Ki-Aikido
Encyclopedia
is the style of aikido
(a modern Japanese martial art) developed by Koichi Tohei
.
and is of great importance to the way in which Koichi Tohei's style of aikido is taught. Tohei's style of aikido is correctly called , meaning "aikido with mind and body unified", but it is frequently referred to as Ki-Aikido, particularly in the Western world.
Tohei studied judo
from the age of 16 and as a result of a training injury developed pleurisy
, in response to this he began studying zen
and misogi
at Daitoku-ji
in Kyoto
under temple head Josei Ota. The breathing exercises he learned would later directly affect the breathing exercises taught as part of the Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido curriculum.
In 1939 he began studying aikido with its founder Morihei Ueshiba
. His training was interrupted by World War II
, during which he saw service as an officer. He returned from the war in 1946 and resumed his studies of aikido and misogi. In addition he also began studying Shin Shin Toitsu Do with Tempu Nakamura
; much of what he learned from Nakamura would directly influence the development of his aikido teaching methods.
Tohei was asked to come to teach aikido in Hawaii which he did in 1953, and was one of the aikido teachers responsible for spreading aikido to the world outside of Japan. Eventually Tohei was made Shihan Bucho (chief instructor) of the Aikido Hombu (world headquarters) dojo in Tokyo.
In the late 1960s he was awarded 10th dan
by Morihei Ueshiba, the highest possible rank in aikido.
, who was the son of aikido's founder. Whilst Tohei was the chief instructor, it was Kisshomaru Ueshiba who was the designated heir of aikido (he became aikido doshu, doshu meaning "leader of the way" upon his father's death). Much of the disagreement between the two stemmed from Tohei's continuing and increasing emphasis on ki principles and ki exercises which Kisshomaru found contrary to the way his father had taught aikido. This eventually led Kisshomaru to say that Tohei could teach ki principles if he wanted to but not in the Aikikai hombu dojo, so Tohei began doing just that. In 1971 he established the Ki no Kenkyukai to teach the principles of Ki and Unification of Mind and Body, outside the aikido framework. This eventually made his position as chief instructor untenable and in 1974 he resigned from his position at the Aikikai.
The split and its acrimonious nature divided the aikido world with many other aikido teachers forced to choose between the Aikikai headed by the Ueshiba family and Tohei's new Ki no Kenkiyukai organisation.
Four major principles to unify mind and body
Five Principles of Ki Aikido
According to its own sources,http://www.ki-society.com/english/renew/aikidokai_001.html "Official Ki-society website with facts and figures" there are currently about 30,000 Japanese members and about 100,000 members overseas in 21 countries.
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...
(a modern Japanese martial art) developed by Koichi Tohei
Koichi Tohei
was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido , but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.-Koichi Tohei and aikido:...
.
Koichi Tohei
Ki is a Japanese word meaning Life Force, which is conceptually related to the Chinese QiQi
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...
and is of great importance to the way in which Koichi Tohei's style of aikido is taught. Tohei's style of aikido is correctly called , meaning "aikido with mind and body unified", but it is frequently referred to as Ki-Aikido, particularly in the Western world.
Tohei studied judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
from the age of 16 and as a result of a training injury developed pleurisy
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. Among other things, infections are the most common cause of pleurisy....
, in response to this he began studying zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
and misogi
Misogi
is a Japanese mountain ascetic practice of ritual purification. This may be undertaken through exhaustive activities such as extended periods without sleep, breath training, standing under waterfalls, or other methods...
at Daitoku-ji
Daitoku-ji
is a Buddhist temple, one of fourteen autonomous branches of the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen. It is located in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The "mountain name" , who is known by the title Daitō Kokushi, or "National Teacher of the Great Lamp," that he was given by Emperor Go-Daigo...
in Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
under temple head Josei Ota. The breathing exercises he learned would later directly affect the breathing exercises taught as part of the Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido curriculum.
In 1939 he began studying aikido with its founder 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....
