Ki Society
Encyclopedia
The is an aikido
organization founded by Koichi Tohei
in 1971, while he was the chief instructor at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. The official Japanese name of the organization is Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai (心身統一合気道会), but it is more usually known in English-speaking countries as "Ki Society". Its foundation reflected Tohei's differences with the Aikikai
, and his own emphasis on developing the concept of Ki
. Tohei's art is correctly called Shin Shin Tōitsu-dō
(心身統一道), meaning "the way of realizing the [original] unity of mind and body", but the martial discipline of the art is frequently isolated and referred to as Ki-Aikido, particularly in the Western world
.
could be taught to students of all ages, including the handicapped and infirm, and also to those incapable of Aikido practice. Aikido is just one of the disciplines in Tohei's holistic art of Shin Shin Toitsudo; there are in fact five disciplines learned by students at a Ki Society Dojo:
Being one of the first Japanese
to bring Aikido to the West
from Japan
in 1953, Tohei discovered numerous obstacles in teaching. Western students did not accept teachings at face value, and bombarded Tohei with questions, and even occasional "attacks" to test Tohei's real ability. Due to these teaching situations, Tohei was forced to create a very clear system of teaching that combines Western methods to teach Eastern concepts such as ki, one-point, relaxing completely in a live fashion, etc. Through his lifetime in wars abroad and at home, and through his experiences with Aikido, in Sokushin no Gyo at the Ichikukai dojo, and the Japanese Yoga
teachings of Tempu Nakamura
, Tohei realized four universal principles that he felt should be used in all Ki Society practice, and in everyone's daily life.
Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai hosts an All-Japan Taigi Competition every year at Ki no Kenkyukai (HQ), and every four years the World Taigi Competition is held there. Various techniques are grouped into 31 sets, each of which are called a 'Taigi', and participant teams perform from two to five taigi, selected from that year's taigi choices. The competition is one of measuring the nage's form and movement with uke, rather than a competition between two opponents. It is most closely compared to paired figure skating competition or ice dancing competition, with judges awarding points for balance, largeness, and rhythm.
The Ki-society has its primary facilities, known as Ki Society H.Q (Ki no Sato), in Tochigi
Prefecture
.
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...
organization founded 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:...
in 1971, while he was the chief instructor at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. The official Japanese name of the organization is Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai (心身統一合気道会), but it is more usually known in English-speaking countries as "Ki Society". Its foundation reflected Tohei's differences with 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....
, and his own emphasis on developing the concept of 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...
. Tohei's art is correctly called Shin Shin Tōitsu-dō
Shin Shin Tōitsu-dō
Shin Shin Tōitsu-dō was founded by Nakamura Tempu and is also known as Japanese Yoga...
(心身統一道), meaning "the way of realizing the [original] unity of mind and body", but the martial discipline of the art is frequently isolated and referred to as Ki-Aikido, particularly in the Western world
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
.
History
At the Ki Society, Tohei envisioned a place where KiQi
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...
could be taught to students of all ages, including the handicapped and infirm, and also to those incapable of Aikido practice. Aikido is just one of the disciplines in Tohei's holistic art of Shin Shin Toitsudo; there are in fact five disciplines learned by students at a Ki Society Dojo:
- Shin Shin Toitsu AikidoAikidois 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...
- Kiatsu (personal health and healing)
- Ki Breathing
- Ki Meditation
- Ki Development Exercises (methods for realizing oneness of mind and body are Oneness Rhythm Exercise, Sokushin no Gyo, and Senshin no Gyo)
Being one of the first Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
to bring Aikido to the West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1953, Tohei discovered numerous obstacles in teaching. Western students did not accept teachings at face value, and bombarded Tohei with questions, and even occasional "attacks" to test Tohei's real ability. Due to these teaching situations, Tohei was forced to create a very clear system of teaching that combines Western methods to teach Eastern concepts such as ki, one-point, relaxing completely in a live fashion, etc. Through his lifetime in wars abroad and at home, and through his experiences with Aikido, in Sokushin no Gyo at the Ichikukai dojo, and the Japanese Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
teachings of 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:...
, Tohei realized four universal principles that he felt should be used in all Ki Society practice, and in everyone's daily life.
- Keep One PointDantianDantian, dan t'ian, dan tien or tan t'ien is loosely translated as "elixir field". It is described as an important focal point for internal meditative techniques.There are various points of dantian...
- Relax Completely
- Keep Weight Underside
- Extend Ki
Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai hosts an All-Japan Taigi Competition every year at Ki no Kenkyukai (HQ), and every four years the World Taigi Competition is held there. Various techniques are grouped into 31 sets, each of which are called a 'Taigi', and participant teams perform from two to five taigi, selected from that year's taigi choices. The competition is one of measuring the nage's form and movement with uke, rather than a competition between two opponents. It is most closely compared to paired figure skating competition or ice dancing competition, with judges awarding points for balance, largeness, and rhythm.
The Ki-society has its primary facilities, known as Ki Society H.Q (Ki no Sato), in Tochigi
Tochigi Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshū, Japan. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya.Nikkō, whose ancient Shintō shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture...
Prefecture
Prefectures of Japan
The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 subnational jurisdictions: one "metropolis" , Tokyo; one "circuit" , Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures , Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures . In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as...
.
Further reading
- Koichi Tohei: Ki in Daily Life. Japan Publications, Tokyo, 1978, ISBN 0-87040-436-9
- Koichi Tohei: Book of Ki: Co-ordinating Mind and Body in Daily Life. Japan Publications, Tokyo, 1976, ISBN 0-87040-379-6
- Koretoshi Maruyama: Aikido with Ki. Japan Publications, Tokyo, 1984, ISBN 0-87040-566-7
- Reed, William: Ki: A Practical Guide for Westerners. Japan Publications, Tokyo, 1986, ISBN 0-87040-640-X
- Reed, William: A Road That Anyone Can Walk: Ki. Japan Publications, Tokyo, 1992, ISBN 0-87040-799-6