By the way, Ueshiba also said that anyone who really understood the core principle of Aikido could become as good as him in six months. While I suspect that this is an exaggeration, it is I think intended to be demonstative of how much Aikido was essentially about spirituality and state of mind rather than technical wizardry. Still, Ueshiba trained his body and technique relentlessly.
i have this video in my library with commentary with it from a documentry. this was a match between an aikidoka and a news paper reporter who didnt think aikido was effective and wanted a demonstration
The white belt was a big american journalist that was not convinced Aikido was an effective self defense technique so he asked the other guy (one of Ueshiba' student) to fight him. The Aikido guy wasn't allowed to use some of the more advanced and dangerous techniques and the american wasn't allow to throw punches at him.
Look at the classic depictions of wrestling samurai in the paintings of the era: the combatants are never displaying pretty, recognisable form; they are struggling rather like two bears or gorillas. When I first noticed this I took it as instructive, rather than as a mistake on the part of all the great feudal painters. My guess is, the aikidoka is like the bear and the gorilla except with more strategy and 'moves' he can pull out when the opportunity arises.
I think you are asking an intelligent question recshooter, and I suspect that the answer is that while the classic techniques and training-exercises form a body of 'fundamentals', in a real, unpredictable fight all of these should be forgotten and sort of blend seamlessly into your spontaneous, exactly appropriate response to challenges in real-time.
i think to pull off the basics and advanced moves is both technique and principle but timing is also a key i think. because if someone punches you and you go to do ikkyo for example if you leave it too long then your going to get punched if you do it to slow then the other person depending on there style /fight smarts will ether counter or dismiss the technique they would see it coming.
Roy Suenaka explico esta situacion los norteamericanos eran visitas en el dojo y por lo tanto no se les podia lastimar severamente como en una pelea real
I personally believe that aikido is principle taught through the examples of technique. I think these techniques are examples only, not to be followed slavishly. I don't practice aikido anymore but I do think it is very interesting.
The video is not very interesting, but the question is. I used to practice an aikido variant where many external influences where actively referenced. This was interesting because the purity of the origin could more easily be separated and understood. And in that light, I quite lean towards principles. To some extent, this can be seen in the video since there are few actual techniques being used. Maybe that was the point of the video:)
@FrogmortonHotchkiss To be fair some have said that Ueshiba banned Tohei from doing any techniques here. IF that is true then that brings up another set of questions, namely that aikido is not "safe" to apply on non-practitioners. The film is kind of jerky but it looks like a kotegaeshi at 39 seconds. Some said that Ueshiba was furious at Tohei for roughing this guy up too much...I don't know
Realize what you are watching? Not that long after the war, a Westerner comes in to shoot a TV show and then wants to do some randori. Though outweighed by 50+ pounds, Tohei sensei is just keeping him off him and putting him down gently. Then the guest goes home. Relief. If you know even a little about Japanese culture and history, you realize this. Aikido is a martial art first and foremost, regardless of how some may chose to practice it.
This is a great video, more realistic aikido, not. Not so pretty but you can really see a beautiful jujitsu feel to this, almost bjj crept for the lack of ground work :)
I'm learning aikibudo and we focus a lot on principle because you must understand the principle of aiki in order to properly apply the techniques.
By the way, Ueshiba also said that anyone who really understood the core principle of Aikido could become as good as him in six months.
While I suspect that this is an exaggeration, it is I think intended to be demonstative of how much Aikido was essentially about spirituality and state of mind rather than technical wizardry.
Still, Ueshiba trained his body and technique relentlessly.
i have this video in my library with commentary with it from a documentry. this was a match between an aikidoka and a news paper reporter who didnt think aikido was effective and wanted a demonstration
imagine people add this to their stand up grappling arsenal??
The white belt was a big american journalist that was not convinced Aikido was an effective self defense technique so he asked the other guy (one of Ueshiba' student) to fight him. The Aikido guy wasn't allowed to use some of the more advanced and dangerous techniques and the american wasn't allow to throw punches at him.
@Ronnock I practice Systema although that might be an overstatement lol
Look at the classic depictions of wrestling samurai in the paintings of the era: the combatants are never displaying pretty, recognisable form; they are struggling rather like two bears or gorillas. When I first noticed this I took it as instructive, rather than as a mistake on the part of all the great feudal painters.
My guess is, the aikidoka is like the bear and the gorilla except with more strategy and 'moves' he can pull out when the opportunity arises.
I think you are asking an intelligent question recshooter, and I suspect that the answer is that while the classic techniques and training-exercises form a body of 'fundamentals', in a real, unpredictable fight all of these should be forgotten and sort of blend seamlessly into your spontaneous, exactly appropriate response to challenges in real-time.
i think to pull off the basics and advanced moves is both technique and principle but timing is also a key i think. because if someone punches you and you go to do ikkyo for example if you leave it too long then your going to get punched if you do it to slow then the other person depending on there style /fight smarts will ether counter or dismiss the technique they would see it coming.
Roy Suenaka explico esta situacion los norteamericanos eran visitas en el dojo y por lo tanto no se les podia lastimar severamente como en una pelea real
I personally believe that aikido is principle taught through the examples of technique. I think these techniques are examples only, not to be followed slavishly. I don't practice aikido anymore but I do think it is very interesting.
The video is not very interesting, but the question is. I used to practice an aikido variant where many external influences where actively referenced. This was interesting because the purity of the origin could more easily be separated and understood. And in that light, I quite lean towards principles. To some extent, this can be seen in the video since there are few actual techniques being used. Maybe that was the point of the video:)
its cool how in reality, when you use it, all aikido is pretty much koykunage
@FrogmortonHotchkiss
To be fair some have said that Ueshiba banned Tohei from doing any techniques here. IF that is true then that brings up another set of questions, namely that aikido is not "safe" to apply on non-practitioners. The film is kind of jerky but it looks like a kotegaeshi at 39 seconds. Some said that Ueshiba was furious at Tohei for roughing this guy up too much...I don't know
My thoughts exactly...didn't Ueshiba himself say that aikido, at the highest level, was supposed to be spontaneous?
Realize what you are watching? Not that long after the war, a Westerner comes in to shoot a TV show and then wants to do some randori. Though outweighed by 50+ pounds, Tohei sensei is just keeping him off him and putting him down gently. Then the guest goes home. Relief.
If you know even a little about Japanese culture and history, you realize this.
Aikido is a martial art first and foremost, regardless of how some may chose to practice it.
@recshooter What do you practice currently?
This is a great video, more realistic aikido, not. Not so pretty but you can really see a beautiful jujitsu feel to this, almost bjj crept for the lack of ground work :)