Takemusu Aikido Society

Now we reached gender equality among students in the Ringsend dojo. We focused on the basic techniques today: Tai-Sabaki Migi Hanmi Hidari Hanmi Irimi Tenkan Irimi-Tenkan Tai-Jutsu Tai no Henko Tai no Henko Ki no Nagare Tai no Henko Irimi Variation Katatedori Kokyuho Kosadori Ikkyo Omote Katatedori Kotegaeshi Zagi Kokyuho Buki-Waza Ken Suburi 1 - 3 We have also clarified a few etiquette points: how to bow correctly and how to sit if you are uncomfortable in seiza.

There are no matches in Aikido. Instead, its exercises are occasionally demonstrated for public assessment of skills acquired in day-to-day practices. Until a decade ago*, Aikido was barred from public view for fear that its techniques may be stolen. The situation has changed now. Public demonstrations provide an extremely valuable opportunity to popularize Aikido. The Founder would not unveil Aikido to the public in former days. His sentiment in those days, as I recall it, was not a mere apprehension that Aikido’s techniques may be stolen as a result of their public debut. Uppermost in his mind was probably the fear that that techniques may be subjected to warped interpretations with the popularization of Aikido and handed down to posterity as such. It is important for us to remember this at a time when Aikido has become accessible to the public. The instructors are therefore called upon to observe carefully how their trainees perform at public demonstrations and use their finding...

Tamotsu Fukuda (1931-2020), a direct student of O-Sensei told: There are skinny people, fat people, tall people, and short people. Everyone should become strong in their own way. The old (elderly) and the handicapped (including the injured) can become strong by doing the techniques that they are capable of. That is what Aikido is all about. Such people may not be able to participate in karate or kendo matches, but they can participate in aikido demonstrations. Aikido instructors are supposed to raise such students. Fukuda Sensei and Raman Bekarevich

A short video highlighting how to tie an Aikido belt.

Suburi are the basic movements included in all Aiki-ken techniques. It is essential to master suburi before learning any advanced Aiki-ken form. It is essential to do these exercises daily to feel your sword on the level of the muscle memory: Your weapon must become an extension of your hands. It is crucial to follow one important rule: Each suburi must be done with full commitments. Ten swings performed with full power and concentration will be more beneficial than hundred times performed loosely. Suburi practice improves your hips stability and as a result, improves the level of your Aikido in general.

Etiquette is an integral part of any traditional budo. There is a saying: Budo starts and ends with courtesy. It is extremely important to follow etiquette rules, as they help practitioners to follow the martial path safely and with pleasure. Etiquette helps practitioners to be constantly aware and at the same time respectful to the partners, teachers, and students. Dojo where etiquette rules are optional often lose the spirit of budo.  In our Aikido school everyone is expected to follow the traditional rules of etiquette. The following points are important but not exhaustive rules. You should watch how do other people behave and listen to the teacher.  Good manners in dojo:   The third Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba performs sitting bow. Demonstrations at 20th Anniversary of Osaka Aikijuku Dojo. Take off your shoes before entering tatami area. Sit on your knees and bow to kamidana - central area with Japanese writings on the wall.  Clean the mats before practice. Do not res...

Ai-Ki-Dou Some people translate the word 'Aikido' as 'Way of Love and Harmony' because Ai means Love in Japanese. But it is important to know how the word is written to correctly translate it from the Japanese language. The word 'Aikido' consists of three charterers 合 (Ai), 気 (Ki), and 道 (Dou). 合 (Ai) is conjunction, synthesis, meeting, harmony, unifying. (The word Love is written using totally different character 愛); 気 (Ki) means spirit, mind, intention; 道 (Dou) is way, path. So Aikido can be translated as the 'Way of Harmony of Minds'. It is difficult to choose one and only correct way to translate this word, because in Japanese all versatility of meanings combined in one character. Therefore everyone can interpret it slightly differently, but in all cases it will be something about unification of actual or spiritual movements or intentions. 

Morihei Ueshiba Aikido is not a sport, not system of self-defence nor gymnastics. Aikido is budo, literally “the martial way” implying a martial discipline for character development practiced as a lifelong pursuit. Practitioners of budo develop technical martial skills while striving to unify of mind, technique and body, develop their character, enhance their sense of morality, and cultivate a respectful and courteous demeanour. Thus, budo serves as a path to self-perfection. Aikido was created in the first half of 20 century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883~1969), a master of traditional weapons and empty-handed ju-jutsu techniques including notorious  Daito-ryu Aiki Ju-Jutsu . The main feature of Aikido is blending with the power or motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on.  Aikido practitioners develop physical and mental strength through repetitive practice, without rushing and competitions, according to their proficiency leve...