Aikido Journal Online http://www.aikidojournal.com/ Aikido Journal News Feed Sat, 10 May 2008 03:54:28 GMT en-us The Value of Contest http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4836 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4836 Sat, 10 May 2008 03:54:28 GMT I heard this from one of O’Sensei’s deshi. From time to time O’Sensei’s deshi would, by consent and approval of both grand masters, participate in contest bouts. Just to let off steam and burn testosterone and gain some real life experience in risk and pain. As I recall it was Shorinji-Kenpo and perhaps some other methods.

There were frequent injuries. This particular gentleman sports a notable injury from such a bout. When asked the stupid question: “Which style was better?” his response was, “Neither,” much to the disappointment of aspiring young male Aikido students.

]]> Nev Sagiba Iwama Aikido Starter Package: 4 DVDs at over 30% off! http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4835 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4835 Fri, 9 May 2008 10:41:57 GMT Learn powerful and elegant aikido under the tutelage of Morihiro Saito Sensei!

The aikido of the late Morihiro Saito Sensei was known for its power, precision and sophistication. Aikido Journal offers a number of DVDs and books

]]> Recommended reading: “Interview with Nobuyoshi Tamura (2)” by Stanley Pranin http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4834 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4834 Fri, 9 May 2008 10:41:02 GMT The interview 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.

When O-Sensei was invited to the first Kobudo (old-style martial arts) demonstration held after the war, he said he wouldn’t participate himself but told Tohei Sensei to go instead. When Tohei Sensei asked O-Sensei what techniques he should show at the demonstration, he apparently said, “Anything you want. Do what you think is appropriate.” I think he probably thought that budo was not something to show to others and worried that once he showed his techniques they would be stolen. Therefore, when I started aikido there were many people who didn’t know about the art.

]]> Stanley Pranin Brian Kagen pick: “Steven Seagal on Merv Griffin” http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4833 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4833 Fri, 9 May 2008 10:28:41 GMT From Wikipedia: “April 10, 1951) is an American action movie actor, producer, writer, director, martial artist, singer-songwriter, and activist. A 7th-dan black belt in aikido, Seagal began his adult life as an aikido instructor in Japan, before moving to the Los Angeles, California area where, after being noticed by entertainment executives, he made his film debut in 1988. Since then, Seagal has become a well recognized action star, with his movies earning more than $600 million worldwide.”

Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.

]]> Stanley Pranin 5 outstanding O-Sensei DVDs at more than 30% off! http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4832 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4832 Thu, 8 May 2008 13:39:59 GMT

Save over 30% off retail price!

]]> Recommended reading: “A Common Sense Look At Aikido” by Yoshio Kuroiwa http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4831 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4831 Thu, 8 May 2008 13:36:25 GMT 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.

As long as we persist in viewing kata superficially, we will begin to think that they are of special importance. One cannot systematically or rationally explain any kata merely by learning in a repetitive manner without an understanding of why certain kata are considered to be basic. What we acquire by learning only repetitively is the preservation of form (the transmission of external form) and not the ability to create (understanding of the essence of kata). In other words, one does not understand what he is doing.

]]> Radio Interview: “David Shaner Sensei - Chief Instructor of the Eastern Ki Federation” http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4830 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4830 Thu, 8 May 2008 13:32:46 GMT From usaikido.com

“We haven’t had a chance to interview anyone from the Ki-Aikido realm, so we decided to remedy that with this podcast! David Shaner is the Chief Instructor of the Eastern Ki Federation and is Japan Headquarter’s Advisor to Eastern Europe and Western Russia. He has been training with Tohei sensei for 38 years and was an uchi deshi (live-in student). Shaner sensei has been teaching at Furman University for 26 years and serves as the Gordon Poteat Professor of Philosophy and Asian Studies, as well as Chair of the Department of Philosophy.You can learn more about David Shaner Sensei at the Eastern Ki Federation website:”

]]> Brian Kagen pick: “Breathing In and Breathing Out In Accordance With “Go” and “Ju,” by Chojun Miyagi http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4829 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4829 Thu, 8 May 2008 10:15:55 GMT “I don’t know when it was changed, but ‘karate’ is now written with letters as ‘Empty Hand’ instead of ‘Chinese Hand’. Anyway, I am happy to know that nowadays karate is popular all over Japan as a unique Okinawan martial arts, and even it has been officially recognized by Dai Nippon Butokukai (=Great Japan Fighting Arts and Moral Association) as one of Japanese fighting arts. However, without doubt, I am sure that the roots of karate is in China. I suppose the prototype karate might be modified in various ways in my home Okinawa, but I think it is worth enough as we can see the evolution of karate which was influenced by the uniqueness of Okinawan culture. Therefore, maybe, it is not unreasonable to change the letters of karate as ‘Empty Hand’ instead of ‘Chinese Hand’.”

Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.

]]> Only book by Shoji Nishio plus 3-DVD Set! http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4828 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4828 Wed, 7 May 2008 16:39:53 GMT The only book authored by Shoji Nishio Sensei, one of the most important instructors of the postwar era, Yurusu Budo, is one of the best-selling titles in our Aiki Store. In fact, we have had trouble keeping it in stock because each shipment seems to be gobbled up by customers faster than anticipated.

We would also like to bring to your attention that you may purchase all three of Nishio Sensei’s DVDs together with the Yurusu Aikido book as a set at a 25% discount. We have posted a series of 10 screen shots from this set to give you an idea of the outstanding quality and contents of these DVDs.

]]> Recommended reading: “The Last Swordsman: The Yoshio Sugino Story” by Tsukasa Matsuzaki http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4827 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4827 Wed, 7 May 2008 16:39:06 GMT The article below on famous swordsman Yoshio Sugino 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 fierce gleam that once characterized his gaze has given way to a gentle, affectionate light as he watches over his young charges in the dojo. People have taken to describing him as “free of worldly desires and cares,” neither flattering others nor being swayed by their evaluations. At the age of 93, he is comfortable with himself to the point that his every movement and gesture is picture-perfect. His sword is filled with a graceful, elegant energy, his smile with an irresistible attraction.

]]> Brian Kagen pick: “Clear Instructions to the Excellent Art of Wrestling” by Nicolaes Petter http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4826 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4826 Wed, 7 May 2008 16:33:40 GMT “Prof. Sydney Anglo calls Petter’s book “historically speaking, the most important treatise on unarmed combat ever printed… the finest of all wrestling books and deservedly the most famous” (the Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe, p. 190). It was first published in 1674 and reprinted several times, including one complete plagiarism. The combination of Petter’s lucid descriptions, devoid of all jargon, and de Hooge’s masterful depiction of pain and violence in the engravings, elevates the book to its position of solitary eminence. It is also probably unique in presenting an effective and complete unarmed combat system in a format from which it would be actually possible to learn.”

Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.

]]> New Special for all 3 “Morihiro Saito: Lost Seminars” DVDs! http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4825 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4825 Tue, 6 May 2008 13:16:42 GMT Together with the announcement of our new DVD, “Morihiro Saito: Lost Seminars, Part 3,” we would like to offer you a special price for all 3 DVDs of the series. Please click here for details!

We have wonderful news for Aikido Journal readers! We have just released a new DVD featuring an Aikido legend, Morihiro Saito Sensei, one of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba’s closest disciples. This exceptional DVD presents never-before-seen footage of Saito Sensei as he appeared in 1988 while teaching a seminar in San Diego, California. This material has been in storage for over 20 years and has been digitally remastered for optimum viewing quality.

]]> Recommended reading: “Interview with Swordmaster: Kiyoshi Nakakura (2)” by Stanley Pranin http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4824 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4824 Tue, 6 May 2008 13:11:36 GMT The interview below with the adopted son of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba 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 art was called “Daito-ryu” because of the connection with Sokaku Takeda. Then a few years later it was changed to Aikido. It seems that while I was there, various names were used for the art. For example, “Aioi-ryu” or “Aiki Budo” and so on. I think that the name “Aikido” was used quite a bit later. The dojo was built before I enrolled but its name was changed to the Kobukan while I was there, probably around 1932 or 1933.

]]> Brian Kagen pick: “Translation of Complete Illustrated Book of the Teaching Method of Tying, Resuscitation, and (the Jujutsu Method of) Kenpo” http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4823 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4823 Tue, 6 May 2008 13:04:45 GMT “At the first look the book just gives an interesting collection of old Jjutsu techniques, but it also allows an internal view on the state and direction of Jjutsu at the time. The writers, publishers and contributors of this book were mostly prominent experts of Jjutsu and its different related systems, or were from families with a strong Bujutsu background. Although the book is from the middle of the Meiji era, the guilds those persons belonged to developed in late Tokugawa era, and thus were rooted in the Koryu traditions of Japanese martial arts.”

Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.

]]> Special offer to subscribers: Back-issue DVD + “Aikido Masters” book free! http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4822 http://www.aikidojournal.com/?id=4822 Mon, 5 May 2008 14:29:46 GMT We are now offering complimentary copies of “Aikido Masters” as well as the information-filled “Back-issue DVD for customers who take out 2-year subscriptions or renewals to the Online Aikido Journal.

At Aikido Journal we have the world’s most extensive archives of aikido-related materials, all available online. Your support over the last 30-plus years has enabled us to produce and dissseminate this huge body of material, especially in this Internet age.

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