My experience in Aikido since 1967

 

Read this article to the end and analyze everything in it.

Hopefully the two experiences (My experiences in Aikido since 1967 and My experiences in doing Aikido waza with love) inside are useful to add insight in knowing and learning Aikido.

 

My experiences in Aikido since 1967

by Prawira Widjaya (黄合祥)

 

First, let me introduce myself.

I am an Indonesian citizen and now almost 75 years old.

My profession was a high school teacher, lecturer, consultant, and BMW (body-mind-will) training instructor.

My education was architecture & civil engineering, business management, and languages.

My hobbies are reading and learning, especially on problem solving using Why-How-When questions.

Since I was young, to improve my know-how, my mother asked me to pay attention to the attitude of books (any books) to their readers and the behavior of moving or seemingly stationary water, also accompany her to do things.

          When I was about 10, to improve my know-how on problem solving, my mother who could teach me Yifa Heyi (意法合一) exercise only, advised me to practice Kung Fu. She said, in martial arts, the risk involved was enormous, even serious injury or death, if not good at problem solving (overcoming attacks). Since then, apart from Kung Fu, I also learned Javanese martial arts, Western Boxing, and others, which I learned not for fighting, but rather for a better understanding of problem solving.

          In 1967, I got a book written by Senior Master Tohei Koichi, the Aikikai Hombu-cho, which title was AIKIDO IN DAILY LIFE. At the time, I also heard from a Japanese pen friend that the Founder of Aikido, Grand Master Ueshiba Morihei, used Daitoryu Jujutsu to create a more humane martial arts based on LOVE.

          Since I did not like to fight and Aikido was based on LOVE, I was curious and immediately wrote a letter to Aikido Headquarters, with a little hope of getting a reply because I was not an important person at all. In that first letter I asked why Aikido was based on LOVE and how was LOVE applied in Aikido which was clearly a martial art.

          Two months later, Senior Master Tohei answered me. He said he wanted to know my background in martial arts so he could answer my questions properly.         

I was happy to receive the reply. Then I explained honestly what I had learned since I was very young.

          To my surprise, the next answer was from Grand Master Ueshiba Morihei, which was translated into English by Senior Master Tohei Koichi.

Grand Master explained his intention of creating Aikido based on LOVE. He also explained the meaning of AIKI and said that in daily life, we apply AIKI without us knowing it. He said AIKI was not only implemented in AIKIDO.

Then, he asked me to tell him what I might know about daily activities related to AIKI.

          I answered that, in my mind, every activity we did was in the form of and must be in the form of a harmonious interaction. I wrote that as we walk, we must be in tune with the earth and the changes around us. When we write something, we must work together harmoniously with a brush or pen, paper and table. When we talk to someone, we have to be in tune with our brain, emotions, mouth, and the person who is listening to us. While boxing, we must listen to how we feel, and move in harmony with the opponent's intention, strength, speed and direction.

          More than two months later, in his letter, Grand Master Ueshiba Morihei wrote that he liked my answer and explained about ki-shin-tai no toitsu and ki musubi. Since Grand Master knew I understood Chinese, he also wrote the kanji characters. Master Tohei also explained about misogi and KI, like what he wrote in his book.

          It took long to have one mutual communication because Senior Master Tohei Koichi was busy with his task as the ‘Hombu-Cho’ (the director of Aikido World Headquarters), as well as a shihan (senior master) at Hombu Dojo.

          When I asked about the moving techniques used in Aikido, Grand Master asked back.

He asked me whether I always used chopsticks to eat or it depended on what I was eating? He also asked me what I would do when there were no chopsticks near me? He then advised me not to much bother with the moving techniques in Aikido. Someone who understood AIKI well, did not need to bother himself with waza (moving techniques). Especially when he could make a suitable spontaneous reaction to the situations he faced.

Moving techniques were useful and a must for beginners.

It was like someone who wanted to eat in a ramen-ya (Japanese noodle shop), first he had to know where the door of ramen-ya and how to behave inside, before ordering and enjoying the ramen.

          Grand Master said that the important thing in AIKIDO was AIKI (ki-shi-tai no toitsu and ki musubi – these two terms are not used in public, just used by Grand Master) and spontaneous reactions based on AIKI. That’s the reason he named his arts as AIKI BUDO, than changed into AIKIDO (and finally into 'AIKIDO with love'). AIKI BUDO meant the way of stopping attack with AIKI. AIKIDO meant the way of AIKI. (So Aikido was not just a name of a Japanese martial art and Aikido was not ‘the way of harmony’ as many Aikido masters said.)

