Aikido / Aikijutsu
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Morihei Ueshibas system of martial art that focuses on grappling.
"The Way of Harmonious Spirit" is primarily an artistic style. It has become very popular
in recent years, both as a self-defense method and a sport. Its value in self-defense is rather
overrated, due to its being an art rather than a combat technique.
Its predecessor, Aikijutsu, on the other hand, was a highly effective combat system. Both were
developed by the same man, Morihei Uyeshiba, during the 1920s and 30s in Japan, with Aikido
officially founded in 1942. It is said that Uyeshiba was capable of superhuman feats, whose secrets
may have been handed down to some selected students. Since Uyeshibas death, his followers have
established their own forms of Aikido. Some of these, such as Tomiki Aikido, are more
philosophically- or sports-oriented others, such as Yoshin Aikido, stress combat realism and are
more similar to Aikijutsu.
Aikido stresses discipline and a nonviolent attitude. The art, as practiced in combat, concentrates
on balance, rhythm and use of an opponents force against him. It largely involves redirecting an
opponents energies. Aikidos main technique is the throw. Theoretically, a circular motion must be
described by the throw. In Aikido, the attacker is supposed to flow with the motion, actually
assisting the throw. This type of training would cause problems in a real fight.
Aikijutsu uses the same theory, but in a more pragmatic way. The opponent is expected to resist
being thrown, and a number of moves are used to "persuade" him.
Aikidoka (practitioners of Aikido) traditionally wear a uniform known as an aikidogi. Students wear
a uniform similar to a Karate gi. Masters wear a pair of wide pants (almost like a split skirt)
called a hakama and a jacket similar to a Karate gi, except that the sleeves are less full. The
color of the hakama and jacket sometimes indicates the fighters level of proficiency.
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