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.
The social climate was such that people rejected martial arts as if they were an enemy of democracy. The food shortage caused a decline in our physical strength making hard training difficult. The sad state of the public transportation system created hardships for those who came for morning training. As a result, there were usually fewer than ten people attending morning practice and the average was only two or three. If the weather appeared threatening, no one would turn up.
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…most of my aikido career i’ve had few or no students. so, what am i training for? myself or people who want to learn? frankly, i’m mostly training for myself and the universe has given me lots of opportunity. martial arts in the USA will never have the social status of martial arts in prewar Japan. Even there chance, or if you like, God’s will, had a lot to do with what achieved public prominence. were there other practitioners as gifted as O Sensei? who knows? it’s the old ‘a tree falls in the forest’ problem.
It is my view that the Founder always trained primarily for the sake of his personal goals. In a way, the focused study of martial arts may well be the most selfish activity one can undertake, for ultimately, it is all about you, the student.
Still, as Hillel was said to state, “If you are not for yourself, who will be? If you are only for yourself, then what are you? And if not now, when……?”
When one declares himself or herself to be a committed martial artist, then every person encountered becomes a partner, and every situation endured becomes a training opportunity. One gets to test and prove the worth of principles held, skills acquired, and achievements graded as one goes along the path towards excellence.
Although defined magnificently by the Founder, it is not true that the essence of Aiki is “Japanese” or the property of a single culture. O’Sensei made it abundantly clear that the “aikido” he founded was his alone, yet invited the world to explore the riches of Aiki to create their own unique brand of aikido, pursuant to their own dreams and energies. The “Silver Bridge” was his gift to the world to join him in exploring and discovering the endless treasures to be found in the practice of Aikido, regardless of ethnicity, cultural background or educational bias. We all can play as equals.