Senior Master Tohei said Grand Master often did a certain waza with different styles of moves. (Senior Master Shirata Rinjiro said so).

Senior Master Tohei also said that Grand Master liked to use the old Japanese teachings, especially the three-in-one painting of 'triangle-circle-squares', the brush drawing of 'almost closed circle', and certain phrases, to describe Aikido.

Later, I understood the difference between AIKI and martial-art WAZA (technique or way of moving).

AIKI consists of (1) ki-shin-tai no toitsu practice to get KI and KI flow, (2) ki musubi practice to be in tune with the dynamic changes around us.

AIKI should not and could not be learned by “watch-imitate-remember-repeat” method but had to be learned by “do-feel-do” method.

Learning AIKI well could make spontaneous creative reactions/moves. Learning AIKI did not need to learn the techniques (waza) that needed to be memorized.

Learning AIKI did not learn many things (waza) so there was no grading system in learning AIKI.

Learning AIKI had no risk because there were no risky exercises that would make body hurt or damaged.

Learning AIKI, actually, was important and helpful in practicing AIKIDO.

WAZA, in AIKIDO, consist of many moves to memorize, although AIKIDO only has KATAME WAZA (locking technique) and NAGE WAZA (throwing technique). That’s why Aikido (the practicing of WAZA) was taught in a grading system (about 6 Kyu grades and about 10 Dan grades – depending on the style’s regulation).

Learning WAZA (called: AIKIDO) would make people look great or skillful, even powerful. [Learning AIKI would not – that’s why many people were more interested in learning AIKIDO (WAZA)].

AIKIDO (or WAZA) should be learned by “watch-imitate-remember-repeat” method until it could be done without making any mistakes.

Teaching and doing AIKIDO (WAZA) should be good and very careful that would not make body hurt or damaged because of oneself mistake or done on purpose by NAGE (someone who is applying waza) who only feel satisfied if uke locked in pain or fell hard.

          Unfortunately, Grand Master had passed away in the early (April 26^th) of 1969.

          In 1970, I was invited to practice Aikido with Senior Master Tomiki Kenji’s student, Mr. Shimizu. And in 1972, I had a chance to practice Aikido with Senior Master Tanaka Bansen’s student, Mr. Kochi. Before he left, Mr. Kochi asked me to establish an Aikido Club. At the same time, the president of Hong Kong Aikido Association, Master Wong Sui Shing, also advised me to introduce Aikido in Indonesia. Later, in 1973, the late Doshu (Ueshiba Kisshomaru) sent Senior Master Soma (who ever learned AIKI from Grand Master) to test my know-how on AIKI and my teachings in Aikido, also asked me to be the pioneer in Aikido development in Indonesia, not only in Surabaya.

          So in 1973, I established SURABAYA AIKIDO CLUB. Then later in 1975, after introducing Aikido in Sulawesi island and several towns in Java, by the letter of recommendation from Indonesian government, I started to establish a national Aikido organization called INDONESIA AIKIKAI and became its chairman/president, and chief instructor, as well.

(Mind! Our organization is different from ‘Indonesia Aikikai’ which actually should be named by its own name ‘Yayasan Indonesia Aikikai’ - which established in Jakarta, in 1983.)

1977, I was appointed as the Representative of AIKIDO WORLD HEADQUARTERS. Apart from Indonesian students, I also had European students, and some of them were Aikido assistant instructors in their countries.

          AIKIDO was getting more popular since Senior Master Mochizuki Minoru visited France in 1951, Senior Master Tomiki Kenji visited USA in 1953, and Senior Master Tohei Koichi visited Hawaii in 1953. Later, two famous Hollywood stars [Steven Seagal (in Above The Law, 1988) and Lorenzo Lamas (in TV serial: Renegade 1992-1997)] used Aikido in their movies.

Unfortunately some “clever shihan” have now changed Aikido as they liked. Fortunately just some, not all.

          Perhaps those “clever shihan” want to be as popular as Senior Master Tomiki Kenji (the founder of SHODOKAN and SPORT AIKIDO) , Shioda Gozo (the founder of YOSHINKAN), Mochizuki Minoru (the founder of YOSEIKAN - one of the specialties of the Yoseikan system was sutemi-waza), or Tohei Koichi (the founder of SHIN-SHIN-TOITSU AIKIDO / KI AIKIDO).