. His training was interrupted by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, during which he saw service as an officer. He returned from the war in 1946 and resumed his studies of aikido and misogi. In addition he also began studying Shin Shin Toitsu Do with Tempu Nakamura
Tempu Nakamura
was a Japanese martial artist and founder of Japanese yoga. He was the first to bring yoga to Japan and founded his own art called Shin Shin Tōitsu-dō , the Way of Mind and Body Unification.-Early life and family background:...
; much of what he learned from Nakamura would directly influence the development of his aikido teaching methods.
Tohei was asked to come to teach aikido in Hawaii which he did in 1953, and was one of the aikido teachers responsible for spreading aikido to the world outside of Japan. Eventually Tohei was made Shihan Bucho (chief instructor) of the Aikido Hombu (world headquarters) dojo in Tokyo.
In the late 1960s he was awarded 10th 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...
by Morihei Ueshiba, the highest possible rank in aikido.
Ki no Kenkyukai
Around the time of Morihei Ueshiba's death in 1969 tensions were building between Tohei and Kisshomaru UeshibaKisshomaru Ueshiba
was a prominent Japanese master of aikido. He was the son of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, and became the international leader of aikido after his father's death.-Early life:...
, who was the son of aikido's founder. Whilst Tohei was the chief instructor, it was Kisshomaru Ueshiba who was the designated heir of aikido (he became aikido doshu, doshu meaning "leader of the way" upon his father's death). Much of the disagreement between the two stemmed from Tohei's continuing and increasing emphasis on ki principles and ki exercises which Kisshomaru found contrary to the way his father had taught aikido. This eventually led Kisshomaru to say that Tohei could teach ki principles if he wanted to but not in the Aikikai hombu dojo, so Tohei began doing just that. In 1971 he established the Ki no Kenkyukai to teach the principles of Ki and Unification of Mind and Body, outside the aikido framework. This eventually made his position as chief instructor untenable and in 1974 he resigned from his position at the Aikikai.
The split and its acrimonious nature divided the aikido world with many other aikido teachers forced to choose between the Aikikai headed by the Ueshiba family and Tohei's new Ki no Kenkiyukai organisation.
Ki Aikido
Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, commonly referred to as Ki Aikido, has specific teaching methods based around the development of mind and body coordination and ki. Much of this teaching is based on the four basic principles to unify mind and body and the five basic principles of aikido, which are:Four major principles to unify mind and body
- Keep one-point.
- Relax completely.
- Keep weight underside.
- Extend Ki.
Five Principles of Ki Aikido
- Extend Ki.
- Know your partner’s mind.
- Respect your partner’s Ki.
- Put yourself in the place of your partner.
- Perform with confidence.
According to its own sources,http://www.ki-society.com/english/renew/aikidokai_001.html "Official Ki-society website with facts and figures" there are currently about 30,000 Japanese members and about 100,000 members overseas in 21 countries.
Descendant styles
Several students of Tohei sensei have separated from Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and established their own organizations and styles.- Aikido Yuishinkai InternationalAikido Yuishinkai InternationalAikido Yuishinkai International is a style of aikido founded in 1996 by former Aikikai instructor and Ki no Kenkyukai President and Chief instructor Koretoshi Maruyama...
, founded by Koretoshi Maruyama - Shin Budo Kai founded by Shizuo ImaizumiShizuo ImaizumiShizuo Imaizumi , born 1938) achieved a 7th dan in Ki Society aikido. He broke away from the Ki Society in 1987 and founded the Shin-Budo Kai style of aikido.-Early Aikido Career:...
(今泉鎮雄) - Ki no Kenkyukai Association Internationale founded by Kenjiro Yoshigasaki
- KokikaiKokikaiis a style of Aikido, founded by Shuji Maruyama. The organization is called Kokikai Aikido International.The Kokikai style emphasizes natural movement, ki development, relaxation, good posture and mind-body coordination. It is a minimalist martial art that focuses on making techniques effective...
founded by Shuji Maruyama - Ki Federation of Great Britain (Ken Williams)
- Seidokan Aikido founded by Roderick T. Kobayashi
External links
Sources
- Koichi ToheiKoichi Toheiwas a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido , but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.-Koichi Tohei and aikido:...
- Ki in Daily Life - 4889960716 Oxford University Press, USA