Iwama style
Encyclopedia
Iwama Style is the style of aikido
that was taught at Iwama dojo
(in Iwama) by the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba
, and especially the lineage passed on through Morihiro Saito
, a close disciple who was given responsibility over Iwama dojo
by Ueshiba.
It is also known by many names. These include Iwama-Ryu (岩間流 where ryū
is the Japanese term for a style or school), Iwama Style, and Iwama Sutairu Aikido (岩間スタイル合気道 where "style" was transliterated into Japanese
from English
). It is often called Takemusu after an advanced aikido concept that was taught at Iwama. It is sometimes called Traditional, Dentō (伝統, lit. traditional), or founder's aikido, which emphasises its claim to exceptional authenticity. It is also called Saito style, in reference to its principle disseminator.
(Yasuo Kobayashi
, for example, is an Aikikai shihan
).
The main non-Aikikai branch is Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai, headed by Morihiro Saito's son Hitohiro Saito
. It continues to issue Iwama Ryu grading certificates.
Most of Saito's longest students have remained affiliated with Aikikai. Some such groups in Europe belong to the Takemusu Aikido Kyokai umbrella organisation. (Kyokai simply means organisation.) It is led by Saito's two most senior students, who are Paolo Corallini shihan and Ulf Evenås shihan. Both were appointed as official representatives and graded to 7th dan by Saito in 2001, and their ranks have also been subsequently ratified by the Aikikai. Takemusu aikido generally conforms to the Aikikai
syllabus but also has further addition requirements (such as demonstration of greater weapons proficiency at gradings). In the US, The Takemusu Aikido Association is an Aikikai organization that practices Iwama-style Aikido.
, where there were three committees for the different types of aikido within the Budo Federation - Iwama Ryu
, ki-aikido
, and Aikikai
. Despite this, Iwama Ryu was never officially declared an organisation independent of the Aikikai, and it can be regarded as a rather informal network held together by the fact that Saito sensei gave out his own dan ranks - Iwama Ryu ranks - as well as dan ranks from the Aikikai Hombu. Specific weapons ranks and weapon transmission scrolls were also given within the Iwama Ryu.
The highest Iwama Ryu ranks ever awarded are 7th dan
given to Paolo Corallini and Ulf Evenås; they both also held title of shihan
in this style, with the right to give Iwama Ryu dan ranks. Top instructors ranked 6th dan include Tony Sargeant, Daniel Toutain, David Alexander, and Wolfgang Baumgartner.
In 1990 Saito Morihiro Sensei, on a seminar in Turin (Italy) publicly declared that Paolo Corallini Shihan would be the sole person authorized to conduct Iwama Ryu exams (directly or by delegation) in substitution of him, by saying that while he was not in Europe, he would be substituted only by Paolo Corallini in grading Iwama Ryu.
Later on other senior instructors have been delegated by Saito Sensei and Paolo Corallini Shihan to conduct dan exams in their countries.
(staff) and Aiki-ken
(sword), and of empty-handed aikido (taijutsu). Iwama practitioners often claim that their aikido is closest to that of the founder, as preserved by Morihiro Saito. Among non-Iwama practitioners, a common opinion is that Iwama style mainly is Morihei Ueshiba's aikido of the 1940s and 1950s not taking into consideration his later years; this viewpoint is considered to be too simplistic by Iwama-style practitioners.
Aikido, Yoshinkan
Aikido and Shodokan Aikido. Weapons training, including kata, is stressed. Techniques are generally practiced first from a static grab and footwork is often broken up into numbered steps. In addition weapons work involves many repetitions of suburi
and paired practice is practiced with a pause between each movement until students are relatively advanced.
A great deal of emphasis is placed on a stable hanmi or stance in Iwama style aikido. To this end uke
will often test nage
's stance by pushing against nage
in a number of directions during a pin or during a pause in static practice of a technique. Also, footwork is usually practiced at the start of every class and exercises pairing footwork with weapons is common (e.g. happo-giri
or otherwise practicing maintaining balance while swinging a weapon)
). Though the back should be kept straight and the center of mass kept between the legs, this creates an impression of leaning forward. The neck is ideally also kept relatively straight. Also, while a number of Aikido styles practice with the hips square the front, Iwama stylists sometimes rotate the hips inward when sinking lower into their stance, especially when using a sword. In jo work, the posture of hito-emi, or standing with a dramatically minimized profile facing the opponent, is stressed.
Iwama style Aikido has a large number of diverse kokyu nage that give it a large technical repertoire compared to most styles of Aikido. There is also a strong emphasis on the use of atemi
during techniques.
