Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido.  “Jutsu” can be defined as technique, method, or skill and is meant to refer to martial arts and self-defense.

More About Aikido

As a martial art, Aikido has the following traits:

  1. uses atemi or striking, joint locks and holds, techniques and throws to neutralize an attack while disabling and subduing the attacker
  2. focuses on flow, blending and connection (musubi) with the opponent
  3. relies more on body movement and balance breaking, using the weight, energy and momentum of the attacker; taking what is given from the attack
  4. movement tends to be flanking, circular, yielding to win
  5. considered defensive, with concern over the welfare of the opponent
  6. ultimately leads to life and spirit development

More About Aikijutsu

As a martial art, Aikijutsu has the following traits:

  1. similar to aikido #1 & #2 above, with more striking, joint locks and pins
  2. more reliance on biomechanical leverage of technique
  3. focuses more on physical force and speed, taking what can be taken
  4. movement tends to be more direct, linear, entering to win
  5. considered more assertive, counter-offensive, goal is martial victory
  6. development is for close combat skill, self-defense, physical/mental ability

Some of the Aikido/Aikijutsu masters:

Morihei Ueshiba

Ōsensei/Founder

Morihiro Saito

Head Student

O'Sensei's Longest student as well as head student.

Gozo Shioda

Student of Founder

Kisshomaru Ueshiba

Student of Founder

Son of Founder

Koichi Tohei

Student of Founder

Takeda Sōkaku

Founder of Daitō-ryū Aikijutsu

An early Teacher of O'Sensei