lol... Yes there probably is some martial principle about that kind of training. Maybe this principle will apply: Heihachi Hayashida: Haven't you ever seen anyone cut firewood before? Gorobei Katayama: You seem to enjoy it. Heihachi Hayashida: That's just the way I am. Yah! [he chops another log] Gorobei Katayama: You're good! Heihachi Hayashida: Not really. It's a lot harder than killing enemies. Yah! [he splits another log] Gorobei Katayama: Have you killed many? Heihachi Hayashida: Since it's impossible to kill them all - yah! [he splits another log] Heihachi Hayashida: I usually run away. Gorobei Katayama: A splendid principle. Heihachi Hayashida: Thank you. Yah!
Seven Samurai .My altime favourite.Seeing that film was my inspiration to take up martial arts. I was inspired by the character of Kambei the leader.Not fighting for vengeance or reward.He had the ability and accepted the resposibility to use it correctly. regards koyo
Martial Arts training in aikido Hi, As a fairly long term student of Aikido I can state with confidence that the training endured by the early students of aikido under Shihan like Chiba Sensei, Tamura Sensei , Kanai Sensei was quite rigourous. I used to travel the length and breadth of the U.K taking part in courses under Chiba Sensei.After these courses it was not unusual for me to be extremely tired and my wrists /body were in shock. There is a tendency in todays Aikido to forget that it is a Martial Art.In some case the Aikido portrayed is more like dance-little or no substance.A pale imitation of the dynamic Art that it can be. As the Art becomes more popular and with the death of senior uchi deshi [live in disciples of O Sensei ][Saito, Kanai, Akira Tohei etc] the legacy of O Sensei is in danger of diminishing. In my opinion we need to ensure that this dilution does not take place, however when there are so many different groups/organizations [in most case politically diametrically opposed to each other[sad to say] I fear for the future.As an old guy, I can state that I have lived through the golden era of British Aikido.Where are the Tamura /Saito/ Chiba of today? These masters were/are a special breed of men. I do hope we can find new blood in todays generation who can carry the torch forward. Yours Sincerely, Joe Curran
Hey what you complaining about, I have to train with 10 guys in skirts. The one woman doesn't wear a skirt. Talk about confusing, it's like a cross-dressers convention. The Bear.
THe problem that faces aikido in the future is that many tended to attempt to be carbon copies of their shihan. Many of todays students are also content to do this. I was told to teach myself to observe then seek out what was needed myself. When Chiba shihan left and another sensei took over again we were expected to "copy" him. I was asked to follow him and decided not to. In private Chiba shihan agreed with this and advised me to seek out Saito shihan who also advised me to see as many shihan as possible. It is the resposibility of all teachers to CONTINUE SEEKING never to stop in their own training and to encourage students to learn for themselves with guidance from their sensei. Without that then we shall always have "shadows" or "copies" of the originals. I believe that there is only one aikido and that is O Sensei's art.Therefor each individual should approach it with sincerity and humility. No politics or personalities. regards koyo
Bear!!!!! You saw me angry just the once. That does not make me a CROSS dresser. Koyo WE are organising a night out to see 300 are you in?. Dress is optional. :Angel:
Dear Kojo/forum readers, There is nothing fundamentally wrong in copying an instructor.Is that not the way we acquire new skills? In every walk of life we imitate, acquire the skills, then evolve to become who we are/ become our natural self in terms of expression of the art.This is the process of Shu /Ha/Rei. A child may well emulate the father/mother , but as an adult he /she may have characteristics of the father/mother , but would hopefully be his/her own self with individual personality traits.My own son/s are like me in certain aspects,but I know they have their own personalities.it would be God awful if I had clones of myself running around. In my opinion each person should strive to polish their own 'jewel' and 'reveal' their own 'inner beauty' not just be a carbon copy. As far as politics are concerned, I do not see the political climate changing for the better[ certainly in the U.K]. All we can do as individuals is to be sincere and continue to protect the jewel that O Sensei left us. Cheers, joe.
Yo Dudes, The 300 is out on friday and were organising to go see it the cineworld in town, still need to check times but the boys are up for it. The reviews say its pretty much a bloodbath from start to finnish....nice!!! Gerry
I think this is what Koyo was saying. You can learn by watching and copying. But you must also be your self. As carbon copies many students want to be exactly like their teachers and many teachers want their students to be exactly like them. That is the part that is wrong.
CLARIFICATION None of my posts are written to suggest this is the way it should be done. I am not a teacher I am still training. My own shihan specifically warned me DO NOT COPY ME. I am not your teacher but I SHALL MAKE YOU LEARN. Often he would ask why students had not progressed from what he had taught before instead waiting to be told what to do next and he would have to repeat the same class over and over again. Shu Ha Ri means study the waza make it your own then discard it. It speaks of personal growth through your own sincere study. Sensei means he who has gone before, not teacher. There are FAR too many teachers. Again these are my beliefs and I do not expect others to follow them.If they share them fine. If they do not fine. koyo
It gets worse than this, I have seen clubs where students where deliberately refused grading because they didn't emulate the instructor even though they were more than able. People who trained hard for 5 years to be refused a shodan grade because they didn't kiss enough ass. Seeing this in club after club is what led me to refuse all gradings and avoid any formal affiliations. A student must refuse all limitation and that includes those imposed by an organisation or personality. To say you have a specific grade is to admit a limitation, to say you do aikikai or ki aikido is limiting your martial development. I do not wear a gi or hakama now because I found it over encouraged a way of thinking in me that was not appropriate for training. Again, it gets some funny looks at seminars and many believe I am just a beginner who has not bought one yet. I guess in many ways they are right, I am a beginner. Shoshin. The Bear.
ICHI GAN Ichi gan is a fundamental principle of martial arts. It means first the eyes meaning learn to observe so that you need not be told but shall through your own observation be capable of progress. Example defence of the centreline. All techniques must be applied without leaving openings for counters or strikes. OBSERVE the next class. Is this being obeyed or can you see openings?. If so they may be there in your own execusion of techniques.If so correct them and have someone observe your training. HABIT is an enemy of progress. koyo
I've been through that experience. I was held back for 3rd Dan because I had a major bust up with my former teacher. And to add insult to injury I was then asked to train the guy I should have been grading with. For 3rd Dan. It's my experience that teachers who are insecure for one reason or another have an overwhelming compulsion to control the people around them. It's quite sad really.
I love to watch students progress. Some "teachers" love anybody watching them. There is the difference right there. koyo
I completely agree koyo. Seeing other students progress, particularly those I had a hand in training always gave me a certain sense of satisfaction. But even better than watching them pass a grading was watching them pass on what they had learned to other students. If we were all content to share what we've learned there would be no problems.
Dear Polar Bear, While it is true that some Aikido instructors fail to promote their students on a basis of personality or whatever , fortunately these guys are few in number. It is easy to get cynical when this sort of thing goes on.Nevertheless as far as going to courses and not wearing a gi seems to me to be taking it a bit far.If you were playing footbaal,icehockey or whatever would you not expect to go to the activity dressed in the appropriate gear? As you say people think you are a beginner-is this your intent? Rejecting gradings /organizations may well be a type of political statement by you, but I think its pretty negative. I personally would rather try and change the system from the inside than from the outside.Let me be clear here iI despise this type of discrimination mentioned in your mail.Like you I also consider myself a beginner. Thanks ,your views give me food for thought. Best regards Joe.
