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Aiki is a Japanese martial arts principle or tactic in which the defender blends
(without clashing) with the attacker, then goes on to strike points in your
muscle to paralyze you through the strength of their application of internal
dynamics or Ki energy to effect techniques. Blending with an attacker's
movements allows the Aiki practitioner to control the actions of the attacker
with minimal effort. One applies aiki by understanding the rhythm and intent of
the attacker to find the optimal position and timing to apply a counter-technique.
Etymology
The kanji for "ai" is made of three radicals, "join", "one" and "mouth". Hence,
"ai" symbolizes things coming together, merging. Aiki should not be confused
with "wa" which refers to harmony. The kanji for "ki" represents a pot filled
with steaming rice and a lid on it. Hence, "ki" symbolizes energy (in the body).
(See the qi main article for further information).
Thus aiki's meaning is to fit, join or combine energy. However, care must be
taken about the absolute meanings of words when discussing concepts derived from
other cultures and expressed in different languages. This is particularly true
when the words we use today have been derived from symbols, in this case Chinese
and Japanese kanji, which represent ideas rather than literal translations of
the components. Historical use of a term can influence meanings and be passed
down by those wishing to illustrate ideas with the best word or phrase available
to them. In this way, there may be a divergence of the meaning between arts or
schools within the same art. The characters "ai" and "ki" have translations to
many different English words.
The use of the term would be passed on orally, as such teachings were often a
closely guarded secret. In some schools, concepts like aiki are described in
logical, tangible, terms based on physics, while in other definitions of aiki
tend to be vague and open-ended, or more concerned with spiritual aspects. The
use of the term aiki can often be ambiguous.
Aiki martial arts
Aiki lends its name to various Japanese martial arts most notably aikido and its
parent art, Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. These arts tend to use the principle of aiki
as a core element underpining the bulk of their techniques. Aiki is an important
principle in several other arts such as Kito-ryu and various forms of kenjutsu.
It is found as a concept in arts as diverse as karate and judo. Aiki arts
are generally classed as soft martial arts. The aiki arts place great emphasis
on the use of qi energy. Techniques accomplished with aiki are subtle and
require little mechanical force.
The term of aiki is also present in many Korean martial arts where the word is
referred to as hapki (합기), most notably hapkido and its softer equivalent
hankido.
The concept of Aiki
1) Blending not clashing
Aiki typically describes an idea of oneness or blending in the midst of combat.
In aikido it generally describes the more elevated notion of blending rather
than clashing. "Blending" is often described even within aikido as "awase".
Many definitions for "aiki" seem to be based around "awase". Emphasis is upon
joining with the rhythm and intent of the opponent in order to find the optimal
position and timing with which to apply force. To blend with an attack, it is
usually necessary to yield to incoming forces, so aiki is closely related to the
principle of ju. Aiki is about engaging an attack, not retreating from one.
2) Leading the assailant
The aiki practitioner is able to lead the attack, and thus the attacker, into
precarious positions. The influence over an assailant grows as the assailant's
balance deteriorates. Body movements (tai sabaki) used for this may be large and
obvious or small and subtle. Subtle weight shifting and the application of
physical pressure to the assailant enable one to lead an assailant, keep him
static, or keep him unbalanced (kuzushi) in order to employ the one’s own
technique. In the same manner, through deceptive movements, the aiki
practitioner may negate a defence response from the assailant or create a
defence response from the assailant that puts him even further into peril. There
is a strong degree of intent, will or psychology to this aspect of domination.
Mind and body are coordinated.
3) Use of internal strength - Ki energy
Kiai and aiki use the same kanji (transposed) and can be thought of as the inner
and the outer aspect of the same principle. Kiai relates to the manifestation,
emission or projection of ones own energy (internal strength), while Aiki
relates to the merging of one's energy with the energy emitted from an external
source (blending). Thus kiai is union with our own, internal energy while aiki
is union with an attacker's energy. Kiai consists of all parts of the body being
unified and directed to one intent. Aiki, ultimately has to do with a very good
ability to manipulate kiai upon contact so that the practitioner blends his ki
with the attacker’s ki instantaneously. This use of ki will involve the use of
kokyu power, i.e. breathing is coordinated with movement. Kokyu Ryoku is the
natural power that can be produced when body and consciousness (mind) are
unified. The term "kokyu" can also be used to describe a situation in which
two opponent's are moving with appropriate timing.
Thoughts on aiki
The oldest book to discuss aiki was the 1899 Budo Hiketsu-Aiki no Jutsu. On the
subject of aiki it was written: “ The most profound and mysterious art in
the world is the art of aiki. This is the secret principle of all the martial arts
in Japan. One who masters it can be an unparalleled martial genius. ”
The Textbook of Jujutsu (Jujutsu Kyoju-sho Ryu no Maki) from 1913 wrote:
“ Aiki is an impassive state of mind without a blind side, slackness, evil
intention, or fear. There is no difference between aiki and ki-ai; however, if
compared, when expressed dynamically aiki is called kiai, and when expressed
statically, it is aiki. ”
Sokaku Takeda, the founder of Daito-ryu aikijujutsu defined aiki in the
following way: “ The secret of aiki is to overpower the
opponent mentally at a glance and to win without fighting. ”
His son Tokimune Takeda had the following to say on the same:
“ Aiki is to pull when you are pushed, and to push when you are pulled. It is
the spirit of slowness and speed, of harmonizing your movement with your
opponent's ki. Its opposite, kiai, is to push to the limit, while aiki never
resists. The term aiki has been used since ancient times and is not unique to
Daito-ryu. The ki in aiki is go no sen, meaning to respond to an attack.
... Daito-ryu is all go no sen — you first evade your opponent's attack and then
strike or control him. Likewise, Itto-ryu is primarily go no sen. You attack
because an opponent attacks you. This implies not cutting your opponent. This is
called katsujinken (life-giving sword). Its opposite is called setsuninken (death-dealing
sword). ”