Itsuo Tsuda
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese philosopher
and a practitioner and teacher of Aikido
and Seitai
.
Tsuda was born in Japanese-ruled Korea
. When he was 16 years old, he defied his father, who wished for his eldest son to remain home and manage his family's estate. He left his family home and begin wandering, searching for new philosophies that would free his mind.
Having reconciled with his father, in 1934 he went to France, where he studied with Marcel Granet
and Marcel Mauss
until 1940, when he went back Japan: he studied Noh
with Master Hosada, Seitai
with Master Haruchika Noguchi
and Aikido
with Master Morihei Ueshiba
.
In 1970 Itsuo Tsuda came back to Europe to disseminate the regenerative movement (or katsugen undō 活元運動, かつげんうんどう, a basic Seitai practice) and his ideas on Ki
. In 1973 he published his first book, "Le Non-Faire") while waiting to open his first dojo, in Paris, L'Ecole de la Respiration (also the title of his series of books).
He died in Paris in 1984, but his practical philosophy is left in his work and his books and taught in several European "School of Breathing" dojo
s.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and a practitioner and teacher of Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
and Seitai
Seitai
Seitai . Technically, it consists in easing the activity of the life force by re-adjusting the physiology of the body. Basic known techniques are katsugen undō , Seitai taisō （整体体操、せいたいたいそう）and yūki , which has been founded by Haruchika Noguchi . Major concepts in seitai includes taiheki...
.
Tsuda was born in Japanese-ruled Korea
Korea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
. When he was 16 years old, he defied his father, who wished for his eldest son to remain home and manage his family's estate. He left his family home and begin wandering, searching for new philosophies that would free his mind.
Having reconciled with his father, in 1934 he went to France, where he studied with Marcel Granet
Marcel Granet
Marcel Granet was a French sociologist, ethnologist and sinologist. As a follower of Émile Durkheim and Édouard Chavannes, Granet was one of the first to bring sociological methods to the study of China...
and Marcel Mauss
Marcel Mauss
Marcel Mauss was a French sociologist. The nephew of Émile Durkheim, Mauss' academic work traversed the boundaries between sociology and anthropology...
until 1940, when he went back Japan: he studied Noh
Noh
, or - derived from the Sino-Japanese word for "skill" or "talent" - is a major form of classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Many characters are masked, with men playing male and female roles. Traditionally, a Noh "performance day" lasts all day and...
with Master Hosada, Seitai
Seitai
Seitai . Technically, it consists in easing the activity of the life force by re-adjusting the physiology of the body. Basic known techniques are katsugen undō , Seitai taisō （整体体操、せいたいたいそう）and yūki , which has been founded by Haruchika Noguchi . Major concepts in seitai includes taiheki...
with Master Haruchika Noguchi
Haruchika Noguchi
was the Japanese founder of Seitai. He established the concept of taiheki.- Books :Among his many books, three are now available in English translation.* by Haruchika Noguchi. Tokyo, Japan, Zensei, 1985, paperback. ISBN 4-915417-00-X....
and Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
with Master Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
.
In 1970 Itsuo Tsuda came back to Europe to disseminate the regenerative movement (or katsugen undō 活元運動, かつげんうんどう, a basic Seitai practice) and his ideas on Ki
Qi
In traditional Chinese culture, qì is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts...
. In 1973 he published his first book, "Le Non-Faire") while waiting to open his first dojo, in Paris, L'Ecole de la Respiration (also the title of his series of books).
He died in Paris in 1984, but his practical philosophy is left in his work and his books and taught in several European "School of Breathing" dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
s.
External links
- Ecole de la Respiration Tsuda's original dojo in Paris where he taught Aikido and Seitai.
- École Itsuo Tsuda, dojo in France : Paris, Toulouse, Le Mas d'Azil ; in Italy : Milano and Ancona ; in Holland : Amsterdam.
- Itsuo Tsuda, YouTube video of Tsuda explaining his teaching followed by an Aikido demonstration: Tsuda's "pratique solitaire" (breathing practices including funa-kogi undo 船漕ぎ運動 ふなこぎうんどう), kiaiKiaiis a Japanese term used in martial arts. There are numerous examples of the battle cry in other cultures: kiai is perhaps primarily a development of this. In the representation of Asian martial arts in cinema and in animated cartoons, Modern Kiai are often written by westerners in Romaji as...
and randoriRandoriis a term used in Japanese martial arts to describe free-style practice. The term literally means "chaos taking" or "grasping freedom," implying a freedom from the structured practice of kata. Randori may be contrasted with kata, as two potentially complementary types of training.The exact meaning...
. - Maître Tsuda.wmv, YouTube video, includes photos of Tsuda with Aikido founder Ueshiba and Seitai founder Noguchi.
- Guy Trédaniel Editeur Le Courrier du Livre