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“The aikido world is gradually distancing itself from O-Sensei’s techniques. However, if the technique of aikido become weak it’s not a good thing, because aikido is a martial art. My practice of aikido is always traditional, the old-style way. Now I am looking after my Sensei’s dojo. Also, I am guardian of the Aiki Shrine, the only one in the world. Many teachers create their own techniques, but I can’t do that, I’ve got a hard head! I’m following exactly the teachings of my Sensei.”
May
25
Morihiro Saito: “Aikido world distancing itself from O-Sensei’s techniques!”
May
25
Popular… Video: Yoshimitsu Yamada, 8th dan: Highlights from instructional video
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This video is an excellent introduction to Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei’s videotape, “Aikido: The Power and the Basics 1.” A rather young Yamada Sensei performs a lively demonstration with an equally young Donovan Waite as uke. Yoshimitsu Yamada, a direct student of O-Sensei, is an 8th dan and the chief instructor at the New York Aikikai…
May
24
Free download: The Explosive Aikido of Hiroshi Isoyama, 8th dan
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“When I tried to do koshinage on some of the taller men I found that they could just step over me; no matter how I tried the technique, I couldn’t manage to throw them because the height difference…”
May
24
Morihiro Saito: “No Ki no Nagare in Iwama? Not so!”
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“It is a big mistake to think that there is no ki no nagare practiced at Iwama. The ki no nagare techniques of Iwama are executed faithfully as O-Sensei taught them. People tend to train in a jerky way. And when people do soft training they do it in a lifeless way. Soft movements should be filled with the strongest “ki.” People can’t grasp the meaning of hard and soft because they didn’t have contact with O-Sensei.”
May
24
Morihiro Saito: “I saw nothing but the real thing for 23 years!”
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“Many shihan create new techniques and I think this is a wonderful thing, but after analyzing these techniques I am still convinced no one can surpass O-Sensei. I think it is best to follow the forms he left us.These days people are inclined to go their own way, but as long as I am involved, I will continue to do the techniques and forms O-Sensei left us…”
May
24
Historical photos: Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei warmups, February 1969
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These six images show Morihei in the midst of leading the class in warmup exercises. There is anecdotal evidence that suggests that Morihei adapted some of these warmup exercises from the Makko-ho system popularlized by Haruka Nagai. The Founder took great pains to maintain his physical conditioning all of his life. This is an excellent example for both students and instructors to follow throughout their aikido careers…
May
23
An image to inspire: “Morihei Ueshiba wielding the Nuboko”
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Readers have responded in great numbers to our offer of a remarkable hi-res image of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba. Please download your free copy now. This unusual photo shows O-Sensei performing a type of misogi purification practice that reflects his Omoto-inspired Shinto beliefs, the lens through which the Founder viewed the world, and his mission in creating and spreading aikido…
May
23
Recapturing a bygone era… Morihiro Saito and Hitohiro Saito instruct in the old Iwama Dojo in the late 1990s
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This is a rare video taken inside the old Iwama Dojo in which Morihiro Saito Sensei and his son Hitohiro Saito Sensei are seen instructing class. The training is martial in nature and many foreign students are participating in the training. Those not familiar with the atmosphere of the dojo during Morihiro Saito Sensei’s lifetime will get a good glimpse of the mood inside during a training session…
May
23
“Invite your opponent’s yokomen strike with your ki”
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“The method of parrying a yokomenuchi attack is described in the section on yokomenuchi training in ‘Budo’. “Invite your opponent’s yokomen strike with your ki. Advance with your left foot while striking the left side of your opponent’s head with your right tegatana.’”
May
23
Quotable quotes from Morihiro Saito’s “Takemusu Aikido: Background & Basics”
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Daily practice begins with tai no henko. First, open your fingers. The basis of ura movements is footwork. If you look at your partner even slightly, his body will separate from you and there will be too much space between you. In ura techniques, parry the strike from the gyaku hanmi position. In this way, you will be able to execute a rapid and effective technique…
May
23
Morihiro Saito: “I went to strike him and tumbled over!”
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Then, as I stood on the mat in the dojo rolling up my shirt sleeves thinking to myself, “Well, since I’ve come all the way here I might as well learn a couple of techniques,” O-Sensei said, “Come and strike me!” So I went to strike him and tumbled over. I don’t know whether it was kotegaeshi or some other technique, but I was thrown. Next he said, “Come and kick me!” When I tried to kick him I was gently overturned. “Come and grab me!” I tried to grab him judo-style and again I was thrown without knowing how. My shirt sleeve and my pants ripped…
May
23
Popular video! Yasuo Kobayashi, 8th dan, demonstrates aikido atemi and pressure points
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In this video, Yasuo Kobayashi, 8th dan, demonstrates aikido atemi and pressure points. During his demonstration, he shows a variety of atemi (combative strikes) and pressure points whose application increases the level of effectiveness of aikido techniques…