Many techniques, especially techniques that begin from shomen-uchi, start with nage
initiating a strike to uke in the most basic form of the technique. This is in common with Yoshinkan
and Michio Hikitsuchi
's basic practice, but opposite of how most other styles of Aikido
teach the techniques. Once this variation is mastered, students may also practice with uke striking, though it is emphasized that tori
is initiating the encounter.
In ukemi Iwama practitioners will usually attempt to parry the atemi
being thrown by nage, which may or may not be encouraged in other styles of Aikido.
forms of Iwama style are generally recognized as being descended from Kashima Shinto-ryu
sword techniques. In particular the first two kumitachi are nearly identical to forms from Kashima Shinto-ryu.
. This is in contrast to most other styles where the practitioners often start already on their toes (kiza).
Paolo Corallini
Hitohiro Saito
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...
that was taught at Iwama dojo
Iwama dojo
Iwama is an important historical location from the development of Aikido. It has a famous dojo of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, who lived there from 1942 until his death in 1969. It has become "a Mecca to the aikido community."...
(in Iwama) by the founder of aikido, 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....
, and especially the lineage passed on through Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito was a teacher of the Japanese martial art of aikido, with many students around the world. Saito's practice of aikido spanned 56 years, from the age of 18, when he first met aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, until his death in 2002.-Early life:Morihiro Saito was born in Ibaraki...
, a close disciple who was given responsibility over Iwama dojo
Iwama dojo
Iwama is an important historical location from the development of Aikido. It has a famous dojo of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, who lived there from 1942 until his death in 1969. It has become "a Mecca to the aikido community."...
by Ueshiba.
It is also known by many names. These include Iwama-Ryu (岩間流 where ryū
Ryu (school)
A Ryū , or ryūha , is a Japanese word referring to a school of thought in any discipline...
is the Japanese term for a style or school), Iwama Style, and Iwama Sutairu Aikido (岩間スタイル合気道 where "style" was transliterated into Japanese
Gairaigo
Gairaigo is Japanese for "loan word" or "borrowed word", and indicates a transliteration into Japanese. In particular, the word usually refers to a Japanese word of foreign origin that was not borrowed from Chinese, primarily from English. Japanese also has a large number of loan words from...
from English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
). It is often called Takemusu after an advanced aikido concept that was taught at Iwama. It is sometimes called Traditional, Dentō (伝統, lit. traditional), or founder's aikido, which emphasises its claim to exceptional authenticity. It is also called Saito style, in reference to its principle disseminator.
Status
Iwama style aikido organisations can be found both within and outside of the biggest aikido organisation AikikaiAikikai
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu . It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation....
(Yasuo Kobayashi
Yasuo Kobayashi
is a Japanese aikido teacher holding the rank of 8th dan Aikikai.Kobayashi was born in Tokyo, and entered the Aikikai Hombu dojo as an uchideshi under Morihei Ueshiba in 1954. In 1969, he established his own dojo in Kodaira. He is also responsible for the aikido clubs at the Meiji University,...
, for example, is an Aikikai shihan
Shihan
- Title of "Master" is a Japanese Honorific Title, Expert License Certification used in Japanese martial arts for Master Level Instructors. The award of the Expert License Certification is if designated by the qualification by virtue of endorsement by the [A] Association of Chief Instructors or [B]...
).
The main non-Aikikai branch is Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai, headed by Morihiro Saito's son Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito is an aikido instructor and founding headmaster of Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai. Hitohiro is the son of Morihiro Saito. At age of seven, he started to learn aikido from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. After Ueshiba died in 1969, he...
. It continues to issue Iwama Ryu grading certificates.
Most of Saito's longest students have remained affiliated with Aikikai. Some such groups in Europe belong to the Takemusu Aikido Kyokai umbrella organisation. (Kyokai simply means organisation.) It is led by Saito's two most senior students, who are Paolo Corallini shihan and Ulf Evenås shihan. Both were appointed as official representatives and graded to 7th dan by Saito in 2001, and their ranks have also been subsequently ratified by the Aikikai. Takemusu aikido generally conforms to the Aikikai
Aikikai
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu . It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation....
syllabus but also has further addition requirements (such as demonstration of greater weapons proficiency at gradings). In the US, The Takemusu Aikido Association is an Aikikai organization that practices Iwama-style Aikido.
History
Some years ago, the distribution of Iwama Style dojo was more abundant in some countries, such as the Scandinavian countries. The existence of this organisation was reflected in the organisation of aikido in some countries, such as SwedenSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, where there were three committees for the different types of aikido within the Budo Federation - Iwama Ryu
Iwama ryu
Iwama Style is the style of aikido that was taught at Iwama dojo by the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, and especially the lineage passed on through Morihiro Saito, a close disciple who was given responsibility over Iwama dojo by Ueshiba....