          These four Aikido styles are very popular since long. Shodokan is popular for its scientific movements, step-by-step teaching method, and sportsmanship in competition. Yoshinkan and Yoseikan are popular for its practical use. Yoseikan is also popular for its sutemi waza, which now is also taught in a new comer Aikido. And, Shinshintoitsu is famous for its basic training on KI, Taigi, and Ki Atsu.

I knew those styles well because I ever had some friendship exercises with them.

          At present, I notice a big change in learning and introducing Grand Master’s teachings.

          It seems that money, popularity, and easy teaching ways have made more high-ranking officers lose their attention to AIKI WAGO (being harmony in Aikido – have no conflict or unkind competition), AIKI (ki-shin-tai no toitsu and ki musubi), real flow of KI (KI nagare), rational movements, rational ‘kamai’ (alert attitude) and ‘ma'ai’ (distance). They do not teach Kaeshi Waza and Henka Waza in early stage (before, or at least at ‘shodan’ level). On the other hand, they teach cutting down with wooden-sword, and let people imagine being a warrior with a samurai. Good thinking, but the teaching is not as good as the teaching of Kendo or Kenjutsu.

A lot of Aikido training is now prioritized for the KYU-DAN grading exams and ‘embukai’ (demonstration on Aikido movements).

To cover up for the existing shortcomings, some of high-ranking officers teach ‘no-touch throw’ (to overcome attacks), act harshly, do beautiful western dance in learning Aikido, mix Grand Master’s Aikido with other teachings, and regulate or restrict UKE (opponent) movements. UKE may not attack or react at will although NAGE (the Aikido practitioner) is already good at Aikido waza.

          Well, when I was younger, I often heard people said to their juniors “If you want to be better, instead of being offended, it's better to be more introspective. You need not ask 'What's the evidence?'” or “Be open-minded, not stingy in sharing knowledge, and willing to accept criticism and suggestions”. What they say is wise and worth remembering. Nowadays, all news cannot be hidden for long and is easily spread through cyberspace.

         

THE NEXT:

Is 'Aikido with Love' just Grand Master's daydream?

My experiences in doing Aikido waza with love

by Prawira Widjaya (黄合祥)

 

          It is said that since the death of Grand Master Ueshiba Morihei (1969) there had been a conflict in AIKIKAI caused by jealousy, dualism of leadership between Hombu-cho and Doshu (the son of Grand Master, Ueshiba Kisshomaru), and Senior Master Tohei Koichi's intention to promote ki learning in Aikido, but beyond the "umbrella" of Aikikai.

I was surprised about the conflict in Aikido, which many masters at the time had called it as 'The Way of Harmony'.

But now, when I think about it, I am not surprised anymore because (1) 'humans are always fighting for what they think is right or what should be their right', (2) when I know more about Aikido, I see more opposite things in Aikido.

The thing that made me sad and disappointed was since then was I could not find someone who could satisfy me in answering my lack of understanding in doing waza with real compassion.

The 'Aikido with Love' as that many Aikido masters perform is just a form of cooperative actions between NAGE and UKE, just a stage show, not the exact 'Aikido with Love'.

Fortunately later I met Senior Master Soma and Shinto Priest Sasaki who understood Aiki and Aikido with LOVE.

They said, actually 'Aikido with love' was Grand Master's wish that had not been realized because he had already died, and previously, many senior masters thought that 'Aikido with Love' was just Grand Master's daydream in his old days.

But, both Senior Masters (me, too) thought 'Aikido with Love' was not Grand Master's daydream. But it's very hard to do.

Why is doing 'Aikido with Love' very difficult?

(But, it is not impossible.)

To reach the level of 'Aikido with Love', one must first:

1. practice AIKI (KI NAGARE and KI MUSUBI) well

2. understand human body

3. know Katame Waza or/and Nage Waza well

4. be able to move well without risking oneself

5. be calm and peaceful heart

Then, in practice, what exactly is 'Aikido with Love'?

1. React quickly in a harmonious and timely manner, without getting hurt.

2. Apply any waza fast, but stay alert, then end the waza slowly and wisely.

There was no need to make the opponent in pain, let alone injure him, enough to make him unable to continue his attack.

In this case, ki nagare and understanding of the human body is very necessary.

 

          Wish you good health, good life, and great success in learning AIKIDO without adding additive into AIKIDO (Grand Master's Way of AIKI.

 

With LOVE,

          Prawira Widjaya

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