What is Aikido?
Developed in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba, the goal of aikido (“the way of harmonious spirit”) is to defend oneself while also protecting the attacker from injury. It is non-competitive and focuses on blending and redirecting an attacker’s energy through various defensive techniques. Because of its many layers of study and exploration, serious students view aikido as a lifelong pursuit with “self-defense” only one of the many benefits it provides.
See a few Aikido Techniques in action here.
Unlike the striking arts, such as karate, aikido is more cerebral and “inward”. Rhythm and timing, relaxation and breathing, and body movement/mechanics are emphasized to achieve maximum impact. Therefore, the application of aikido can cover a broad spectrum. It can range from a gentle Tai Chi-like art on one end of the spectrum to an extremely effective self-defense system on the other end where wrist locks, break falls, and body pins are emphasized.
Students also incorporate weapons training with the Jo (long wooden staff) and the Bokken (wooden sword) by perfecting various defensive techniques and kata patterns, and by practicing defensive techniques against the Tonto (knife attacks).
Rick Berry Sensei, head instructor of the Wilmington Delaware Kokikai Aikido branch, is also the regional coordinator of the tristate area. Read more about Berry Sensei here.
What is Kokikai Aikido?
The kokikai style of aikido was developed by Shuji Maruyama Sensei who studied as a young man at the dojo of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. Maruyama Sensei trained as one of Ueshiba’s esteemed "resident students" and dedicated his life to the mastery and teaching of aikido.
Maruyama Sensei came to the United States in 1966, first to Cleveland and then Philadelphia, where he finetuned the art by incorporating greater “unbalancing” into the traditional techniques. This made aikido more realistic and consequently more acceptable to the competitive martial arts culture in the United States at that time (e.g., judo, karate, etc.).
Here he taught a generation of practitioners, who in turn opened dojos and clubs around the country, including at some of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Many of Maruyama Sensei’s senior students are now some of the highest ranked practitioners of aikido, including Cecelia Ricciotti Sensei (Philadelphia), who has the unique distinction of being the only female 8th degree aikido black belt in the world.
Maruyama Sensei, now over 80 years old and living in Japan, comes to the United States regularly to lead camps and seminars. His summer and winter camps attract hundreds of aikido students from around the world, and it is where higher ranked students showcase their skills for belt testing.
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