, ki-aikido
Ki-Aikido
is the style of aikido developed by Koichi Tohei.- Koichi Tohei :Ki is a Japanese word meaning Life Force, which is conceptually related to the Chinese Qi and is of great importance to the way in which Koichi Tohei's style of aikido is taught...
, and Aikikai
Aikikai
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu . It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation....
. Despite this, Iwama Ryu was never officially declared an organisation independent of the Aikikai, and it can be regarded as a rather informal network held together by the fact that Saito sensei gave out his own dan ranks - Iwama Ryu ranks - as well as dan ranks from the Aikikai Hombu. Specific weapons ranks and weapon transmission scrolls were also given within the Iwama Ryu.
The highest Iwama Ryu ranks ever awarded are 7th dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
given to Paolo Corallini and Ulf Evenås; they both also held title of shihan
Shihan
- Title of "Master" is a Japanese Honorific Title, Expert License Certification used in Japanese martial arts for Master Level Instructors. The award of the Expert License Certification is if designated by the qualification by virtue of endorsement by the [A] Association of Chief Instructors or [B]...
in this style, with the right to give Iwama Ryu dan ranks. Top instructors ranked 6th dan include Tony Sargeant, Daniel Toutain, David Alexander, and Wolfgang Baumgartner.
In 1990 Saito Morihiro Sensei, on a seminar in Turin (Italy) publicly declared that Paolo Corallini Shihan would be the sole person authorized to conduct Iwama Ryu exams (directly or by delegation) in substitution of him, by saying that while he was not in Europe, he would be substituted only by Paolo Corallini in grading Iwama Ryu.
Later on other senior instructors have been delegated by Saito Sensei and Paolo Corallini Shihan to conduct dan exams in their countries.
Style
Iwama style includes the combined study (riai) of traditional Japanese weapons (bukiwaza), specifically Aiki-jōAiki-jo
Aiki-jō is the name given specifically to the set of martial art techniques practiced with a jō , practiced according to the principles of aikido, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba , then further developed by Morihiro Saito, one of Ueshiba's most prominent students.-Development of aiki-jō:Much of...
(staff) and Aiki-ken
Aiki-ken
Aiki-ken is the name given specifically to the set of Japanese sword techniques practiced according to the principles of aikido, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba , then further developed by Morihiro Saito, one of Ueshiba's most prominent students...
(sword), and of empty-handed aikido (taijutsu). Iwama practitioners often claim that their aikido is closest to that of the founder, as preserved by Morihiro Saito. Among non-Iwama practitioners, a common opinion is that Iwama style mainly is Morihei Ueshiba's aikido of the 1940s and 1950s not taking into consideration his later years; this viewpoint is considered to be too simplistic by Iwama-style practitioners.
Pedagogy
Whether taught at an Aikikai or Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai school, Iwama style Aikido tends to be more codified, like YoseikanYoseikan
is the name given to a dojo built in November 1931 in Shizuoka, Japan.-The Dojo:The brother and friends of Master Minoru Mochizuki built this dojo for him while he was recovering from pleurisy and pulmonary tuberculosis. When the dojo was built, a friend of the Mochizuki family called it Yōseikan...
Aikido, Yoshinkan
Yoshinkan
Aikido Yoshinkan is a style of aikido founded by Gozo Shioda after World War II...
Aikido and Shodokan Aikido. Weapons training, including kata, is stressed. Techniques are generally practiced first from a static grab and footwork is often broken up into numbered steps. In addition weapons work involves many repetitions of suburi
Suburi
is a Japanese word which is used to describe practice swings used in sports such as baseball, tennis, golf, and in martial arts. Outside of Japan, the word is used exclusively for repetitive individual cutting exercises used in Japanese martial arts such as kendo, aikido, iaidō, and kenjutsu. Often...
and paired practice is practiced with a pause between each movement until students are relatively advanced.
A great deal of emphasis is placed on a stable hanmi or stance in Iwama style aikido. To this end uke
Uke
In Japanese martial arts, the is the person who "receives" a technique.The exact role of uke also known as a partner, varies between the different arts and often within the art itself depending on the situation...
will often test nage
Nage
For the poaching liquor, see nage The Nage are an indigenous people living on the eastern Indonesian island of Flores.-Study of the tribe:...
