Main Rules of Aikido: Useful Information on a Japanese Martial Art

In the Japanese language, the word “aikido” consists of three hieroglyphs, meaning harmony, life energy, and path. Together, it denotes a path to harmony, which is the name of martial art that appeared in Japan in the mid-20th century. The main principle is that aikido is suitable for peaceful people, for those who deny violence. However, aikido can be useful to protect oneself or other people. Aikido training helps to both improve the physical possibilities of the body and spiritual ones. It can be achieved only if students perfectly follow the instructors’ guidance. The given article is going to present a comprehensive guide into the sport of aikido.

General Principles

The given martial art is mainly governed by a few main principles that are written on a wall in their center in Tokyo. Thus, those people who want to start practicing aikido must know and follow these principles:

1. A single hold can be enough to kill an opponent. That is why it is not allowed to have fun at training or experiment with force. Even though students begin with air moves, it is not reasonable to exert much power. This principle should be followed even when they come to holds against real opponents.
2. Aikido learns how to confront several opponents simultaneously. Thus, particular attention is paid to precise movements that can make it possible to win a few enemies.
3. Aikido students should be satisfied, happy, and peaceful while training.
4. One should always remember that the greatest attention is paid to a balanced development of body, brains, and spirit. Aikido holds represent the secrets of nature; that is why it is not allowed to teach unfair people aikido because will be able to use this martial art for negative purposes.

Equipment and Weapons

As a rule, aikido training takes place indoors. As for official competitions, there should be a square area with its sides of slightly more than nine meters each. This area should be covered with 50 judo mats. In its center, there should be two starting lines at a distance of 3.64 meters between them. Furthermore, the area should be surrounded by a safety zone of at least 1.82 meters wide that should be also covered with mats. It is of key significance that the fighting area should be of a contrasting color to the safety zone.

Aikido fighters wear usual sporting kimonos, the same as those for judo or karate fighters. They consist of a white jacket, white trousers, and a belt, a color of which determines an athlete’s skill level. A white belt is given to everyone who comes in the world of aikido. In addition to that, those fighters who manage to achieve the highest skill level and obtain a black belt have the right to wear a specific piece of uniform – hakama, i.e., a wide divided skirt of black color).

As is clear, aikido supposes some holds and fighting with arms. In general, it is done to learn a proper culture of hands movement and sophisticate this skill. More often than not, aikido fighters use a bokken (wooden sword), jo (short stick), and tanto (wooden training knife). Besides, some more skilled fighters can deal with a katana (long Japanese sword), wakizashi (short sword), bo (Japanese metal or wooden staff), and naginata (an item with a curved blade).

Technique

Training in aikido, similar to that in many other martial arts, begins with learning basic postures and main holds. As they say, practice makes perfect. That is why students do not compete with one another; the greatest part of training time they devote to practicing this or that movement until they become the second nature.

Aikido technique is rather diverse; in addition to traditional holds, fighters are allowed to perform corresponding throws, submission, and kicks. The most characteristic feature of the given martial art is represented by rotating movements that are used to leave an attacking line or to imbalance an opponent.

Another advantage of aikido is connected to teaching falling technique and various acrobatic stunts. As a result, fighters become flexible and learn how to better coordinate their movements.

History

Development of aikido as a martial art is closely connected with the name of Morihei Ueshiba who decided that it was possible to create different martial art. To tell the truth, he managed to cope with the given task thanks to Takeda Sokaku’s school of thoughts. In addition to that, the sensei developed a philosophical basis and changed the technique of performing holds. That is why aikido became extremely different from all the previous martial arts.

Ueshiba opened his first aikido school in 1931; its students tried to find harmony with nature through particular physical exercises. The sensei considered his own goal in improving and sophisticating the whole world. Aikido was becoming more and more popular, appealing many representatives of Japanese society. Nowadays, the World Aikido Center comprises more than 70 national federations.