Is Aikido a Martial Art

**daishi** · Posted On: 3/26/2010 1:56pm

Originally Posted by Tom .C

Great article. I think that there are fewer people who are motivated to train hard that seek out Aikido. Unfortunately, that has not been good for the evolution of Aikido.

I want to take offense to that because I've focused my training on Aikido since 2001, but I travel a lot...visit a lot of Aikido dojo...and know what your talking about. The biggest problem I see, though, is people with the most basic understanding are running dojo and charging like $140/month. With the whole "telephone game" syndrome (that you played in kindergarten) it is invariable that technique becomes watered down somewhat...but when your starting off with having limited detailed exposure as an instructor, it really deludes good, hard, training.

**hungryjoe** · Posted On: 3/27/2010 7:17am

Good read.

Still working on harmonizing the aikido and judo.

Having practiced compliant aikido, it's taking longer.

**kenikim** · Posted On: 3/27/2010 8:12am

Originally Posted by hungryjoe

Good read.

Still working on harmonizing the aikido and judo.

Having practiced compliant aikido, it's taking longer.

do they need to be harmonized?

**daishi** · Posted On: 3/27/2010 10:06am

If you want to blend the two, why not? Well I am actually preparing for an aikido test and my teacher warned not to do too much judo or jujitsu during the test. Some of the guys in our organization have a rep of doing like 40% jujitsu techniques during their aikido exam...he suggested we maybe do only 3 or 4 to help prevent us from getting 'carried away' and maintain the integrity of each martial art while we are doing a formal test. Although during practice its usually 'on' for whatever you want to do...especially if its freestyle techniques or sparring.

**DCS** · Posted On: 3/27/2010 11:21am

Originally Posted by Eddie Hardon

I also remember reading of him and Mr Eastman putting on a display in the early 1960s to demonstrate the efficacy of Aikido. Mr Ellis used a real tanto and making every attempt to attack Mr Eastman but being defeated each time. Seemingly, they got carried away and the British Guest of Honour was horrified by the display. Conversely, the Japanese Ambassador congratulated both Aikidoka on their terrific techique and attacking spirit.

Maybe you're talking about this video:

YouTube- Aikido Ellis 1963 The first UK Aikido Film ? USAF Base UK

**hellis** · Posted On: 3/27/2010 2:33pm

DCS
The video you have added is not the one that Eddie refers to. In fact, sadly there is no video of that event.
The truth is that we did a dis-service to Aikido that day. In the audience was Lady Baden Powell the head of Girl Guides Organisations world wide, her husband was Lord Baden Powell head of the world wide Boy Scouts. Kenshiro Abbe had stressed that this display was the most important one ever for both us and his organisation. I could never rehearse a sequence of techniques for a display as I always forgot and always ended up doing what ever came next. That is what happened that night as Derek Eastman attacked with a live blade that went through my gi and made a slight cut to my stomach, as I took him down to take the knife from him I looked at this Lady sitting in the front row with a look of sheer horror on her face, I knew there and then that I had f####d up big time. Lady Baden Powell told Kenshiro Abbe that what she had witnessed was the most horrific sight she had ever had the misfortune to see, and certainly most unsuitable for the Girl Guides association. I really thought that Abbe Sensei was going to knock me off my feet as he was so angry, I was saved by the interruption of the Japanese Ambassador who shook my hand and said that was best demonstration he had ever seen...That seemed to cheer Abbe Sensei up a bit.
Henry Ellis
www.british-aikido.com

**DCS** · Posted On: 3/27/2010 3:21pm

Mr Ellis,

Thanks for the info.

PS. Slighty off topic, I'm looking for people who had personal experience with Abe Tadashi sensei back in the day . Could you help me?

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 3/27/2010 3:53pm

Excellent article - thank you Henry Ellis and Dave Humm. It's refreshing see Aikido as a martial art (i.e. a craft of fighting) rather than a smug cult of false harmony (which it easily degenerates into).

If I may add: Ueshiba's philosophical writings don't help this situation.