's stance by pushing against nage
Nage
For the poaching liquor, see nage The Nage are an indigenous people living on the eastern Indonesian island of Flores.-Study of the tribe:...
in a number of directions during a pin or during a pause in static practice of a technique. Also, footwork is usually practiced at the start of every class and exercises pairing footwork with weapons is common (e.g. happo-giri
Happo-giri
In the practice of Aikidō, happo-giri is an exercise performed with the bokken, cutting in eight directions. Each cut is a simple strike from the top of the head straight down the centre line, with the bokken ending parallel to the floor at roughly the same height as the lower abdomen...
or otherwise practicing maintaining balance while swinging a weapon)
Technical Characteristics
While most Aikido practitioners stress a vertical posture, Iwama stylists practice with the hip tucked to allow the back leg's power to be better exerted (see the Yoshinkan's kamaeYoshinkan
Aikido Yoshinkan is a style of aikido founded by Gozo Shioda after World War II...
). Though the back should be kept straight and the center of mass kept between the legs, this creates an impression of leaning forward. The neck is ideally also kept relatively straight. Also, while a number of Aikido styles practice with the hips square the front, Iwama stylists sometimes rotate the hips inward when sinking lower into their stance, especially when using a sword. In jo work, the posture of hito-emi, or standing with a dramatically minimized profile facing the opponent, is stressed.
Iwama style Aikido has a large number of diverse kokyu nage that give it a large technical repertoire compared to most styles of Aikido. There is also a strong emphasis on the use of atemi
Atemi
In Japanese martial arts, the term designates blows to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponents body. They can be percussive or use 'soft' power. Karate is a typical...
during techniques.
Many techniques, especially techniques that begin from shomen-uchi, start with nage
Nage
For the poaching liquor, see nage The Nage are an indigenous people living on the eastern Indonesian island of Flores.-Study of the tribe:...
initiating a strike to uke in the most basic form of the technique. This is in common with Yoshinkan
Yoshinkan
Aikido Yoshinkan is a style of aikido founded by Gozo Shioda after World War II...
and Michio Hikitsuchi
Michio Hikitsuchi
Michio Hikitsuchi was an aikido instructor and was the chief instructor of the Kumano Juku Dojo, in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, for fifty years....
's basic practice, but opposite of how most other styles 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...
teach the techniques. Once this variation is mastered, students may also practice with uke striking, though it is emphasized that tori
Tori (martial arts)
is a term used in Japanese martial arts to refer to the executor of a technique in partnered practice. The term "tori" comes from the verb , meaning "to take", "to pick up", or "to choose"....
is initiating the encounter.
In ukemi Iwama practitioners will usually attempt to parry the atemi
Atemi
In Japanese martial arts, the term designates blows to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponents body. They can be percussive or use 'soft' power. Karate is a typical...
being thrown by nage, which may or may not be encouraged in other styles of Aikido.
Buki-waza
The swordKatana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
forms of Iwama style are generally recognized as being descended from Kashima Shinto-ryu
Kashima Shinto-ryu
' is a traditional school of Japanese martial arts founded by Tsukahara Bokuden in the Muromachi period .Due to its formation during the tumultuous Sengoku Jidai, a time of feudal war, the school's techniques are based on battlefield experience and revolve around finding weak points in the...
sword techniques. In particular the first two kumitachi are nearly identical to forms from Kashima Shinto-ryu.
Suwari-Waza
Suwari-waza (seated techniques) in Iwama-style is always started completely in seizaSeiza
Seiza is the Japanese term for the traditional formal way of sitting in Japan.- Form :To sit seiza-style, one first kneels on the floor, folding one's legs underneath one's thighs, while resting the buttocks on the heels...
. This is in contrast to most other styles where the practitioners often start already on their toes (kiza).
Ara-Waza and Henka-Waza
Ara-waza, literally coarse techniques, are occasionally practiced by Iwama style Aikido practitioners. These techniques are intended to explicitly show the more vicious applications hidden in Aikido technique and include simple kicks targeting the knees and entangling or twisting joints during throws with the intent to break them. Some henka-waza (modified basic techniques) in Iwama style Aikido also include entangling joints, locking large joints, strikes to vital points, and occasionally chokes using the arm or the partner's dogi. As Aikido practitioners are usually not skilled in choking techniques these are never performed fully for safety reasons.See also
Morihiro SaitoMorihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito was a teacher of the Japanese martial art of aikido, with many students around the world. Saito's practice of aikido spanned 56 years, from the age of 18, when he first met aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, until his death in 2002.-Early life:Morihiro Saito was born in Ibaraki...
Paolo Corallini
Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito is an aikido instructor and founding headmaster of Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai. Hitohiro is the son of Morihiro Saito. At age of seven, he started to learn aikido from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. After Ueshiba died in 1969, he...