The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.
Sokaku Sensei traveled all over, from Hokkaido in the north all the way to Okinawa in the south. It is also remarkable that he taught not only in police departments of one particular region, but throughout the entire country. I believe that if his technique was fake or ineffective, he would have been considered useless because police departments could easily exchange such information. The case would have been the same with the military . He also taught at many military establishments. It is sometimes said that Sokaku Sensei’s relationship with the military was limited and only through the Omoto religion and the connection with Morihei Ueshiba Sensei. In fact, however, Sokaku Takeda Sensei had direct connections to the military. This is clear from the enrollment books he kept.
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“The difference between aikido and Daito-ryu in the eyes of the general public is that in techniques of Daito-ryu you must break the balance of your opponent the instant you touch him. This is because there is aiki in the technique, which we use to break the balance of the opponent. This is a major characteristic of Daito-ryu. Another characteristic is its use of atemi. This atemi is also a part of aiki in Daito-ryu. Although it is often said that Daito-ryu looks unrefined or is lacking in magnificence”.
Seems to me that Tomiki/Shodokan gets this kind of criticism to….I have often heard Traditional aikido folk say this about our junana kihon or randori no kata and koryu katas….
Must be my bad hearing or something…..
I agree…we should get back to this in present day Aikido…no kuzushi…no throw.
More here…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrcJgYKDJUw
Required prerequisite as far as I’m concerned. This is where most of the traditional folk have lost it to my mind. Still not there faults but there teachers? Or the collusion for money, fame, dadi da I wonder….?