ASSIGNMENT 1-1: PE 1

1. Write a brief history about Aikido.

The art of Aikido evolved from a variety of classical Japanese combative

arts. Many forms and movements in Aikido stem from sword, knife, stick,
spear, or archery movements. However, the majority of Aikido comes from
an extremely effective open-hand fighting art called Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu.
The development of Aikido from a purely combative art to a study of the
way of harmony can be followed from the founding of the roots of Aikido in
the ninth century to the teachings of Kushida-sensei today.
The very early history is not completely clear, but the roots of this art are
found in the ninth century in a fighting style developed by Prince Sadazumi,
the sixth son of Emperor Seiwa. This art, still in simple form, was passed
down in their family, the Minamoto, to Shinra Saburo Minamoto no
Yoshimitsu, who developed and organized the fundamental principles of
Daito-ryu. Yoshimitsu allegedly gained insight by watching spiders subdue
their prey. To develop more effective techniques, he also studied the
anatomy of joints and tissues by dissecting cadavers.
Yoshimitsu’s second son, Yoshikiyo, moved to the Kai region of Japan and
established the Takeda family and clan. The family’s very sophisticated
fighting art was passed down through the Takeda group in secrecy.
Eventually this art took on the name of Daito-ryu (or Daito-style). The title
“Daito” is said to come from the name of Yoshimitsu’s Daito mansion. It is
also attributed to a twenty-fifth generation Takeda retainer, Daito
Kyunosuke. Throughout the history of the clan, only a select few were
allowed to study Daito-ryu.
In 1574, after the Takeda clan was defeated in a war, Takeda Kunitsugu
fled to the Aizu region, bringing the art of Daito-ryu with him. The art was
still only practiced by a chosen few and was one of the secret Aizu Otome-
waza, a group of secret martial arts in Aizu. Eventually called Daito-ryu
Aiki-jujutsu, it was to remain completely unknown to the general public
until three centuries later.
In the late nineteenth century, as Japan was evolving from a feudal Samurai
culture to a more Westernized modern society, a descendent of the Takeda
family, Takeda Sokaku, brought Daito-ryu to the public for the first time in
nearly a thousand years.
Takeda Sokaku traveled through Japan demonstrating Daito-ryu and
refining his techniques through actual combat by challenging other martial
artists—or anyone willing to fight. He finally settled in Hokkaido to teach
his secret techniques. Takeda Sokaku’s descendants still follow his example
and continue to teach Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu today at their Daitokan Dojo in
Abashiri, Hokkaido. One of Takeda Sokaku’s most gifted students was
Ueshiba Morihei. Ueshiba began the study of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu under
Takeda-sensei in Hokkaido. Aikido, a traditional Japanese martial art, was
developed in the early part of this century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969),
now known as O-Sensei (venerable teacher). Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, the
Aikido Kaiso (founder), was born in 1883 in Tanabe, a coastal town in
southern Japan. From the time of his youth, he studied various martial arts,
eventually including sumo, swordsmanship, spear technique, staff
technique, and various styles of jiujutsu, particularly the Yagyu and Daito
styles. Later, he took this art through a tremendous change based on his
hard training and study of many years and on his previous studies of other
martial arts and religions.
Ueshiba-sensei completely changed this combative art to a way to study
harmony with nature. The principle of Aikido was transformed from a
fighting technique for the select few to a study of harmony for all. Due to
his great contribution, Aikido became an internationally known and
respected art

2. Who is the founder of Aikido?

Aikido, a traditional Japanese martial art, was developed in the early part of
this century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), now known as O-Sensei
(venerable teacher). Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, the Aikido Kaiso (founder),
was born in 1883 in Tanabe, a coastal town in southern Japan. From the
time of his youth, he studied various martial arts, eventually including
sumo, swordsmanship, spear technique, staff technique, and various styles
of jiujutsu, particularly the Yagyu and Daito styles. From youth, Ueshiba
also appears to have been a deeply sensitive and spiritual person.
Eventually influenced by the charismatic spiritual leader and artist
Onisaburo Deguchi, he came to view his martial training as a means of
personal purification and spiritual training.

3. What is the meaning of AI Ki Do?

Established over a century ago by a Japanese martial arts master, aikido

means "the way of harmony with the universe."

4. What are the 6 basic pillars of aikido technique and it’s English
translation?
- Shiho nage = gratitude or (four direction throw)

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 - Irimi Nage = Entering or (entering throw)
- Kaiten Nage = Open and turn or (turn causing throw)
- Kokyu Ho = Breath power or (rhytmic techniques)
- Osae/Katame waza = Firm control, Grappling hold or (pinning
techniques)
- Ushiro waza = Sixth sense or (movement to the rear)

What are the 6 techniques of Osae Waza and it’s English translation?

- ikkyo (一教): first teaching

aka. ude osae (腕 押さえ): arm control

- nikyo (二教): second teaching

aka. kote* mawashi (小手 廻し): turn, circumference forearm

- sankyo (三教): third teaching

aka. kote hineri (小手 捻り): twist forearm

- yonkyo (四教): forth teaching

aka. tekubi** osae (手首 押さえ): wrist control

- gokyo (五教): fifth teaching

aka. ude nobashi (腕 延ばし): extended arm

- rokkyo (六教): sixth teaching

aka. hiji kime osae (肘 極め 押さえ): elbow locking control

CANADA,ABIGAIL L.

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